Planning a six-week trip to South America? You’re in the perfect spot.
Whether it’s your sabbatical, honeymoon, or long-awaited adventure, six weeks gives you enough time to:
- Experience multiple countries
- Tick off bucket-list highlights like Machu Picchu, Patagonia and the Atacama Desert
- Still enjoy some breathing room.
But with so much on offer, the biggest question becomes:
What’s The best way to spend six weeks in South America?
Here’s my answer as a professional South America trip planner:
👉 Choose one expert-designed route and stick to it. Trying to do everything usually leads to long travel days, unnecessary costs, and a scattered experience.
That’s why I’ve posted this signature 6-week highlights route, based on trips my clients have done, and designed to help first-time travellers explore the best of the continent .
What Can You Do With Six Weeks In South America?
The variety of travel routes you can take through South America is endless.
But for a month and a half in South America, here’s what’s achievable:
Option 1:
Visit up 4- 5 countries at a fast pace
See iconic landmarks like Iguazú Falls, Patagonia, the Salt Flats and Machu Picchu
Stick to a mid to high-range budget of $5,000~
Or you can slow down:
Option 2:
Visit up 2-4 countries at a slow-moderate pace
Still see iconic landmarks but less of them
Stick to a mid range budget of $4,000~
3 Six Week South America Routes
Here is a table summary of all 3 routes outlined in this post:
| Six Week South America Itinerary | Pace | Budget | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|
|
#1 The Highlights |
Fast |
$5000+ |
Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil |
|
#2 Andean Adventure |
Slow |
$3000+ |
Colombia, Peru, Bolivia |
|
#3 Tundra to Tropics |
Slow |
$4000+ |
Brazil, Argentina and Chile |
All prices exclude international flights. Each route is designed for independent travellers who value depth, comfort, and local experiences.
If 6 weeks is feeling too long for you or over your budget, then this 1-month South America itinerary guide compares four routes to help you choose the right one for your travel style and budget.
About Me - Your South America Trip Planner
Hi, I’m Joe – a travel planner with 4 years of experience living and travelling in South America.
✅ I’ve written 150+ articles on South America
✅ Planned 100+ custom trips via my trip planning service
✅Personally visited every place I recommend.
I help couples, families and solo travellers design meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime adventures – without the overwhelm or price tag of a traditional travel agent.
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#1 The Highlights - Six Week South America Itinerary
If you want to see South America’s biggest highlights in a single trip, then this 6-week route is for you.
This itinerary connects the continent’s most iconic experiences: Machu Picchu, the Uyuni Salt Flats, the Atacama Desert, Patagonia’s glaciers, and the beaches of Brazil.
It’s ideal for first-time visitors who want to see the very best of the continent in one trip.
Route Summary + Map
| Week | Country | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Peru |
Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu |
|
2 |
Bolivia |
Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Salt Flats |
|
3 |
Chile |
Atacama, Santiago, Torres Del Paine |
|
4/5 |
Argentina |
El Calafate, El Chalten, Bariloche, Buenos Aires |
|
6 |
Brazil |
Iguazu Falls, Rio |
Pros + Cons
- Ticks off the majority of highlights in South America
- This itinerary is fast paced and which may be stressful for some
- Expensive compared to slower itineraries as it requires more flights
Summary
- Best months to go: October to November as you hit shoulder seasons in most countries
- Estimated budget: $4,000-$5,000 per person (excluding flights)
- Best for: People who want to tick off the highlights in one trip
- Pace: Fast – 5 countries, lots of domestic flights, 2 inter-country flight
Week 1: Peru – Machu Picchu, Cusco + the Amazon Rainforest
Explore ancient Inca cities and the edge of the Amazon basin in Peru’s cultural heartland.
Stop 1 - Lima
Two days in the capital of Peru is more than enough. There isn’t much here for travellers so best to move on and use your limited days for the more exciting places in Peru.
- Start by exploring Miraflores and walking along the boardwalk where you will get some beautiful views of the ocean.
- If you carry on following the boardwalk south, you will eventually reach the bohemian district of Barranco.
Stop 2 - Cusco / Machu Picchu
You’ll spend the majority of your time using the ancient Inca capital as your base to explore the region. I recommend:
- Visit the popular Rainbow Mountain or one of the many other natural wonders such as Laguna Humantay at 4200m above sea level.
- Decide how you want to get to Machu Picchu. You can take the train and visit it for the day. Or go for a multi-day trek like the Inca Trail or the Salkantay trek.
Stop 3 - Puerto Maldonado + The Amazon
From Cusco, fly into Puerto Maldonado, your gateway to the southern Amazon Rainforest and a slower-paced jungle experience.
Spot wildlife on river safaris, explore jungle trails, and stay in a remote Amazon ecolodge
Week 2: Bolivia – La Paz & Uyuni Salt Flats Adventure
Journey through Bolivia’s high-altitude cities and surreal salt landscapes.
Stop 4 - La Paz
Once you reach the high altitude capital of Bolivia, you have an endless list of activities to choose from such as:
- Biking down Death Road
- Trekking in the ‘Valley of the Moon’, or climbing Huayna Potosi (known as the easiest 6000m mountain to climb in the world).
- Taking a day trip to the beautiful Lake Titicaca
Stop 5 - Uyuni
The Salt Flats tour will take you across the high altitude desert and drop you at the border of Chile.
I always recommend booking with Salty Desert Adventures for their excellent guides and competitive prices.
Week 3: Chile - Atacama Desert, Santiago & Torres del Paine
Discover Chile’s dramatic contrast of desert, capital city life, and Patagonia wilderness.
Stop 6 - Atacama Desert
I loved the Atacama Desert for it’s raw beauty.
I recommend to all my clients to rent a 4×4 for a couple of days and drive around the desert
You can drive north to see the fields of geysers, then south to float in the salt lagoons before ending the day at ‘Valle de la Luna’ to see strange rock formations eroded over millions of years.
Stop 7 - Santiago
You will need to fly from the Atacama Desert to Santiago. Chile is a big country! The best things to do here are:
- Join a free walking tour to see Santa Lucia Hill and Plaza de Armas
- Head up to the top of the Sky Costerna, Santiago’s tallest building, to find the best views of the city.
Stop 8 - Torres Del Paine National Park
As this is a fast paced highlights tour, you won’t have time for the full W-trek. But you can take day trips into the park and enjoy two of the best trails:
- The first is an easy 3–4-hour hike past Lago Grey up to the stunning Grey Glacier.
- The second is the famous trek up to the towers of Torres Del Paine.
Planning A Trip To South America? Get The Essential Toolkit That’s Helped Thousands Start
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Week 4-5: Argentina - Glaciers, Lakes & City Life
Experience Argentina’s best: El Calafate, El Chaltén, Bariloche and Buenos Aires.
Stop 9 - El Calafate
You are a 5-hour bus and border crossing away from Argentina and the town of El Calafate. Take a couple of days to:
- Explore the town and plan your visits in to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
- Visit the epic Perito Moreno Glacier.
Stop 10 - El Chalten
This town is known as the “Trekking Capital of Argentina”. You will have your pick of hikes from single day to multi-day options that take you into the beautiful Patagonian wilderness and Glacier National Park.
The two best are:
- Laguna Del Los Tres – known as one of the best treks in the world
- Laguna Torre – another epic trail within the park to see the massive Laguna Torre and glacier
Stop 11 - Bariloche
Bariloche offers a peaceful pause in your Patagonia journey, with alpine lakes, Swiss-style charm, and easy access to hiking and viewpoints.
Relax by the lake, hike panoramic trails, and explore scenic drives – here’s how many days you need in Bariloche
Stop 12 - Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is Argentina’s lively capital and offers a mix of European elegance, tango culture, and world-class dining.
💃 Wander colourful neighbourhoods, enjoy steakhouse dinners, and experience local nightlife — here’s how many days you need in Buenos Aires
Week 6: Brazil - Iguazu Falls and Rio
End your adventure with tropical beaches, rainforest waterfalls, and Brazil’s vibrant coast.
Stop 13 - Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls is one of South America’s most jaw-dropping natural wonders, straddling the border of Argentina and Brazil.
- 🌊 Walk both the Argentine and Brazilian sides for different views, boat beneath the falls, and spot tropical wildlife.
Stop 14 - Rio De Janeiro
End your trip in Rio, where mountains, beaches, and vibrant culture come together like nowhere else.
🏖️ Visit Christ the Redeemer, relax on Copacabana, and soak up the energy of Brazil’s most iconic city.
Want A Trip Like This Designed Just For You?
I’ve helped thousands of travellers plan their dream trip with my South America Travel Planning Service:
✅ Save 40+ hours spent stressing over planning
✅ Avoid spending $1000’s on overpriced travel agents
✅ Enjoy freedom and flexibility – with a custom itinerary designed just for you
Planning A Trip To South America? Get The Essential Toolkit That’s Helped Thousands Start
✅ Free 40-Page Guide – A complete travel planning toolkit covering routes, visas, packing, gear, safety & more
✅ Email Series – How to confidently plan your first South America adventure – step by step weekly email guidance
✅ Monthly Webinars – Live access to expert Q&A and personalized advice from me
- no spam • 100% free • unsubscribe anytime
#2 Andean Adventure - Six Week South America Itinerary
The Andean Adventure itinerary is perfect for travellers who want to dive deeper into South America’s Andean regions.
This six week route focuses on highland highlights across Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, with fewer flights and more time in each destination.
Route Outline + Map
| Week | Country | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Colombia |
Bogota, Medellin |
|
2 |
Colombia |
Santa Marta, Cartagena |
|
3 |
Peru |
Lima, Paracas, Arequipa |
|
4 |
Peru |
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puerto Maldonado (Amazon) |
|
5 |
Bolivia |
Lake Titicaca, La Paz |
|
6 |
Bolivia |
Uyuni Salt Flats, Optional: Atacama Desert in Chile |
Pros + Cons
- Lots of epic hiking such as the Lost City Trek in Colombia, and the Salkantay Trek in Peru
- Budget friendly compared to second itinerary outlined further on in this post that covers 6 countries.
- Patagonia isn't included which is often the place most people want to visit when visiting South America.
Summary
- Best months to go: April to October is dry season in most of the Andes. But July and August are ideal for the best weather in Colombia
- Estimated budget: $4,000-$5,000 per person (excluding flights)
- Best for: People who want to slow down and feel less rushed
- Pace: Moderate – 3 countries, some domestic flights, 1 inter-country flight between Colombia and Peru
Itinerary Overview
Week 1: Colombia - Bogota and Medellin
Two weeks in Colombia allows you to enjoy the Caribbean coast at a leisurely pace. Here are my recommended stops:
- Stop 1 – Bogota – most international flight will land in Bogota so this is a great place to start your six week adventure.
- Stop 2 – Medellin – enjoy few days in the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ before your next leg of this adventure
Week 2: Colombia - The Caribbean Coast
- Stop 3 – Cartagena – I recommend a few days in Cartagena wandering the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed walled city. Then escape the city on a boat trip the Rosario Islands for white-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters
- Stop 4 – Santa Marta – continue along to Santa Marta and use this as your base to explore the region. Here you can find two of South America’s best highlights – Tayrona National Park and the Lost City Trek.
Week 3: Peru - Lima, Ica and Arequipa
Fly from Bogota to Lima to start the next stage of this six week plan:
- Stop 5 – Lima – Peru’s capital is a great starting point, known for its clifftop views and world-class food scene. Don’t miss the Malecón coastal walkway or a deep dive into Lima’s renowned culinary culture.
- Stop 6 – Paracas & Huacachina – These two desert towns in the Ica region are perfect for coastal and adventure lovers. Take a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands from Paracas, then head inland for sandboarding in Huacachina’s epic dunes
- Stop 7 – Arequipa – A laid-back colonial city surrounded by volcanoes, Arequipa offers elegant architecture and easy access to the Colca Canyon. It’s a great stop if you’re wondering if Arequipa is worth visiting
Week 4: Peru - Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Amazon
- Stop 8 – Cusco & Machu Picchu – The former Inca capital is the cultural heart of Peru and your base for visiting Machu Picchu. Spend a few days soaking up Cusco’s history and altitude before heading into the Sacred Valley and onwards to the legendary Lost City of the Incas.
- Stop 9 – Puerto Maldonado (Amazon) – Take a short flight into the rainforest for an immersive Amazon lodge experience. Expect canoe rides, night safaris, and wildlife spotting in the Tambopata Reserve.
Week 5: Bolivia - Copacabana and La Paz
Cross the border from Peru into Bolivia via Lake Titicaca to begin the next stage of your journey:
- Stop 10 – Copacabana & Lake Titicaca – This peaceful lakeside town is your gateway to Lake Titicaca. Take a boat to Isla del Sol and enjoy slow days with stunning high-altitude views.
- Stop 11 – La Paz – Bolivia’s high-altitude capital is chaotic but fascinating. Ride the Mi Teleférico cable cars for the best views, and explore markets, museums, and unique cultural experiences.
Week 6: Bolivia - Uyuni Salt Flats
For the final week:
- Stop 12 – Uyuni – the final stop on this six week adventure is the town of Uyuni. This is where Salt Flat tours start from. This 3-day tour is the perfect way to end your time in South America.
From here you can return to La Paz and fly home, or extend your trip into Chile and the Atacama Desert.
Want A Trip Like This Designed Just For You?
I’ve helped thousands of travellers plan their dream trip with my South America Travel Planning Service:
✅ Save 40+ hours spent stressing over planning
✅ Avoid spending $1000’s on overpriced travel agents
✅ Enjoy freedom and flexibility – with a custom itinerary designed just for you
Planning A Trip To South America? Get The Essential Toolkit That’s Helped Thousands Start
✅ Free 40-Page Guide – A complete travel planning toolkit covering routes, visas, packing, gear, safety & more
✅ Email Series – How to confidently plan your first South America adventure – step by step weekly email guidance
✅ Monthly Webinars – Live access to expert Q&A and personalized advice from me
- no spam • 100% free • unsubscribe anytime
#3 Tropics to TUndra - Six Week South America Itinerary
Many people visiting South America for the first time want to see one of its most beautiful regions – Patagonia.
This six week itinerary starts in Brazil before a deep dive into the Patagonia region, allowing you to tick off the best of Chile and Argentina.
| Week | Country | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Brazil |
Rio, Ilha Grande, Paraty |
|
2 |
Brazil |
Florianopolis, Iguazu Falls |
|
3 |
Argentina |
Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Bariloche |
|
4 |
Argentina |
El Chalten, El Calafate |
|
5 |
Chile |
Torres Del Paine, Puerto Varas |
|
6 |
Chile |
Santiago, Optional: Atacama |
PROS & CONS
- You will have seen everything Brazil and Patagonia has to offer
- This is a relatively slow paced itinerary with lots of room for slowing down or adding stops in
- More expensive compared to first itinerary outlined above (Andes Adventure) due to more internal flights needed
Prefer a mix of warm beaches and wild landscapes? I’ve written and outlined the stops along this route in more detail in my other posts.
If this sounds more your style, check out my detailed guides to help you plan:
Brazil, Argentina and Chile itinerary – from Rio and Iguazu Falls
Or if you just want to focus on Patagonia, check out my Argentina and Chile itinerary – a Patagonia-focused route for hikers, glacier-lovers, and nature seekers
Both include route breakdowns, seasonal advice, and budget estimates to get you started.
How Much Money Do You Need For Six Weeks In South America?
Here’s a rough estimate of what you should budget daily and weekly for the ‘highlights route’ outlined above:
| Week/Country | Daily Budget | Weekly Budget |
|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 – Peru |
$75 |
$525 |
|
Week 2 – Bolivia |
$60 |
$420 |
|
Week 3 – Chile |
$80 |
$560 |
|
Week 4 – Argentina |
$90 |
$630 |
|
Week 5 – Argentina |
$90 |
$630 |
|
Week 6 – Brazil |
$80 |
$560 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
$3,325 |
*This is just for accommodation, food, transport and activities – not internal flights
A good rule of thumb for travelling South America is around $500 a week. So, for six weeks of travelling , I would budget a minimum of $3,000.
However, this six-week itinerary has you visiting five countries and includes several flights (6-8 total).
It also includes some of the best tours in South America such as Machu Picchu, the Salt Flats, the Amazon and hiking in Patagonia.
These will all cost extra and add to your budget so therefore, I would recommend budgeting an additional $1,250 on top.
That gives you a budget total budget of around $4,575 for six weeks.
Want A Trip Like This Designed Just For You?
I’ve helped thousands of travellers plan their dream trip with my South America Travel Planning Service:
✅ Save 40+ hours spent stressing over planning
✅ Avoid spending $1000’s on overpriced travel agents
✅ Enjoy freedom and flexibility – with a custom itinerary designed just for you
South America FAQ's
Is six weeks enough to explore South America?
Yes, six weeks is an ideal amount of time in South America, and you should be able to tick off the highlights of 4-5 countries.
Is it enough time to see everything? No. But it’s more than enough time to have an epic adventure and see the majority of the continent.
Or if you prefer, to do a deep dive on two or three countries you want to see the most.
Not sure how long to spend in South America? This guide breaks down how many days you realistically need.
How much does a six week trip to South America cost?
I recommend budgeting a minimum of $4000-$7000 per person for a six week trip to South America. However this will change depending on the type of trip.
The more internal flights and activities, the more it will cost. Here’s a rough estimate based on types of travel:
- Budget – $2250-$3000 for six weeks
- Realistic – $4000-$7000 a month
- High-end – $5250-$8000
What's The Best Time Of Year To Go?
- May–October: Andes, Galápagos, Amazon
- November–March: Patagonia, Brazil’s beaches
Is South America Safe?
Yes – it’s safe and easy to travel. Just follow basic safety tips whilst travelling such as staying in the right areas, keeping valuables hidden in bags and you’ll be fine.
Read Lonely Planet’s overview of travel in South America, including safety tips, culture, and logistics.
What's Worth Visiting In South America?
There are so many great places in each country that are well worth your time.
Any national park in the Amazon, ancient temples and indigenous sites in the Andes, and the untouched nature of Patagonia.
See which South America sites are UNESCO-listed and worth prioritising.
How Do I Plan A Trip To South America?
This is a complicated question that has many answers.
After you’ve decided on a route and booked international flights, you then need to focus on pre-trip planning such as visas, vaccinations and packing.
If you’re just starting out, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to plan a trip to South America from scratch.
What Else Can I Do With Six Weeks in South America?
If you’d prefer a slower-paced itinerary, focusing on two or three countries is a great option. You can dive deeper into culture, nature, and local experiences without rushing.
Explore tropical coastlines and vibrant cities with a Brazil and Argentina itinerary
Discover high-altitude landscapes and ancient sites with this Peru and Bolivia one-month itinerary
Hike Patagonia and enjoy world-class wine with a Chile and Argentina itinerary
These are perfect if you want more time in fewer places, especially for honeymoons, sabbaticals, or slower travel styles.
Popular South America Itineraries & Guides
