30 days in Chile & Argentina Itinerary
Created using Inspirock South America trip planner
Start: Zurich, Switzerland
Fly
1
Buenos Aires, Argentina
— 2 nights
Fly
2
Iguazu National Park, Argentina
— 3 nights
Fly
3
Ushuaia, Argentina
— 3 nights
Fly
4
El Calafate, Argentina
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine), Chile
— 1 night
Bus to Punta Arenas Airport, Fly to Santiago
6
Santiago, Chile
— 3 nights
Fly
7
Hanga Roa, Chile
— 3 nights
Fly
8
Valparaiso, Chile
— 2 nights
Fly
9
Calama, Chile
— 2 nights
Drive
10
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Zurich, Switzerland
Fri, Dec 23 - Sat, Jan 21
Edit
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
View full calendar
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 25th (Sun), admire the masterpieces at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, admire the striking features of El Ateneo Grand Splendid, then take in the history at Plaza de Mayo, and finally ponder the world of politics at Casa Rosada. On the 26th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: make a trip to Obelisco, shop like a local with Puerto Madero, then get a taste of the local shopping with Recoleta, then stroll the grounds of Cementerio de la Recoleta, and finally admire the natural beauty at Parque 3 de Febrero.
To see reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Buenos Aires trip planner.
Zurich, Switzerland to Buenos Aires is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time to Argentina Standard Time is minus 4 hours. Prepare for warmer weather when traveling from Zurich in December: high temperatures in Buenos Aires hover around 33°C and lows are around 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Iguazu National Park.
Find places to stay Dec 25 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
Iguazu National Park, Argentina — 3 nights
©
Iguazu National Park contains 672 sq km (259 sq mi) of fertile subtropical forests, but its main attraction is the majestic Iguazu Falls.Get out of town with these interesting Iguazu National Park side-trips: Provincial Urugua-i Park (in San Antonio) and Lago Urugua-i (in Puerto Libertad). Spend the 27th (Tue) exploring the gorgeous surroundings at Iguazu Falls. And it doesn't end there: admire the sheer force of Salto San Martin, step off the mainland to explore Isla San Martin, and look for all kinds of wild species at Salto Bernabe Mendez.
For maps, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Iguazu National Park sightseeing planner.
Traveling by flight from Buenos Aires to Iguazu National Park takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Iguazu National Park can reach 36°C, while at night they dip to 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Fri) to allow time for the flight to Ushuaia.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 27 — 30:
Highlights from your trip
Ushuaia, Argentina — 3 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.Attractions like Tierra del Fuego National Park and Bahia Lapataia make great kid-friendly stops. The adventure continues: explore the activities along Canal Beagle, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, appreciate the history behind Monumento Antiguos Pobladores de Ushuaia, and take in the awesome beauty at Glacier Martial.
To find traveler tips, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Ushuaia holiday planner.
Getting from Iguazu National Park to Ushuaia by flight takes about 8.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and ferry; or drive. Plan for much colder temperatures traveling from Iguazu National Park in December, with highs in Ushuaia at 13°C and lows at 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) early enough to fly to El Calafate.
Find places to stay Dec 30 — Jan 3:
Highlights from your trip
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.On the 3rd (Tue), look for gifts at Vellon Negro, take a stroll through Avenida Libertador, and then shake up your sightseeing with a climbing tour. On the next day, identify plant and animal life at Laguna Nimez Reserva Natural Municipal, then explore the activities along Lago Argentino, and then examine the collection at Glaciarium Museo del Hielo Patagónico.
To see where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, refer to the El Calafate road trip planning website.
You can fly from Ushuaia to El Calafate in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of car and ferry. Traveling from Ushuaia in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in El Calafate, with lows of 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine).
Find places to stay Jan 3 — 5:
Highlights from your trip
Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine), Chile — 1 night
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.Start off your visit on the 5th (Thu): see the interesting displays at Museo Historico e Industrial Puerto Bories, get outside with Outdoor Activities, then explore the fascinating underground world of Mylodon Cave Natural Monument, and finally pause for some photo ops at Monumento de la Mano. Keep things going the next day: don't miss a visit to Muelle Historico, then look for gifts at Krea Noe, and then take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback.
To see other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) day trip planner.
Drive from El Calafate to Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from El Calafate to Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine). Expect slightly colder evenings in Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) when traveling from El Calafate in January, with lows around 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) early enough to travel to Santiago.
Find places to stay Jan 5 — 6:
Highlights from your trip
Santiago, Chile — 3 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.You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Cerro Santa Lucia and Plaza de Armas. And it doesn't end there: examine the collection at La Chascona, stop by Patio Bellavista, make a trip to Grand Santiago Tower, and hunt for treasures at Central Market (Mercado Central).
To see maps, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Santiago trip itinerary maker tool.
Getting from Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) to Santiago by combination of bus and flight takes about 9 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Hanga Roa.
Find places to stay Jan 6 — 10:
Highlights from your trip
Hanga Roa, Chile — 3 nights
©
The main town and capital of Chile's Easter Island, Hanga Roa serves as a base for most visitors to the island, with all explorations of Easter Island and its famous moai monoliths beginning here.Kids will appreciate attractions like Anakena and Ahu Tongariki. There's much more to do: delve into the distant past at Rano Raraku, walk around Jardin Tau Kiani Rapa Nui, look for gifts at RapaMusic, and enjoy the sand and surf at Ovahe.
To see ratings, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read Hanga Roa trip app.
You can fly from Santiago to Hanga Roa in 7 hours. The time zone difference moving from Chile Standard Time (CLT) to Easter Island Standard Time (EAST) is minus 2 hours. In January in Hanga Roa, expect temperatures between 30°C during the day and 23°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) to allow time to fly to Valparaiso.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jan 10 — 13:
Highlights from your trip
Valparaiso, Chile — 2 nights
©
Jewel of the Pacific
Navigating through a maze of colorful streets winding up and down steep hills remains an integral part of any Valparaiso tour.On the 13th (Fri), stop by Picaro Craft Wines, then see the interesting displays at La Sebastiana, and then see the interesting displays at Museo de Historia Natural de Valparaiso. Keep things going the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Reñaca, then examine the collection at Corporacion Museo de Arqueologia e Historia Francisco Fonck, then don't miss a visit to Flower Clock (Reloj de Flores), and finally get the lay of the land with Walking tours.
For photos, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Valparaiso trip maker app.
Traveling by flight from Hanga Roa to Valparaiso takes 7 hours. The time zone difference when traveling from Hanga Roa to Valparaiso is 2 hours. In January, Valparaiso is little chillier than Hanga Roa - with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Calama.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jan 13 — 15:
Highlights from your trip
Calama, Chile — 2 nights
©
A hub of northern Chile's copper mining industry, Calama acts as a gateway for exploration of the geological and archaeological sites in the Atacama desert region.Change things up with these side-trips from Calama: San Francisco de Chiu Chiu (Laguna Inca Coya & Iglesia de San Francisco de Chiu Chiu). There's lots more to do: make a trip to Parque para la Preservacion de la Memoria Historica, buy something for everyone on your list at Mall Plaza Calama, stop by Espiritu Creativo, and walk around Parque El Loa.
For maps, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Calama trip planner.
Getting from Valparaiso to Calama by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Valparaiso in January, expect little chillier with lows of 8°C in Calama. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Tue) early enough to drive to San Pedro de Atacama.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jan 15 — 17:
Highlights from your trip
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile — 2 nights
©
Major archeological sites and a renowned museum remain the big draws in San Pedro de Atacama tourism, appealing to visitors interested in learning more about South America's pre-Columbian cultures.Kids will enjoy Valle De La Luna and Geyser del Tatio. Next up on the itinerary: take an exotic tour of On Safari Atacama, look and learn at Observatorio Etno-Astronomico Licanantay, explore the ancient world of Pukara de Quitor, and take in the natural beauty of Termas Banos de Puritama.
For where to stay, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read San Pedro de Atacama trip planner.
Traveling by car from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In January, daytime highs in San Pedro de Atacama are 29°C, while nighttime lows are 8°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) so you can catch the flight back home.
Find places to stay Jan 17 — 20:
Highlights from your trip
Argentina travel guide
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.
Chile travel guide
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.
Easter Island travel guide
Shrouded in centuries of mystery, Easter Island remains one of the world's most geographically and culturally isolated places. Just over 6,000 people call the Chilean island home, with nearly double that number of visitors arriving each year to unravel the enigma of the island's giant stone heads, known as moai. Built by the island's original inhabitants, the Rapa Nui people, the monolithic moai continue to keep watch over the windswept coastline and serve as top Easter Island tourist attractions. During your Easter Island vacation, you can explore the hilly landscape on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback.
