Multi-Destinations

Peru: Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley anchor many Andean routes and connect to Bolivia and Chile by air or by land.
Bolivia: La Paz, Lake Titicaca, and the Uyuni Salt Flats are high-altitude highlights that pair with southern Peru or northern Chile.
Ecuador & Galápagos: Quito, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, and the Galápagos Islands, which are reached by flight from mainland Ecuador.
Colombia: Cartagena's old city and the coffee region, which can be combined with Ecuador and Peru, usually by flight.
Chile: The Atacama Desert and Chilean Patagonia, linked to Bolivia and Argentina by overland routes or flights.
Argentina: Buenos Aires, Argentine Patagonia, and Iguazu Falls, which pair with Chile and Brazil.
Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls, and the Amazon, which pair with Argentina at Iguazu.

These countries can be paired in many ways. The combinations below are grouped by geographic links, such as a shared border, a lake region, or a flight, and they show common ways to build a route rather than every possible option. Durations are indicative; your proposal confirms the exact route, transport, and border steps.

Combinations built on a geographic link. Each pair below is connected by a shared border, a lake region, or a flight.

Peru + Bolivia

Peru and Bolivia connect around Lake Titicaca. Travelers usually go by road between Puno in Peru and Copacabana in Bolivia, with a border crossing on the way, or they fly to La Paz. A trip combining the two countries usually takes about 10–14 days. The route links Cusco and Machu Picchu with Lake Titicaca and onward Bolivia, such as La Paz or the Uyuni Salt Flats. Allow extra time for the border, altitude, and onward transfers.

Bolivia + Chile

The usual route from Uyuni in Bolivia to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile is a multi-day 4x4 journey across the high plateau, with a border post and a change of vehicle along the way. A trip combining both countries usually takes about 8–12 days. The high-altitude desert scenery is the highlight, but cold nights, altitude, and weather can affect the schedule.

Chile + Argentina

Chile and Argentina share Patagonia and several Andean crossings. Torres del Paine in Chile and the Los Glaciares area near El Calafate in Argentina are in different countries, so the transfer between them is a long road journey that includes a border crossing. A trip across both countries usually takes about 10–18 days. Allow buffer time for weather and park logistics.

Argentina + Brazil

Argentina and Brazil share Iguazu Falls. A typical trip takes about 8–14 days. Travelers generally visit both sides of the falls and can extend the trip to Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, which are connected by flight. Check the entry requirements for both countries before you book.

Bolivia + Argentina

Northwest Argentina (the Salta and Jujuy provinces) and southern Bolivia share high-Andean landscapes and are linked by a land border at La Quiaca–Villazón. The overland journey is long, so this pairing suits travelers who have time and flexibility and want an off-the-beaten-path route. A trip usually takes about 10–14 days. We confirm that the exact route is feasible before proposing it.

Ecuador + Colombia

Travelers can fly from Quito to Bogotá or cross by land at Tulcán–Ipiales. Travelers usually take around 10–14 days to explore both countries. Ecuador's Avenue of Volcanoes gives way to Colombia's coffee region, while Cartagena's Old Town offers a completely different experience.

Peru + Ecuador & Galápagos

Peru and Ecuador are usually connected by air, often through Lima. The Galápagos Islands are reached by flight from mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil). A trip usually takes about 12–16 days. The pairing suits travelers who want to combine Machu Picchu with a Galápagos cruise or island stay. Build in buffer time between flights and cruise departures.

Peru + Chile

Travelers can fly from Lima to Santiago or cross by land at the Tacna–Arica border. A typical trip takes about 10–14 days. The pairing contrasts Andean culture with the desert landscapes of the Atacama, for example Machu Picchu followed by San Pedro de Atacama.

For travelers with three weeks or more, the routes below show how three or four countries can be sequenced into one trip. They are planning examples; your itinerary is built and confirmed in your proposal.

A guidebook can describe Machu Picchu or the Uyuni Salt Flats, but it cannot sequence them for you: which border crossing makes sense, how long each leg really takes, and when each region is at its best. That is the part of a multi-country trip we plan with you.

One Planning Contact

A VA Expeditions travel designer is your main contact for itinerary design, proposals, and changes, so you are not managing a separate agency in each country.

Approved Local Operators

We work with approved local operators who deliver services in each destination, such as transfers, guides, and lodging. We can tell you which operator delivers each part of your trip.

Routes Built on Real Geography

Routes follow geographic links such as Lake Titicaca, the Uyuni–Atacama corridor, Patagonia, and Iguazu Falls, so the sequence avoids unnecessary backtracking where the geography allows.

Built Around Your Group

Itineraries are shaped around who's actually traveling. A family crossing two countries in ten days needs a different pace than a couple with a month and no fixed schedule.

Before you travel, VA Expeditions manages your itinerary and bookings. During your trip, the local operator in each destination delivers your services, and your trip documents list the contacts to use if plans change.

1. Plan the Lake Titicaca connection carefully. The usual way between Peru and Bolivia is by road between Puno and Copacabana, with a border stop; flights to La Paz are an alternative. Boat trips on the lake are usually excursions, not the border crossing. Insider tip: allow extra time for the border and any transfer, and confirm the exact operation with your planner.
2. Cross from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama on a multi-day 4x4 journey. The route usually runs over several days across lagoons and geysers, with a border post and a change of vehicle. Insider tip: expect high altitude and cold nights, and confirm the route and dates in advance.
3. Treat the two sides of Patagonia as separate stops. Torres del Paine National Park (Chile) and Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) are in different countries, and the road transfer between them is long and includes a border. Insider tip: book park lodging and any required reservations well ahead, and allow buffer time for weather.
4. See the Iguazu Falls from both sides. The Argentine side gets you up close to the falls on raised walkways, while the Brazilian side offers a sweeping panoramic view. Plan one day per side, and don't forget you'll cross an international border in between. Insider tip: check the entry requirements for both countries for your passport.
5. Add the Galápagos with buffer time. Flights to the islands depart from mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil), not from Peru. From Cusco, the journey usually connects through Lima. Insider tip: allow at least one adjustable day before a cruise departure in case flights change.
6. Pair Ecuador and Colombia by air or by land. Flights between Quito and Bogotá are the most direct, and a land crossing exists at Tulcán–Ipiales. Insider tip: reach the coffee region by domestic flight or road after you arrive in Colombia.
7. Consider northwest Argentina with southern Bolivia. Salta and Jujuy are in the high Andes of northern Argentina and connect to southern Bolivia at the La Quiaca–Villazón border. Insider tip: the overland journey is long, so confirm with your planner whether it fits your time.
8. Save the Amazon for a dedicated extension. Whether accessed from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, or Brazil, a worthwhile Amazon lodge stay typically adds at least three to four days — treat it as an extension to a route rather than a quick stop along the way.

There is no one perfect season for visiting South America since different regions have different climates and seasons for traveling. The best time to travel depends on the countries and destinations you plan to visit.

For trips combining the Andes and Patagonia, April and October can sometimes work for both regions, but some Patagonian services are limited at the edges of the season, so confirm availability.

VA Expeditions does not provide legal, immigration, or medical advice. Use the official sources below for your passport and route. Last reviewed: September 30, 2026.

Ready to Plan Your South America Trip?

Tell us which countries you are considering, your travel dates, and who is traveling, and a VA Expeditions travel designer will follow up with a route proposal.