Cycle Chile & Argentina: Atacama to Salta

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. Stay: Hotel Pascual Andino (or similar).

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. Stay: Hotel Pascual Andino (or similar) (B/L).

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. Stay: Hotel Pascual Andino (or similar) (B).

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. Stay: Hotel Pastos Chicos (or similar) (B/L).

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. Stay: Casa de Adobe Hotel (or similar) (B/L).

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. Stay: Design Suites Salta (or similar) (B/L).

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. Stay: Design Suites Salta (or similar) (B).

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. Stay: Viñas de Cafayate Wine Resort (or similar) (B/L).

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. Stay: Viñas de Cafayate Wine Resort (or similar) (B/L).

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. Stay: Hacienda de Molinos Hotel (or similar) (B/L).

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. Stay: El Cortijo Hotel Boutique (or similar) (B/L).

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. Stay: Design Suites Salta (or similar) (B/L).

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 (B).