3-Day South America Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day South America tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaSouth America travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Days in Southern Peru, incl. Cusco and Lake Titicaca

  Cultural riches unfold across 357km from Cusco to Puno, visiting five major destinations including the baroque Andahuaylillas Church and Racchi's Wiracocha Temple. Visit Lake Titicaca's Uros and Taquile islands with two nights at quality Puno hotels.

  

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  • Day 1

    Cusco to Puno

    Start your day early for a 10-hour journey across the Andes to Puno. Your first stop is Andahuaylillas, 40km from Cusco. Get there before 10 AM to see the "Sistine Chapel of America" without crowds and enjoy the morning light on the baroque frescoes. One visitor shared: "The restored pipe organ and gilded interior were absolutely worth the early morning start." Next up is Racchi's Temple of Wiracocha, an impressive Incan structure reaching 20 meters high. Photographers should bring wide-angle lenses to capture its scale. After lunch in Sicuani, you'll reach La Raya pass at 4,313m. Take it slow here - the altitude is no joke. Stop for some coca tea to help adjust. Once you reach Puno, try to get a lake-view room if you can.

    
  • Day 2

    Lake Titicaca Islands

    Take an early boat trip to the floating Uros Islands. Visit before 9 AM to see local life in action before the tourist crowds arrive. Then boat to Taquile Island, about 1.5 hours away. Watch your step on the stone paths - they can be slippery. A recent visitor noted: "The traditional lunch on Taquile Island was incredible - try the fresh trout and quinoa soup. The locals showed us their textile crafts, and the views across Titicaca were spectacular even on a cloudy day."

    
  • Day 3

    Departure from Puno

    Your morning schedule depends on your departure time. If you're flying out in the afternoon, check out Puno's local market. It's more authentic than Cusco's markets and sells genuine Altiplano goods. Give yourself plenty of time to reach Juliaca airport - it's an hour away and morning traffic can be heavy.

    

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• 3 Days in Atacama & Uyuni, incl. San Pedro de Atacama and Uyuni Salt Flats

  Desert landscapes unfold from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni, visiting 8 major sites including Green Lagoon, Dali Desert, and Sol de Mañana geysers. View three colored lagoons, photograph Siloli Desert's rock formations, and capture sunrise at vast Uyuni Salt Flats.

  

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  • Day 1

    San Pedro de Atacama to Bolivian Altiplano

    Arrive in San Pedro the night before your 6:30 AM departure. This is important for altitude adjustment since the tour reaches 4,400m. After crossing the border you'll switch to 4WD vehicles with 6 people per jeep. Visit Green Lagoon and Laguna Blanca near the impressive Licancabur volcano which stands at 6,000m. At Sol de Mañana geysers stay at least 2 meters from the 150-200°C mud pots and bring a bandana for the sulfur smell. Your day ends at Red Lagoon watching three species of flamingos. A previous visitor shared: "We were usually the first ones at each location, which made a huge difference for photos – especially at the lagoons before other tours arrived."

    
  • Day 2

    Siloli Desert and Salt Hotels

    Start at 8 AM to explore the Siloli Desert at 4,550m, the highest and driest desert in the world. The early light makes for stunning photos of wind-carved rocks, including the well-known "Stone Tree." You'll visit several colored lagoons (Honda, Chiarcota and Cañapa) before reaching Chiguana Salt Flat. Your night will be spent in a salt hotel. The rooms are basic but comfortable. Pack plenty of warm clothes since desert nights are very cold even in summer. The high altitude affects most people so take it slow and drink lots of water.

    
  • Day 3

    Uyuni Salt Flats to Uyuni Town

    Leave at 8 AM to catch the salt flats in perfect morning light. Visit Incahuasi (Fish Island) where you'll see giant cacti growing on old coral formations. The bright white salt surface is ideal for fun perspective photos. Bring props if you want to take creative shots. The tour stops at Colchani village to see local salt mining before ending in Uyuni around 3 PM. You'll need strong sun protection including a hat and sunglasses. The salt's reflection is powerful even on overcast days. Bring cash for border fees (15 Bolivianos) and park entrance (186 Bolivianos).

    

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• 3 Day Bolivia Salt Flats Itinerary, incl. Uyuni and Atacama Desert

  Salt flat adventures stretch across South America's largest expanse, visiting 3 cities including Uyuni and San Pedro de Atacama. Visit 12+ major sites from Train Cemetery to Laguna Verde, with 2 nights' accommodation and 8 meals included.

  

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  • Day 1

    Uyuni to Colchani Salt Flats

    Start at 10 AM with a visit to the Train Cemetery in Uyuni. Get there before the tour groups for better photos. Next stop is Colchani village to see traditional salt processing. You'll spend the afternoon on the vast salt flats. As one visitor shared: "The endless white expanse is mind-bending - make sure to bring props for perspective photos, they're a must-do here." You'll spend the night in a salt hotel with shared facilities. Remember to fully charge your cameras since the salt's minerals can drain batteries quickly.

    
  • Day 2

    Altiplano Lagoons and Desert

    Start with breakfast at 7:30 AM before a full day exploring at high altitude (13,000+ feet). You'll see the active Ollague volcano and several colored lagoons where three flamingo species live. The drive through Siloli Desert gets rough, so consider motion sickness pills. Later you'll visit the Stone Tree and the stunning Red Lagoon. Tonight's basic accommodation is at Laguna Colorada. Pack warm clothing since nighttime temperatures often drop below freezing.

    
  • Day 3

    Geysers to Atacama

    Leave at 5 AM to see the Sol de Mañana geysers at peak activity. After visiting the Green Lagoon, you'll head to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. The border crossing takes about 90 minutes. You'll reach San Pedro's main square around noon. Since the altitude change is significant, you might want to stay an extra night before continuing your journey.

    

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