Across the Andes
Atacama to Salta & Iguazu
Atacama Deserts to Argentine Estancias
Commence your journey at Alto Atacama in the Atacama Desert. Surrounded by the Cordillera del la Sal and in the shadow of the Pucara de Quitor ruins, the lodge offers one of the most breath-taking settings in the world. Here and over the next four nights enjoy excursions such as in the Atacama Salt Flat, in the Salt Mountain Range, in the Sarapana Mountain Range and in the Andes Mountain Range. You may choose to visit the Valley of the Moon, the El Tatio geysers, the High Andean Lagoons or explore rock art – the choice is yours!
A three-hour road transfer passing by incredible landscapes brings you to the tranquil village of Purmamarca, where you have another two nights to explore. Check in to El Manantial del Silencio, a relatively new establishment with architecture prevalent of local traditions, and admire the simplicity yet glorious setting that you are in. Purmamarca is a great base for you to explore the nearby Quebrada de Humahuaca Valley, a World Heritage Site.
Continue two hours to Salta for another two-night stay at Estancia El Bordo de las Lanzas, a rustic working estancia which dates back to 1609! Make the most of enjoying and appreciating the best of gaucho life, tradition and craftmanship. You may choose during your stay to get involved and join the gauchos as they undertake their daily farm work, cattle musters and ride the property’s Peruano Argentino de Paso horses. You can also explore the countryside by bike or on foot, do some birdwatching or perhaps visit the yacare-caiman reserve.
Possibly a bucket-list experience – make your way to Iguazu and enjoy the power of its mighty falls! Spend two nights at the Melia Iguazu, the only property on the Argentine-side within the premises of the Iguazu National Park, and with a breath-taking view of the Devil’s Throat, the largest and most spectacular fall.
You will love
- Dry, rugged landscapes
- Estancia & gaucho life
- Iguazu Falls
- Off the beaten track
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
15 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
DAY 1 | ATACAMA
Arrive at Chile‘s Calama airport and road transfer to your accommodation. The afternoon and evening are at leisure.
DAY 2 | ATACAMA
Your accommodation Includes guided explorations of the Atacama desert; the flamingoes and salt flats, moon valley, the altiplano lagoons, geysers and thermal pools plus guided walks and trekking, bike riding, horse riding and bird watching.
DAY 3 | ATACAMA
Another day is set aside for you to enjoy activities in the Salar de Atacama, the Cordillera de la Sal, the Cordillera de Sarapana and in the Andes Mountains
DAY 4 | ATACAMA
One further full day is for you to explore more of the Atacama – either on half or full day excursions and experiences at a style, pace and length of your choice.
DAY 5 | PURMAMARCA
Road transfer to the picturesque village Purmamarca (a six-hour drive). Check into your accommodation and the remainder of the afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore the local town.
DAY 6 | PURMAMARCA
Head out to visit Purmamarca and its spectacular Seven Colors Hill and craftsmanship, Posta de Hornillos. Further on your way, pass through Maimara and its Painter’s Pad, Tilcara and its Pucara. Further up, pass by Huacaleram and Uquia, then cross by the Capricorn Tropic to arrive to Humahuaca. Late afternoon return, and the evening is at leisure.
DAY 7 | SALTA
Road transfer to Salta and after checking into your accommodation, head out with your guide for an afternoon city tour. Start from the traditional 9th of July square, visiting the historic centre of the city, its museums, monuments and colonial architecture. The main attractions are el Cabildo, The Cathedral San Francisco’s Church and San Bernardo’s Convent. Then go to the top of San Bernardo’s Hill passing by the Monument of the General Guemes and then the surroundings of Salta, visiting the university campuses and San Lorenzo, a summer village and finally The Craft Market.
DAY 8 | SALTA
Enjoy activities at the estancia such as horse-riding, bird-watching, cattle roundups and other gaucho activities, visit the yacare-caiman reserve, trek, take a bike ride, partake in a cooking or traditional dance lesson, enjoy a handicraft tour, or perhaps at additional cost rejuvenate with a relaxation massage.
DAY 9 | IGUAZU
Fly from Salta to Iguazu, then check into the Melia, the only hotel located within the Iguazu National Park. Relax and walk about the hotel’s grounds, take a dip in the pool and late this afternoon enjoy a gin and tonic masterclass with a bartender.
DAY 10 | IGUAZU
Head out this morning on ‘The Great Adventure” – enter the jungle on the Yacaratia Trail in specially designed trucks, before boarding boats to navigate the lower Iguazu River, heading towards waterfalls and enjoying the abundant rapids. In the afternoon enjoy a 15-minute joy-ride helicopter flight over the falls to concrete your experience at Iguazu.
DAY 11 | BUENOS AIRES
Fly from Iguazu to Buenos Aires, checking into the Legado Mitico in the chic and quirky Palermo neighbourhood. This afternoon enjoy a half day private city tour of Buenos Aires with your guide visiting the Main Square, Plaza de Mayo with its neo-classical Cathedral, colonial town-hall and the Presidential Palace and the “Casa Rosada” (The Pink House). Then visit the old neighbourhood of San Telmo with its narrow, cobblestone streets, La Boca with its multicolour tin houses and soccer stadium, the elegant Barrio Norte neighbourhood, Palermo with its wonderful parks and gardens, monuments and magnificent mansions.
DAY 12 | BUENOS AIRES
The day is at leisure for you today to explore more of Palermo and its markets or to head to Recoleta and wander around its museums, art galleries, shops, parks and plazas. Early this evening head out to Gala Tango for dinner and a tango show admiring the elegant, warm, refined form.
DAY 13 | BUENOS AIRES
Head out with your guide and drive along the north area to reach the elegant northern riverside suburbs in the outskirts of Buenos Aires which is San Isidro. The area is a delta and named ‘Tigre’, a generic name to the region, a watery wonderland of amazing beauty where the locals move around by boat, whether their own, a taxi launch or a public wooden boat. On the inlets (like a rural Venice) there are some restaurants and vendors offer all kinds of products. Once in Tigre, let your guide take you off the beaten track along the Delta in an authentic wood strip Canadian canoe. Return to Buenos Aires late this afternoon.
DAY 14 | BUENOS AIRES
Today visit the traditional gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco, 123 kilometres from Buenos Aires, learning about the Gaucho’s history and traditions. First stop to visit a famous silversmith workshop, whose work to this day is sought after by kings and collectors worldwide. Then continue to Estancia La Bamba and savour a typical Argentine barbecue of fine beef and wines, and relax in the soothing views of endless plains. A wonderful way to enjoy the countryside immersed in an ambience of nature, history and tradition.
Note this is not a tourist show, but a wonderful day from the city, to experience Estancia life at its best.
DAY 15 | INFLIGHT
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation, and inflight homebound/end of arrangements.
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
A selection of the finest, hotels, estancias and lodges
Sweeping views, tranquility and silence
A white washed wonder
Grandeur and glam in Northern Argentina
Spectacular natural surroundings
Palermo Boutique Hotel
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
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Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley Yates
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If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
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Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
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Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros Wheeler
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham Family
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Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul Cozzi
An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert Taylor
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Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree family
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Kim & Brad Balance
Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
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Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd
