55 days in South America Itinerary

High in the Andean foothills, Quito remains one of the world's most photogenic capital cities, featuring two dramatic mountain ranges as its backdrop.

On the 14th (Tue), examine the collection at Numismatic Museum and then get engrossed in the history at Museum of Maria Augusta Urrutia (La Casa Museo Maria Augusta Urrutia). Keep things going the next day: gain insight at La Ronda, then make a trip to Independence Square, and then admire the landmark architecture of Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco.

To find ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Quito vacation builder.

If you are flying in from Colombia, the closest major aiports are Mariscal Sucre International Airport and Cotopaxi International Airport. In February in Quito, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 16°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) so you can catch the flight to Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.

A special set of environmental factors helped create Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, one of the most biodiverse national parks in Ecuador.

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is known for parks, nature, and wildlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: tour the pleasant surroundings at Cuyabeno Reserve and explore the activities along Laguna Grande.

To see more things to do, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve online driving holiday planner.

Fly from Quito to Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. On the 20th (Mon), you'll travel to Quito.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Mon): indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour. Keep things going the next day: explore the world behind art at Casa Museo Guayasamin, appreciate the extensive heritage of Quito Old Town, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at El Sagrario, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania, and finally stop by Tianguez.

For maps, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Quito vacation builder site.

You can fly from Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve to Quito in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) early enough to catch the bus to Latacunga.

Established in 1534, the plateau town of Latacunga was destroyed four times by earthquakes between 1698 and 1798.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Latacunga: Ambato (Mausoleo de Montalvo, La Catedral de Ambato, &more). There's still lots to do: get impressive views of Cotopaxi National Park, pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia Matriz de Salcedo, and contemplate the waterfront views at Laguna de Limpiopungo.

To find more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Latacunga road trip planning site.

Traveling by bus from Quito to Latacunga takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Quito in February, Latacunga is a bit cooler at night with lows of 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can go by car to Banos.

A trip to Banos, a relatively small town in the picturesque Andean highlands, ensures plenty of chances for outdoor activities like horseback riding, hiking, climbing, canyoning, and mountain biking.

Keep things going the next day: get outside with Outdoor Activities, admire the sheer force of Cascada EL Pailon, and then browse for treasures at Mundo Verde.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Banos using our trip planner.

Traveling by car from Latacunga to Banos takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. You will have some time to spend on the 27th (Mon) before leaving for Cuenca.

Packed with impressive colonial architecture and a historic town center, Cuenca stands as perhaps the most charming city in the nation.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Tue): get engrossed in the history at Museo Pumapungo, then see the interesting displays at Pumapungo Museo, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Mirador de Turi. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 1st (Wed): contemplate the long history of Plaza de las flores, admire the striking features of Inmaculada Concepción Cathedral, admire the majestic nature at Plaza Abdon Calderon, then see the interesting displays at Homero Ortega, and finally explore the activities along Rio Tomebamba.

For traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Cuenca trip itinerary planning tool.

Traveling by car from Banos to Cuenca takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. February in Cuenca sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Wed) so you can go by car to Mancora.

In a busy little beach town, Mancora tourism industry continues to grow, largely thanks to the sunniest climate of any region in the country.

On the 2nd (Thu), stroll through Las Pocitas Beach and then see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Here are some ideas for day two: tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Vichayito, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Acuario Mundo Hippocampus, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Mancora.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, use the Mancora trip planner.

Traveling by car from Cuenca to Mancora takes 6.5 hours. While traveling from Cuenca, expect somewhat warmer days and much hotter nights in Mancora, ranging from highs of 36°C to lows of 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can drive 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.

On the 4th (Sat), take in the spiritual surroundings of Templo de Trujillo, contemplate the long history of Chan Chan, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa de Huanchaco. Keep things going the next day: don't miss a visit to Plaza de Armas de Trujillo, then contemplate the long history of La Huaca del Sol, and then steep yourself in history at Casa Orbegoso.

To find maps, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Trujillo vacation maker app.

Traveling by car from Mancora to Trujillo takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or take a bus. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Mancora in March, with highs in Trujillo at 28°C and lows at 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Huaraz.

One of the main cities in the Peruvian Andes, Huaraz mainly draws those seeking adventure out in the landscape.

Step out of Huaraz to go to Huascaran National Park and see Laguna Churup, which is approximately 40 minutes away. The adventure continues: see the sights as you ascend with a climbing tour, don't miss a visit to Plaza de Armas, stop by Perutambo, and stroll the grounds of Cementerio General Presbitero Villon.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Huaraz trip planner.

You can drive from Trujillo to Huaraz in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Trujillo in March: high temperatures in Huaraz hover around 25°C and lows are around 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) early enough to go by car 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.

Lima is known for museums, parks, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: get engrossed in the history at Museo Larco, stroll around Circuito Magico Del Agua, take in the waterfront at Miraflores Boardwalk, and take a stroll through Barranco.

For where to stay, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, read our Lima online trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Huaraz to Lima in 6 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of taxi and flight. Traveling from Huaraz in March, things will get a bit warmer in Lima: highs are around 32°C and lows about 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) so you can drive to Huacachina.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Sun): head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

For photos, ratings, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Huacachina trip itinerary planning tool.

Traveling by car from Lima to Huacachina takes 4.5 hours. In March in Huacachina, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 22°C at night. You will leave for Cusco on the 14th (Tue).

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.

When in Cusco, make a side trip to see Centro Texti Urpi in Chinchero, approximately Chinchero away. On the 16th (Thu), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. Spend the 19th (Sun) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Sacsayhuaman, pause for some serene contemplation at Cusco Cathedral, explore the world behind art at Museo Maximo Laura, and get engrossed in the history at Museo Inka.

To find ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Cusco road trip planning tool.

Getting from Huacachina to Cusco by car takes about 17 hours. When traveling from Huacachina in March, plan for a bit cooler days in Cusco, with highs around 23°C, while nights are colder with lows around 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (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.

Step out of Machu Picchu with an excursion to Zipline in Santa Teresa--about 32 minutes away. The adventure continues: delve into the distant past at Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, see the interesting displays at Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon, take some stellar pictures from Intipuncu, and take in the awesome beauty at Phutuq K'usi.

To find reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Machu Picchu online itinerary planner.

Getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and train; or take a train. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can go by car to Cusco.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Sat): trek along exploor, then visit San Blas, then relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and finally get engrossed in the history at Museo Quechua. Here are some ideas for day two: take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback and then take an in-depth tour of Museo de Arte Precolombino.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Cusco trip itinerary maker tool.

Traveling by car from Machu Picchu to Cusco takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough to travel to Copacabana.

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

Copacabana is known for trails, nature, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: step off the mainland to explore Isla del Sol, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, and explore the activities along Lake Titicaca.

For other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Copacabana journey planner.

Traveling by combination of flight and shuttle from Cusco to Copacabana takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Cusco to Copacabana is 1 hour. On the 29th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to La Paz.

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

Make the 30th (Thu) an unforgettable day with an extreme tour. Next up on the itinerary: make a trip to Mercado de Las Brujas, see the interesting displays at Bolivian Drink Museum, explore the striking landscape at Valley of the Moon, and let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour.

To find photos, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the La Paz vacation maker.

You can drive from Copacabana to La Paz in 3.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of ferry and bus. In March, daily temperatures in La Paz can reach 17°C, while at night they dip to 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Uyuni.

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

Take a break from Uyuni with a short trip to Pueblo Pulacayo in Potosi, about 40 minutes away. There's lots more to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Salar de Uyuni, don't miss a visit to Plaza Arce, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, and get a new perspective on nature at Museo Arquecologia y Antropologico de los Andes Meridionales.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Uyuni road trip tool.

You can fly from La Paz to Uyuni in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. When traveling from La Paz in April, plan for slightly colder days and a bit warmer nights in Uyuni: temperatures range from 10°C by day to 9°C at night. On the 6th (Thu), you're off to San Pedro de Atacama.

Major archeological sites and a renowned museum remain the big draws in San Pedro de Atacama tourism, appealing to visitors interested in learning more about South America's pre-Columbian cultures.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Fri): take in the natural beauty of Geyser del Tatio and then witness a stunning natural landmark at Termas Banos de Puritama. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the dramatic natural features at Valle De La Luna and then browse the eclectic array of goods at Feria Artesanal San Pedro de Atacama.

To see other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, read our San Pedro de Atacama travel route planning app.

You can drive from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama in 9.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect much warmer weather when traveling from Uyuni in April: highs in San Pedro de Atacama hover around 28°C, while lows dip to 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Sat) to allow time to fly back home.