31 days in Cusco Region, Santa Marta & Medellin Itinerary

Start off your visit on the 7th (Mon): get to know the fascinating history of Rumicolca.

For ratings, photos, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Huarcapay travel planner.

Santiago, Chile to Huarcapay is an approximately 36-hour car ride. The time zone difference moving from Chile Standard Time (CLT) to Peru Standard Time (PET) is minus 1 hour. In January, daytime highs in Huarcapay are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Calca.

Change things up with these side-trips from Calca: Salinas de Maras (in Maras) and Pisac (Hacienda Sarapampa & Mullu).

To find photos, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, read Calca trip itinerary planning site.

Traveling by car from Huarcapay to Calca takes an hour. In January, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Fri) so you can travel to Machu Picchu.

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

Venture out of the city with trips to Ollantaytambo (Inca Bridge, El Albergue Farm, &more) and Zipline (in Santa Teresa). Next up on the itinerary: steep yourself in history at Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Phutuq K'usi, take in the natural beauty of Banos Termales de Cocalmayo, and stop by Mapi Art.

For where to stay, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Machu Picchu online trip itinerary maker.

Explore your travel options from Calca to Machu Picchu with the Route module. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) to allow time to drive 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Cusco: Ollantaytambo (Perolniyoq Waterfall, Pinkuylluna Mountain Granaries, &more) and Urubamba (Museo Inkariy, Zipline, &more). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Sacsayhuaman, get engrossed in the history at Museo Inka, take a stroll through San Blas, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cusco Cathedral.

For photos, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Cusco trip itinerary maker tool.

Drive from Machu Picchu to Cusco in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a train. In January, daytime highs in Cusco are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Wed) early enough to fly to Santa Marta.

Many visitors begin their Santa Marta holiday, surrounded by urban clutter and heavy traffic, expecting little from the city in terms of historical importance.

When in Santa Marta, make a side trip to see Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona in Tayrona National Park, approximately Tayrona National Park away. Spend the 26th (Sat) exploring nature at Nabusimake. Next up on the itinerary: see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, explore the activities along Quebrada Valencia, tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Cristal, and examine the collection at Museo del Oro Tairona - Casa de la Aduana.

To see where to stay, reviews, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Santa Marta day trip website.

Fly from Cusco to Santa Marta in 12 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Prepare for warmer weather when traveling from Cusco in January: high temperatures in Santa Marta hover around 39°C and lows are around 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Wed) early enough to fly to Medellin.

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

When in Medellin, make a side trip to see Piedra Del Penol in Guatape, approximately Guatape away. There's much more to do: get the lay of the land with Walking tours, stroll through Las Tangaras Bird Reserve, push the limits with medellin 2000m DESCENT, and head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

To find reviews, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Medellin trip planner.

Getting from Santa Marta to Medellin by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Santa Marta in January, with highs in Medellin at 32°C and lows at 20°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Tue) so you can catch the flight back home.