20 days in Argentina, Chile & Rio de Janeiro Itinerary

Created using Inspirock South America tour itinerary planner
Make it your trip
1
Santiago, Chile
— 2 nights
Fly
2
El Calafate, Argentina
— 2 nights
Bus
3
El Chalten, Argentina
— 2 nights
Bus
4
Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine), Chile
— 4 nights
Shuttle to El Calafate, Fly to Ushuaia
5
Ushuaia, Argentina
— 2 nights
Fly
6
Buenos Aires, Argentina
— 2 nights
Fly
7
Iguazu National Park, Argentina
— 1 night
Bus to Foz do Iguacu, Fly to Rio de Janeiro
8
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
— 4 nights

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Santiago, Chile — 2 nights

City of the Island Hills

Santiago tourism thrives largely thanks to the city's big selection of cultural and entertainment options, including museums, theaters, restaurants, bars, and giant malls.
On the 1st (Wed), take in the awesome beauty at San Cristóbal Hill, examine the collection at La Chascona, then look for gifts at Patio Bellavista, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Sky Costanera. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: browse the eclectic array of goods at Central Market (Mercado Central), then admire the striking features of Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana), then walk around Cerro Santa Lucia, and finally steep yourself in history at Centro Cultural Palacio de la Moneda y Plaza de la Ciudadania.

For other places to visit, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Santiago holiday tool.

If you are flying in from United Kingdom, the closest major aiport is Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can catch the flight to El Calafate.
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Parks · Shopping · Nature · Museums

El Calafate, Argentina — 2 nights

El Calafate tourism thrives mostly thanks to the city's proximity to a World Heritage-listed national park, famed for containing over 40 large glaciers.
Start off your visit on the 3rd (Fri): contemplate the waterfront views at Lago Argentino and then see the interesting displays at Glaciarium Museo del Hielo Patagónico. On the 4th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the dramatic natural features at Estacionamiento Pasarelas Glaciar Perito Moreno and then look for all kinds of wild species at Laguna Nimez Reserva Natural Municipal.

To find photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our El Calafate sightseeing planner.

Traveling by flight from Santiago to El Calafate takes 11.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Santiago to El Calafate due to the time zone difference. March in El Calafate sees daily highs of 15°C and lows of 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) to allow time to take a bus to El Chalten.
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Parks · Nature · Museums · Wildlife

El Chalten, Argentina — 2 nights

Nestled up against the hills of the Los Glaciares National Park, El Chalten serves as one of the nation's most bustling hubs for hikers and backpackers heading out into the wild landscape of southern Patagonia.
Kick off your visit on the 5th (Sun): take in the awesome beauty at Fitz Roy and then stop by Casita style cosas simples. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get to know the fascinating history of Laguna Torre, trek along Laguna de los Tres, and then explore the activities along Laguna Capri.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, read our El Chalten tour planner.

Getting from El Calafate to El Chalten by bus takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a shuttle. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 7th (Tue) to allow time for the car ride to Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine).
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Parks · Nature · Wildlife · Trails
Side Trip

Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine), Chile — 4 nights

Surrounded by towering mountains, shimmering lakes, and the region's rugged hills, Puerto Natales serves as a bustling jumping-off point for exploring the Torres del Paine National Park.
Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) is known for nature, sightseeing, and adventure. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: see the interesting displays at Historical Museum,Municipality of Puerto Natales, don't miss a visit to Muelle Historico, Head underground at Mylodon Cave Natural Monument, and appreciate the history behind Monumento de la Mano.

To find other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) day trip planner.

Drive from El Chalten to Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Argentina Standard Time (ART) to Chile Standard Time (CLT) is minus 1 hour. In March, daytime highs in Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) are 16°C, while nighttime lows are 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Sat) early enough to travel to Ushuaia.
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Tours · Outdoors · Museums · Adventure

Ushuaia, Argentina — 2 nights

End of the World

Often called the "End of the World" because of its position on the southernmost tip of South America, the expanding city of Ushuaia serves as both a busy commercial port and attractive tourist hub.
Spend the 13th (Mon) exploring nature at Tierra del Fuego National Park. There's much more to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Canal Beagle, contemplate the long history of Museo Maritimo & del Presidio de Ushuaia, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, and grab your bike and head to Ushuaia Bay.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Ushuaia journey maker app.

Traveling by combination of shuttle and flight from Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) to Ushuaia takes 9.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of car and ferry. The time zone difference when traveling from Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) to Ushuaia is 1 hour. Traveling from Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) in March, Ushuaia is slightly colder at night with lows of 5°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight to Buenos Aires.
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Parks · Nature · Trails · Outdoors

Buenos Aires, Argentina — 2 nights

Queen of La Plata

Cultural capital of South America, Buenos Aires remains one of the largest cities on the continent, serving as a point of departure for exploring the rest of the country.
On the 14th (Tue), don't miss a visit to Obelisco, shop like a local with Puerto Madero, take in nature's colorful creations at Parque 3 de Febrero, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Cementerio de la Recoleta, and finally stop by El Ateneo Grand Splendid. On the 15th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the history at Plaza de Mayo, steep yourself in history at Casa Rosada, and then visit Calle Defensa.

To see more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Buenos Aires online travel planner.

Traveling by flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or take a bus. Prepare for much warmer weather when traveling from Ushuaia in March: high temperatures in Buenos Aires hover around 29°C and lows are around 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) so you can fly to Iguazu National Park.
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Historic Sites · Neighborhoods · Shopping · Parks

Iguazu National Park, Argentina — 1 night

Iguazu National Park contains 672 sq km (259 sq mi) of fertile subtropical forests, but its main attraction is the majestic Iguazu Falls.
To see photos, maps, and tourist information, go to the Iguazu National Park tour planner.

Traveling by flight from Buenos Aires to Iguazu National Park takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Buenos Aires in March: highs in Iguazu National Park hover around 34°C, while lows dip to 22°C. You will leave for Rio de Janeiro on the 16th (Thu).
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Nature · Parks · Wildlife · Tours

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — 4 nights

Marvelous City

Bustling with samba music and all-night street parties, no city encapsulates the spirit of Brazil better than Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro is known for sightseeing, beaches, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: stroll through Copacabana Beach, don't miss a visit to Escadaria Selaron, take some stellar pictures from Leblon Beach, and kick back and relax at Barra da Tijuca Beach.

For where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Rio de Janeiro trip planner.

Do a combination of bus and flight from Iguazu National Park to Rio de Janeiro in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Traveling from Iguazu National Park in March, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Rio de Janeiro, with lows of 27°C.
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Parks · Outdoors · Beaches · Tours

Chile travel guide

4.3
Parks · Landmarks · Specialty Museums
Land of Poets
Squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, geographically diverse Chile is a long, thin stretch of land encompassing some of the world's driest deserts in the north, and some of its largest glacial fields in the south. Though most Chile holidays include some form of adventure in the vast wilderness areas, the country also contains charming cities providing plenty of urban things to do and see. Many tours of Chile include at least a brief visit to the country's lush wine regions, where backyard vineyards compete with sprawling estates producing some of the world's most respected whites and reds.
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Argentina travel guide

4.4
Landmarks · Bodies of Water · Specialty Museums
Land of Contrasts
Home to the highest and lowest points in South America, diverse Argentina enthralls visitors with its contrasting landscapes and rich cultural heritage. A tour of Argentina reveals a sprawling land of fiercely proud and hardworking gauchos, the legendary cowboys of South America's pampas. A vacation in Argentina also leads you to giant urban centers, filled with modern tourist attractions that include fine restaurants, award-winning museums, and renowned public parks, gardens, and zoos. Away from big cities, Argentina sightseeing combines visits to mighty waterfalls situated inside World Heritage-listed national parks in the north of the country, with excursions to icy glaciers in the south.
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