Cycle Chile & Argentina: Atacama to Salta
Cycle Chile & Argentina: Atacama to Salta
Cycle Chile & Argentina: Atacama to Salta
13 Days Starting in San Pedro de Atacama and ending in Salta
Visiting: Argentina, Chile
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MAQ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Tour Overview
This cycling adventure takes us on a journey through a part of the world that resembles no other. Starting in the popular town of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, and finishing in Salta la Linda, Argentina, we take many roads with very little traffic and no other cyclists. This once-in-a-lifetime journey includes cycling through salt flats, ravines, a serpentine road through a rainforest and in the driest desert in the world.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start San Pedro De Atacama; Transfer To Hotel
The adventure begins in the town of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. We check into our hotel and have a welcome briefing this evening, a good chance to meet the group and ask any questions you may have.
Accommodation: Hotel Pascual Andino (or similar)
Day 2 : Cycle To The Valley Of The Moon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, we get on our bikes for the first time and go on an acclimatisation ride. We depart the town of San Pedro and cycle to the Valley of the Moon. Here you feel as if you have landed on another planet, it is often compared to Mars with its red rock formations and dunes. Afterwards, we cycle to salt caves, before returning to San Pedro.
Accommodation: Hotel Pascual Andino (or similar)
Day 3 : Visit El Tatio Geysers; Afternoon Ride To San Isidro's Chapel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have a very early start as we depart our hotel and set off towards the impressive Tatio Geysers, the third largest geyser fields in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere. They are located at 13,125ft (4,000m) above sea level. Departing early gives us an opportunity to watch sunrise in one of the most important geothermic fields in the world. On arrival, we enjoy breakfast in this beautiful setting, providing us the perfect way to warm up. On our return to San Pedro, we see beautiful sites and stop in the village of Machuca, an Atacameño village of 20 houses built from clay, straw and cactus wood. We head back to town in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we have a short ride to San Isidro’s Chapel, stopping along the way at well-known landmarks, including a winding canyon known as Devil’s Throat.
Accommodation: Hotel Pascual Andino (or similar)
Day 4 : Cross Border Into Argentina; Cycle Alongside Jama Salt Flats; Transfer To Susques
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today is a long travel day, so we rise early to say goodbye to Chile and cross via the Jama Pass (14,025ft/4,275m) into Argentina (approximately 2hr 30min). We stop along the way at viewpoints to stretch our legs and take photos, including a pause at lagoons in Los Flamencos National Reserve. Once we clear immigration, we continue our transfer to the town of Jama (approximately 2hr 30min). In Jama, we have lunch before we get on our bikes and cycle alongside the Jama salt flats. We then have another transfer (approximately 1hr 30min) to Susques, our destination for the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Pastos Chicos (or similar)
Day 5 : Transfer To Salinas Grandes; Scenic Picnic Lunch; Downhill Ride To The Humahuaca Gorge And The Hill Of Seven Colours
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Departing Susques, we transfer (approximately one hour) to the small community of Cerro Negro. We unload the bikes and cycle towards the Salinas Grandes saltpans. Here, we can ride on salt before stopping for our picnic lunch. After lunch, we have a short transfer to the viewpoint of Abra de Potrerillos (13,680ft/4,170m). From here, we enjoy a fast, downhill ride with amazing views of coloured hills and rock formations until we arrive at the Hill of Seven Colours. After taking photos, we have a short ride to our hotel just outside the town of Purmamarca.
Accommodation: Casa de Adobe Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 : Transfer To El Carmen; Cycle Through Rainforest; Transfer To Salta
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We start the morning with a transfer (approximately one hour) to the small town of El Carmen. Today’s ride feels completely different as we cycle on a paved road through a rainforest heading south towards Salta. This route joins the two main cities in the province, Salta and Jujuy, and is one of the most spectacular cycling stages we encounter: a serpentine road with lush rainforest on either side. We stop for a picnic lunch near the town of La Caldera before boarding a transfer to our destination for the next two nights, the beautiful city of Salta.
Accommodation: Design Suites Salta (or similar)
Day 7 : Free Day In Salta
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend today at leisure and enjoy exploring beautiful Salta. We recommend visiting the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology (MAAM) in the town centre, where you can see one of three mummified children from the Inca civilisation, who were sacrificed at the Llullaillaco Volcano. Please ask your tour leader to organise your visit. We can also arrange a bird-watching trip to Finca Cielo Verde.
Accommodation: Design Suites Salta (or similar)
Day 8 : Transfer To Abandoned Train Station; Cycle Along The Conchas River
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Following breakfast, we transfer (approximately two hours) to the abandoned Alemania village and train station. After exploring, we get on our bikes and cycle along the Conchas River. We pass many interesting rock formations, with names such as the Amphitheatre and Devil’s Throat. Today is our longest ride but we end in the tranquil wine-producing town of Cafayate.
Accommodation: Viñas de Cafayate Wine Resort (or similar)
Day 9 : Cycle To The Sacred City Of Quilmes; Guided Tour And Transfer Back
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, we cycle towards the Sacred City of Quilmes. These are Calchaquí ruins, from an indigenous community that once lived among the Calchaquí mountain range. It is considered the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina. We have a guided tour of the ruins before lunch and then a transfer (approximately one hour) back to Cafayate. En route, we stop at Las Arcas de Tolombon Winery for a wine tasting.
Accommodation: Viñas de Cafayate Wine Resort (or similar)
Day 10 : Ride To The Calchaqui Valley; Transfer To Molinos Passing The Valley Of Arrows
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we cycle towards the Calchaqui Valley passing through the old town of San Carlos, one of the oldest towns in Argentina. After lunch, we take a transfer (approximately 1hr 30min) to Molinos with stops at the best locations to get great photos. Everywhere you look you will see horizontal rock formations that appear to have been fired at Earth from space. We also pass a few sleepy small towns and hamlets along the way.
Accommodation: Hacienda de Molinos Hotel (or similar)
Day 11 : Cycle Using The Old National Route 40 To Cachi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we cycle straight from our hotel and head on the old National Route 40 to Seclantas. This is a very scenic route alongside the Calchaquí River. When we arrive at El Colte, we stop and appreciate art produced by loom weavers. Afterwards, we carry on cycling until we arrive at our hotel for the night.
Accommodation: El Cortijo Hotel Boutique (or similar)
Day 12 : Cycle In Los Cardones National Park; Downhill Stage Along Bishop's Slope; Final Transfer To Salta
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
For our final day of cycling, we have a short transfer (approximately 30 minutes) to our starting point in Los Cardones National Park. The name comes from the hundreds of cardon grande cacti growing throughout the park. From here, we have our final biking stage, downhill along the mesmerising Bishop’s Slope. The last leg of our journey is completed with a transfer back to Salta.
Accommodation: Design Suites Salta (or similar)
Day 13 : End Salta
Meals Included: Breakfast
The adventure draws to a close today and we begin our return journeys home. If you’d like more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
What's Included
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All breakfasts and nine lunches
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12 nights hotels
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Tour leader throughout
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Local bike hire
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation
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E-bike hire
Accommodation
We spend 12 nights in a range of hotels along the route, breakfasts are included each day. Accommodation has been chosen to suit our group size and requirements. They are all cyclist friendly and strategically located for the best cycling routes possible along our Chile to Argentina route.
Worth Knowing
We will provide twin rooms (two beds) for non-couples and, while we cannot always guarantee, double rooms (one shared bed, as available) for couples. Please request preferred room type at the time of booking.
We can arrange single rooms throughout the trip for a supplement (subject to availability). Please ask your sales representative for details.
Food
All breakfasts and nine lunches are included.
Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets, and lunches are either at convenient restaurant stops during our rides or packed lunches. There is a variety of tasty food on offer in the hotels and local restaurants for the evening meals that are not included in the price of the trip. Chile and Argentina traditionally have a lot of meat dishes in their cuisine; however, vegetarians can be catered for throughout the trip. Please ensure you advise us of any dietary requirements before you travel so we can make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 16 years old people can go on this tour.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
British, most European and most other nationalities, including Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders, do not require visas. All other nationalities should contact the nearest Chilean Embassy if in doubt.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes,Airport transfers (if booking incl. flights)
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.