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Cycle Chile & Argentina: Atacama to Salta
Duration
13 days
Site savings
$113
From
$5,516 USD
Cycle two South American countries on a 13-day cycle exploration tour. This trip takes you on a journey through a part of the world that resembles no other. Starting in the popular town of San Pedro de Atacama and finishing in 'Salta la Linda', this trip takes you through many roads in which you will see very little traffic and no other cyclists. This 'once in a lifetime' journey includes cycling through salt flats, ravines, a serpentine-like road through a rainforest and in the driest desert in the world.
- CategoryRoad Cycling
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration13 days
- Culture LevelAdventurous
- Skill Level3 - Intermediate
- Activity Level4 - Challenging
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainMixed
- Distance314.4 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance31.7 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration13 days
- Main DestinationChile
- Distance314.4 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance31.7 miles
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainMixed
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Start Atacama; transfer to hotel
Those on the tour operator's group flight will arrive at Calama airport today, after connecting in Santiago de Chile. There will be a group transfer from the airport to the start hotel in the nearby town of San Pedro. For those people who have booked Land Only and made their own travel arrangements, you are welcome to meet the group transfer should you wish (and have informed the tour operator/Roar Adventures in advance). Otherwise, the meeting point is at the start hotel in San Pedro anytime in the afternoon/evening.
- Hotel Altiplanico or similar
- Day 2Cycle to Moon Valley; visit salt mines
This morning you will get on your bike for the first time and go on an acclimatisation ride. You will depart the town of San Pedro and cycle to the Valley of the Moon. Here you will feel as if you have landed on another planet, as it is often compared to Mars due to its red colour of rock formations and dunes. Afterwards you will ride a bit further to visit some salt caves, before heading back a different way to San Pedro town.
- 23.6 miles
- Hotel Altiplanico or similar
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 3Visit El Tatio geysers; afternoon ride to San Isidro's chapel
Today is a very early start as you depart the hotel in San Pedro 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 4000 meters (13,123ft) above sea level. Departing early gives you an opportunity to watch the sunrise in one of the most important geothermic fields in the world. On arrival you will enjoy breakfast in this beautiful setting, providing you with the perfect way to warm up.
On your way back to San Pedro you will enjoy some beautiful sites and stop off in the Village of Machuca, an atacameño village of 20 houses which are built from clay, straw and cactus wood. You will head back to town in time for lunch before a short ride scheduled in the afternoon. In the afternoon you will depart to San Isidro’s Chapel, stopping along the way at famous landmarks like the Devil’s Throat.
- 14.3 - 12.4 miles
- Hotel Altiplanico or similar
- Breakfast
- Day 4Cross border into Argentina; cycle alongside Jama salt flat; transfer to Susques
Today is a long travel day so you will get up early in order to say goodbye to Chile and cross into Argentina (approx. 2.5 hours), via the Jama Pass (4275m/14,025ft). You will be making some stops at viewpoints to stretch your legs and take some photos during the journey, including some lagoons in Los Flamencos Reserve. Once you clear immigration, you will continue the transfer to the town of Jama (approx. 2.5 hours). In Jama you will have lunch before getting on your bike and cycling alongside the Jama Salt Flats. Then you will have another transfer (approx. 1.5 hours) to your destination for the night, Susques.
- 21.7 miles
- Hotel Pastos Chicos or similar
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 5Transfer to Salinas Grandes; scenic picnic lunch; downhill ride to the Humahuaca Gorge and the Hill of Seven Colours
Departing Susques, you will transfer (approx. 1 hour) to the small community of Cerro Negro. Here you will unload the bikes and start cycling towards the Salinas Grandes Salt Pans. You will have the opportunity to experience riding on salt before making a stop for your picnic lunch.
Afterwards, you will cycle on climbing to the viewpoint of Abra de Potrerillos (4170m/13,681ft). From there you will then enjoy a fast downhill ride with amazing views of the surrounding coloured hills and rock formations until you arrive at the famous Hill of Seven Colours. From here hop on a short ride to the hotel located just outside the town of Purmamarca.
- 43.5 miles
- Hotel Casa de Adobe or similar
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 6Transfer to El Carmen; cycle through rain forest; transfer to Salta
You will start the morning with a transfer (approx. 1 hour) to the small town of El Carmen. Today’s ride will feel completely different as you cycle through a rainforest on a paved road heading south towards Salta. This was the route that joined the two main cities in the province, Salta and Jujuy. This is one of the most spectacular cycling stages as you will encounter a serpentine road surrounded by lush rainforest on either side of the road. You will stop for a picnic lunch near the town of La Caldera before boarding a transfer to your destination for the next 2 nights, the beautiful city of Salta.
- 28 miles
- Hotel Design Suites or similar
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 7Free day in Salta
Spend today at leisure and enjoy exploring beautiful Salta. It is recommended you visit the high mountain archaeological museum (MAAM), located in the centre of town. Here you will find three mummies of children from the Inca civilization, who were sacrificed at the Llullaillaco Volcano. Only one of the mummies is on display at any one time, as they are changed every 6 months. Please ask your tour leader and they will help you to arrange it.
- 28 miles
- Hotel Design Suites or similar
- Breakfast
- Day 8Transfer to abandoned train station; cycle along Las Conchas river
Following breakfast, you will transfer (approx. 1 hour), to the abandoned Alemania village and train station. After exploring this fascinating village, you will get on your bike and start cycling along the Conchas River. You will pass many interesting rock formations which have over the years received names like the Amphitheatre and the Devil’s Throat. Today is your longest ride but you will end in the tranquil town of Cafayate, which is renowned for its wine production.
- 52.8 miles
- Grand Cafayate
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 9Cycle to the Sacred City of Quilmes; guided tour and transfer back
This morning you will cycle towards the Sacred City of Quilmes. These are Calchaquí native ruins, from a tribe who once lived amongst the Calchaquí mountain range. It is considered as the largest pre-Colombian settlement in Argentina. You will have a guided tour of the ruins before having lunch and then transfer (approx. 1 hour) back to Cafayate. On route there will be a stop at Las Arcas de Tolombon Winery for some wine tasting.
- 34.8 miles
- Grace Cafayate or similar
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 10Ride to the Calchaqui Valley; transfer to Molinos passing the Valley of Arrows
After breakfast, set off on your bikes towards the Calchaqui Valley passing through the old town of San Carlos. This is one of the oldest towns in Argentina.
After lunch, take a transfer (approx. 1.5 hours) to Molinos where you will be stopping off at the best locations to get great photos. Everywhere you look you will see horizontal rock formations which look like they have been fired at Earth from space. You will pass a few sleepy small towns and hamlets along the way.
- 29.8 miles
- Hotel Hacienda de Molinos or similar
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 11Cycle using the old National Route 40 to Cachi
After breakfast, start cycling straight from the hotel and head on to the old National Route 40 to Seclantas. This is a very scenic route as you will be cycling along the Calchaquí River.
Upon arriving at El Colte, there will be a stop to appreciate some of the art displayed by the side of the path produced by loom weavers. Afterwards, carry on cycling until you arrive at your hotel for the night.
- 31.7 miles
- El Cortijo Hotel or similar
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 12Cycle in Los Cardones National Park; downhill stage along 'Bishop's Hill'; final transfer to Salta
For your final day of cycling, you will have a short transfer (approx. 30 mins) to your starting point at Los Cordones National Park. The name comes from the hundreds of cardon grande cactus which are everywhere throughout the park. From here you will have your final biking stage, downhill along the mesmerising Bishop’s Slope. The last leg of your journey is completed with a transfer back to Salta.
- 42.3 miles
- Hotel Design Suites or similar
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 13End Salta airport