3 weeks South America itinerary
Hey everyone! This post is all about the 3 weeks South America itinerary we created and followed for our very first trip to the continent. While we didn’t manage to cover the entire region, it was the perfect starting point. We were able to visit and immerse ourselves in the rich cultures and landscapes of three incredible countries—Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
This trip was a mix of adventure, history, and breathtaking natural beauty, and it has definitely left us wanting more. From exploring the ancient wonders of Machu Picchu in Peru, to gazing at the stunning salt flats of Bolivia, and enjoying the vibrant cities and landscapes of Chile, we experienced so much in a relatively short amount of time.
While we’ve only scratched the surface of what these countries have to offer, this journey has ignited our passion to return and explore more of South America. We are already dreaming of the next trip to discover even more hidden gems across these amazing countries—and of course, the rest of the continent. We hope this 3 weeks South America itinerary will inspire you and give you a glimpse into the wonders of South America that await!
Table of Contents
3 Weeks South America Itinerary: Exploring Peru, Bolivia, and Chile
In this 3 Weeks South America Itinerary, we will take you through an unforgettable adventure across South America, visiting some of the most iconic destinations in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
- Day 1: Home to Cusco: Travel from your home to Cusco with a stopover in Lima.
- Day 2: Exploring Cusco: Visit Plaza de Armas, San Blas, and the Santo Domingo Convent.
- Day 3: More of Cusco: Explore Christo Blanco, Sacsayhuamán, Qenko, Puka Pukara, and Tombomachay.
- Day 4: Sacred Valley: Visit Chinchero, Maras, Moray, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes.
- Day 5: Machu Picchu: Visit Machu Picchu and climb Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Day 6: Cusco to Arequipa: Travel by plane to Arequipa and explore the Templo Museo Tercera Orden Francesca and Santa Catalina Monastery.
- Day 7: More of Arequipa: Join a walking tour, visit a chocolate factory, and explore the Yuhanara district.
- Day 8: Arequipa to Puno: Take a bus from Arequipa to Puno and stay overnight.
- Day 9: Puno to Copacabana: Cross the border into Bolivia and explore Copacabana.
- Day 10: Isla del Sol: Take a day trip to Isla del Sol and explore the island’s Incan ruins.
- Day 11: Yampupata: Hike from Yampupata village for beautiful landscapes and views of Lake Titicaca.
- Day 12: To La Paz: Travel by bus from Copacabana to La Paz, then to Uyuni.
- Day 13: Uyuni Day 1: Begin your Uyuni Salt Flats adventure.
- Day 14: Uyuni Day 2: Continue exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats.
- Day 15: Uyuni Day 3 and Moon Valley: Finish the Uyuni tour and visit the Moon Valley in San Pedro de Atacama.
- Day 16: San Pedro de Atacama: Explore San Pedro de Atacama and go biking around the town.
- Day 17: To Santiago: Fly from San Pedro de Atacama to Santiago, Chile.
- Day 18: Discover Santiago: Spend the day visiting Santiago’s parks, museums, and neighborhoods.
- Day 19-23: Easter Island: Explore the iconic Moai statues and other unique landmarks on Easter Island.
- Day 24: Valparaiso: Take a day trip to Valparaiso, Chile’s colorful coastal city.
- Day 25: Return to home
This 3 Weeks South America Itinerary offers a perfect balance of adventure, history, and culture across three of South America’s most remarkable countries.
When to Visit
The best time to follow this 3-week South America itinerary, covering Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, would generally be during the dry season, which varies slightly depending on the country and region:
- Peru (including Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu): May to September. The dry season is ideal for visiting the high-altitude destinations like Cusco and Machu Picchu, as the weather is clear and less rainy. This period also offers the best conditions for trekking and outdoor activities.
- Bolivia (including Uyuni and Copacabana): May to October. The weather is most favorable during the dry season, making it a good time for visiting places like Uyuni and Lake Titicaca, as the roads are less likely to be muddy and the views are clearer.
- Chile (including Santiago, Easter Island, and Valparaiso): October to April. The spring and summer months offer the best weather for exploring Santiago, Valparaiso, and Easter Island, with pleasant temperatures and little rain.
For the most comfortable experience and to avoid the rainy season, planning your trip between May and September will give you the best overall weather across all destinations.
Sim Card
One of our least favorite things to do when we arrive in a new country is to have to figure out how to get a good sim card. From finding where is the shop, in the airport, or the city center? To deal with the registrations, giving ID and even finding which operator is the best… Well, it’s a true headache. That’s why, we started using Airalo, for countries where our sim card doesn’t have free coverage. Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that gives you access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards) for 200+ countries/regions to be connected anywhere in the world the second you land. In South America, you can get an Airalo eSim:
- 3 Go for 11,5€
- 1 Go for 8,5€
- 7 Go for 11€
3 Weeks South America Itinerary: day by day
Day 1: From home to Cusco
Our journey in our 3 Weeks South America Itinerary started by taking a train from Strasbourg to Paris CDG, then fly from Paris to Lima. Instead of staying in Lima, which we found to be a large city with not much to offer, we decided to head straight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, to begin our adventure.
Day 2: Exploring Cusco
Let’s kick of this 3 Weeks South America Itinerary by spending the day discovering the heart of Cusco. Visit the iconic Plaza de Armas and wander around Plaza San Blas, a charming neighborhood filled with local culture. Don’t miss the San Blas Market and the historical Santo Domingo Convent.
Where to stay in Cusco:
Day 3: Further Exploration of Cusco
Continue exploring Cusco with visits to Christo Blanco for panoramic views, the Sacsayhuamán ruins, and the Incan sites of Qenko, Puka Pukara, and Tombomachay. These incredible landmarks offer a glimpse into the history of the Inca civilization.
Where to stay in Cusco:
Read More: Cusco Itinerary: How to spend 6 magical days in Cusco, Peru and the sacred valley
Day 4: Sacred Valley Adventure
Today in our 3 Weeks South America Itinerary, journey from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, stopping by Chinchero, Maras, and the fascinating Moray terraces along the way. Explore the Urubamba region and visit Ollantaytambo before arriving in Aguas Calientes. Another alternative is to actually visit the secret valley and Machu-Picchu from Cusco as day tour. This way you don’t have to change accommodation. If you want to do that, you can check up those tour:
Where to stay in Aguas Caliente:
- (€) Inti Pacha Palace Machupicchu
- (€€) Hatun Inti Boutique
- (€€€) Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu
Read More: Cusco to Machu Picchu: Best things to do in Sacred Valley, Peru, in 1-day
Day 5: The Magnificent Machu Picchu
Spend the day at Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the ancient city and, if you’re up for it, hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for even more breathtaking views. Return to Cusco later in the day. Make sure to book your tickets ahead of time and choose the circuit that best matches your interests. Another option is to walk the official Inca Trail, which allows you to arrive at the site earlier than most visitors. This 4- or 5-day trek offers an incredible sense of accomplishment, as it ends at the breathtaking Machu Picchu. Get your ticket for the Inca Trail here
Where to stay in Cusco:
Read More: Machu Picchu: Everything you need to know about this wonder of the world
Day 6: Traveling to Arequipa
Our 3 Weeks South America Itinerary wouldn’t be complete without this step. Take a flight from Cusco to Arequipa, a city known for its stunning colonial architecture. Spend the day exploring the city, including visits to the Templo Museo Tercera Orden Francesca and the Santa Catalina Monastery.
Where to stay in Arequipa:
Read More: 10 Best things to do in Arequipa, Peru, in 3 days
Day 7: Discovering Arequipa
Join a free walking tour around Arequipa, then visit a local chocolate factory and the Yuhanara district for a taste of the city’s history and culture. For more details, see our second-day guide to Arequipa.
Where to stay in Arequipa:
Read More: 10 Best things to do in Arequipa, Peru, in 3 days
Day 8: Arequipa to Puno
Day 8 of the 3 Weeks South America Itinerary is chill. Take a bus from Arequipa to Puno, where you’ll stay overnight in preparation for your trip to Copacabana, Bolivia.
Where to stay in Puno:
Read More: From Arequipa to Puno: The Ultimate Guide to a scenic 6-Hour Bus Journey
Day 9: Puno to Copacabana
Cross the border into Bolivia and explore the charming town of Copacabana. Don’t miss the stunning viewpoints for a beautiful sunset over Lake Titicaca.
Where to stay in Copacabana: LA CUPULA
Read more: Crossing the Peru Bolivia Border: an Absurd chaos
Day 10: Isla del Sol
Take a boat to Isla del Sol, where you can hike around the island, visit ancient Incan ruins, and enjoy spectacular lake views.
Where to stay in Copacabana: LA CUPULA
Read more: How to visit Isla del sol in 1 day, an epic adventure
Day 11: Yampupata Village Hike
Day 11 of our 3 Weeks South America Itinerary is one of our favorite. Hike from Yampupata Village, a peaceful trail that takes you through scenic landscapes and offers views of the lake.
Where to stay in Copacabana: LA CUPULA
Read more: How to hike Yampupata trail, a 1-day unforgettable adventure from copacabana
Day 12: To La Paz
Take a bus from Copacabana to La Paz, then transfer to a bus bound for Uyuni. If you follow the same itinerary as us, you will be sleeping on the bus 🙂
Read More:How to get by bus from Copacabana to La Paz, the complete The Ultimate 5h Journey Guide & How to get by bus from La Paz to Uyuni, The Ultimate 10-Hour Journey Guide
Day 13: Uyuni Day 1
Begin your Uyuni Salt Flats adventure with a day of exploring the vast salt desert. Your first night should be in an salt hotel and is included in your tour.
Read more: What to Expect On an EPIC 3 Day Uyuni Salt Flat Tour in Bolivia
Day 14: Uyuni Day 2
Continue your exploration of the Uyuni Salt Flats, visiting additional stunning landscapes and sites. The second night of the tour is also included.
Read more: What to Expect On an EPIC 3 Day Uyuni Salt Flat Tour in Bolivia
Day 15: Uyuni Day 3 and Moon Valley
Wrap up your Uyuni tour and head to San Pedro de Atacama. Explore the Moon Valley, a surreal desert landscape that’s a must-see.
Where to stay in San Pedro de Atacama:
- (€): Casa Voyage Hostel
- (€€) Hostal Montepardo
- (€€€) Hotel Desertica
Read more: Moon Valley Travel Guide: Your Ultimate guide to the best sunset
Day 16: San Pedro de Atacama
Explore San Pedro de Atacama, known for its stunning landscapes and small town charm. Rent a bike and explore the nearby areas.
Where to stay in San Pedro de Atacama:
- (€): Casa Voyage Hostel
- (€€) Hostal Montepardo
- (€€€) Hotel Desertica
Read more: 10 Best things to do in San Pedro de Atacama in 2 days
Day 17: To Santiago
Fly from San Pedro de Atacama to Santiago, Chile’s vibrant capital.
Where to stay in Santiago:
- (€) Almasur Providencia
- (€€) Matildas Hotel Boutique
- (€€€) Courtyard by Marriott Santiago Las Condes
Read More: How to visit Santiago de Chile in 24h: The Ultimate guide
Day 18: Discover Santiago
Spend the day exploring Santiago, Chile’s bustling metropolis. Visit local parks, museums, and neighborhoods to get a feel for the city’s culture.
Where to stay in Santiago:
- (€) Almasur Providencia
- (€€) Matildas Hotel Boutique
- (€€€) Courtyard by Marriott Santiago Las Condes
Read More: How to visit Santiago de Chile in 24h: The Ultimate guide
Day 19-23: Easter Island
This next step is what makes our 3 Weeks South America Itinerary standing out. Take a flight from Santiago to Easter Island. Spend 5 days exploring this mysterious island, known for its iconic Moai statues and unique culture.
Where to stay on the Easter Island:
Read More: Easter Island itinerary, 5-day of Moai, magic and wonders
Day 24: Valparaiso
Take a day trip to Valparaiso, Chile’s colorful coastal city. Wander through the hills, discover street art, and visit the city’s historical sites.
Where to stay in Valparaiso:
- (€) New Voga Hotel Boutique
- (€€) Augusta Hotel
- (€€€) Hotel Boutique Acontraluz
However you can also visit Valparaiso from Santiago: Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, & Casablanca Valley Tour in that case you can consider doing that before going to the Easter island.
Read more: Best things to do in Valparaiso in 1 day & From Santiago Airport to Valparaiso
For us, one of the most important part of travelling is where we will be staying at. That’s why we start this Cusco itinerary with that:
Day 25: Return
Take a bus back to Santiago from Valparaiso and fly from Santiago, head back home, completing an unforgettable 3 Weeks South America Itinerary.
“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson
