60 days in South America Itinerary

Bustling with samba music and all-night street parties, no city encapsulates the spirit of Brazil better than Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro is known for sightseeing, beaches, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: kick back and relax at Copacabana Beach, stroll through Pedra do Arpoador, take in nature's colorful creations at Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, and appreciate the history behind Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer.

To find where to stay, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Rio de Janeiro day trip site.

London, UK to Rio de Janeiro is an approximately 15-hour flight. You'll gain 3 hours traveling from London to Rio de Janeiro due to the time zone difference. Traveling from London in March, things will get much warmer in Rio de Janeiro: highs are around 36°C and lows about 27°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Thu) so you can catch the flight to Santa Cruz.

More populous than the capital and La Paz, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, Santa Cruz has become a thriving commercial center, yet retained some of the trappings of tradition.

Spend the 1st (Sat) exploring nature at Amboro National Park. Spend the 31st (Fri) exploring nature at Kaa-Iya National Park. And it doesn't end there: don't miss a visit to Plaza 24 de Septiembre, take in nature's colorful creations at La Rinconada Ecoparque & Resort, and get into the urban bustle at Casa Cultural Melchor Pinto.

To see other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Santa Cruz trip builder.

Fly from Rio de Janeiro to Santa Cruz in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Santa Cruz, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In March in Santa Cruz, expect temperatures between 35°C during the day and 25°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Uyuni.

Emptiness surrounds the desert outpost of Uyuni, the gateway to the world's largest salt flats.

When in Uyuni, make a side trip to see Pueblo Pulacayo in Potosi, approximately Potosi away. Next up on the itinerary: explore the striking landscape at Salar de Uyuni, contemplate the geological forces at Tunupa Volcano, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, and step off the mainland to explore Isla Incahuasi.

For where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Uyuni driving holiday planner.

Fly from Santa Cruz to Uyuni in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect much colder temperatures when traveling from Santa Cruz in April; daily highs in Uyuni reach 10°C and lows reach 9°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can catch the flight to La Paz.

Take a moment to catch your breath as you commence your holiday in La Paz.

Step out of La Paz with an excursion to Tiwanaku in Tiwanaku--about 1h 50 min away. Make the 9th (Sun) an unforgettable day with an extreme tour. Spend the 10th (Mon) exploring the striking scenery along WMDR Yungas Road. The adventure continues: don't miss a visit to Mercado de Las Brujas, enjoy some diversion at Andean Culture Distillery, take in the local highlights with Walking tours, and stop by Mistura - Manifestacion Creativa.

To see other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read La Paz trip builder site.

Traveling by flight from Uyuni to La Paz takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Uyuni in April, expect nights in La Paz to be a bit cooler, around 1°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Tue) so you can drive to Copacabana.

The town of Copacabana represents the largest Bolivian settlement on the shore of Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in the continent.

On the 12th (Wed), trek along Isla del Sol. Keep things going the next day: take in the spiritual surroundings of Cerro Calvario and then explore the activities along Lake Titicaca.

To see more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read Copacabana journey maker.

Traveling by car from La Paz to Copacabana takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Cusco.

Capital of the Inca Empire for three centuries, World Heritage-listed Cusco is now a major tourist destination, drawing nearly 2 million annual tourists with its well-preserved colonial architecture and proximity to Machu Picchu.

On the 14th (Fri), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. Spend the 17th (Mon) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. Next up on the itinerary: contemplate the long history of Sacsayhuaman, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cusco Cathedral, delve into the distant past at Sacred Valley of the Incas, and admire the landmark architecture of Centro Historico De Cusco.

To find maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Cusco day trip planning website.

You can do a combination of shuttle and flight from Copacabana to Cusco in 7 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Copacabana to Cusco is minus 1 hour. In April, daily temperatures in Cusco can reach 23°C, while at night they dip to 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly to Arequipa.

In an area dominated three imposing volcanoes, Arequipa vacations allow visitors to admire well-preserved colonial architecture in a dramatic setting.

Arequipa is known for museums, sightseeing, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at Santa Catalina Monastery, get to know the fascinating history of Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus, browse the exhibits of Museo de la Catedral de Arequipa, and admire the landmark architecture of Casa del Moral.

To see maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Arequipa road trip planning tool.

Fly from Cusco to Arequipa in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Arequipa when traveling from Cusco in April, with lows around 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can catch the flight to Machu Picchu.

A symbol of the Incan civilization, the abandoned city of Machu Picchu represents a must-see on a Peru vacation.

Machu Picchu is known for historic sites, nature, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: steep yourself in history at Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, indulge in some personalized pampering at SPA Rocas Sagradas, explore the ancient world of Winay Wayna, and take some stellar pictures from Intipuncu.

To find reviews, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, go to the Machu Picchu trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Arequipa to Machu Picchu by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and train; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Trujillo.

Considered the country's capital of culture, Trujillo was the birthplace of the North Group, a community of artists and intellectuals that included celebrated poet Cesar Vallejo and notable novelist Ciro Alegria.

Trujillo is known for historic sites, museums, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: delve into the distant past at Chan Chan, don't miss a visit to Plaza de Armas de Trujillo, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Templo de Trujillo, and steep yourself in history at La Huaca del Sol.

To find traveler tips, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read Trujillo trip site.

Traveling by flight from Machu Picchu to Trujillo takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. In April in Trujillo, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 20°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Sat) to allow time for travel to Huascaran National Park.

A trip to Huascaran National Park allows visitors to explore part of the Cordillera Blanca, the world’s highest tropical mountain range.

Spend the 30th (Sun) exploring nature at Huascaran. There's still lots to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Lagunas de Llanganuco, don't miss a visit to Plaza Mayor de Chacas, take in the awesome beauty at Cordillera Blanca Summit, and explore the striking landscape at Duck Canyon.

To find photos, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, read Huascaran National Park trip app.

Traveling by combination of bus and taxi from Trujillo to Huascaran National Park takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Lima.

Founded in 1535 by Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro, Lima represents an interesting blend of modern attractions and preserved colonial architecture, much of it clustered in the World Heritage-listed city center.

On the 7th (Sun), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. There's much more to do: take an in-depth tour of Museo Larco, admire the local landmark of Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor), wander the streets of Barranco, and pause for some serene contemplation at Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas.

For maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Lima road trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Huascaran National Park to Lima takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi and flight. In May in Lima, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 21°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Medellin.

Nestled between rising hills in a narrow valley, Medellin serves as an energetic melting pot of people from all socio-economic classes.

On the 11th (Thu), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. Next up on the itinerary: get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, make a trip to Plaza Botero, and stroll through Parque Arvi.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read Medellin visit planner.

Fly from Lima to Medellin in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Lima in May, you will find days in Medellin are a bit warmer (32°C), and nights are about the same (20°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Thu) early enough to fly back home.