Follow the Pan-American Highway to see some of the best sights in Peru and Chile. From Lima to Santiago and all that is in-between, it is sure to be an unforgettable South America vacation. This sample trip allows you to get a feel for the routes and sights available to explore both Chile and Peru on your vacation.
Start your South America exploration in the bustling capital city of Lima, Peru. Spend a few days exploring this growing city and get a feel for the culture and people of Peru. From here you can take a bus or a plane to head south stopping in the department of Ica. Ica offers travelers a variety of activities from camping at the Paracas Reserve, flying over the famous Nazca lines, or going sand boarding in the dunes at Huacachina.
From Ica you will make your way further south to the beautiful capital city, Arequipa, also known as the "White City," because of its beautifully constructed buildings crafted from sillar, a white volcanic stone. Explore the wonders of the city, a stop at the Convento de Santa Catalina is a must, as it was home to nuns who lived in seclusion for over 400 years. From Arequipa city it is recommended to take a tour of the Colca canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons. Here you can see the magnificent Condor soaring in the canyon and admire the natural beauty that surrounds you.
Onward from Arequipa you will arrive in Tacna where you can stay a day or immediately depart to cross the border into Chile. An exploration of northern Chile can easily be done when crossing the border from Peru to Chile by taxi or bus, arriving in the border city of Arica. Arica is known as the "city of eternal spring" and rightfully so as its boasts beautiful weather year-round. Its nearby Lauca National Park also makes the northern tip of Chile a spot worth visiting during your South America vacation.
Take a direct bus from Arica to your next stop, San Pedro de Atacama. As the world's driest desert, you will be fascinated by its rare but beautiful lagoons and salt lakes. The beauty of the Atacama will leave you amazed, from exploring the lagoon at Chaxas, home to a variety of flamingos, or the largest salt flat in Chile, where a hidden lake sits under a think mantle of salt.
The final stop on your South America vacation through Peru and Chile will take you to the cultural capital, Santiago. Though Santiago is accessible by plane and bus it all depends on your travel style, plane tickets are often very expensive, but bus rides are upwards of twenty hours to reach Santiago. Whichever you choose you will find yourself surrounded by culture and history in the booming capital of Chile. Explore the many sights and be sure to take a day trip to the beautiful Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, less than two hours away it is the perfect place to relax at the end of your exciting South America vacation.
This journey from Peru to Chile allows you to see the beauty of both of these fabulous countries. Time permitting you can continue south in Chile to the beautiful Torres del Paine, or cross into Argentina and continue exploring the many exciting destinations throughout South America.
This article about your South America vacation to Peru and Chile was written by a travel expert at Latin America For Less who specializes in helping you organize best value South America vacations including fully customizable Chile tours and trips to Peru. Latin America For Less is unique in its ability to offer a price match guarantee as well as the highest standards in quality and customer service.