Argentina - Northwest Argentina travel advice

We visited Argentina last year, spending nearly two weeks in Bs. As. and Patagonia, and loved it. We're heading back this September for another 14-15 days, and I'm wondering if the experts could chime in with their opinions.

We were originally planning Bs. As., Chilean Patagonia (via El Calafate), and then Salta, but there is just too much backtracking on that plan and much time is wasted in travel. Also, our trip to Patagonia last year was so sublime that we don't think anything could match it (which would set us up for disappointment if we went back so soon).

Instead, I'm thinking Bs. As. for 5 days, then to Salta for 5 days (with a guide to take us around the region, spending the evenings in different places).

The Atacama Desert, however, looks simply spectacular. Would it be silly after our time in Salta to take the bus (or use private transfer depending on the cost) to go to San Pedro de Atacama for a couple of nights and then fly on to Santiago for a few days, ending our trip there? From a ticketing perspective on AA, it doesn't matter if we exit from Bs. As. or Santiago.

Or should we just be content with spending the time in the Salta region and feel we are not missing anything even though we are not too far from Chile?

What about Iguazu Falls?

AEP-IGR-SLA-AEP

IGR-SLA on AR (Aerolineas Argentinas), not the best airlines...

We visited Argentina last year, spending nearly two weeks in Bs. As. and Patagonia, and loved it. We're heading back this September for another 14-15 days, and I'm wondering if the experts could chime in with their opinions.

We were originally planning Bs. As., Chilean Patagonia (via El Calafate), and then Salta, but there is just too much backtracking on that plan and much time is wasted in travel. Also, our trip to Patagonia last year was so sublime that we don't think anything could match it (which would set us up for disappointment if we went back so soon).

Instead, I'm thinking Bs. As. for 5 days, then to Salta for 5 days (with a guide to take us around the region, spending the evenings in different places).

The Atacama Desert, however, looks simply spectacular. Would it be silly after our time in Salta to take the bus (or use private transfer depending on the cost) to go to San Pedro de Atacama for a couple of nights and then fly on to Santiago for a few days, ending our trip there? From a ticketing perspective on AA, it doesn't matter if we exit from Bs. As. or Santiago.

Or should we just be content with spending the time in the Salta region and feel we are not missing anything even though we are not too far from Chile?

Salta is an old spanish style city. The centre is Plaza de 9. Julio. I recommend staying in a hotel there or nearby. Many restaurants, pubs, some hotels and the cultural scene is located there. You'll love it. Five days are more than enough.

There are two bus companies serving San Pedro de Atacama. As far as I remember the bus our took eight or ten hour to get there. A spetacular drive across the Andes. No need for a private car.

San Pedro is rather a village than town. The bus arrives at a dusty square, from there it is a 200m walk to the centre where many hotels and guesthouses are. The advantage is that everything is within walking distance. The better hotels are a bit away out of town.

Many tour operaters offer their deals. The best is doing the excoursions in lower altitude first then the others. You get better used to it. Visititing the El Tatio Geysires is a must.

The next airport is Calama where flights are leavig to Santiago de Chile. Minibus service to the airport is available.

Have a pleasent time there

I posted a trip report back in late 2009 about Salta (and if you look far back enough to the same time period, some questions and follow up advice).

As for ciudad de Salta itself, a few hours is more than sufficient. I'd recommend heading to Los Cardones NP and maybe north from there to the altiplano.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

YVR Cockroach, your trip report was great. Really good information and pics.

So, would your recommendation be to stay on the Argentine side, or is it worth it to spend the time/expense to visit Atacama and then head to SCL?

I think there is enough to see on the Argentinean side with 5 days to play with. I guess it all depends on how much you want to or are willing to spend on a oneway trip (I haven't been to the north of Chile spo I can't say much about it though a friend of mine spent months there based in San Pedro de Ama). It's very self-driveable too though watch for the dirt roads as I mentioned.