The Andes spine of South America carries the highest concentration of pre-Columbian archaeology, high-altitude lakes, and summit challenges outside the Himalayas — all threaded together by a landscape of staggering scale.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the famous marker, but the range delivers much more: Cotopaxi's volcanic cone in Ecuador, the flamingo-pink Bolivian salt flats, the reed islands of Lake Titicaca, and the Colca Canyon. Each is an experience in itself.
Altitude is the constant variable. Acclimatising in Cusco, Quito, or La Paz before heading higher is not optional — it's the difference between a good trip and a miserable one. Slow down, drink mate de coca, give your body 48 hours.
In-depth guide
The Patagonia Adventure Guide
6 min read