2 Month South America Itinerary (Colombia, Ecuador & Peru + Map)

Planning a South America adventure can be overwhelming – there’s so much to see, so many routes, and limited time. That’s why we’ve mapped out the ultimate Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru backpacking itinerary, day by day, for all 63 days, with top destinations and hidden gems.

No more guessing how long to stay in each city or missing the sights that make South America unforgettable. From Caribbean beaches in Cartagena to Amazon wildlife in Iquitos, Andean peaks in Quito and Cusco, and desert landscapes in Huacachina and Tatacoa, this guide covers it all.

We’ve done the legwork so you can focus on the adventure: hiking waterfalls, spotting condors, island-hopping in the Galapagos, and exploring ancient ruins. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple, or a small group, this itinerary is designed for maximum experience with minimum stress.

Get ready to discover South America like a pro – and create memories that last a lifetime.

• The Ultimate South America Backpacking Itinerary
  • Colombia Ecuador Peru Itinerary Map
• Part 1: Colombia (3 Weeks)
  • Days 1-3: Cartagena & Caribbean Coast
  • Days 4–6: Tayrona National Park
  • Days 7–8: San Gil & Barichara
  • Days 9–11: Bogotá
  • Days 12–14: Medellín
  • Days 15–16: Salento
  • Day 17: Tatacoa Desert
  • Days 18–19: San Agustín
  • Day 20: Popayán
  • Day 21: Ipiales
• Part 2: Ecuador (3 Weeks)
  • Days 22–24: Quito
  • Days 25–26: Baños
  • Days 27–28: Cuenca
  • Days 29–33: San Cristobal (Galapagos)
  • Days 34–37: Isabela (Galapagos)
  • Days 38–42: Santa Cruz (Galapagos)
• Part 3: Peru (3 Weeks)
  • Days 43–44: Trujillo
  • Days 45–46: Chachapoyas
  • Days 47–50: Iquitos & the Amazon Rainforest
  • Days 51–52: Lima
  • Day 53: Paracas
  • Day 54: Huacachina
  • Day 55: Nazca
  • Days 56–57: Arequipa & Colca Canyon
  • Day 58: Puno & Lake Titicaca
  • Days 59–63: Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

The Ultimate South America Backpacking Itinerary

Colombia Ecuador Peru Itinerary Map

Part 1: Colombia (3 Weeks)

Route Overview: Cartagena → Tayrona → San Gil → Bogotá → Medellín → Salento → Tatacoa → San Agustín → Popayán → Ipiales

Days 1-3: Cartagena & Caribbean Coast

Historic Caribbean city with vibrant streets and beaches.

• Day 1: Free walking tour of Cartagena Old Town & Getsemaní.
• Day 2: Totumo Mud Volcano tour.
• Day 3: Day trip to the Rosario Islands.

Here’s our full 3-day Cartagena itinerary:

Days 4–6: Tayrona National Park

Pristine jungle and secluded beaches on Colombia’s northern coast.

• Day 4: Way to Tayrona National Park.
• Day 5: Start multi-day hike through beaches & jungle.
• Day 6: Swim at Cabo San Juan & Playa Piscina. Way to San Gil.

Here’s our full Tayrona National Park travel guide:

Days 7–8: San Gil & Barichara

Colombia’s adventure capital.

• Day 7: Explore Barichara, Colombia’s prettiest town.
• Day 8: Rafting, paragliding, or canyoning in San Gil.

Here’s our full San Gil travel guide:

Days 9–11: Bogotá

Andean capital blending history, culture, and street art.

• Day 9: Free walking tour of La Candelaria, Gold & Botero museums, Monserrate viewpoint.
• Day 10: Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral day trip.
• Day 11: Graffiti + street food tours.

Here’s our 3-day Bogota itinerary:

Days 12–14: Medellín

Modern city famous for its transformation and culture.

• Day 12: Comuna 13 with a local guide.
• Day 13: Downtown walking tour.
• Day 14: Day trip to Guatapé & Peñol Rock.

Here’s our 3-day Medellin itinerary:

Days 15–16: Salento

Coffee region town surrounded by wax palms and lush valleys.

• Day 15: Coffee finca tour.
• Day 16: Cocora Valley or the hidden La Carbonera wax palm forest.

Here’s our full Salento travel guide:

Day 17: Tatacoa Desert

Otherworldly desert landscapes.

• Day 17: Red and grey desert hike, river boat ride, stargazing.

Here’s our full Tatacoa Desert tour review:

Days 18–19: San Agustín

Archaeological hub with mysterious statues and tombs.

• Day 18: Archaeological Park & horseback riding.
• Day 19: Full-day jeep tour to waterfalls & tombs.

Here’s our full San Agustin travel guide:

Day 20: Popayán

Colonial “White City”.

• Day 20: Free walking tour, museums & El Morro viewpoint.

Day 21: Ipiales

One of the Seven Wonders of Colombia and a border to Ecuador.

• Day 21: Las Lajas Sanctuary & Ecuador border.

Here’s our full Ipiales travel guide:

Part 2: Ecuador (3 Weeks)

Route Overview: Quito → Cotopaxi → Baños → Cuenca → Galapagos Islands

Days 22–24: Quito

Historic capital perched in the Andes with rich colonial architecture.

• Day 22: Free walking tour of the Old Town.
• Day 23: Equator at Mitad del Mundo & TelefériQo cable car.
• Day 24: Day trip to Cotopaxi National Park. (Bring your luggage and continue to Baños.)

Here’s our full 3-day Quito itinerary:

Days 25–26: Baños

Adventure town with waterfalls, swings, and hot springs.

• Day 25: Cycle or quad along the Ruta de las Cascadas.
• Day 26: Swing at the End of the World & hot springs.

Here’s our full Baños travel guide:

Days 27–28: Cuenca

Picturesque colonial city with cobblestone streets and rivers.

• Day 27: Historic centre walking tour.
• Day 28: Day trip to Ingapirca ruins.

Here’s our full Cuenca travel guide:

Days 29–33: San Cristobal (Galapagos)

Sea lions and coastal trails.

• Day 29: Way to Guayaquil, flight to San Cristobal, sea lions along the malecon.
• Day 30: Tijeretas snorkelling & viewpoints.
• Day 31: Highlands tour.
• Day 32: Epic 360° boat tour.
• Day 33: Way to Isabela.

Here’s our full San Cristobal travel guide:

Days 34–37: Isabela (Galapagos)

Volcanic landscapes, snorkelling, and tortoises.

• Day 34: Bike to the Wall of Tears.
• Day 35: Concha Perla snorkelling & flamingos.
• Day 36: Sierra Negra volcano hike.
• Day 37: Los Tuneles snorkelling tour.

Here’s our full Isabela travel guide:

Days 38–42: Santa Cruz (Galapagos)

Central island with lava tunnels and amazing Scuba diving.

• Day 38: Way to Santa Cruz. Charles Darwin Research Station.
• Day 39: Tortuga Bay & Las Grietas.
• Day 40: Highlands tour.
• Day 41: Snorkelling or scuba diving.
• Day 42: Flight to Guayaquil and travel to Peru.

Here’s our full Santa Cruz travel guide:

Part 3: Peru (3 Weeks)

Route Overview: Trujillo → Chachapoyas → Amazon (Iquitos) → Lima → Paracas → Huacachina → Nazca → Arequipa → Colca Canyon → Puno → Cusco & Machu Picchu

Days 43–44: Trujillo

Archaeological city with ancient Moche and Chimu ruins.

• Day 43: Chan Chan (the largest pre-Columbian city in South America) and Huacas del Sol & de la Luna.
• Day 44: Walk Trujillo’s historic centre: Plaza de Armas, churches, free museums.

Days 45–46: Chachapoyas

Andes town surrounded by waterfalls and fortresses.

• Day 45: Day trip to Kuelap Fortress (“Machu Picchu of the North”).
• Day 46: Hike to Gocta Waterfall.

Here’s our full Chachapoyas travel guide:

Days 47–50: Iquitos & the Amazon Rainforest

Jungle gateway and wildlife encounters.

• Day 47: Flight to Iquitos, explore the historic centre & Belen market.
• Day 48-50: Multi-day Amazon rainforest tour: spot monkeys, sloths, dolphins, birds, and more.

Here’s our full Iquitos travel guide:

Days 51–52: Lima

Coastal capital blending history, culture, and gastronomy.

• Day 51: Free walking tour of the historic centre, San Francisco catacombs & museums.
• Day 52: Barranco street art & Miraflores coastline.

Here’s a full 2-day Lima itinerary:

Day 53: Paracas

Coastal town with wildlife-rich islands and an otherworldly national reserve.

• Day 53: Ballestas Islands boat tour, the “Poor Man’s Galápagos” & Paracas National Reserve viewpoints & beaches.

Here’s our full Paracas travel guide:

Day 54: Huacachina

Desert oasis famous for sand dunes and adventure sports.

• Day 54: Relax at desert oasisdune buggy ride & sandboarding at sunset.

Here’s our full Huacachina travel guide:

Day 55: Nazca

Home of mysterious ancient geoglyphs in the desert.

• Day 55: Scenic Nazca Lines flight.

Here’s our full review of our Nazca Lines tour:

Days 56–57: Arequipa & Colca Canyon

“White City” with colonial architecture and volcano views.

• Day 56 Arequipa: Walking tour, Mirador Yanahaura, and Santa Catalina Monastery.
• Day 57 Colca Canyon: Day trip with condor spotting, transfer to Puno.

Here’s our full Arequipa travel guide:

Day 58: Puno & Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca base with floating islands.

• Day 58: Lake Titicaca tour (Uros Islands or Uros & Taquile Islands).

Here’s our full Puno travel guide:

Days 59–63: Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Historic Incan capital.

• Day 59: Cusco walking tour: Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, San Pedro Market.
• Day 60: Machu Picchu day trip.
• Day 61: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley.
• Day 62: Sacred Valley tour (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Maras).
• Day 63: Sacsayhuaman & nearby ruins, wander the San Blas neighbourhood.

Here’s our full 4-day Cusco itinerary (excluding Machu Picchu):

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