Three Months In South America

South America is a continent which one could easily spend a couple of years exploring, but what’s the best way to see some major highlights in a more realistic 12-week trip?

The ideal itinerary will take in a selection of cities, mountains and the unforgettable Amazon rainforest which covers a huge amount of the continent. Start in Rio de Janeiro, with its seductive mixture of samba, city life and beaches before taking in some art in the sprawling metropolis of São Paulo.

From here it’s a short plane trip to Iguazu, home to the spectacular falls. Hop down to the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires for a taste of the tango, before flying to Patagonia. Don’t miss the hiking around El Chalten or the trip to El Perito Moreno glacier, before crossing into Chile and sailing up through spectacular fjords on the Navimag ferry to Puerto Montt. Take a bus up to the capital of Santiago before heading off to explore the Atacama Desert around San Pedro de Atacama, before departing on a tour of the salt flats of Uyuni to cross into Bolivia.

After a few days in La Paz, fly to the jungle town of Rurrenabaque, where you can explore both the pampa and the Amazon rainforest. Head back to La Paz and cross over into Peru, taking in Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Arequipa and Lima before heading north to Ecuador. Visit the outdoor hub of Banos and the capital Quito before crossing the border with Colombia, taking in Cali, Medellin, Bogota and Cartagena and then flying home having seen the best the continent has to offer.