Andes

In the north of Peru you will find the Cordillera Blanca, one of the highest mountains in the world. This area is known for the beautiful, but tough hikes you can make here in Huaraz National Park. 

Further south of Peru lies the Colca Canyon, a deep canyon that is considered the deepest in the world. Due to the differences in altitude, this area offers impressive views over the gorge and the surrounding mountains. In addition, this is the natural habitat of the Condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world.

At an altitude of almost 4,000 meters on the border between Peru and Bolivia lies Lake Titicaca. The clear blue lake is surrounded by some of the most impressive mountains of the Andes. You can visit the lake on the Peruvian side as well as on the Bolivian side.

The landscape of the Bolivian highlands can most easily be described as surrealistic. A highlight are the salt flats of Bolivia, also known as Salar de Uyuni. There are hardly any facilities, but the impressive surroundings will make you forget this immediately.

In Ecuador the Andes Mountains run from north to south through the country, like a spine. Here you can enjoy beautiful mountainous landscapes, lakes and views of majestic volcanoes. 

The most famous volcano of Ecuador is the Cotopaxi which can already be seen from the capital. For many, a visit to the volcano and the national park with the same name is one of the highlights of a visit to Ecuador. 

Further south of Ecuador, near Cuenca you will find the Cajas national park. This area is classified as picturesque and varies in altitude between 3100 and 4450 meters. This provides great views. In the area you can make hikes along lakes, through forests and with mountain peaks on the horizon.

A more unknown natural park in Chile is Lauca. In the north, just next to the Bolivian border, you will find this plateau landscape. The landscapes are really beautiful and especially if you are a bird lover, then this is the place to be. You can see flamingos, condors, ibis and different kinds of geese. 

The Atacama desert is considered the driest place on earth and offers some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. Majestic mountain peaks, salt lakes, desolate plains, lunar landscapes, you will be amazed by the variety.

If you drive from Mendoza in Argentina to Santiago in Chile, you will do this via an impressive mountain pass. While driving you will have a view of the majestic Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America. After the border you leave the Andes quickly via a road with many hairpin bends, which eventually take you into a green valley.