Off-road private tour to the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, the fascinating Andean highlands of Bolivia and the vast plateaus of north-west Argentina
Nowhere in the Andes are you more isolated and in more extraordinary landscapes than on this unique off-road private tour through the Andes in Chile, Bolivia and north-west Argentina. The fascinating Atacama Desert in Chile marks the beginning of the journey and impresses with adobe architecture in the charming oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, with outstanding natural wonders in a reddish desert landscape with majestic volcanoes, millions of stars in the dark night sky and marvellous boutique lodges, as you may know them from Africa. And then, across the border in Bolivia, virtually behind the volcanoes, a new world of top-class natural wonders opens up that will leave you speechless: the highest geysers in the world, the Dali Desert, which seems to have been painted into nature like a painting, the most intensely coloured lagoons - Laguna Blanca, Colorada and Verde - from snow-white, to purple-red to vibrant turquoise, flamingos in large numbers, extinct volcanic craters in the brightest colours, old mines and small villages. In the middle of it all, the huge white salt lake Salar de Uyuni, unbelievably white, salt as far as the eye can see. The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt lake in the world. This fascinating off-road luxury tour takes you to Argentina via the old silver cities of Potosi and Sucre. The rarely visited north-west of Argentina offers seven-colour gorges, adobe villages, the best wine and steaks with the finale in Cafayate, the trendiest wine region in South America.
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"I only experienced this extraordinary off-road private trip in an SUV with local guides myself in May 2023 and can absolutely recommend this tour. The adrenaline-fuelled area of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile is topped by the fascinating highlands of Bolivia. Nowhere in the Andes is it more lonely, more spectacular, more fascinating! You can either continue travelling across the Andes to Peru, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu (see our Andes off-road trip) or, as here, to north-west Argentina. Experience a programme full of contrasts off the beaten track in spectacular landscapes."
In the evening flight with LAN, Air France or KLM from Frankfurt to Santiago de Chile. Alternatively, you can fly with Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Buenos Aires and on to Santiago de Chile.
After a long flight of around 16 hours, you will land in the capital Santiago de Chile in the morning. Welcome to Chile. If you are flying with Lufthansa, you will arrive in Buenos Aires in the morning and fly on to Santiago in the morning.
2 nights at the 5★ Hotel The Singular , room with breakfast – Details about the hotel
Reception and private transfer with your local German-speaking guide to the hotel. Here you can arrive in peace and relax, as the room is available for immediate check-in (early check-in).
A first visit to the city awaits you around midday on the private city tour with your private guide. It will take you to the Club Hípico, one of the most beautiful racecourses in South America, on the Santa Lucía hill. This is where Pedro de Valdívia once founded the city.
Santiago de Chile combines the characteristics of a modern metropolis with those of a city steeped in history from the colonial era. During your private sightseeing tour with a German-speaking guide in a private car in the afternoon, you will visit both the historic centre and the modern side of Santiago. In the city centre, you will see the Presidential Palace, formerly the national mint and therefore called "La Moneda", the historic main square or "Plaza de Armas" with the cathedral and the beautiful old post office; the "Palacio de la Real Audiencia", which today houses the National History Museum and the "Casa Colorada", the historic residence of the governor during the colonial era.
Excursion by private car with a local English or German-speaking guide to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Today you will be picked up from your hotel to explore the harbour city of Valparaíso. Your tour will first take you to Plaza Sotomayor, the most important square in the centre of Valparaíso with a monument to the heroes of the naval battle of Iquique in 1879. You will continue to the southern part of the city to see the famous old inclined lifts. 15 of them have been rattling up Valparaíso's hill on black rails since the middle of the 19th century. Once at the top, you will be treated to an impressive view of the harbour and bay.
Along the coastal road, you make your way to neighbouring Viña del Mar, the country's most popular seaside resort. The town owes its nickname "garden city" to its many well-tended parks and private gardens. The town is best known for its flower carpet with the motif of a clock and its casino. After arriving at Con-Con beach, you can marvel at some fish stalls that reflect the great variety of fish and seafood. You return to Viña del Mar via the residential neighbourhood and visit the Vergara market square and the shopping street before having lunch (not included) in one of the restaurants.
Visitors to Chile can learn interesting facts about Pablo Neruda. Houses tell of the life of the famous poet. During this visit, you also have the opportunity to visit one of the city's most interesting museums or visit Pablo Neruda's poet's hermitage, Isla Negra, by the sea.
After breakfast you will be picked up and taken to the airport for your flight with LATAM to Calama.
On arrival in Calama, your driver will be waiting for you at the hotel for the private transfer from the airport to the hotel in the oasis town of San Pedro. During the approx. 1.5-hour drive to San Pedro, you will get your first impressions of the unique landscape. The hotel is located in the centre of the small oasis town. Time to acclimatise and get used to the altitude.
3 nights at the 5★ Hotel Awasi , superior round suite, premium all-inclusive – Details about the hotel
alternatively 3 nights in the 5★ explora Atacama, double room, Premium all Inclusive – Details about the hotel
alternatively 3 nights in the 5★ Tierra Atacama, double room Oriente, Premium all Inclusive – Details about the hotel
During your stay, you can choose from a variety of private tours and excursions offered à la carte and just for you; your personal English-speaking guide (German-speaking on request) with your own 4×4 vehicle is at your disposal. Depending on your mood and physical condition. Your local guide will coordinate the activities with you on site. You will spend three wonderful days in the wild nature and enjoy unique views of the desert, mountains and salt lakes. Various activities and hikes can be undertaken depending on the weather and fitness level: Excursions to Piedras Rojas and the Tuyajto lagoon, to the geysers of El Tatio and to Ayllu de Coyo, to the Moon Valley and the salt lake. At Awasi you enjoy your own car with a private guide, at Explora and Tierra excursions in small groups with guides or on request and for an extra charge also privately possible.
After breakfast, you will be driven to the border in the highlands. Cross the border into Bolivia and complete the exit and entry formalities. There you will be picked up by our Bolivian partner with the Bolivian 4×4 off-road private vehicle and English-speaking private guide and drive up to the Eduardo Avaroa National Park with an area of 714,745 hectares in the south-west of Potosi in the province of Sud Lipez. The native fauna has unique species that are adapted to the extreme living conditions in this region, some of which are threatened with extinction. This place is unique thanks to its colourful lagoons, salt pans, volcanoes, snow-capped peaks, plains, thermal springs, some rivers rich in algae and plankton, geothermal geysers, flora and general topography.
You visit the Laguna Verde, which looks like a giant emerald and from where you have an impressive view of the Licancabur volcano at 5,865 metres above sea level. The special brightness of the green water in the afternoon is dazzling. The intense green colouring is due to a high magnesium content. Continue to the "Sol de Mañana" geysers with fumaroles and volcanic craters of spectacular formation over an area of 1 square kilometre with intense volcanic and fumarole activity. The crater floor shows boiling lava; the fumaroles emit mixed water and superheated steam that reaches a height of 80 to 100 metres. This phenomenon shows a landscape from the beginning of the earth.
This geothermal field is located at an altitude of 4,900 metres. The road to Laguna Colorada leads through a unique landscape of deserts and mountains. With an area of 60 square kilometres and an altitude of 4,278 metres, Laguna Colorada is characterised by the red hue of its waters. The lagoon is inhabited by flocks of flamingos (three species): Tokko (red plumage), Chururu (whitish plumage) and Jututu (pink plumage). The lagoon landscape is exceptionally beautiful at these altitudes, emphasised by the impressive reddish colour of the lagoon. This is considered the most important flamingo observation point in the Andes region. Vicuñas, llamas and vizcachas can also be seen.
Enjoy a picnic lunch on the way. Dinner at the hotel.
Please note:
Today is a strenuous day and requires a good level of fitness. The journey takes around 10 hours, including stops on the way through this lonely and fascinating landscape. The highest point of the day's stage is at the Sol de Manana geyser at 4,900 metres above sea level. The stop here is relatively short and the visit is not strenuous. Most of our guests had no problems at this altitude. There is always a bottle of oxygen in the jeep.
1 overnight stay in the Domes at Laguna Hedionda tent dome with private bathroom/WC, dinner and breakfast – Accommodation details
Alternative 1 overnight stay at the Explora Mountain Home Ramaditas – Accommodation details
After breakfast, explore the lagoon with a variety of flamingos, which are less shy and resident here. Then a spectacular Andean drive through largely deserted natural landscapes with various stops and a picnic lunch en route. Arrival at the Salar de Uyuni in the late afternoon, where your next accommodation is located, the Deluxe Airstream Camper on the largest salt lake in the world. Salar de Uyuni - the largest salt flat in the world - is located at an altitude of over 3,600 metres on the Bolivian plateau, a place that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Covering over 11,000 square kilometres, visitors can see nothing but dazzling white, crystallised salt as far as the eye can see. We have planned a worthwhile 3-day stay here. You will go on private excursions with your guide in robust off-road vehicles in and around the salt lake, which not only capture the fascinating white during the day, but also take you to lesser-known places such as the original Chullpas burial towers with mummies that you would otherwise only see in museums and to fossilised plant caves. The low-lying islands, where giant candelabra cacti survive, are also worth a visit.
2 nights with private programme at the Salar de Uyuni salt lake
1 overnight stay in a Deluxe Airstream Camper incl. full board – Details about the hotel
1 overnight stay in the riginal salt hotel Luna Salada, deluxe room with salt lake view, picnic lunch and dinner – Details about the camper
Altervative 1 or 2 nights in the Explora Uyuni Lodge – Details about the lodge
Early in the morning, you will travel by private car with your private guide to Uyuni (change of vehicle) and continue on a scenic route to Potosi. This city has been declared a "historical and cultural heritage of humanity" by UNESCO. Potosí, the most powerful mining town in America, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, lies in the middle of a barren mountain world at an altitude of 4,070 metres in south-central Bolivia. The name Potosí became a symbol of wealth and power through silver and transformed the city into one of the largest urban centres in Spanish America, with a population of 160,000 in 1650, surpassing European cities of the same time. Unique wooden machines brought from Spain in the 17th century are worth protecting.
Lunch in Potosi. Then continue to Sucre to the charming Paradores Hotel. Sucre, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands for freedom and Simon Bolivar, who signed Bolivia's independence here. With its historic centre and magnificent colonial buildings, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its pleasant climate and the many green spaces, Sucre is one of the most beautiful cities in Bolivia.
2 nights in the 4★ Parador Santa Maria Hotel, junior suite with breakfast – Details about the hotel
The colonial splendour of the city of Sucre makes you feel like you're in Andalusia. The whitewashed facades and the relaxed atmosphere in the alleyways invite you to linger. Those who have previously travelled through the highlands will enjoy the warm, friendly climate here at an altitude of 2790 metres. Although Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, there is nothing more to be found here than the Supreme Court. Everything else is organised from La Paz. The inhabitants of the city, the Sucrenses, attach great importance to the fact that the city is the heart of the country. This pride stems from Bolivia's history.
Founded in 1538 by the Spanish as the "City of Silver of New Toledo", Sucre also gained importance when Potosí experienced its heyday. In the temperate climate, food was grown for the inhabitants of the highlands. One of the first universities in South America was founded here in the 17th century. Even today, the atmosphere of the university town is characterised by student life. The year 1809 was particularly important for the city, when General Don Antonio José de Sucre began the fight for Bolivian independence here. The city was given its new name in his honour.
Private city tour in the morning including lunch in a local restaurant. Sucre is considered the most beautiful city in Bolivia and also the best-preserved colonial city in South America. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. As in many other cities, life takes place in the central plaza and the magnificent buildings are lined up one after the other. The cathedral, beautiful colonial houses such as the Casa de la Libertad with its museum and the former government palace are well worth seeing. The 20 white churches, which are all well preserved, are also a feast for the eyes. The church of San Felipe is the most impressive with a beautiful panoramic view from the roof. Sucre is also famous for its chocolate specialities.
19:00 Dinner and show about Bolivia in the local restaurant "Origines" incl. private transfers.
After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven back to Potosi in a private car along a scenic route and on to Hacienda Cayara, situated in a beautiful rural setting. Here you will get a good impression of the history of the country, especially the silver mines in the region. The charming, family-run museum hotel is one of the country's outstanding private hotels and is well worth a stay in its own right. Private tour of the hotel's museum and dinner.
1 overnight stay at the Cayara Museum Hotel, double room with half board – Details about the hotel
After breakfast, check-out and departure with your guide in a private car through the Andes to the La Quiaca border. Photo stops and short breaks en route. The journey takes approx. 4 - 5 hours, depending on traffic.
Say goodbye to your driver and guide at the border crossing, complete the entry and exit formalities on foot and be picked up by your local Argentinian English-speaking tour guide driver/guide in an Argentinian SUV. Continue for approx. 3.5 - 4 hours, depending on traffic, through an interesting and charming Andean landscape to Purmamarca. The small, charming town of Purmamarca is located in an outstandingly scenic setting, in a side valley of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. The small town lies at an altitude of 2,275 m, is of pre-Hispanic origin and is characterised by its striking adobe architecture, orchards and colourful hills and rocky landscapes. Purmmarca and its unique natural and cultural landscape have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrival in the evening, check-in, check into your room, dinner at the hotel.
1 overnight stay at the 4★ Hotel El Manantial del Silencio, double room with half board – Details about the hotel
After breakfast, tour with hike in the surroundings of Purmamarca, hiking, visit to the sights near the quebradas and tour of the village with sightseeing. The small village of Purmamarca already existed before the Spaniards set foot in South America. The main attraction is certainly the Mountain of the Seven Colours on the western edge of Purmamarca. The different colours were created by the high concentration of different minerals in the rocks. Also worth seeing is the "Paseo de los Colorados", a 3 km long circular path, the old church and the carob tree standing there. The tree is estimated to be 1000 years old! Lunch in a local restaurant in Tilcara or Purmamarca included. Continue to Salta in the afternoon.
2 nights at the 4★ Hotel Legado Mitico Salta, double room with breakfast – Details about the hotel
After breakfast, a guided walk around the main square. El Cabildo, the town hall from the 18th century, is now a museum. The nearby Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (MAAM) houses Inca artefacts.
After breakfast, check-out and departure with your guide in a private car through the Andes, first on a tarmac road, then on a partly unpaved road. Quebrada and Cuesta del Obispo (Obispo Mountain): The RP Nº 33 offers a varied panorama and curves that climb to an altitude of 3,348 metres above sea level. The panoramic road shows a landscape of high-altitude meadows. The highest point with magnificent views and a great panorama is the Piedra del Molino at 3,348 metres above sea level and approx. 90 km from Salta. The landscapes on this slope surprise with their colours and curious shapes. Further down you can see vast green pampas.
Continue to Los Cardones National Park, a protected area here in the north-west of Argentina. The national park was opened in 1996 and covers an area of 641.17 km² between 2,700 m and 5,000 m above sea level. Los Cardonnes National Park was named after the so-called Cardón, a type of cactus that grows at altitudes of up to 3,400 metres and grows up to 12 metres tall during its lifetime of 250 to 300 years. Then drive to Cachi.
Cachi is a small and enchanted village with a colonial heritage in the middle of the hills above the Calchaquí valleys. Cachi offers a relaxed flair, quiet cosiness and a unique landscape. Although it is quite a long way to get there, today you will be rewarded with wonderful experiences in Los Cardones National Park and the Cuesta del Obispo gorges, experiencing unique moments of the region's culture on remote trails, which will continue in Cachi.
2 nights in the 4★ Boutiquehotel El Cortijo, double room with breakfast – Details about the hotel
A free day to relax and explore the area around Cachi, which is really worthwhile and not yet very well developed for tourism. You take a guided tour to the archaeological zone and stop for lunch at a winery, where you enjoy a lunch and a wine tasting.
After breakfast, check out and continue to Molinos on a dirt track, in scenic areas, through villages and communities. Lunch and break under shady trees in the small village of Molinos, opposite the church. Continue to Cafayate. With its vineyards, the majestic rocky landscapes in the surrounding area and its way of life, Cafayate is a real jewel in the south of Salta.
Alternatively and on request at additional cost (costs more time):
Lunch at the Estancia Colomé. When you visit this bodega, you have the feeling of being in a place that is so high up in the clouds that you feel like you are on earth and in heaven at the same time. There is a certain magic to being surrounded by the mountains and the four altitudes, there seems to be a unique energy. The Bodega Colomé is a place where you can enjoy a glass of wonderful wine, switch off and immerse yourself in the nature and vastness of this land. A unique and unforgettable experience that begins with an amazing and challenging journey through the magnificent foothills and mountains of the Cordillera. A magical mix of starry skies and an intense and glowing sun that radiates energy adds a mysterious touch to this awe-inspiring adventure.
2 nights at the 4★ Hotel Patios de Cafayate, Gallery double room with breakfast – Details about the hotel
Cafayate is also known as Argentina's and South America's favourite wine village. The wine-growing region is one of the highest wine regions in the world, as the majority of the vineyards are located around 1,700 metres above sea level. Various Caber-net varieties, Malbec and the award-winning white wine made from the Torrontés Riojano grape are produced here. Several wineries offer guided tours and tastings. One of the best-known wineries is Bode-ga Etchart, which also has a small museum where you can view very old Algarrobo barrels in which the Torrontés white wine was matured.
Today you will go on a guided private excursion in Cafayate, experience a rural day at the Estancia Santa Elena with horse riding and lunch. Alternatively, enjoy Cafayate town on a short walk and savour your lunch with accompanying wines at the Bodega Piatellly.
After breakfast, check-out and departure to Salta with your driver/guide in a private car. En route stop and sightseeing in the Quebrada de las Conchas. Continue to Salta airport for departure to Buenos Aires in the late afternoon. Reception and private transfer to the Park Hyatt Hotel, in a prime location in the heart of Recoleta.
3 nights + late check-out on day of departure at the 5★ Hotel Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau, Old Palace King room with breakfast – Details about the hotel
After a relaxed breakfast, you start the first part of your private sightseeing tour (approx. 6 hours) in a private car with your German-speaking private guide and visit the districts of La Boca with its colourful, rather simple houses and San Telmo. Today there is an antiques market here, and you will be surrounded by a very special flair. There is also time to stroll around, enjoy a coffee or tea in one of the marvellous cafés and perhaps watch a tango couple dancing in the street.
Our tip: Book a table at Fervor, the best steaks and seafood in Recoleta, not included.
Second part of the tour, lasting approx. 5 hours in the La Recoleta neighbourhood, where the legendary cemetery where Evita was laid to rest is located. The tour then continues to Palermo, the trendy district and nightlife area in Buenos Aires, and to Puerto Madero, the new neighbourhood at the harbour.
Our tip: In the evening, you can experience how the Argentinians spend the evening tangoing at an authentic milonga.
After breakfast, you have the day at leisure. Your room is available for a late check-out in the evening. Check out in the evening and private transfer to the airport.
Around midnight departure with Air France non-stop back to Paris.
Arrival in Paris in the late afternoon. Onward flight with Air France. Arrival in the late evening, end of the journey.
Included in your trip:
Services not included:
Would you like more experiences that you will never forget? We will also be happy to inform you of the surcharges for Club rooms, suites and flights in Business or First Class.
In the heart of Santiago's artistic centre, in the trendy Lastarria district, you will find the neoclassical hotel The Singular Santiago. Lastarria is one of the city's most charming neighbourhoods, rich in history and culture. Located in the north-east of the city, it is just a few steps away from the Santa Lucia hill. The five-star hotel is a member of the prestigious "The Leading Hotels of the World", was designed as a tribute to the cultural and historical surroundings and welcomes its guests with first-class service in an elegant atmosphere. It has a perfectly balanced architecture, environment and gastronomy that blends into the essence of the place. 6,500 square metres of constructed area are divided into nine floors, including 62 rooms, an excellent restaurant, a terrace, a spa and a gym.
Room
Enjoy the peace and quiet in your elegant accommodation. Like the hotel itself, the rooms at The Singular have a neoclassical design and offer a mix of classic and contemporary style. There are Lastarria rooms (approx. 25 square metres), Classic (approx. 28 square metres) and The Singular rooms (approx. 36 square metres) as well as suites.
Gastronomy
In the award-winning restaurant The Singular, chef Hernán Basso and his team create a delicious fusion of Chilean ingredients with French influences.
In the cosy Merced Bar you can sample the house cocktail creations, Café 294 offers a selection of coffees, teas and juices and from the Rooftop Bar you can enjoy various spirits with a fantastic view of the San Cristobal hill.
Wellness
At the Celtic-themed The Singular Wellness Spa, you are invited to indulge and rejuvenate yourself with a wide range of different massages. The Singular Santiago de Chile also has a well-equipped fitness centre.
The small 5*Awasi Atacama is located behind secret adobe walls in the old oasis town of San Pedro and invites its guests to relax in a cosy and intimate atmosphere. Awasi Atacama is a private area reserved for guests only. The Relais&Chateaux boutique lodge Awasi has only twelve rooms - so privacy is guaranteed. Each individual room has a private guide and a 4×4 SUV vehicle for individual tours and private explorations in the Atacama Desert. The design of the lodge with its natural materials, open ceilings and round shapes was inspired by the historic Inca ruins and co-designed by local historians.
Room
The suites at the Awasi Atacama offer guests plenty of space in a cosy atmosphere. The spacious rooms are decorated with natural materials such as wood and stone and in warm earthy colours. In addition to comfortable beds, you will find seating, a desk, a private bathroom and a private terrace.
Gastronomy
Head chef Juan Pablo Mardones creates dishes in harmony with the surroundings. He uses local produce and aims to put a little bit of the desert on every plate. Awasi Atacama is a member of the renowned Relais&Chateaux group, known for its excellent and exquisite cuisine and wines.
Activities
Explore the impressive Atacama Desert with your private guide and in your own 4×4 SUV vehicle for your own personalised tours and private explorations in the Atacama Desert. Immerse yourself and go on private excursions with your guide to the beauty of the surrounding area with a variety of activities tailored to your wishes, interests and fitness level. Geysers, gorges, adobe villages, valleys, giant cacti, flamingos and vicuñas - there is so much to discover in the Atacama Desert. And when you get back to your Awasi Atacama retreat, you can relax by the crackling campfire with an excellent wine and delicious food in a cosy atmosphere.
The Atacama Desert stretches from the rugged Pacific coast in northern Chile to the steep slopes of the Andes in south-west Bolivia. Famous for its aridity, the Atacama is proof that life can thrive even under the harshest conditions.
The 5*Explora Lodge in Atacama is located in the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, at the beautiful Ayllu de Larache, once inhabited by ancient Atacameño families. San Pedro is a unique adobe town surrounded by the dramatic features of the desert: salt flats, volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, windswept sand dunes and much more.
Immerse yourself in a luxurious hotel world under a clear night sky, surrounded by high-altitude lagoons and picturesque valleys in the driest desert in the world - Atacama. In the northern desert of Chile you will find the elegant and sustainable boutique hotel Tierra Atacama. The 5* luxury hotel promises exquisite, contemporary and unique design, an intimate atmosphere and authentic experiences full of adventure and relaxation.
The Tierra Atacama Spa Hotel was designed by some of Chile's most renowned architects with a focus on regional sensibility, eco-friendly design and boutique comfort. Living areas with local jewellery and handicrafts, fireplaces on the outdoor terrace ensure cosiness during the starry evenings and the modern cuisine of the High Andes offers the best culinary delights.
Tierra Atacama offers a personalised excursion plan that is tailored to your individual needs. The excursions are included and take place in small groups with a guide. On request, these can also be booked on a "private" basis outside the high season for an additional charge. The wide range of activities such as hiking, cycling, horse riding and volcano hiking offer pure variety and allow you to immerse yourself in the Atacama Desert. A restorative wellness visit to the Uma Spa, complete with a selection of treatments influenced by the desert climate, native flora and ancient therapies, provides the relaxation you need.
Room
Living with a view of the Atacama Desert? Tierra Atacama fulfils this wish in its luxurious and naturally designed rooms. You will stay in comfortably furnished accommodation decorated in earthy colours with panoramic windows that offer a view of the vast natural landscape early in the morning.
Gastronomy
At Tierra Atacama, you embark on a gastronomic journey into the local flavours and preparation methods of Chile. Experience the innovative twist of northern Chilean cuisine in a combination of modern and traditional influences.
Wellness
The Uma Spa pampers you in the middle of the desert with treatments and massages, a whirlpool and an infinity pool with desert and volcano views. Yoga classes and numerous places for meditation are also available in the wellness area.
Excursions
Tierra Atacama has put together a range of activities for you. These include mountain bike tours, hikes, horseback rides and excursions to Moon Valley, the Salar de Atacama salt flats, the Altiplano lagoon or the Tatio geysers at sunrise.
The programme also includes special activities such as hiking under a full moon, stargazing and birdwatching in the desert.
After a day in the desert, you can relax by the pool on your return, have a drink by the open fire and enjoy an extensive dinner in our Relais & Chateaux restaurant.
Awasi Atacama is located behind an ancient adobe wall and so our small lodge is barely noticeable to passers-by from the outside.
Private patios, trees providing natural shade and open seating areas under the clearest skies in the world - Awasi offers the ideal opportunity to experience the best of the Atacama Desert up close.
These unique tent domes on the banks of Laguna Hedionda offer exceptional accommodation in the midst of this impressive natural setting, in a prime location and with the best views. Nestled in the breathtaking solitude, the half-transparent tent dome offers guests an unobstructed view of wild flamingos directly in the lagoon, the surrounding high Andes and volcanoes - from the moment their eyes open in the morning. The comfortable dome is heated, has its own shower with hot water, private toilet and wonderful beds with cosy, warm alpaca bedding. The accommodation is run by locals, so that visitors can do something good for the local population at the same time and immerse themselves in their culture at a communal cookery evening.
In the middle of the lonely high Andes, on the banks of Laguna Ramaditas, which takes its name from the many branching paths around the lake, you arrive at the secluded mountain lodge, Explora Lodge. All around us is a typical Andean landscape. You can observe birds such as red-backed hawks, flamingos and Andean gulls and discover other traces and sounds of the wildlife of the Andean highlands. Overnight stays, full board, drinks and excursions are included, as is the dream view.
The architecture of the Explora Mountain Lodges aims to blend in as seamlessly as possible with the natural surroundings in order to emphasise the landscape around each lodge. In the words of Chilean architect Max Núñez, his project aims to "offer travellers a unique experience of life in the Altiplano".
What sets this holiday apart from others is the fact that you don't sleep in the salt hotel on the edge of the salt lake, but in the deluxe Airstream caravan ─ in the middle of the white desert. This allows you to experience the spectacular landscape in complete solitude without other tourists. Always with you: your personal guide and a cook.
The luxury camper includes a double bed or two single beds and a sofa bed. It also has a private bathroom, electric blankets, table, wardrobe and luggage space, air conditioning/heating and a fully stocked minibar. Each camper is towed by a specially adapted 4×4 vehicle, which you and the guide will travel in during the day.
Enjoy local culinary specialities prepared by an experienced chef and excursions accompanied by knowledgeable guides. Enjoying a cocktail at sunset in this tranquil setting is definitely a highlight of your Bolivia tour. When night falls, the silence is absolute and the sight of a million stars is hard to forget.
Welcome to the Luna Salada Hotel & Spa - a hotel made entirely of salt. Situated on the edge of the world's largest salt plain, we invite you to enjoy an extraordinary hotel stay in one of the most fascinating places in the world. Enjoy the colourful Andean charm in your room and the delicious Andean cuisine in our Tanupa restaurant. You will find the ultimate relaxation in our spa with panoramic views.
Room
All the accommodation is made entirely of salt - from the walls to the floor to the furniture. Experience the tranquil atmosphere and energy of the Uyuni salt plain, filled with the charm of the Andes. The deluxe rooms come with a choice of views of the salt lake, the mountains or the sunrise. The 35 square metre rooms are equipped with a queen bed or two single beds, as well as amenities such as central heating and a hairdryer.
Gastronomy
The Tunupa Restaurant awaits you with panoramic views of the Salar de Uyuni and exquisite traditional cuisine. The menu changes regularly, but the ingredients are always locally sourced. Meat, fish and fruit are sourced from the best regions of Bolivia. The wine cellar contains a large selection of wines from all over the nation.
Wellness
The Spa Luna is a rustic retreat, an oasis that invites guests to relax and be pampered. All guests have access to the steam sauna and whirlpool. The spa also offers the following massages: Shiatzu, Swedish, Californian, Holistic, Hot Stone, Salt Stone and a combination of salt scrub and massage.
On the edge of the largest salt lake in the world, this secluded mountain lodge, the Explora Lodge on the Salar de Uyuni, awaits you. The buildings were designed by Chilean architect Max Núñez: his aim was to create something light, small and low that would blend in and harmonise with its surroundings as unobtrusively as possible. This led to the construction of our accommodation, which consists of 100% modular prefabricated components. Thanks to this type of assembly, the buildings are "reversible", which means that they can be easily dismantled, transported and rebuilt elsewhere in the future. The Explora Lodge Uyuni and the Mountain Homes each consist of modules for bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and lounges or service rooms, which can be combined in different ways depending on the location and requirements.
All around you is a marvellously lonely, typical salt lake and volcanic Andean landscape. Overnight stays, full board, drinks and excursions are included, as is the dream view. The architecture of the Explora Mountain Lodges aims to blend in as seamlessly as possible with the natural surroundings in order to emphasise the landscape around each lodge. In the words of Chilean architect Max Núñez, his project aims to "offer travellers a unique experience of life in the Altiplano".
The Parador Santa Maria La Real is housed in an 18th-century colonial-style building and offers stylish rooms with private balconies, just one block from Plaza 25 de Mayo.
Room
The rooms at the Parador Santa Maria La Real feature four-poster beds and stylish wooden furniture. All rooms have windows and a minibar.
Gastronomy
The restaurant at the Parador Santa Maria Hotel promises a cosy atmosphere with furniture from the 18th century. Here you can enjoy international and national dishes to the sound of music.
Wellness
The wellness facilities promise relaxing moments, including a sauna and a whirlpool as well as a spa area with massages, manicures and pedicures and a fitness studio.
The charming Hacienda Cayara, the former Commendation of Don Juan de Pendones, whose original titles date back to 1557, was the first hacienda to be founded in New Toledo (now Bolivia).
Nature, tranquillity and the opportunity to travel back in time are elements that blend together at the Museum Hotel Cayara. The small hotel is located just 30 minutes from the historic city of Potosí, in a green valley at 3,550 metres above sea level, also strategically located for onward travel to the border with north-west Argentina. The family-run hotel is characterised by friendly and personal service, so that you can feel at home. Let yourself be touched by the magic of colonial times and discover Cayara and Potosí from their most beautiful and historical sides.
Hotel Museo Cayara in Santa Lucía provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The accommodation offers family rooms and a sun terrace. The accommodation features a concierge service. At Museo Cayara Hotel the rooms have a terrace, a private bathroom with a shower and free WiFi. Some rooms offer mountain views.
The beautiful boutique hotel Manatial del Silencio is located in the small Andean village of Purmamarca, around three hours north of Salta. Purmamarca is known as the village of the seven colours, with its rock of the same name, which boasts an incredible variety of colours. The comfortable Hotel El Manantial del Silencio (Source of Silence) is the perfect base for exploring the colourful Humahuaca Gorge, the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Only 18 spacious country-style rooms and one suite, comfortably furnished with elements of the indigenous culture of the north-west. An excellent restaurant with international cuisine, but also influences of Andean cooking culture, a bar, a wine cellar, a library with open fire, a spa with Jacuzzi and the swimming pool in the large, well-tended gardens complete the hotel infrastructure.
The charming boutique hotel Legado Mitico is located in the historic centre of Salta. Salta, the beautiful, is the affectionate name given to this colonial pearl at an altitude of 1,187 metres in the north-western part of Argentina in the middle of the Valle de Lerma. Salta is home to over half a million inhabitants, most of whom are of highland Indian descent. The old colonial architecture of its Spanish founders, who took the city off the rails in 1582, comes into its own here. In the well-preserved colonial old town, there is an archaeological museum right on Plaza 9 de Julio, the central square where Salta's magnificent 19th century cathedral stands. The plaza is lined with restaurants and street cafés where you can round off the evening with empanadas and tamales.
The Legado Mitico Salta Hotel offers a mix of traditional and modern design in a 1930s building in the historic centre of Salta. The accommodation is just a few metres from 9 de Julio Square and offers exclusive rooms with free Wi-Fi. The suites at the Legado Mitico are named after famous personalities and cities that convey the local culture. Each room has a private terrace or balcony, air conditioning and an LCD TV. The property has comfortable communal lounges, a well-stocked library with travel and cultural books, a fireplace, a massage parlour and a patio.
The boutique hotel El Cortijo is housed in a colonial-style building in the village of Cachi in the province of Salta. It offers cosy rooms with traditional Argentinian décor and a gourmet restaurant. The colourful rooms at El Cortijo Hotel feature typical regional stone architecture and free Wi-Fi. During your stay at El Cortijo Hotel Boutique, you can dine in the Catalino Restaurant, which serves typical dishes from the Andean region and a wide selection of wines. A breakfast buffet with fresh fruit, juices and bread rolls awaits you every morning.
Surrounded by the vineyards of the El Esteco winery and with the Calchaquíes valleys in the background is the original manor house of the estate, founded in 1892, which is now part and soul of this beautiful country hotel with just 32 rooms. The marvellous garden, pool and top restaurant invite you to enjoy. The wine hotel Patio de Cafayate offers spacious rooms with antique furniture, ceramic tiles and hand-knotted carpets. They also feature air conditioning, cable TV and views of the mountains or the landscaped gardens.
In the restaurant of the Patios De Cafayate, you can enjoy fine dining dishes prepared with fresh local produce. You can also relax in the outdoor pool or on the sun terrace. The largest golf course in South America is just a 5-minute drive away. The shaded galleries and the inner courtyard of the accommodation also invite you to relax.
This beautiful Belle Époque-style city palace with adjoining modern tower is located in the elegant Recoleta district, right on Avenida Alvear in the heart of the city and is surrounded by cafés, boutiques and attractive architecture. The Teatro Colón, the museums and the famous Recoleta cemetery are also just a few steps away from the hotel. The hotel's peaceful garden is particularly relaxing in the middle of the vibrant metropolis.
Room
From your spacious Tower room with 40 to 55 m² of living space, you can enjoy an outstanding view of green gardens, beautiful palaces or the bustling streets of the capital. The state-of-the-art facilities include a king-size bed, a large desk and a luxurious bathroom with bidet, bathtub and walk-in rain shower. Other amenities include butler service, in-room coffee and high-speed WiFi.
Gastronomy
Wellness, Spa, Sport
Relax in the 750 m² spa or swim a few lengths in the 25-metre indoor pool. Want to be even more active? Then head to the in-house fitness centre with state-of-the-art cardio training equipment. Then treat yourself to a soothing massage in one of the individual treatment rooms with natural light and finish off by relaxing in the sauna.
German nationals do not require a visa to enter Chile, Argentina and Bolivia and stay there for up to 90 days.
Chile's climate is characterised by different climate zones. The north tends to have less rainfall, while the south is more humid. The best time to visit Chile is between October and April, but the north can be easily travelled all year round.
The climate in Bolivia is mainly dependent on the altitude, with a large part of the country lying at over 1,500 metres. The rainy season is between November and March throughout the country, while it is drier between April and October - these months are also considered the best time to visit.
No compulsory vaccinations are required for direct entry from Germany to Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. However, when travelling to Bolivia from a yellow fever area, proof of a yellow fever vaccination must be provided. All areas of Bolivia below 2,300 metres are yellow fever transmission areas. It is therefore strongly recommended that all travellers are vaccinated against yellow fever before travelling to these areas. The vaccination is valid from the tenth day of international travel. Also make sure that your standard vaccinations are up to date according to the Robert Koch Institute's vaccination calendar. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies are also recommended as travel vaccinations for long-term stays or special exposure.
Important note:
This trip is partially suitable for travellers with reduced mobility, depending on their impairment.
Please contact us for detailed advice and handling of flights, transfers and accommodation.
Thank you for your interest in our holidays. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Alternatively, you can call us directly at + 49 30 69 80 21 90.
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030 / 69 80 21 92
gowin@select-luxury.travel
"I only experienced this extraordinary off-road private trip in an SUV with local guides myself in May 2023 and can absolutely recommend this tour. The adrenaline-fuelled area of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile is topped by the fascinating highlands of Bolivia. Nowhere in the Andes is it more lonely, more spectacular, more fascinating! You can either continue travelling across the Andes to Peru, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu (see our Andes off-road trip) or, as here, to north-west Argentina. Experience a programme full of contrasts off the beaten track in spectacular landscapes."
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