Torres del Paine in Chile, Los Glaciares in Argentina, Ushuaia, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Santiago, the Atacama Desert—and some friends are even heading to the Uyuni Salt Flats for that iconic mirror shot.
With all these epic spots on the wishlist, how do you plan a route that covers everything without doubling back?
Chile and Argentina practically split the southern tip of South America between them, making route planning a bit of a puzzle—but a rewarding one if done right.
So how do you actually plan a route that hits all these incredible destinations—without any backtracking?
Here’s one way to do it if you start your journey by flying into Santiago, Chile:
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago
Day 2: Day trip to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar from Santiago
(Optional: If you’re planning to visit Easter Island, you can fly there and back from Santiago—set aside 3–4 days for that.)
Day 3: Fly from Santiago to Puerto Natales
Day 4: Hike the famous Torres del Paine (W Trek or Base of the Towers)
Day 5: Day trip to Grey Glacier
Day 6: Bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate (Argentina)
Day 7: Visit Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park
Day 8: Fly from El Calafate to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world
Day 9: Day trip to Tierra del Fuego National Park
Day 10: Fly from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires
Day 11: Explore Buenos Aires
Day 12: Fly to Puerto Iguazú to see the spectacular Iguazu Falls
Day 13: Return to Buenos Aires, then catch a flight north to Salta or Jujuy
Here comes the important part: By now, we’ve already checked off Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno Glacier, the “End of the World” in Ushuaia, and Iguazu Falls. The last big highlight left? The Atacama Desert in northern Chile.
Now, flying from Buenos Aires back to Santiago at this point isn’t just a long detour—it also means you’ll still need to catch another flight from Santiago to Calama. And even after you land in Calama, you’re still looking at a 2.5-hour drive to finally reach San Pedro de Atacama.
That’s why I recommend a smarter route: from Puerto Iguazú, fly back to Buenos Aires, then head straight to Argentina’s northwest—Salta or Jujuy.
From either city, you can take a direct long-distance bus across the border into San Pedro de Atacama. It’s scenic, efficient, and saves you from unnecessary zigzags!
Day 14: Travel from Salta (Argentina) to San Pedro de Atacama (Chile)
Day 15: Visit El Tatio Geysers and explore the surreal Moon Valley
Day 16: Full-day tour of the Red Rocks and high-altitude lagoons
Day 17: Either return to Santiago by flight/bus, or continue north to cross the border into Bolivia and chase the legendary Uyuni Salt Flats—South America’s mirror of the sky.
So what about travelers flying into South America via Buenos Aires? Here’s a suggested route that hits all the highlights:
Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires
Day 2: Full day exploring the city—Recoleta, San Telmo, La Boca, and more
Day 3: Fly to Puerto Iguazú and visit the breathtaking Iguazu Falls
Day 4: Fly back through Buenos Aires and continue onward to El Calafate
Day 5: Visit Los Glaciares National Park to see the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier
Day 6: Fly from El Calafate to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world
Day 7: Day trip to Tierra del Fuego National Park—“The End of the World”
Day 8: Return to El Calafate
Day 9: Cross the border into Chile and travel to Puerto Natales
Day 10: Day hike to the iconic Towers in Torres del Paine National Park
Day 11: Day trip to Grey Glacier
Day 12: Travel from Puerto Natales to Santiago, either by flight or bus
Day 13: Take a day trip to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.
For those planning to visit Easter Island, this is also the perfect window—fly round-trip from Santiago and allow 3–4 days to explore Rapa Nui.
Day 14: Head north from Santiago to the Atacama Desert
Day 15: Visit El Tatio Geysers and explore Moon Valley
Day 16: Full-day Red Rocks and high-altitude lagoons tour
Day 17: Either fly back home via Santiago or continue north to Uyuni, Bolivia, for the breathtaking Mirror of the Sky
No matter which of the two routes you choose—starting from Santiago or Buenos Aires—you’ll cover all the major highlights across Chile and Argentina, with zero backtracking and maximum efficiency. Every day in South America counts, and this itinerary makes sure you use it well.
If you’ve got extra time to spare, you can even add a day trip from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay—it’s just a short ferry ride away and makes for a lovely detour.
If you’re looking for more South America itinerary ideas, feel free to DM me—Summer’s got you covered.
I’m Summer, a backpacker with a love for the outdoors.
I only recommend the most exciting corners of the world—the ones truly worth the journey.
Follow me, and let’s talk travel. Let’s talk South America.
