The Atacama Desert and routes north The Atacama's inhospitable desert landscape is harsh and rugged, but it echoes the legacy of its pre-Columbian inhabitants, while the volcanoes and geysers steam and hiss into life. Pink flamingos haunt the featureless white salt flats, cacti stridetowards the horizon, oases splash the tawny landscape with vigorous vegetation. a visit here is surprisingly varied.Most visitors arrive by air into Calama, the region's main town, or by the trans-Andean roadfrom Salta, Argentina. The most popular base for explorations is San Pedro, a small town with a good range of facilities. Among our favourite hotels here are the traditional adobe-style Kimal (19 rooms and pool), Tierra Atacama and Alto Atacama (both stylish and family-friendly, with superb spas), and romantic Awasi lodge. We recommend trips to the white stone village of Toconao, the high altiplanic lagoon of Miscanti and the Atacama salt flats, where flamingos feed from the mineral-rich waters; and the Valley of the Moon (right), famous for its tangerine sunsets. A journey to the geysers at El Tatio is well worth the early morning departure.The desert has been settled by humans for centuries: archaeological sites include pre-Inca fortresses and there are living Andean villages to visit such as Chiu Chiu with its thatched church. The area around San Pedro is popular among enthusiasts for outdoor activities, offering cycling, horse-riding and volcano-climbing. The Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa was absolutely superb. Accommodation, staff and excursions? very special. Individual and group excursions with excellent guides. Wonderful sights. AH, Maidenhead138 Chileexplora

CHILEURUGUAYBRAZILPARAGUAY........SantiagoPurmamarcaIguazú FallsHumahuacaBuenos AiresColoniaCalamaSan Pedro de AtacamaSaltaARGENTINAYou can move on to Argentina via one of the mostscenic Andean crossings, passing through salt pans, valleys dotted with armies of cacti and canyons of rainbow-hued rock strata to Salta, an elegant colonial town. Or take the high road from San Pedro de Atacama to the salt flats of Uyuni (Bolivia).Atacama High Pass to Argentina 17 days, 14 nightsSantiago 2 nights, Atacama Desert 4n, Humahuaca Gorge 2n, Salta 1n, Iguazú Falls 2n, Buenos Aires 3n.Day 1 Fly from the UK. Day 2 Arrive Santiago, rest of the day at leisure. Day 3 City tour, including the historic centre and San Cristóbal Hill. Day 4-7 Fly to Calama and drive to the oasis of San Pedro and hotel Kimal (standard) or Tierra Atacama (superior). Explore the Moon Valley and El Tatio Geysers, colonial villages such as Chiu Chiu, the Atacama salt flats (inhabited by several species of flamingo) and Laguna Miscanti, high on the altiplano. Days 8&9 Spectacular journey by public coach (standard) or private vehicle (superior) across the Andes into Argentina and descend to Purmamarca, the most attractive of a necklace of colonial villages with a strong indigenous presence. From here in the Humahuaca Gorge, you will have a road tour to include a visit to Humahuaca village and to the pre-Inca hilltop fortress at Tilcara. Day 10 Arrive Salta for one night. Days 11&12 Fly to Puerto Iguazú and spend 2 nights at the contemporary, stylish Hotel Panoramic (standard) with views over the river and jungle from its hilltop location, or the Sheraton (superior) a short stroll from the Iguazú Falls. Day 13 Excursion over the border to Brazil for Cinemascope views of the breadth of the cascades. Fly to Buenos Aires (2hr) and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Day 14 City tour of the Argentine capital. Day 15 At leisure to explore or take an optional excursion to Tigre delta or across the River Plate to Colonia in Uruguay. Day 16 Fly to the UK, arriving day 17. Prices from £2,456pp (standard); £3,835pp (superior) based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Regular departures from the UK explora en atacama There's a great opportunity to explore this harsh landscape in style. The first class explora (above) is an elegant property with several swimming pools and saunas, where the approach is relaxed and informal, but not at the expense of service; there are many special touches. Here you'll have a personal choice of excellently organised excursions-on foot, by vehicle, mountain bike or on horseback. You can be as active as you wish and then wind down in comfort-enjoy a picnic at dawn at the Tatio Geysers, or luxuriate in the thermal springs of Puritama. The clear, pure air here creates perfect conditions for stargazing -there's an observatory, exclusive to the region. 020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information 139tierra atacamaexploraaugusto dominguez