Andean Destinations
More to discover ↗A walk across open Andean country can mean dry high-altitude grassland, damp mountain moorland or a wind-swept plain. Learn how puna, páramo and Patagonian steppe differ, and how those differences can shape your route, pace and packing.
Read article · 3 min↗The Condoriri area offers a memorable introduction to walking in the Cordillera Real without attempting a summit. Learn how to choose between a lakeside walk, an out-and-back to Laguna Chiar Khota and a more demanding viewpoint, while planning for altitude, changeable weather and local access arrangements.
Read article · 4 min↗Cerro Castillo offers a striking Patagonian walk through forest, open valleys and steep mountain terrain. Compare the multi-day traverse with a day hike to Laguna Cerro Castillo, and learn how to plan for exposed passes, changeable weather and uncertain trail conditions.
Read article · 4 min↗Chile’s Valle de la Luna rewards a slow walk through salt, sand and sculpted rock. Learn how to follow designated routes, prepare for exposed desert conditions and visit with care.
Read article · 4 min↗The W and O treks share Torres del Paine’s best-known valleys, but they ask for different amounts of time and effort. Compare typical distances, trail conditions and planning commitments before deciding which route fits your trip.
Read article · 4 min↗Both trails offer a full day among the mountains near El Chaltén, but they feel different underfoot. Compare the climbs, scenery and practical considerations to choose the walk that suits you.
Read article · 4 min↗El Choro follows a dramatic descent from the mountains above La Paz toward the greener Yungas. Learn what makes the route distinctive, how to prepare for its steep trails and changing climate, and how to travel respectfully through the communities along the way.
Read article · 4 min↗Colombia’s páramo offers open ridgelines, misty valleys and distinctive high-altitude plants, but a walk here calls for more preparation than the gentle-looking terrain might suggest. Learn what to expect underfoot, how to plan for changeable weather and how to protect a sensitive landscape.
Read article · 3 min↗The Cocora Valley offers more than one way to walk among its towering wax palms. Learn how the shorter viewpoints walk differs from the longer cloud forest circuit, what to expect underfoot, and how to plan a flexible day trip from Salento.
Read article · 4 min↗The walk to José Rivas Refuge is short on a map but demanding at high altitude. Learn what the volcanic trail feels like, how weather changes the experience, and which access details to confirm before setting out.
Read article · 3 min↗The Quilotoa Loop is a flexible way to walk through Ecuador’s highland landscapes. Learn how to choose stages between Sigchos, Isinliví, Chugchilán and Quilotoa, with time for steep climbs, changing weather and the villages along the way.
Read article · 4 min↗Choquequirao is a demanding Andean trek shaped by the Apurímac canyon. Learn what the descent and return climb feel like, how the main route is laid out, and what to consider before choosing an itinerary.
Read article · 4 min↗The Santa Cruz trek crosses a striking section of Peru’s Cordillera Blanca. Learn how the route between Vaquería and Cashapampa is commonly divided, what to expect at Punta Unión pass, and how to prepare for changing mountain conditions.
Read article · 4 min↗Laguna 69 is a memorable day hike in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, but its high altitude makes it more demanding than the distance suggests. Here’s how the trail unfolds, what to pack and how to approach the walk with care.
Read article · 4 min↗The walk to Humantay Lake is short on a map but demanding at altitude. Learn what the path is like, why estimates of distance and elevation gain vary, and how to plan a steady ascent and careful descent.
Read article · 4 min↗Vinicunca and Palccoyo both offer views of Peru’s colourful Andean slopes, but they feel different on foot. Compare the walking, altitude, scenery and travel logistics before choosing a route from Cusco.
Read article · 4 min↗The Inca Trail, Salkantay and Lares offer distinct ways to walk through the Cusco region. Compare their scenery, paths, cultural encounters and planning needs to choose a trek that suits you.
Read article · 4 min↗Rain can change an Andean walk quickly. Learn how to plan for slippery trails, assess stream crossings from a safe distance and make a timely decision to turn back.
Read article · 4 min↗A day hike in the Andes can become more demanding than its distance suggests. Learn how to plan a realistic start, allow for slow terrain and set a turnaround point you will actually use.
Read article · 4 min↗A short walk in the Andes can feel harder than a longer one elsewhere. Learn how altitude, climbing, terrain, weather and route logistics affect the effort of a day hike, and how to choose a walk that suits your group.
Read article · 4 min↗
