13 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: tour the pleasant surroundings at Copacabana Beach, get great views at Leblon Beach, kick back and relax at Praia de Ipanema, and explore the historical opulence of Ilha Fiscal.

For ratings, photos, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Rio de Janeiro day trip planning site.

Manchester, UK to Rio de Janeiro is an approximately 17-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Brasilia Standard Time (BRT) is minus 3 hours. Plan for warmer temperatures traveling from Manchester in April, with highs in Rio de Janeiro at 33°C and lows at 26°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight 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.

On the 18th (Tue), admire the sheer force of Iguazu Falls.

For maps, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Foz do Iguacu journey planning app.

Fly from Rio de Janeiro to Foz do Iguacu in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Rio de Janeiro in April, expect little chillier with lows of 20°C in Foz do Iguacu. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) early enough to drive to Iguazu National Park.

Iguazu National Park contains 672 sq km (259 sq mi) of fertile subtropical forests, but its main attraction is the majestic Iguazu Falls.

On the 19th (Wed), take in the dramatic scenery at Iguazu Falls.

To find reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Iguazu National Park sightseeing planner.

Traveling by car from Foz do Iguacu to Iguazu National Park takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In April in Iguazu National Park, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 19°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Wed) early enough to fly 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.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Thu): take a stroll through Puerto Madero, take in the history at Plaza de Mayo, then make a trip to Cemiterio de Recoleta, then take in nature's colorful creations at Parque 3 de Febrero, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Jardin Japones.

For traveler tips, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Buenos Aires holiday maker tool.

You can fly from Iguazu National Park to Buenos Aires in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Iguazu National Park in April: highs in Buenos Aires hover around 26°C, while lows dip to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly to Santiago.

Santiago tourism thrives largely thanks to the city's big selection of cultural and entertainment options, including museums, theaters, restaurants, bars, and giant malls.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Fri): hunt for treasures at Central Market (Mercado Central), admire the striking features of Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana), then see the interesting displays at La Chascona, and finally stop by Patio Bellavista. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the world behind art at Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, take in the pleasant sights at Plaza de Armas, and then stroll around Cerro Santa Lucia.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read our Santiago trip tool.

You can fly from Buenos Aires to Santiago in 5.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Buenos Aires to Santiago due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can fly 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.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Sun): admire the striking features of Centro Historico De Cusco, then examine the collection at Museo de Arte Precolombino, then explore the ancient world of Sacsayhuaman, and finally steep yourself in history at Plaza de Armas.

To see more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Cusco trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by flight from Santiago to Cusco takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Chile Standard Time to Peru Standard Time is minus 1 hour. Expect a daytime high around 23°C in April, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to drive to Machu Picchu.

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

On the 24th (Mon), delve into the distant past at Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 25th (Tue): delve into the distant past at Winay Wayna.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Machu Picchu vacation maker tool.

Traveling by car from Cusco to Machu Picchu takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight back home.