A 33-Day South American Itinerary: Flights, Route & Key Stops

Planning a long-haul trip to South America can be complex, especially when trying to combine multiple countries efficiently. This 33-day South America itinerary covers five countries—Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil—plus two of the continent’s most unique destinations: the Galápagos Islands and Easter Island.

This guide breaks down the route, flights, travel times, and costs, making it useful for anyone planning an extended South America trip.

Overview of the Route

The journey follows a logical west-to-east route across South America:

London → Madrid → Quito → Galápagos → Lima → Santiago → Easter Island → Buenos Aires → Rio de Janeiro → London

Countries Visited:

• Ecuador

• Peru

• Chile

• Argentina

• Brazil

  
  

Key Destinations:

• Galápagos Islands

• Easter Island

• Lima

• Santiago

• Rio de Janeiro

• Buenos Aires

This structure minimises backtracking while incorporating some of the continent’s most remote and iconic destinations.

Departure From London

The trip begins with a short-haul flight from London Heathrow to Madrid:

• London (LHR) → Madrid (MAD)

  Duration: 2h 25m with BA / AVIOS

Time in the Madrid

We took the opportunity for a city break.

Madrid acts as the gateway to South America, with cheaper and more frequent long-haul connections to Ecuador, bookable on AVIOS.

Tip : Book the Flight to Madrid and the subsequent flight to South America separately to avoid excessive long haul UK Airport Departure Tax.

Tip : Keep a gap between the flight into Madrid and out of Madrid - as the first flight might be delayed causing the second flight to be missed.

Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

From Madrid, the itinerary continues to Quito:

• Madrid → Quito (UIO)

  Duration: 11h 10m with IBERIA / AVIOS

After a short stay in Quito, travel continues to the Galápagos Islands:

• Quito → Galápagos (GPS)

  Duration: 2h 9m with LATAM / AVIOS

Time in the Galápagos

The Galápagos Islands are known for their protected ecosystems and endemic wildlife, making them one of the top bucket-list destinations in South America.

This itinerary allows several days, which is ideal for:

• Island-hopping tours

• Wildlife excursions

• Snorkelling and guided trips

Tip: Hire a bike and ride out of town back toward the airport - there is a fantastic safe cycle path and the chance to see Giant Tortoises in the wild.

Peru: Lima

The journey continues via Guayaquil:

• Galápagos → Guayaquil → Lima (LIM)

Duration: All Day with LATAM / CASH / AVIOS

Travel back through either Quito or Guayaquil was unavoidable as the Galapagos can only be reached from either airport. We chose to come back via Guayaquil, but because of UK government advice didn't leave the airport before transitting onto Lima. Flight timings made this a long day.

Time in Lima

A multi-day stay in Lima provides time to explore Peru’s capital, a major hub for food, culture, and coastal views.

Lima is great for:

• International flight connectivity

• Renowned culinary scene

• Coastal location with historic districts

Chile and Easter Island

From Lima, the itinerary moves south:

• Lima → Santiago (SCL)

  Duration: 3h 40m with LATAM / AVIOS

  
  

Then onward to one of the most remotely inhabited islands in the world:

• Santiago → Easter Island (IPC)

  Duration: 5h 25m with LATAM / AVIOS

Time on Easter Island

Several days are planned here, allowing time to visit archaeological sites, including the famous Moai statues.

Key highlights:

• Moai statues

• Archaeological sites

• Volcanic landscapes

Return flight:

• Easter Island → Santiago

  Duration: 4h 40m with LATAM / AVIOS

Time in Santiago

Several days are planned here, allowing time for city walks, food and drinks, together with a day tour out to Valparaiso.

Top things to do:

• Explore historic neighbourhoods

• Wine

• Shopping and restaurants

Argentina: Buenos Aires

Next stop:

• Santiago → Buenos Aires (EZE)

  Duration: 2h 3m with LATAM / AVIOS

  
  

Time in Buenos Aires

A multi-day stay in Buenos Aires allows time to explore the city’s architecture, food scene, and cultural landmarks.

Things to do in Buenos Aires:

• Explore historic neighbourhoods

• Experience tango culture

• Visit local markets and restaurants

Brazil: Rio de Janeiro

The final South American destination:

• Buenos Aires → Rio de Janeiro (GIG)

  Duration: 3h with BA / AVIOS

Time in Rio de Janeiro

Several days are spent in Rio, offering opportunities to visit beaches, landmarks, and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Highlights:

• Beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema

• Landmarks like Christ the Redeemer

• Mountain and coastal scenery - so close

Return to London

The trip concludes with a long-haul return:

• Rio de Janeiro → London (LHR)

  Duration: 11h 25m with BA / AVIOS

  
  

Points and Cost Overview for two

• Total Avios used: 264,000

• Total taxes/fees: £769.38

The itinerary mixes Avios redemptions with cash comparisons, with some routes offering better value than others depending on pricing at the time of booking.

Key Highlights of This Itinerary

• Covers 5 South American countries

• Includes 2 remote island destinations:

  • Galápagos Islands

  • Easter Island

• Balances major cities and unique cultural locations

• Designed to minimise unnecessary backtracking

• Realistic Time Allocation - 33 days allows enough time to:

  • Adjust to long-haul travel

  • Explore each destination properly

  • Avoid rushing between countries

Final Thoughts - South American Odyssey

This itinerary is a comprehensive South American circuit, combining efficient routing with a diverse mix of destinations. It is particularly notable for including both the Galápagos Islands and Easter Island - two of the most logistically complex destinations in the region.

With 33 days, the schedule allows for a steady pace while covering significant ground across the continent.