38 days in South America Itinerary

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

On the 7th (Fri), delve into the distant past at Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo and then browse the eclectic array of goods at Mercado de Artesanias. On the 8th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Intipuncu and then steep yourself in history at Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu.

To see maps, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Machu Picchu vacation planner .

You can do a combination of bus, flight, and car from Valparaiso to Machu Picchu in 19.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and train. The time zone difference moving from Chile Time (CLT) to Peru Time (PET) is minus 1 hour. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) early enough 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.

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Mercado Central de San Pedro and Hilo. Get some historical perspective at Sacsayhuaman and Salinas de Maras. Change things up with a short trip to Cerveceria Willkamayu in Urubamba (about 48 minutes away). There's much more to do: steep yourself in history at Plaza de Armas, wander the streets of San Blas, and surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.

Planning Cusco trip won't be overwheling when you use's Insprock itinerary maker.

Getting from Machu Picchu to Cusco by combination of train and bus takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. In December, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Fri) so you can travel to Uyuni.

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

Take a break from the city and head to Salar de Uyuni and Photography Tours. Step out of Uyuni with an excursion to Museo de la Llama y la Sal in Colchani--about 54 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: head off the coast to Isla Incahuasi, get a new perspective on nature at Museo Arquecologia y Antropologico de los Andes Meridionales, and examine the collection at Train Cemetery.

To find more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, use the Uyuni road trip app .

Do a combination of flight and taxi from Cusco to Uyuni in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Cusco to Uyuni. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Cusco in December: highs in Uyuni hover around 13°C, while lows dip to 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) early enough to travel to Valparaiso.

Navigating through a maze of colorful streets winding up and down steep hills remains an integral part of any Valparaiso tour.

Shop till you drop at Quinta Vergara and La Dulceria. Take a break from the city and head to Reñaca and Canopy El Canelo. Explore Valparaiso's surroundings by going to Casa de Isla Negra (in Isla Negra) and Emiliana Organic Vineyards (in Casablanca). There's lots more to do: see the interesting displays at La Sebastiana, get engrossed in the history at Museo Mirador Lukas, admire the landmark architecture of Edificio Luis Cousino, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Paseo 21 de Mayo.

To see photos, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, read Valparaiso sightseeing planner.

Traveling by combination of car, flight, and shuttle from Uyuni to Valparaiso takes 13.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, flight, and shuttle; or drive. While traveling from Uyuni, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Valparaiso, ranging from highs of 24°C to lows of 15°C. On the 14th (Fri), you'll travel to Los Glaciares National Park.

A World Heritage Site, Los Glaciares National Park contains a giant ice cap that feeds 47 vast glaciers.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Sat): explore the striking landscape at Glaciar Spegazzini and then explore the striking landscape at Perito Moreno Glacier.

To find photos, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Los Glaciares National Park online route planner .

The Route module can help you plan travel from Valparaiso to Los Glaciares National Park. The time zone changes from Chile Time (CLT) to Argentine Time (ART), which is usually a 1 hour difference. While traveling from Valparaiso, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Los Glaciares National Park, ranging from highs of 16°C to lows of 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sun) early enough to travel to Buenos Aires.

Cultural capital of South America, Buenos Aires remains one of the largest cities on the continent, serving as a point of departure for exploring the rest of the country.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Calle Defensa and Casa Rosada. Get in touch with nature at Parque 3 de Febrero and Peru Beach. Next up on the itinerary: wander the streets of Puerto Madero, steep yourself in history at Palacio Barolo, get a taste of the local shopping with El Ateneo Grand Splendid, and admire the architecture and history at Plaza de Mayo.

To find photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Buenos Aires visit planner .

Traveling by flight from Los Glaciares National Park to Buenos Aires takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. Traveling from Los Glaciares National Park in December, expect nights in Buenos Aires to be somewhat warmer, around 23°C, while days are warmer, around 33°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can travel to Foz do Iguacu.

A gateway to the world-renowned Iguacu Falls, which spectacularly divide Brazil and Argentina, the modern, high-rise city of Foz do Iguacu can't help but play second fiddle to the natural wonder in its vicinity.

Popular historic sites such as Buddhist Temple and Mosque of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab are in your itinerary. Do your shopping at Kapadokya and Cataratas JL Shopping. Next up on the itinerary: admire the sheer force of Iguazu Falls, admire the engineering at Itaipu Dam, contemplate the long history of Marco Das Tres Fronteiras, and enjoy some diversion at Wake Iguassu Cable Park.

For reviews, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, read our Foz do Iguacu tour itinerary planner.

Do a combination of flight and shuttle from Buenos Aires to Foz do Iguacu in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and car; or drive. In December, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Fernando de Noronha.

With 21 lush islands scattered among pristine waters in the Atlantic Ocean, a Fernando de Noronha holiday is well worth the effort it takes to get there.

Popular historic sites such as Capela de Sao Pedro and Fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao are in your itinerary. Relax by the water at Praia do Sueste and Fernado de Noronha Island. The adventure continues: get outside with Baia dos Porcos, kick back and relax at Boldro Beacch, tour the pleasant surroundings at Praia do Cacimba do Padre, and explore the activities along Buraco do Galego.

To see maps, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Fernando de Noronha trip itinerary planning app .

Getting from Foz do Iguacu to Fernando de Noronha by flight takes about 10 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and flight. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Foz do Iguacu to Fernando de Noronha due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Foz do Iguacu in December, Fernando de Noronha is a bit warmer at night with lows of 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) so you can travel to Porto de Galinhas.

You're in for a treat on your beach holiday to Porto de Galinha.

Get outdoors at Muro Alto Beach and Pontal de Maracaipe. You'll get in some beach time at Vila de Porto de Galinhas Beach and Praia De Maracaipe. Take a break from Porto de Galinhas with a short trip to Praia dos Carneiros in Tamandare, about 1h 05 min away. The adventure continues: stroll through Cupe beach, identify plant and animal life at Piscinas Naturais de Porto de Galinhas, kick back and relax at Serrambi Beach, and look for gifts at Nata Artesanato.

To see other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Porto de Galinhas online trip planner .

Getting from Fernando de Noronha to Porto de Galinhas by combination of flight and shuttle takes about 3.5 hours. The time zone difference when traveling from Fernando de Noronha to Porto de Galinhas is minus 1 hour. In December, daytime highs in Porto de Galinhas are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to travel to Rio de Janeiro.

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

Head to Shopping Leblon and Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinasfor some retail therapy. Relax by the water at Copacabana Beach and Praia de Ipanema. Go for a jaunt from Rio de Janeiro to Petropolis to see Catedral de Sao Pedro de Alcantara about 1h 30 min away. And it doesn't end there: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Pao de Acucar, kick back and relax at Barra da Tijuca Beach, tour the pleasant surroundings at Pedra do Arpoador, and take in nature's colorful creations at Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro.

You can plan Rio de Janeiro trip in no time by asking Inspirock to help create your itinerary.

Traveling by combination of shuttle and flight from Porto de Galinhas to Rio de Janeiro takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In December in Rio de Janeiro, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 27°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Sun) to allow time to travel back home.