Northern Argentina and Chile Tour

When travelers think of Argentina and Chile, the far south is often what comes to mind. Indeed, there is a well-trodden tourist path through Patagonia, but Argentina and Chile are incredibly varied with their unique Euro-Latin cultural blend and their richly diverse landscapes. Join Apex to experience hidden gems of the north, from the wildlife-rich Iberá Wetlands and jaw-dropping Iguazú Falls, to the mind-bending terrain of Salta, Jujuy, and the Atacama Desert. See Capybaras, Rheas, Vicuñas, foxes, and flamingoes, and savor wines from mountaintops and verdant valleys. Get to know an amazing part of South America that few visitors ever see on this 15-day Northern Argentina and Chile Tour.

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5
• Day 6
• Day 7
• Day 8
• Day 9
• Day 10
• Day 11
• Day 12
• Day 13
• Day 14
• Day 15

• Tuesday, October 20: Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina

  Arrive in Argentina’s capital and transfer to your hotel in the stately Recoleta district. Meet your fellow travelers and expedition leader at a welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Park Hyatt Buenos Aires.

• Wednesday, October 21: Buenos Aires / Iberá Wetlands

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight north to Argentina’s border with Paraguay. Arrive in Posadas, then travel west along the Paraná River. Established in 2018, Esteros del Iberá is one of the Americas’ newest national parks. It’s the largest protected area in Argentina at 1.76 million acres, and one of the world’s largest wetlands. Iberá is home to some 4,000 species of flora and fauna—30% of Argentina’s total. Take several days to explore the park’s swamps, bogs, and floating islands. This afternoon, look for abundant Red Carayá, or Howler Monkeys, and birds in the trees above you during a guided walk around your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the riverside estancia Hotel Puerto Valle.

• Thursday, October 22: Iberá Wetlands

  Today, head into the wetlands in 4x4s for a veritable safari through Iberá’s fields, plantations, and marshes. Look for Caiman, Capybara, Marsh Deer, otter, and countless bird species such as Purple and Common Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, Crested Screamer, Bare-throated Bellbird, Harpy Eagle, and Vinaceous Parrot on this full-day excursion. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Puerto Valle.

• Friday, October 23: Iberá Wetlands

  After breakfast, venture by motorboat into the scenic channels that penetrate the Paranaense Jungle. This jungle, located between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, is one of the most biodiverse forests on the continent. It’s a natural shelter for parrots, macaws, and countless other bird species. Other animals to look for include Tapir, peccary, Vinegar Fox, anteater, and Lagoon Turtle. After lunch, tour the hotel’s 35-acre park. Visit the tree nursery, dedicated to the production of Grevillea, Kiri, and Yerba Mate seedlings, and the organic vegetable garden. Enjoy time later this afternoon to explore the grounds on your own, kayak the Paraná River, or take a horseback ride along nature trails. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Puerto Valle.

• Saturday, October 24: Iberá Wetlands / Iguazú Falls

  After breakfast, head back to Posadas. Drive northeast to the Brazilian border, and Iguazú. Stop en route to visit the San Ignacio Miní ruins, the impressive remains of a mission to the Guaranís founded around 1610, one of a series of Jesuit Missions spread across Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to your hotel, located just steps from the magnificent Iguazú Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Iguazú, meaning ‘big water’ in the local Guaraní language, has some 275 individual falls and cataracts making this the largest waterfall system on Earth. Dinner and overnight at Melia Iguazú Hotel.

• Sunday, October 25: Iguazú Falls

  Spend the day on a guided excursion into the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls National Park. This side is filled with myriad paths, walkways, and stairways through the pristine subtropical forest surrounding the falls. Take the Waterfalls Train to the “Devil’s Throat,” the largest and most impressive of the falls. Vapor rises constantly from this 450-foot-long, 240-foot-tall waterfall. Watch the daredevil “vencejos,” birds that are unique to Iguazú and spend their days swooping and diving among the falls. Walk the Lower Circuit, looking for antbirds, toucans, manakins, and a variety of parrots as you make your way to several more waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at Melia Iguazú Hotel.

• Monday, October 26: Iguazú Falls

  Explore a different perspective of the Iguazú Falls National Park today—from the Brazilian side. Walk along boardwalks with stunning views of the falls and up-close encounters to feel the mist. Take a panoramic elevator to the upper part of the falls and walk to Espaço Porto Canoas, with views of the Iguazú River that feeds the falls. Return to Argentina for dinner and overnight at Melia Iguazú Hotel.

• Tuesday, October 27: Iguazú Falls / Salta / Cafayate

  This morning, fly west to Salta, the provincial capital and best-preserved Spanish colonial city in Argentina, backdropped by the Andes Mountains. Upon arrival, tour the city that was founded in 1582, including the historic Plaza 9 de Julio, where you will find the Basilica Cathedral and San Bernardo Convent. Visit the Museum of High-Altitude Archaeology to learn more about the Llullaillaco Expedition that discovered well-preserved Incan mummies from over 500 years ago. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading south past the foothills of the Andes to the Cafayate Valley. Economically significant during the colonial era for its cattle breeding and production of spices andgrains,today, it is the heart of high-altitude wine country. Dinner and overnight at Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa.

• Wednesday, October 28: Cafayate

  After breakfast, explore the spectacularly colorful Quebrada de las Conchas canyon, formed 50 million years ago. A hike into the canyon allows you to get a closer look at the stunning geological formations. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, visit the Museo de Vid y el Vino (The Vine and Wine Museum). Learn about the high-altitude winemaking process—how the extreme temperatures and sun exposure, along with poor soil quality, combine to produce the full-bodied reds and fruity whites of this region. Dinner and overnight at Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa.

• Thursday, October 29: Cafayate / Salta / Purmamarca

  Today, gear up for a full-day drive north, to Jujuy province. En route just outside of Salta, stop at the charming estancia, House of Jasmine’s, for lunch. Continue to today’s final destination, the town of Purmamarca, which sits cradled in one of the route’s most remarkable sites, the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors), a vibrant geological formation that appears to glow in the light of the rising sun. Dinner and overnight at Manantial del Silencio Hotel.

• Friday, October 30: Purmamarca

  This morning, visit nearby Pucará de Tilcara, an incredible archaeological site built in the 10th century by the Omaguaca tribe, which saw the expansion of the powerful Inca empire into the region, followed by the Spanish conquerors. Enjoy a lunch of regional delicacies at a local restaurant, before heading to the sleepy town of Uquía, notable for its historic church which boasts paintings of gun-toting angels. Stop in Humahuaca townto stroll its charming streets, then head to the mountains of Hornocal, the stunning beauty of which is caused by a limestone formation exposed in the range that extends from Salta through the Quebrada de Humahuaca, and on to the Bolivian Altiplano to Peru. Return to Purmamarca for dinner and overnight at Manantial del Silencio Hotel.

• Saturday, October 31: Purmamarca / San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

  Today, bid farewell to Argentina as you head into the Andes toward Paso de Jama, the border with Chile. Look for Vicuñas—the higher-altitude relatives of Llamas and Guanacos—viscachas, and condors. Stop at the Salinas Grandes, or Great Salt Flats, standing at 11,320 feet above sea level, and seeming to stretch forever in all directions. Dotting the blinding white expanse is the odd turquoise pool. After being cleared to cross the border at Paso de Jama, travel down to San Pedro de Atacama. Considered the archaeological capital of Chile, indigenous peoples and world travelers mingle in this ancient village with dirt streets and adobe houses. Dinner and overnight at Nayara Alto Atacama.

• Sunday, November 1: Atacama

  The Nayara Alto Atacama offers a wide variety of half-day excursions that suit every fitness level and interest, so you’ll be able to choose your preferred morning adventure. Visit the Atacama Salt Flats and the Tamarugos forest, a woodland region en route to the National Reserve of the Flamingos. Hike or bike through the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) Canyon. Explore the rock art of some of the first inhabitants of the desert over 1,500 years ago. Return to San Pedro de Atacama for lunch. Later this afternoon, visit one of the most scenic places in the area, located in the Salt Mountain Range, for a majestic sunset. Dinner and overnight at Nayara Alto Atacama.

• Monday, November 2: Atacama

  Ascend into the nearby Los Flamencos National Reserve to the Altiplanic Lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, oases of brilliant blue. They may feel almost like a mirage as your head swims due to the 13,000-foot elevation. Spend some time walking around Miscanti before visiting neighboring Miñiques Lagoon, one of the last breeding spots of the Horned Coot, which feeds on the lake’s algae. Other species to look for are Chilean and James’s Flamingoes, Puna Plovers, Juarjual Ducks, Andean Gulls, and the endemic Fabian’s Orange-bellied Lizard. Dinner and overnight at Nayara Alto Atacama.

• Tuesday, November 3: Atacama / Calama / Santiago / Depart

  Early this morning, head to El Tatio, a geothermal field 14,176 feet above sea level and the third-largest geyser field in the world. The unique flora and fauna have adapted to flourish in this extreme environment. Breakfast will be served while you enjoy the breathtaking views of the geysers. This afternoon, depart for the Calama airport for the group flight south to Santiago. Depart this evening on your international flights home.