4-Week South America Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 4-week South America tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaSouth America travel expert at TourRadar

• 28 Day Antarctica Itinerary, incl. Weddell Sea and South Georgia Island

  A grand 28-day polar expedition through South America takes you to Ushuaia, South Georgia Island, and the Antarctic Peninsula. The voyage includes 9 full days among the Weddell Sea's ice shelves, with visits to Brown Bluff and Kinnes Cove. Expert-led excursions offer prime wildlife viewing opportunities.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Ushuaia and Drake Passage

    Arrive in Ushuaia and plan for an extra day to account for flight delays. The ship sets off through the Beagle Channel into the Drake Passage. Bring motion sickness medication and give yourself time to adjust to the ship's movement.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Journey to South Georgia

    Cross the Antarctic Convergence where cold and warm waters meet, creating prime feeding areas for seabirds and whales. Look for wandering albatross soaring with their 11-foot wingspans. The temperature drops significantly here, so keep warm clothes ready for deck viewing.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Sea Days

    Use these flexible days to adapt to weather and ice conditions. Learn about Antarctic wildlife and Shackleton's expedition through onboard talks. The ship has stabilizers for rough seas, but always use handrails when moving around.

    
  • Day 9

    South Sandwich Islands

    Visit these volcanic islands if weather allows. Take Zodiac rides to see chinstrap penguin colonies. Landing isn't always possible due to conditions, so flexibility is key.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Heading South

    Move through increasing ice into Antarctic waters. The ship breaks through pack ice toward the Weddell Sea. Watch for massive tabular icebergs that can stretch for miles.

    
  • Days 13-14

    New Swabia

    Visit the Antarctic Peninsula's eastern coast. Protect camera equipment in waterproof bags during Zodiac trips. Take in spectacular ice sheet views during the helicopter flight.

    
  • Days 15-23

    Deep Weddell Sea

    Explore the Filchner, Ronne and Larsen ice shelves. Look for Weddell seals breeding in these remote waters. The incredibly clear water offers visibility up to 150 feet. The ship moves carefully through dense ice fields.

  • Day 24

    Brown Bluff & Kinnes Cove

    Stop at Brown Bluff's volcanic cliffs if possible. Watch Adelie penguin colonies and keep your camera ready for nearby whales.

  • Day 25

    Elephant Island

    Visit Point Wild, where Shackleton's crew waited for rescue. While landing is uncommon due to weather, Zodiac rides offer good views of this historic location.

  • Days 26-27

    Drake Passage Return

    Head back through typically calmer Drake Passage waters. Sort photos and attend final lectures.

  • Day 28

    Ushuaia

    Return to Ushuaia early morning. Book afternoon flights to allow for weather delays.

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• 25 Day South America Itinerary, incl. La Paz and Rio de Janeiro

  Rich landscapes unfold over 25 days across 11 destinations from La Paz to Rio. The route encompasses Bolivia's salt flats, Chile's Atacama Desert, Argentina's colonial cities, and Brazil's tropical islands. Guided tours of Iguazu Falls from both countries and traditional estancia stays included.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    La Paz, Bolivia

    Welcome to the world's highest capital city at 3,500m. The fascinating Witches' Market (Mercado de Hechiceria) is a must-see, where local shamans sell traditional remedies and ceremonial items. Pack lots of warm layers since La Paz gets quite cold at night. Take an overnight bus to Uyuni - you'll get blankets and reclining seats for the journey.

    
  • Days 3-5

    Salar de Uyuni & Atacama Desert

    The otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats start with a visit to the Train Cemetery. Next up is Chile's Atacama Desert, where you'll find the red waters of Laguna Colorada full of flamingos. Expect basic facilities and very cold desert nights. One traveler shared: "The salt flats at sunrise were incredible, but bring warm socks and layers - I wasn't prepared for how cold it would be at dawn."

    
  • Days 6-8

    San Pedro de Atacama & Salta

    Take time to explore San Pedro's old town square and try an astronomy tour under the clear desert sky. The drive to Salta, Argentina is long but beautiful. They call it "La Linda" (the beautiful) for good reason. You can climb 1,070 steps up Cerro San Bernardo or take the cable car for amazing valley views.

    
  • Days 9-13

    Buenos Aires & Uruguay

    A quick flight takes you to energetic Buenos Aires. Walk through colorful La Boca and the historic San Telmo market. Take a boat to Uruguay's Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO site. Visit Montevideo before staying at a traditional estancia (ranch) for a real gaucho experience. A past guest wrote: "The estancia stay was a highlight - learning to ride horses and sharing meals with the local family gave us real insight into Uruguayan culture."

    
  • Days 14-17

    Iguazu Falls

    See the world's biggest waterfall system from both sides. Brazil offers wide-open views while Argentina gets you up close to the cascades. You can take a Zodiac boat ride if you don't mind getting wet. Go early in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds.

    
  • Days 18-20

    Paraty & Ilha Grande

    Head to historic Paraty then take a ferry to beautiful Ilha Grande. You can hike through rainforest to quiet beaches like Lopes Mendes or take a boat to the Blue Lagoon for snorkeling. Stay in Vila do Abraao where the seafood is fresh and the caipirinhas are perfect at sunset.

    
  • Days 21-25

    Rio de Janeiro

    Your trip ends in stunning Rio. Get to Christ the Redeemer early to avoid crowds and spend time in artsy Santa Teresa. Relax on Copacabana Beach and maybe take a guided walk through Tijuca National Park. Watch your last sunset from Sugarloaf Mountain before dinner in lively Lapa.

    

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• Ultimate South America

  

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  • Lima Peru

    357 mi

  • Cusco Peru

    10 mi

  • Pisac Peru

    16 mi

  • Sacred Valley Peru

    8 mi

  • Moray Peru

    3 mi

  • Maras Peru

    8 mi

  • Ollantaytambo Peru

    18 mi
  • Show 23 more

  • Aguas Calientes Peru

    5 mi

  • Machu Picchu Peru

    36 mi

  • Poroy Peru

    4 mi

  • Cusco Peru

  • Saqsaywaman Peru

  • Cusco Peru

    207 mi

  • Puno Peru

    66 mi

  • Copacabana Bolivia

    12 mi

  • Island of the Sun Bolivia

    34 mi

  • Huatajata Bolivia

    41 mi

  • La Paz Bolivia

    287 mi

  • Uyuni Bolivia

    68 mi

  • Tunupa Volcano Bolivia

    21 mi

  • Uyuni Salt Flat Bolivia

    21 mi

  • Tunupa Volcano Bolivia

    215 mi

  • San Pedro De Atacama Chile

    43 mi

  • Salar de Atacama Chile

    29 mi

  • Toconao Chile

    25 mi

  • Valle de la Luna Chile

    44 mi

  • El Tatio Chile

    786 mi

  • Santiago Chile

    63 mi

  • Valparaiso Chile

    162 mi

  • Mendoza Argentina

    611 mi

  • Buenos Aires Argentina

    662 mi

  • Puerto Iguazu Argentina

    3 mi

  • Iguazu Falls Argentina

  • Foz Do Iguacu Brazil

    739 mi

  • Rio de Janeiro Brazil

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