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Andes Tours

The awesome Andes mountains span from Colombia, through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, ending in Tierra del Fuego in Patagonia.

The Andes: The Crown of South America

South America’s pride, the Andes is the continent’s 4,500-mile-long spine that has earned the title of the world’s longest continental mountain chain. With awe-inspiring landscapes that are must-see spectacles in themselves, this cordillera is also home to dozens of distinct cultural groups, each possessing their own language, history, and civilization – yet all sharing the same spirit of the Andes.

No matter what destination you’re considering to visit along the expansive backbone of the South American continent, contact Surtrek South American Travel so that we can start planning your Andean adventure.

Discover the South of Peru

On this 10-day trip through Peru, you will come to fully understand why this country is called the �...

Peru, Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Ma

Tren Crucero

Recognized as the “Leading Luxury Train in South America” in 2017, you can experience the wonder...

Otavalo, San Roque, Andrade Marin, San Antonio, Ibarra, Urbina, Riobamba, T

Discovering the Ecuadorian Andes

At least by South American standards, Ecuador is a small country, both in terms of its area and its ...

Quito (Old Town), Otavalo market, Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa crater l

Ecuadorian Andes Honeymoon

This 12-day romantic honeymoon tour will take you to the Ecuadorian Andes, where you will stay at so...

Ecuadorian Andes, Otavalo Indigenous Market, Cotopaxi, Lake Quilotoa, Ingap

Southern Ecuadorian Andes

Recognized by leading ornithologists as one of the most highly diverse countries in terms of bird s...

Loja, Birdwatching in Jorupe Reserve, Utuana Reserve, Tapichalaca Reserve,

Southern Andes

An emerging travel destination, the highlands of Ecuador offer horseback riding for spirited travele...

“Avenue of the Volcanos”, Cotopaxi, Ecuadorian Cowhand Riding, Riobamba

La Escondida Farm

La Escondida Farm provides this 8-day/7-night horseback riding experience that will take you across...

Ecuador, Quito, Riding the Range, Antisana Volcano, Cotopaxi Park, “Avenu

This 7-day/6-night horseback riding adventure to the Ecuadorian village of Piñán is like traveling...

Otavalo Indigenous Market, Piñán, Cotacachi-Cayapas National Park, Lake Y

Ecuadorian Andes

This 7-day tour will take you through colorful indigenous markets, past remarkable waterfalls, over ...

Ecuadorian Andes, Otavalo, Cotacachi, Cuicocha, Waterfall, Indigenous Commu

Reaching an altitude of 17,454 feet (5,320 m), El Altar is one of the three volcanoes in Ecuador&#...

Ecuadorian Andes, Camping, El Altar’s Crater, Avenue of the Volcanoes

Climbing the Cayambe Volcano

The Cayambe Volcano is the only volcano in the world whose summit is crossed by the equator. The thi...

Climbing Cayambe, Cayambe, Guayllabamba Valley

Chimborazo Climbing Tour

Chimborazo is the highest mountain in the Ecuadorian Andes, and — due to its location along the eq...

Quito Old Town, Pululahua crater, Pasochoa Reserve, Guagua Pichincha, Quilo

Cayambe Volcano

Cayambe volcano climbing means scaling the only volcano in the world whose summit is crossed by the ...

Pasochoa Reserve, Guagua Pichincha, Otavalo local market, Cayambe volcano.

Birdwatching in the Andes

Considered by the world’s leading ornithologists as one of the most highly diverse countries in te...

Cloud Forest, more than 400 species of birds, Andean mountain

Camino Real

La Escondida Farm offers this 8-day/7-night horseback riding experience that will take you into the ...

Ecuador, Horseback Riding, Simiatug, Guaranda, San Miguel de Bolivar

Abraspungo Valley

The Carihuayrazo Mountain (located just north of its more famous brother, Chimborazo Mountain) rises...

Ecuadorian Andes, Avenue of the Volcanoes, Abraspungo Valley, Tungurahua Vo

Antisana Acclimatization & Climb

Any mountain climber wanting to experience a technically demanding tour that is off the beaten path ...

Pasochoa Volcano, North Illiniza Volcano, Quilotoa, Antisana Reserve

Faq’s About Andes Tours

How to choose an andean vacation.

Amazingly long (4,300 miles), and surprisingly thin (between 120 to 430 miles wide), the Andes is also the world’s highest mountain range outside of Asia …high enough to leave you breathless in more ways than one.This region extends from north to south through seven South American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela), hosting several high plateaus and major cities that are ideal destinations for any vacation.In deciding on which Andean vacation to choose, you may want to consider which Andean city will best serve as your base. We think that the following five Andean cities deserving special consideration for those seeking unforgettable Latin American travel experiences.

• Quito, Ecuador : With a historic district considered the most beautiful city in all of South America, Quito is the jewel in Ecuador’s crown. Ensconced in a long and narrow Andean valley, while skirted by the peaks of the area’s “Avenue of the Volcanos,” most travelers sense of a wave of sheer awe the moment they touch down in Quito. [Also, keep in mind that Quito serves as a convenient jumping-off point for traveling to the nearby Amazon rainforest as well as for taking a short flight to the country’s legendary Galapagos Islands.]
• Machu Picchu : Still the uncontested Mecca of Latin America, Machu Picchu reigns supreme. In a spectacular location, it’s the best-known archaeological site on the continent. This fabled “lost city of the Incas,” is South America’s greatest attraction, one that draws ever-increasing numbers of visitors from around the globe.
• Bogota, Colombia:  The place that seven million people call home, Bogota’s energy as the metropolitan heart of Colombia is in part fueled by its hundreds of eclectic dining hot-spots, fantastic wines, and increasingly frequent “foodie” festivals.
• La Paz, Bolivia:  Dizzying in every respect, La Paz rests at an altitude of 3,650 meters (over two miles above sea level). Thanks to its historic isolation, a visit here will give you a glimpse at the way indigenous peoples have managed to retain many of their traditions ways. The result is that many people consider La Paz the most quintessentially South American capital city.

In sum, on a summer vacation to this region, you will find snowcapped Andes Mountains towering above, seeming to glow in the moonlight. The Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile especially are well suited for everything from active nature adventures to indulgent shopping and dining in its big cities or more relaxed activities like daily walks, hikes, and archeological digs. For a break from the routine, the Andes has it all!

What you’ll experience on an Andean vacation

The Andes is a land waiting to be explored and sensed. Whether hiking or horseback riding in the foothills Ecuador’s Cotopaxi Mountain, observing the enigmatic ruins of Machu Picchu, or even bargaining for handicrafts at the Otavalo market, there’s a mystical air about the Andes. In this region, otherworldly experiences await you everywhere, be it the vast Uyuni salt flat or the Mars-like Atacama Desert. For adventure seekers, you’ll find mountain trekking, whitewater rafting, or herding wild horses across the lunar landscape of the paramo highlands the thrill of a lifetime.

Then too, opportunities for cultural contacts with indigenous communities abound, whether at local markets, working haciendas, or visits with local families or schools. Similarly, you will get a chance to step back in time as you experience legendary Inca and pre-Inca sites such as Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, and Ingapirca. And, to top all of this off, the Andes is also known for its unique chances for wildlife watching, as you can observe herds of wild alpacas grazing across Altiplano plains and majestic condors floating through mountain canyons. For these and other experiences, Surtrek welcomes you on your own unique and personalized journey through South America’s Andes.

Is it safe to visit the Andes?

Most definitely! The vast Andean region is generally a safe place to visit, especially those areas that you’ll be visiting while accompanied by your experienced Surtrek guides. Like any destination — especially one so extensive as the Andes — there are sites that travelers should avoid, but your local guides will direct you well away from any area with a questionable reputation. Travelers should also note that the crime rates in the Andes and the US cities aren’t too different, though travelers should exercise a little extra caution and use “common sense.” You can avoid putting temptation in the path of questionable people by never leaving your belongings unattended; keeping your wallet, purse, cell phone, and money on you and close to you; not carrying large sums of cash on you, withdrawing money inside the bank, etc. By following these and other common-sense tips, you’re much more than likely to have an incident-free and highly rewarding travel experience here in the Andes.

Best time to tour the Andes

When traveling to and through the southern Andes (southern Argentina &/or Chile), keep in mind that the Southern Hemisphere’s summer takes place during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter. This means that the best time to visit the southern Andes is from November to early March – though you’ll meet up with larger numbers of tourists during this peak season.

As for the northern “Tropical” Andes of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia, the temperatures here remain relatively constant throughout the year. While the destinations here can be easily visited year-round, the very best months to visit this region is during the dryer period that extends from May to November. The somewhat rainier “wet season” extends from December to April. Also, note that Machu Picchu is closed in February due to rain and for maintenance.

What to pack for the Andes

In most parts of the Andes, you’ll experience all four seasons in one day – from the intense, high-altitude sun during the daytime to chilly winter-like nights.Though you’ll receive a detailed packing list after you book your once-in-a-lifetime Andean adventure tour with Surtrek, the following tips and general pack list provides useful guidelines for traveling in the Andean mountains:

Andean Packing Tips

• Pack warm, fast-drying clothes (synthetics and wool are good, but avoid cotton, especially directly against the skin).
• Bring quality, ankle-supporting hiking boots that either dry quickly or are water-resistant.
• For trekking through the páramo highlands, you’ll find rubber boots (“wellies”) are the best choice for keeping your feet dry (most lodges provide these).

Essential Items

As for the essential items to bring along when traveling through the Andes, this list is meant to be suggestive rather than comprehensive:

• Money belt or neck pouch
• Bank card and credit card
• Backpack and daypack
• Layered clothes for warm and cool weather, as one can encounter both in an afternoon in the Andes or when traveling between regions
• First-aid kit
• Any medications prescribed by your doctor
• Swiss army knife or leatherman (included in checked luggage)
• Watch with alarm clock
• Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
• Plastic bags for separating dirty and clean clothes and shoes
• Notebooks and pens/pencils
• Needle and thread
• Biodegradable soap (if in backcountry areas)

Getting to the Andes

Keep in mind, wherever you choose to journey across the vast Andean mountain chain, you’ll be met by a Surtrek representative the moment you touch down at the closest international airport. From there you’ll be continuously accompanied by this representative or guide throughout your adventure until the time of your final departure.

• Reaching Sites in the Ecuadorian Andes:  ​​​Travelers flying into Ecuador will most likely arrive at Quito’s new Mariscal International Airport (UIO), located 10 miles from the city’s downtown.  From Quito, ground transportation is available to other sites in the Ecuadorian Andes, such as Cotopaxi Volcano and National Park, Quilotoa and Cuicocha lakes, and Papallacta Resort and Spa. To reach Cuenca, which is Ecuador’s other UNESCO-declared World Heritage City, travelers can fly out of Quito or take a scenic 8-hour ride through the Andes to reach that city, dubbed the “Athens of Ecuador.” In addition, the luxury trans-Andean Tren Cruceo train service carries passengers from Quito through the Ecuadorian Andes to cities such as Latacunga, Ambato, and Riobamba before reaching the port city of Guayaquil, on the country’s coast.
• Traveling to the Peruvian Andes:  Travelers to Peru touch down at Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM), with many travelers who are heading on to Machu Picchu flying on to the city of Cusco the next day, with most flights to Cusco leaving during the mornings. From Cusco, trains to Machu Picchu depart from outside of the city, carrying travelers through the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo before arriving at the town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the Machu Picchu citadel. Frequent flights from Lima also carry travelers to Lake Titicaca (arriving in Puno), as well as Arequipa and its strikingly scenic Colca Canyon nearby.
• Visiting the Bolivian Andes:  Most travelers flying into Bolivia land at the El Alto International Airport (LPB) just outside of the capital city of La Paz. From there, major Andean attractions such as the “World’s Most Dangerous Road,” the ancient pre-Inca ruins of Tiwanaku, Lake Titicaca, and its Sun Island can be reached by car, van or bus. More distant destinations such as the Uyuni salt flat can also be reached from La Paz by plane.
• Getting to Sites in the Chilean & Argentine Andes:  Santiago de Chile’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) is the arrival point for almost all travelers to the Chilean Andes, as well for many travelers to the Argentine Andes. From the Chilean capital city, domestic flights can be taken for traveling the long distances north and south over the Chilean Andes to destinations such as the Atacama Desert (landing in Calama), the Lake District (landing in Puerto Montt) or even further south to Andean destinations in Patagonia (Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas). Santiago de Chile can also serve as an arrival point for those wanting to experience nearby Mendoza, (the Argentine city of wine-fame) or even the badlands of Salta, in northern Argentina. Farther south of Mendoza is the resort city of San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina), where the Lloa Lloa Lodge provides activities for every taste and inclination. Flights to Salta, Mendoza, and San Carlos de Bariloche can also be taken from the Argentina capital of Buenos Aires.
• Making your way to the Colombian Andes:  Travelers to Columbia will discover what neither Sir Walter Raleigh nor the Spanish conquistadors were ever able to find: El Dorado. However, rather than the famed empire of gold, this is the name of the Bogota’s international airport (BOG). Though visitors to Colombia will likely want to spend several days in the capital city, other Colombian destinations in the Andes across the country can be reached by ground transportation or air. Note that the drive time to Medellin is just over eight (8) hours and the drive time to the Coffee Triangle is just over seven (7) hours, though each destination can be reached by air in about an hour.

Why tour the Andes with Surtrek?

Based here in the Andes since 1993, Surtrek has been introducing adventurous travelers to authentic, environmentally friendly, tailor-made luxury travel experiences across South America. Over this time, we have become adept at offering some of the best and most complete tour services through and across the Andes.

With our experienced travel team of 25 members strong — including native speakers of five different languages — we will work one-on-one with you to custom-design an Andean tour that perfectly suits your particular interests and needs.

Travel Info & Plan Your Trip

Ecuador Travel Info

The information in this guide is composed and maintained with continuous care and attention by Surtrek.

• Surtrek General Conditions

If the client contracts the services on behalf of various persons, he/she is responsible for all of the contractual obligations of the group.

Plan Your Trip

Surtrek has helped thousands of elated travelers plan the perfect trip to South America since 1995. Will you be the next?

Embark on an exhilarating journey through the towering peaks and ancient cultures of the Andes with Surtrek’s Andes Blog. From the snow-capped summits to the vibrant valleys below, our blog is your passport to adventure in South America’s most iconic mountain range. Delve into captivating narratives, insider tips, and immersive experiences curated by our team of seasoned explorers. Whether you’re dreaming of hiking the Inca Trail, discovering hidden gems in remote villages, or simply craving a virtual escape to the high-altitude wonders of the Andes, let Surtrek’s Andes Blog ignite your wanderlust and inspire your next expedition.

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Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Andes Mountains

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Patagonia: Torres Del Paine ‘W’ Trek – 5 Days

Patagonia: torres del paine ‘o’ trek – 8 days, epic patagonia, classic inca trail trek 4d/3n to machu picchu (group service ), inca trail to machu picchu: 4-day hike with vistadome train, patagonia hiking, ultimate salkantay trek to machu picchu - 5 days, torres del paine - the w trek, hiking the classic inca trail to machu picchu & sacred valley, 04 day classic inca trail to machu picchu - small group service.

• Hiking & Trekking
• Mountain Hikes
• Christmas & New Year
• Explore the stunning French Valley
• Hike around Lake Nordenskjöld's scenic path
• Witness the majestic Gray Glacier

“This tour was an amazing experience in Torres del Paine. Even the unpredictable weather made this trip truly unforgettable!”

• Cross suspension bridges over Grey Glacier
• Witness ice falls in the Valle del Francés
• Trek through Torres del Paine National Park

“The trek itself was fantastic and I had an excellent team in Francisco (as my guide) and Teo (as the cook/porter) out on the trail.”

• Climb through a beautiful lenga forest to the Las Torres Towers
• Trek in Patagonia's famous Torres del Paine National Park
• Marvel at the impressive and mesmerising Grey Glacier

“The trip was well organized. Everyone was very helpful and informative.”

• Witness sunrise at Machu Picchu
• Explore the ruins of Wiñay Wayna
• Conquer Dead Woman's Pass

“The chef Alex was able to create gourmet meals including cakes and tortes in a camping setting. This was an unforgettable journey.”

• Step back in time and walk the ancient route of the Incas
• Meet the locals and discover what Andean life is like
• Celebrate with a victorious photograph of the Lost City

“Everything was incredible from the views to the food to the porters and guides. It was so fun and a good challenge.”

• Fly to El Calafate, gateway to Patagonian peaks
• Explore vibrant Buenos Aires on your own
• Kayak in Río de las Vueltas, view Fitz Roy

“The activities were so much fun.”

• Challenge yourself and hike the Salkantay Trail
• Celebrate your victory with 'that' photo of Machu Picchu
• Admire the serene natural beauty of the Sacred Valley

“Beautiful views, comfortable sleeping arrangements and delicuius food. Truly a great experience!”

• Explore Puerto Natales before your trek
• Visit the French Valley and Paine Grande mountain
• Conclude with a ferry ride across Lake Pehoé

“Fantastic guides and the itinerary.”

• Arrive at Machu Picchu before sunrise and the crowds
• Hike the legendary Inca trail through the Peruvian Andes
• Immerse yourself in Inca tradition, culture and history

“The whole experience was somewhat surreal and counts as my number one interaction with a tour company. The visits at the archeological sites were awesome, we learned a bit more the inca culture.”

• Visit the archaeological site of Sayacmarca
• Explore the Sacred Valley ruins
• Descend to Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco

“We couldn't ask for a better tour operator. We highly recommended.”

Travel Styles

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Best machu picchu tours

Peru treks and tours to machu picchu, inca trail, salcantay trek, nazca lines..

JAN 14-01, ’25

Machu picchu, peru.

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Why BEST ANDES TRAVEL

Explore Peru with Best Andes Travel . Innovative, nature based adventures for the mind, body and spirit. Our goal is to enrich your life with stories of adventure and to bring you home safely so you can share these stories with others. Our adventures include the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, Choquequirao Hike, Rainbow Mountain , just to name a few. We hope we can inspire you to travel with our images and words.

Classic Inca Trail 4 days

See for yourself why the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu is the most popular trek in the Andes! Enjoy spellbinding mountain scenery…

Rainbow Mountain 1 day

Vinicunca, also referred to as Rainbow Mountain, is a stunning, multicolored mountain in the Andes close to Cusco.

Short Inca Trail 2 days

The one-day hike from Chachabamba to Machu Picchu, also known as the Short Inca Trail, is an excellent alternative to the full Inca Trail tour.

Machu Picchu 1 day

You may start your Machu Picchu tour on any day of the week. According to your arrival date, budget, and special interests.

Salkantay Trek 5 days

In this classic Andean trek, you discover the Vilcabamba Cordillera, an exhilarating range of steep valleys, lacy waterfalls, and more

Humantay Lake 1 day

This thorough hiking tour to Cusco’s stunning green lake covers everything you need to know about Humantay Lake and how to get there.

Travel in style

Quality time  with family and friends,  relaxation & enjoyment  of nature..

The deluxe programs we offer run through Peru´s most beautiful places, with private flights over the Andean Cordillera, enjoying the most exquisite Peruvian gastronomy and operating with the finest and most luxurious services.

apr 7-6, ’25

Choquequirao trek.

Like Machu Picchu, the spectacular Inca ruins of Choquequirao dominate yet blend respectfully into the vertical Andean world of immense canyons and towering snowpeaks.

Upcoming Festivals & Events

Explore all the upcoming festivals, events and other activities taking place in peru, see what our guests are saying, benefits of peru travel with bat.

While there are many companies that offer Peru tours, few can say they’ve been leading travelers through Peru and the Andes as long as we have. Our tours have gained the trust of fans throughout the world because they are:

• Environmentally responsible – we carry out all trash and waste from our toilet tents so you can feel good about your low environmental impact
• Accessible – our guides speak excellent English, are eager to teach you about their land and people, and help you every step of the way
• Fair – we treat our guides, porters, cooks and staff like our employees, including paying them retirement, so they are committed to doing a great job for you
• Manageable – Porters carry the heavy camping gear and most of your personal gear, leaving you free to enjoy treks with just a daypack.
• Flexible – we’re experts at creating custom trips, not just forcing you into cookie-cutter options, so you can travel in the style you prefer.

Shocking views

Get ready for the best vacation ever, the south america travel experts in peru.

Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Making your experience personal will always set Best Andes Travel apart, so before you book, we want to talk. If the Inca Trail trek isn’t what you have in mind, then perhaps our Salcantay trek or Moonstone to Machu Picchu trek will. If any of our roster trips doesn’t quite hits the mark, let us create a custom experience that does. As long as we can stir your soul safely, we’ll stir it.

Browse more trip  types & interests

We offer you the alternative of managing your time and visits.

PERU PACKAGE

Get inspired by our top family trips and start your own, machu picchu odyssey 6 days.

In this brief but unforgettable getaway, you explore Cuzco and Machu Picchu, two of the world’s most fascinating adventure destinations.

This Machu Picchu tour works well as a standalone visit to Peru, or as one component of a longer exploration of South America.

Imperial Peru 11 days

This is a wonderful itinerary that incorporates a wide range of cultures, landscapes, Inca Ruins, and hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! We book this program for you on a custom/private basis. This way we can tailor it to your preferences. For instance, you can add an Amazon lodge stay and/or the Colca Canyon, and choose the types of hotels you prefer. 

PERU PACKAGES

Walking and trekking trips.

Andes Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 39 most popular andes mountains trips. compare tour itineraries from 36 tour companies. 230 reviews. 5/5 avg rating., popular andes mountains tours.

Explore the majestic Andes Mountains with our popular tours, offering breathtaking vistas, thrilling adventures, and cultural immersion. Discover the natural wonders and rich heritage of this iconic mountain range on an unforgettable journey.

Peru, The Way Of The Incas

• 5 nights hotel accommodation
• 3 nights camping along the Inka Trail
• Private transfers in Lima and Cusco
• Private city tour of Lima visiting Plaza de Armas, Palacio de Gobierno, Cathedral of Lima, and the Municipalidad (City Hall), La Casa Aliaga and Convento de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Convent)
• Private Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley Tour

Patagonian Highlights

• Discover Torres del Paine National Park, including a hike to the base of the Towers of Paine
• See amazing glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park with an optional boat trip at Moreno Glacier
• Marvel at the stunning granite peaks of Fitzroy Massif and Cerro Torre
• Travel to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia
• Experience the vast, wind-blown expanses of the Patagonia Steppe

Lights of Peru, The Inca Empire

• Explore the Sacred Valley and discover the treasures of the Inca civilization: Machu Picchu, and the archeological site of Ollantaytambo.
• Take a guidedtour around Limaand Cuzco to soak up the traditions and history of these Peruvian cultural hubs.
• Enjoy a unique hike to the Humantay Lagoon.
• Best time to travel: All year round.

Peru Children of the Andes

• Discover remnants of a well-preserved historic civilization
• Experience a thriving modern culture and Relish in the beauty of local hand-woven textiles
• Breath-taking mountain peaks, and artifacts from one the most powerful empires in human history.
• Meet local artisans, musicians, and grassroots leaders who’ll share their contributions to Andean society
• Enjoy the magical ancient city of Machu Picchu, as well as other archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley

Cycling the Lake District of Chile & Argentina

• Cycle around much-loved Andean lakes including Lago Llanquihue and Lago Frías
• Ride the scenic Seven Lakes Road cycling route to San Martin
• See ancient monkey puzzle trees in Conguillio National Park
• Enjoy free time in Bariloche to hike or go rafting
• Visit the Batea Mahuida volcano crater in Villa Pehuenia

Luxury Cycling Adventure Across Argentina

• Cycle through the bustling avenues of Buenos Aires and experience its vibrant culture.
• Ride along the scenic routes of Bariloche, surrounded by the stunning Andes Mountains.
• Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia on two wheels.
• Witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Iguazu Falls.
• Savor the exquisite wines of Mendoza with exclusive vineyard tours and tastings.

Peru Unbound

• Explore Peru
• Visit Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba
• See the archaeological, astronomical and religious wonders of the Sacred Valley,
• Experience a Peruvian Paso horse demonstration during an elegant dinner
• Kayak to Amantani and Taquile islands on Lake Titicaca

Peru Family Vacation

• visit all of the sacred sites like Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley
• Visit Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca and other monuments and ruins important to the Peruvian culture and people.
• Explore places truly have a mysterious, yet revered, feel to them.
• Our local guides will accompany you every step of the way
• Also experience delectable local cuisine and stay at fantastic four-star hotels along the way.

All Andes Mountains , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Andes Mountains

Small Group Andes Mountains Tours

Embark on an intimate adventure through the Andes Mountains with our small group tours. Experience personalized attention, camaraderie with fellow travelers, and immersive exploration of the Andes' stunning landscapes and cultural treasures.

Peru Extensions

• Explore Andes Mountains to Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire.
• Visit Machu Picchu
• Experience hike towards Ollantaytambo
• Discover Cusco

Peru Highlights Bolt

• Visit Colca Canyon and see swooping Andean Condors
• Meet a local community on Lake Titicaca's floating Islands
• Awe-inspiring Andes scenery
• Discover Peru's buzzing cities

Essential Perú

• Explore Cusco, Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca
• Visit an ancient adobe pyramid right in the middle of the city, Huaca Huallamarca
• Visit Awanacancha where you will have the opportunity to see the different camelids that live in the Andes
• Discover Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon and Arequipa
• Visit Koricancha, the most sumptuous “Sun Temple” in the Inca Empire

Classic Luxury Machupicchu

• Explore Lima City
• Have a chance to visit Casa Aliaga
• Visit Cusco and Urubamba
• Discover Ollantaytambo and Sacred Valley
• Explore Machu Picchu

Best Andes Mountains Tours by Duration

Discover the perfect Andes Mountains tour to suit your schedule with our curated selection based on duration. Whether you seek a quick getaway or an extended expedition, we have the ideal itinerary to maximize your exploration of this stunning mountain range.

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Andes Mountains Tours by Price

With our price-based selection, you can find the best-value Andes Mountains tours within your budget. From budget-friendly options to luxury experiences, explore the diverse range of tours offering exceptional value and unforgettable adventures amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Andes.

Top Andes Mountains Attractions

• Trekking to the summit of towering peaks for panoramic views
• Exploring ancient Inca ruins nestled in the Andean foothills
• Rafting down rushing rivers fed by glacial meltwater
• Visiting indigenous villages to learn about traditional Andean lifestyles
• Soaking in natural hot springs nestled in the Andean valleys
• Riding horseback through rugged mountain trails
• Sampling local cuisine and traditional dishes in mountain villages
• Observing diverse wildlife, including condors and llamas, in their natural habitats
• Camping under the stars in remote Andean wilderness areas
• Photographing stunning landscapes of snow-capped peaks and emerald valleys
• Taking a scenic train ride through the Andean foothills, offering breathtaking views along the way
• Paragliding over picturesque Andean valleys for a birds-eye perspective of the majestic mountains
• Participating in guided meditation or yoga sessions amidst the tranquil Andean landscapes

Andes Mountains Tours & Travel

Andes Mountains Attractions & Landmarks Guide

• Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador: Located in the Ecuadorian Andes, Mount Chimborazo is the highest peak in Ecuador and the furthest point from the Earth's center due to the equatorial bulge. Trekkers and climbers are drawn to its majestic summit for challenging ascents and breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.
• Machu Picchu, Peru: Nestled high in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan citadel renowned for its architectural marvels and stunning panoramic vistas. Visitors flock to this UNESCO World Heritage site to explore its mysterious ruins, hike the famed Inca Trail, and immerse themselves in the region's rich history and culture.
• Atacama Desert, Chile: Stretching along the Andean foothills in northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world and a haven for stargazers, adventure enthusiasts, and nature lovers. Travelers come to marvel at its otherworldly landscapes, surreal salt flats, geothermal geysers, and vibrant oasis villages.
• Torres del Paine National Park, Chile: Situated in the southern Patagonian Andes, Torres del Paine National Park is a pristine wilderness renowned for its towering granite peaks, azure lakes, and rugged terrain. Hikers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts flock to this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to trek its iconic trails, spot guanacos and pumas, and witness the breathtaking beauty of its landscapes.
• Aconcagua, Argentina: As the highest peak in the Southern and Western Hemispheres, Aconcagua stands majestically in the Argentine Andes. Adventure seekers and mountaineers are drawn to its snow-capped summit, offering challenging climbs and unparalleled views of the surrounding Andean peaks.
• Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador: Home to the world's highest active volcano, Cotopaxi National Park showcases the stunning beauty and biodiversity of the Ecuadorian Andes. Visitors hike its scenic trails, marvel at its volcanic landscapes, and witness the breathtaking sight of Cotopaxi's symmetrical cone and glaciated slopes.
• Cusco, Peru: Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, Cusco is the historic capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors are drawn to its cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and proximity to the iconic Machu Picchu.
• La Paz, Bolivia: Situated in the Bolivian Andes, La Paz is one of the highest capital cities in the world and a melting pot of indigenous cultures. Travelers flock to its bustling streets, colorful markets, and historic landmarks, such as the Witches' Market and the Valley of the Moon.
• Quechua Communities, Ecuador: Scattered throughout the Ecuadorian Andes, Quechua communities preserve ancient traditions and customs passed down through generations. Visitors can immerse themselves in indigenous culture, participate in traditional rituals and ceremonies, and learn about sustainable farming practices.
• Mapuche Communities, Chile and Argentina: The Mapuche people are indigenous to the Andean region of Chile and Argentina, where they have inhabited the land for centuries. Travelers can visit Mapuche communities to learn about their rich cultural heritage, traditional music and dance, artisanal crafts, and ongoing land rights and cultural preservation struggles.
• Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru: Located near Cusco, the Sacred Valley is home to numerous indigenous communities and archaeological sites. Visitors can explore Inca ruins, traditional villages, and agricultural terraces, engage with local artisans, and learn about Andean culture and history.
• Colca Canyon, Peru: Carved by the Colca River in the Andes of southern Peru, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world and home to indigenous Quechua communities. Travelers can trek through the canyon, visit traditional villages, and witness the majestic flight of Andean condors soaring overhead.
• Trekking: Explore the breathtaking nature of the Andes on foot, with trekking routes ranging from gentle day hikes to challenging multi-day excursions. Discover the scenic trails of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, renowned for its dramatic granite peaks and pristine wilderness.
• Mountaineering: Conquer the highest peaks of the Andes through exhilarating mountaineering expeditions. Test your skills on the slopes of Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, in Argentina.
• Glacier Watching: Witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Andean glaciers as they glisten in the sunlight. Head to Puente del Inca in Argentina to marvel at the natural ice formations and stunning glacial landscapes.
• Skiing: Hit the slopes at a world-class ski resort in the heart of the Andes. Experience adrenaline-pumping downhill runs and breathtaking mountain views at resorts like Portillo in Chile or Las Leñas in Argentina.
• Waterfall Exploration: Discover the hidden gems of the Andes with visits to stunning waterfalls cascading through verdant valleys. Explore the majestic Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil or the mesmerizing cascades of Gocta Falls in Peru.
• Mountain Biking: Embark on thrilling mountain biking adventures along rugged Andean trails, offering adrenaline-pumping descents and breathtaking scenery. Traverse the scenic routes of Valle Nevado in Chile, offering panoramic views of towering peaks and verdant landscapes.

Trip Reviews

Amazing sights in patagonia.

What a fantastic itinerary Exodus have put together for this trip. From bustling Buenos Aries with its steaks to die for to stunning sunrises on Mt Fitzroy, we exp...

Patagonian Adventure

From the vast, isolated Patagonian Steppe to the gorgeous Andes mountains, delicious steaks and empanadas, challenging but rewarding hikes, weather prone to dramat...

Fabulous trip

A fabulous trip to Patagonia. A great group, super guide and fabulous scenery every day. My sister recommended that I take this trip as it was one of her favourite...

Patagonia is unpredictable

The weather is unpredictable and Argentina is huge, so there's a lot of traveling and different temperatures to deal with, but it's unmistakably unlike anything we...

A brilliant holiday

This has been a successful trip in every sense. We are well travelled with Exodus and this ranks high in our experiences. It is hard to choose one but high up on th...

See all Andes Mountains reviews

Andes Mountains Tours FAQ

1. Can you tour the Andes mountains?

2. What is the best way to see the Andes?

3. How much do Andes tours cost?

4. What to pack for a trip to the Andes?

5. How many days are enough for the Andes tour?

6. What is the best time to tour Andes mountain?

7. Why do tourists visit the Andes mountains?

Treks & Expeditions

The Best Andes Travel Treks & Expeditions is a company in Bolivia combining exclusivity, comfort and authenticity in Bolivia since 2003. All our itineraries are custom-built by our experienced travel specialists in accordance with your wishes and are designed to surpass all your expectations from VIP ultra-luxury tours including honeymoon and romantic getaways; family and group leisure.

The best tours in bolivia.

The best destinations in Bolivia are from the Andes to the Amazon. Our company offers tours from 8 to 20 days where visitors can enjoy nature, culture, adventure,trekking, climbing, photography and much more. These tours are designed to suit you and have good results.

The Bolivian Andes – Atacama in 6 Days

Tour Bolivia in 9 días

Tour Bolivia in 12 Days

Tour Bolivia 21 Days

Daily tours.

In our daily tours we create unique, exclusive and tailored experiences for travelers interested in exploring Bolivia you will find culture, history, beautiful landscapes, adventure tours, nature tours, and amazing sunsets. You can learn the Andean secrets only with an expert.

Tiwanaku Day Tour

City Tour La Paz Half Day

Uyuni Salt Flat 3 Days / 2 Nigths Private Tour

Sajama National Park 2 Days / 1 Nigth

Death Road – Coroico – Suapi

Animas Valley The Valley of the Souls Day Tour

Reviews on trip advisor.

Trekking in the Andes

Trekking is one of the latest trends in tourism worldwide. However, walking in the Andes is a historical and cultural legacy that dates back to the pre-Inca culture, they were the pioneers in the construction and promotion of the road network. Walking and exploring routes has been an essential component for knowledge and development in the Andes, all the way to the Amazon.

TAKESI TREK 2 Dias /1 Noche

CHORO TREK PROGRAM 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

CHORO TREK PROGRAM 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

CONDORIRI TREK PROGRAM 1 DAY TREK

CONDORIRI TREK PROGRAM 2 DAYS/ 1 NIGHT

CONDORIRI TREK PROGRAM 3 DAYS/ 2 NIGHTS

CONDORIRI TREK PROGRAM 4 DAYS/ 3 NIGHTS

Laguna Glacial Trek PROGRAM

CORDILLERA REAL TREK PROGRAM

Photography tours.

The Photography tours landscape, nature, and astrophotography we discovered our Passion for photography in 2010 when we are travelling all over Bolivia our closeness to nature and the desire to understand it was motivated, we travel from the high plateau to the amazon our camera to capture fantastic to capture moments in nature., we want show you the best photography tours in Bolivia and more the magical moments in your tours.

DISCOVER YOUR PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The best way to enjoy your trip with us 

Head Quarter Address

La Paz, Bolivia

[email protected]

(591) 7190-4630

Ecuador Andes Mountains [Planning Guide] 15 Things to Do

Planning a trip to Ecuador’s Andes mountains? In this post, I’ll share 15 things to do in Ecuador’s Andes Mountains . Plus tons of photos and videos to help you plan your trip.

When most people think of Ecuador, the first thing that comes to mind is the Galapagos. But Ecuador is so much more than those wonderfully  bizarre Galapagos animals .

In this post, you’ll learn about 15 attractions that you can visit up in the Andes Mountains.

Top 10 Things to Do in Ecuador’s Andes (Video)

Prefer to read? Skip the video and check out the post below!

Learn more about Ecuador with these Top 13 Books about Ecuador Travel

15 Things to Do in Ecuador’s Andes

Here are the top 15 things to do in Ecuador’s Andes Mountains:

• Otavalo:  The city of Otavalo is about 2 hours north of Quito. In Otavalo, you’ll see the three volcanoes that surround the city. Otavalo is most famous for it’s market – the largest indigenous clothes market in South America. While you’ll find O tavaleño  work at markets across the country, none are as large as in their home town.  Meet Christina Ring – an expat living in Otavalo who runs 4Volcanoes Lodge .  See photos of horses in Otavalo . More reading: 11 Things to Know When Visiting Otavalo Market
• Cuicocha:  This lake is in volcanic crater at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano. The lake is 3 km (2 mi) wide. It gets it’s name from the Kichwa indigenous language and means “Lago del Cuy” or Guinea Pig Lake in English – because of the guinea pig shape of its largest island. Of course, guinea pigs play a significant role in every day life in Ecuador – they are farmed and eaten regularly. The lake is responsible for the fertile soil of the Otavalo Valley.
• Mitad del Mundo : Visit Latitude: 00° 00’ 00’’ This monument attracts countless visitors each year. Here you can stand with a foot in each hemisphere (North and South). Although the calculation is off a little (250 meters) it continues to be a super popular tourist destination. You can visit two museums: the Itiñan Solar Museum  and Museo Etnográfico  that displays lots of everyday items representing indigenous customs, traditions, and rites.
• Quitsato Monument:   This huge sundial is located directly on the equator and can be visited on the way back from Cuicocha. This non-profit project is free to visit but you can hire a guide for $10. Watch for the Cayambe Volcano here.

• Termas de Papallacta : These thermal hot springs are located 60 km east of Quito. The largest hotel in the town features a spa, restaurant, and hot spring baths. From here, you can visit Cayambe Coca Nature Reserve.
• Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve : This reserve covers more than 400,000 hectares. The beautiful Cayambe Peak is at 5 750m above sea level. This snow-capped peak is Ecuador’s 3rd highest and is a dormant volcano. In addition to Cayambe, there are three other volcanos – the newest of the three is Reventador and is still active.

• Tren Crucero & Devil’s Nose (Nariz del Diablo):  Over three days you’ll travel from the Andes to the coast (Quito to Guayaquil). There are numerous stops with cultural excursions. This is one adventure that remains pending on my list.
• Banos :  The small town of Baños is a top destination for many visitors to Ecuador. The thermal hot springs, 70 waterfalls and hundreds of acres of pristine forest all attract lots of attention. While in Banos, you might consider staying at Luna Runtun or one of the many lower cost hostels.
• Swing at the End of the World:  This famous swing is located in Banos at La Casa del Árbol – a small tree-house at the edge of a canyon. If you have any fear of heights the photos will give you butterflies. But looks can be deceiving. There is actually a gentle slope – not a steep cliff that you might imagine.

Exploring La Sierra in Ecuador

To conclude, here are details on many of these attractions.

Learn more about all 105 volcanoes in Ecuador .

Driving Down Ecuador’s Andes Mountains

Here in Ecuador I’ve seen the most beautiful scenery that I’ve ever seen in my life.

Most of it has been enjoyed while driving from Cuenca down the Andes to the Coast. The scenery is truly breathtaking, it keeps us gasping and pointing while trying our best to capture photos of it all as it quickly passes by.

From Cuenca to Salinas

As we start the drive we see vast fields of patchwork farmland rising and falling within a circle of towering majestic mountains.

Descending a bit further, the land begins to take on a more dramatic appearance.  The valleys fall away, as the mountains seem to rise ever higher.

We can see homes scattered all over the sides and floors of these valleys, paved roads, and dirt footpaths snake their way between them, and farmer’s fields are seen in what appear to be impossibly steep locations.

Every now and then we see a solitary home situated on the bluff of a mountain overlooking smaller mountains and incredibly deep valleys.

We wonder how the people make their way to and from it, what they went through to build it there, and the amazing feeling they have every day as they enjoy the view .

We continue the descent and are awestruck as we start to see clouds flowing into the valley just below us, it’s an amazing feeling to realize we live above the clouds.

As we drive down into the clouds things can get a bit foggy and the scenery changes.  We begin to see banana plants and other tropical-looking trees and plants.  We can feel the temperature warming and the ground leveling out, we see rice fields and large banana plantations.

Check out our Ecuador Travel Guide (it’s free)!

As we make our way to the coast things get a lot scruffier, the ground is level and dry.  Many of the homes are on stilts and are really scattered.  Most of the vegetation appears to be dead, except for irrigated crops. Then we start seeing more homes again as we enter some of the coastal towns.

Finally, we see the ocean and palm trees.  This is a welcome sight after the scruffy dead-looking flat land we’ve been driving through for the past couple of hours.

Check out:  34 beautiful photos of Guayaquil

Driving Safety in Ecuador: Down the Andes

I’ll just add a word or two about the driving conditions .

The roads are kept in pretty good repair, but the driving can get kind of hairy.  Some drivers take a lot of risks, passing on blind hills and corners, passing or just driving in the other lane of oncoming traffic for the fun of it. 

This can make for a scary experience, but we recently learned something that makes a big difference:  This drive should always be taken early in the day, as early as possible .  This way traffic is avoided and so is the fog. The fog sets in around 4 or 5 in the afternoon, and it’s so thick you literally can’t see 5 feet in front of the vehicle. 

This reduced visibility mixed with some dangerous driving habits can make for an unpleasant experience, I wouldn’t recommend it. And for us, making the drive after dark is out of the question.

Read more about the beach in Salinas  and learn more about all of Ecuador’s beaches .

So if you are making the drive, set out early and enjoy an amazing experience you’ll never forget.

Photos of Ecuador’s Andes Mountains (Video Tour)

We have lived and traveled in the beautiful Sierra (mountains) region of Ecuador for almost 5 years. This post is all about how breathtaking it is!

(You may also enjoy reading our Ecuador travel page.)

Ecuador’s Andes Amazing Scenery

As we explore the Sierra we often find ourselves compelled to stop and take pictures. It’s the kind of thing whereby one of us will say “ wow look at that, I can’t believe how beautiful it is, lets stop I’ve got to get a picture !”

The mountains, fields, and valleys are gorgeous, we don’t get tired of seeing them.

Breathtaking Scenery in Ecuador’s Andes

When we were thinking about moving to Ecuador we imagined ourselves on the beach, but I think the scenery here in the Sierra is just as breathtaking. The way the sun and clouds play off the landscape is always changing. And when the clouds rise up from the valleys to the tops of the mountains it’s a spectacular sight .

The climate zones change within the areas that make up the Sierra so we see different kinds of vegetation, grasses and trees, flowers and shrubs…

(Check out this post about our hikes . We were high up in the mountains around Cuenca, the pictures are beautiful.)

What is your favorite thing to do in Ecuador’s Andes Mountains? Please join us in the comments.

Hi, I'm Bryan Haines . And I'm a co-founder of Storyteller.Travel . I'm a traveler and photographer.

I also blog about photography on Storyteller Tech .

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Thanks for this informative read! I am always on the look-out for beautiful travel destinations.

I am planning a trip to Quito in February next year. Is this the best time to come to Quito in terms of temperature. I am tavelling on a Canadian Passport. Do I need a VISA to enter Ecuador.

Hi Andrea, You’ll can to visit Quito in whatever mounth because always there good weather

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Antarctic Odyssey from Union Glacier

• Fly over the Ellsworth Mountains
• Experience Antarctica
• Immerse yourself in the wilderness
• Enjoy outdoor activities

Explora Atacama

• Experience Puritama hot springs
• Visit Atacama Desert
• Discover Atacama's hidden gems

Explora Uyuni

• Explore the Uyuni Salt Flats
• Experience the Uyuni Lodge
• Explore with excursions

Lodge to Lodge Salkantay Trek

• Explore historic Cusco
• Trek the varied Andean terrain
• Stay in luxury lodges along the way
• Explore the ruins of Machu Picchu

Emperors & Explorers

• Explore Union Glacier
• Camp near an Emperor Penguin Colony
• Explore Antarctica
• Photograph local wildlife

Emperor Penguin Overnight Adventure

Antarctica and patagonia: legendary ice and epic fjords (northbound).

• Navigate Chile’s coastal fjords
• Explore Torres del Paine by hiking
• See Antarctic's Wildlife
• Explore Glacier Alley and Fjord

Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del Paine

• Cruise to the Diego Ramírez Islands
• Watch for massive Andean condors
• See impressive glaciers
• Visit a working Patagonian estancia
• Explore Torres del Paine

Ski the Last Degree

• Visit the South Pole
• Ski to the South Pole

Palcoyo Mountain

• Visit spectacular Palcoyo Mountain

Palcoyo mountain with visit to Qeswachaca

• Visit Qeswachaka Bridge

South Pole Overnight and Three Glaciers Retreat

• Visit the Amundsen-Scott Station

Colombia Travel Guide

• All Colombia Trips
• All Colombia Travel Stories
• Colombia Overview
• Colonial Cities of Colombia
• Colombia FAQs

Favorite Colombia All Trips

• Colombia Quest
• Bike Colombia Backroads
• Andes to Caribbean Multisport
• Coffee Triangle and Medellin Multisport

Top Andes Mountains Travel Destinations

• Ainsworth Bay
• Atacama Desert
• El Calafate
• Lake District
• Lake Titicaca Peru
• Ollantaytambo
• Perito Moreno Glacier
• Puerto Montt
• Puerto Natales
• Puerto Varas
• Punta Arenas
• Sacred Valley
• Torres del Paine

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The ultimate Andes road trip, from Chile to Bolivia

The infamously inhospitable route from Chile's Atacama Desert to Bolivia's otherworldly Uyuni salt flats has been upgraded. New lodges and guiding alternatives are reimagining this well-trodden andean journey. At the nose-bleed altitudes of the Altiplano, Indigenous communities eke out a remote existence and rare wildlife stalks barren mountain plateaus. 

We left the trees far behind as we climbed up to Bolivia’s Altiplano, but this was no place for them anyway. The dryness would be fatal, and even if they could find water, the ferocious winds wouldn’t allow them to stand. On this high-altitude plateau, life has had to make some extreme adaptations to survive, finding ways to eke out water and nutrition over 4,250 metres above sea level. Trees are yet to find a solution.

Up here, the landscape inspires a plethora of similes; the mountains look tie-dyed, psychedelic, rainbowed — like technicolour dream coats. When we pull over in our 4x4 — a swaying cross and rosary beads finally falling still beneath the rear-view mirror — my Chilean guide Micaela Díaz explains that the surreal valley we’ve found ourselves in is known as the Salvador Dalí Desert. “Because it looks pretty weird, no?”

This is one of the early stops on a new version of a classic journey that travel company Explora is calling La Travesía, meaning ‘the crossing’ in Spanish. It’s an adventure tour linking two of South America’s most bizarre landscapes: Chile’s Atacama, the driest nonpolar desert in the world, and the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, the world’s largest salt flat. It’s a remote road trip of around 325 miles, but the ‘roads’ are mere suggestions of routes that run through much of this high desert. We are travelling by 4x4 and the plan is to make stops at three new lodges Explora has built along the way to break up the journey. The roof is laden with spare fuel and tyres, reminders that we’re about as off-road as it’s possible to be.

The trip had started a few days earlier in the Chilean town of San Pedro de Atacama, the tourism capital of the desert, at the upmarket hotel Explora has long operated on the outskirts of town. Almost every night, the sun sets across a cloudless sky here, sending its dying rays against the satisfyingly conical peak of Licancabour volcano, which overlooks the town. Atacama is rarely plagued by cloud, and so the hot days in San Pedro are very often treated to this beautiful death. Licancabour can become so red it appears to have turned inside out. The first time I saw it was in the late summer of 2011, as a battle-hardened backpacker. Back then, just as now, I’d arrived in San Pedro to make the well-trodden crossing from Chile into Bolivia across the Altiplano. Explora’s version of the route is 100 times more expensive than the budget one I did back then, and at least that many times more comfortable, but the hard realities of this famously abrasive environment remain the same.

I’m making the journey with Micaela — or Mika as she prefers to be called — and Bolivian driver Silvio Huayca Ricaldi. In the build-up to the launch of the Explora route, Mika was part of the scouting team that worked out clever ways to avoid the backpacker tourist convoy that has long dominated the route and devised the activities to be offered at each lodge along the way.

We quickly bonded over tales of the backpacker journey we were about to retrace, after discovering we’d both made the crossing in the same year more than a decade ago. “Things felt precarious and there were no showers,” she said as we headed north towards the El Tatio geysers on a day’s exploration around our San Pedro base, the start point for Explora’s La Travesía. “Everything was rushed. I remember it felt like the soup saved my life when we got to the cold refugio one night.”

The Atacama’s El Tatio Geysers were an intimidating attraction to kick-start the trip with. At lower altitudes, I’d seen pampas grass swaying drunkenly as it huddled close to a rare Atacamanian river, but up here the land seemed instead to be burning. Terrific heat surged from underground, then hit the cold desert air to create permanent columns of steam. The gurgling ground had already put some mammalian part of my mind on alert, but just in case curiosity were to get the better of me, Mika told me a horrific story about an unlucky Belgian tourist who fell into one of these boiling pits and was rescued with 75% of her body covered in burns. I stood well back.

A couple of days later we had packed up our gear and made for the border, a dusty shambles with barking dogs, smoking guards and a bottleneck of tourists all with the same plan. At Laguna Blanca, the first stop on the Bolivian side, this resulted in a queue of touring cars. The majority gathered at the bleached lakeshore, and as everyone shuffled out into an unwelcoming wind, they spotted a lone Chilean flamingo in the water. The bird regarded them with its head upside down, perhaps thinking they looked as ridiculous as it did, but as the crowd grew louder and closer, it straightened up. When the first tourist tried to take a selfie, the flamingo took to running, then let that same stiff wind carry it aloft and away from the throng.

Part of me wondered if that scene would repeat itself at every step of the journey. The flamingos, although abundant, tend to gather in the same lakes, attracting a regular stream of tourists — would we just be following this convoy towards Uyuni? But Mika did an impressive job of making sure that after this initial scrabble to get away from the border, we rarely saw another vehicle. In the Salvador Dalí Desert, we watched the group of 4x4s pull away, its dust trails rising high into the sky.  

Remote roaming

Each evening we devise plans for detours and activities for the following days, plotting the best spot for a picnic and trying to work out ways to adequately photograph the immensities of the soaring landscape. There are no significant towns along the way.

The lodges, meanwhile, fit into these grand scenes with minimal disruption. They’re stilted, so as not to cause too much damage to the land below, and employ local Indigenous workers. After seven hours of bumpy driving, the first one we reach looks like an industrial shipping container from afar. Yet it’s deceptively comfortable — even opulent — inside. The detours, meal stops, treks and fauna-related distractions combine to leave little time for anything other than eating and sleeping at the lodges. Yet by a great distance they’re superior to any alternatives along the route, each one offering superb views across the Altiplano.

A few hours after the Salvador Dalí Desert, we reach the enormous basin of Laguna Colorada, one of the most photogenic stops along the route. A complex mix of minerals have accumulated here, giving the lake a particularly alluring blend of colours, creating the impression of an artist’s palette. Hundreds of James’s flamingos feed in its shallow waters, adding dots of pink to the reds, whites and blues around them. By the shore, a wandering herd of vicuñas — cousins of the region’s llamas and alpacas — add splashes of orange and gold.  

Since the 1960s when the Bolivian vicuña population dipped to four figures as a result of being hunted for its meat and fur, these extraordinarily hardy camelids have been protected. It’s been a remarkably successful conservation project, with numbers now estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands across Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru.  

To see them shambling around the Altiplano, this seems almost miraculous — even without people on their case, nature seems out to get them, whether through the violently inclement weather or the murderous plans of elusive pumas. The water is often loaded with poisonous minerals, while the salty shrubs seem to offer little sustenance. “They look cute, but they’re pretty tough,” says Mika. “We’ll see plenty of these guys as we go.”

They aren’t the only creatures to have adapted to the harsh conditions. Two days later, the walk around Laguna Negra proves to be one of the best of the trip. This is partly because it’s a point-to-point hike, with Silvio waiting for us at the end with another windswept lunch, but mostly because of the scenery and wildlife. This classic wetland terrain requires a bit of hopping across spongy islands, but gives us a good look at giant coots, Orinoco geese and Puna teals. Ahead, a rocky outcrop looks like it could stand in for Pride Rock in The Lion King.  

“I heard they saw an Andean mountain cat up here,” says Mika, never breaking her gaze from the promontory above. This stripy, thick-furred feline is one of the most endangered cats in the Americas; sightings are rare and populations in its native High Andes habitats are declining. “It’s a perfect location for them — lots of places to hide and plenty of viscachas [a rabbit-like rodent] for them to try and eat.” Has she ever seen one? Mika dips her head slightly, conceding that, no, she hasn’t been that lucky, and the trek continues.  

A blank space

From above, it looks like a mist enveloping a valley, with occasional peaks daring to poke their heads into the blue sky. The reality is far more curious: an antique ocean, drained until a thick salt crust was left above a huge briny sea of lithium. The mountaintops are, in fact, islands, and the unending whiteness of the Salar de Uyuni — the final leg of Explora’s tour — won’t dissipate like a benign mist.

“What do you think?” asks Mika as she sets up a picnic at the soaring Pukara Chillima viewpoint, which hangs above this singular landscape on a mountainside. I don’t really have an answer for her. What to think about this near-mythic place? South America is a continent not short of globally famous landscapes. Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, the impossible spires of Chile’s Torres Del Paine National Park… Those places are defined by what they have, by their geology and their iconography, but the world’s largest salt flat is instead a void, a place of deprivation.

Its surface is almost indescribably strange: crusty like old snow, but meaner, less forgiving. The grip the salt affords my hiking boots is extraordinary and sole-destroying. In places, the millennia-long process of evaporation has left hexagonal ridges on the surface, like neatly placed paving stones in the planet’s weirdest garden.  

Sunsets here are an event. Shadows stretch impossibly long across the white ground, giving the impression that they belong to aliens 100ft tall. The last rays of the day catch the little ridges, exaggerating the polygons and calling to mind a kaleidoscope. Explora has set up its final lodge just outside the salt flat, on a peninsula with excellent views across this ivory land. From this point, the opposite shore of the dry lake is almost 80 miles away.  

The activities available from the lodge mainly focus on simply being in the midst of the void, following roads that are defined only by black streaks — the tell-tale signs of rubber flayed from the tyres of touring cars. On the southern shore of the salt flat there are cultural offerings, too. One salt-baked morning, we visit the Grotto of the Galaxies, a cave network accidentally discovered by corn farmers whose crops had, unsurprisingly, struggled in the caustic soil. Doña Martha Lopez, the widow of one of the men who found them in 2003, is now the custodian of this particular underworld.

The first cave was full of chulpas — pre-Incan graves, sheltered from the wind but open-topped. “Most of them were empty, apart from the bones,” says Doña Martha. “We started looking around for necklaces or other things that people would have put as offerings, but instead we saw a peculiar shape on the cave wall.” They started digging and soon pushed through into a second cave. A bizarre labyrinth lay ahead of them: petrified algae and porous rock that looked like it had been tunnelled into by several worms — perhaps one giant one and its offspring. Standing there, I see it as they would have done two decades earlier, only now it’s lit in a way that makes it feel simultaneously palatial and haunted.

It’s almost a relief to step back out into the dazzling expanse of the salt flat half an hour later. Mika explains that for our final excursion we’ll hike up one of the 30 islands in the midst of the ancient sea. Isla del Pescado is popular with tourists on cheap package tours starting in Uyuni town, but we push past the groups to another, semi-secret, option, where we have nothing but huge cacti for company.

The climb is fairly short, but at an altitude of over 3,650 metres, it’s a breathless 45 minutes all the same. At the summit, we stop for drinks and a snack, Silvio’s Lexus a tiny dot in the vast whiteness below us. I stand to take a photograph, and for a second there’s no focus — I can’t tell if it’s the camera or me.  

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Experts guide to the Andes

The Andes are the longest continental mountain range in the world, spanning 4,300 miles from north to south, providing a dramatic backdrop to some of South America’s most diverse terrains. From Ecuador’s volcanoes and Peru and Bolivia’s ancient civilisations to the trekking haven of Patagonia, there is an Andean experience to suit every interest.

We recommend:

Truly, a country of icons — from the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca and the Amazon rainforest, Peru is top of most travellers’ lists for a first visit to South America.

Snaking along the foothills of the Andes, Chile is home to many unique experiences: exploring the world’s driest desert, sampling some of its finest wine and lacing up for some of the most spectacular trekking in Patagonia.

Argentina 's sparkling blue glaciers and picture-postcard Lake District towns combine with winetasting and trekking. A trip to the mighty Iguaçu Falls adds a further dimension to this country of incredible contrasts.

Colourful markets, colonial cities and avenues of volcanoes meet the Amazon and one of the world’s most outstanding wildlife experiences: the Galapagos Islands.

With rolling coffee plantations in the Andean foothills, jungle-fringed beaches and vibrant colonial towns, it’s no wonder that Colombia is becoming the ‘one to watch’ on lists of hot new destinations.

Southern Chile

My travels in Argentina

Our tips for visiting Machu Picchu

A specialist's guide to Ecuador

My travels in wild Colombia

In a nutshell.

No other mountain range offers such a diversity of landscapes as the Andes — from mighty glaciers to arid deserts, misty coffee plantations to sparkling-white salt flats. In fact, it feels almost as if superlatives were invented to showcase this spectacular region! Where else would you find the world's highest active volcano, driest desert, highest navigable lake and highest capital city?

What's new?

Now politically stable, Colombia was previously South America's best-kept secret is now opening more and more to visitors wanting to enjoy its beautiful variety of landscapes. It has everything from rolling coffee plantations and stunning Andean scenery to pretty colonial villages and jungle-fringed coastlines.

Preferred experience

For me, nowhere in South America boasts more spectacular and unusual scenery than the Bolivian Altiplano. With a mixture of multi-coloured mountain lagoons, pink flamingos, snow-capped volcanoes and the famous Uyuni Salt Flats, you can sometimes feel as though you are on a different planet. There are very few places you can drive over a vast sea of salt and a volcanic lava field in one day.

Ancient civilisations

Although a visit to Peru’s iconic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the surrounding sites in the Sacred Valley are close to the top of anyone’s list when visiting South America, there are myriad ancient civilisations whose heritage can be found in the Andes.

Chile’s Northern Altiplano is home to fascinating geoglyphs and cave paintings from pre-Conquest cultures, while the pre-Columbian ruins of Tiahuanaco in Bolivia are thought to have once been part of a spectacular imperial city whose power in its time could have even rivalled the Inca Empire.

What’s new

Exciting discoveries uncovering Peru’s pre-Inca civilisations are being made all the time in the north of the country. With improving roads and hotels in the Chachapoyas region, the vast fortress of Kuelap offers a fascinating alternative to Machu Picchu. Think five times its size with around ten visitors per day and you have a decent assessment!

Nearby is the world’s third-highest waterfall, Gocta, as well as impressive tombs carved into the mountainside at Revash and over 200 mummies at Leymebamba museum. The northern cities of Trujillo and Chiclayo serve as the base for a more in-depth exploration of the region. Close by is the mighty adobe city of Chan Chan and the Royal Tombs of Sipan, which has been lauded as one of the most important archaeological finds in all of the Americas.

There is nothing like the fusion of cultures and civilisations to be found in Peru’s proud former Inca capital, Cuzco. The conquering Spanish were so impressed by the sumptuous Inca Temple of the Sun at Korikancha that they used its stone foundations to underpin a baroque church. I love returning to the city to explore the pretty squares and handicraft markets, and coming across a mighty Inca wall where you least expect it.

Trekking is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the spectacular Andes. There are treks to suit every ability, from gentle day-walks to challenging 12-day hikes. The most famous is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but Peru offers a variety of hikes, some visiting lesser-known Inca sites.

Further south, Patagonia offers some of the world’s most magnificent walking, whether it is treks to the base of the Chile's Torres del Paine towers or perhaps hiking deserted trails in Mount Fitzroy National Park in Argentina.

What’s new?

Treks around the Torres del Paine massif in southern Chile were once the preserve of backpackers, independent trekkers or those with deep pockets who could afford a fully private trek. However, there are now a range of small-group treks in the area. Options range from five to ten-day walks, departing on set dates; you can hike with like-minded people and benefit from experienced guides and porters.

Having completed a variety of exceptional treks across South America, the most memorable has to be the Mountain Lodges Trek to Machu Picchu. Nowhere else have I been able to end a hard day’s hike by returning to a lodge for a glass of wine in an outdoor Jacuzzi, gazing up at the mountainous backdrop.

Covering nearly 17,000 square kilometres, the southern Patagonian ice-field is the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water and feeds some of the region’s best-known glaciers. One of our most-liked is the Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine , where an afternoon’s navigation across the lake will take you past impossibly blue icebergs bobbing in the water. The 5 km-long, 60 m-high Perito Moreno is the most impressive and is visited from El Calafate.

Step away from the main routes, though, and you can see some equally soul in sight such as the Balmaceda, Amala and El Brujo glaciers (El Brujo pictured above); these can only be accessed on longer boat trips.

Not entirely new but certainly not that well known is the Skorpios III, which you can board for three-night cruises from Puerto Natales up to the Amala and El Brujo glaciers. The boat sails through stunning fjords to areas that only this vessel can access. Therefore, you can get up-close to impressive glaciers with only a handful of other travellers.

What better way to experience spectacular Perito Moreno glacier than donning a pair of crampons and trekking its icy exterior?

Owing to rich soils fed by glacier melt and a temperate climate, the foothills of the Andes provide some of the best wine-growing conditions in the world and are the perfect place to combine a trip of a lifetime with a quality tipple or two.

Mendoza in Argentina is known as the ‘land of sunshine and wine’. Further north, Cafayate and nearby towns have an array of charming vineyards.

In Chile, the Maipo, Colchagua and Casablanca Valleys offer some of the world’s best tipples.

In both the Chilean and Argentinian wine regions, you can either take a day trip to a vineyard or, for an extra treat, base yourself at one of the many beautiful wine lodges to spend a little longer admiring the scenery and enjoying the produce too. What’s new?

A sparkling new addition to the boutique wine lodge scene, Viña Vik in Chile’s Millahue Valley is already winning accolades for its low-key luxury, enviable setting amid rolling valleys and, of course, its wine. The lodge is only a two-hour drive south of Chile’s capital, Santiago, so is a great extension to even a short trip to the country.

Mendoza offers one of the most dramatic landscapes: vines stretch into the distance flanked by desert, while the foothills of the Andes rise to snow-capped peaks. The lodges in the area often serve tasting lunches, each course accompanied by a glass of wine, allowing time to soak up the wonderful views.

Read more Andes trip ideas

Classic Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia & Iguazú

13 days from £5,235pp

The Andean Explorer: Cuzco, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca

11 days from £5,650pp

Classic Chile tour

14 days from £7,870pp

Start thinking about your experience. These itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy some of the same experiences as our specialists. They're just for inspiration, because your trip will be created around your particular tastes.

Further reading

• What to do in Chile: our highlights guide
• What to do in Argentina: our highlights guide
• What to do in Ecuador: our highlights guide
• What to do in Colombia: our highlights guide
• What to do in Peru: our highlights guide

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Andes Mountains Day Trip

"Unforgettable Landscapes"

Full Day Trip from Santiago Chile Private Tour to the Andes Mountains

Unique Landscapes

San Jose Volcano

Andes Mountains

Wine Tasting

Chilean Lunch

Andean Condors

     Itinerary

8:30 AM – Pick up from your hotel in Santiago

9:30 AM – Arrival to Cajon del Maipo

11: 00 AM to 1 2:30 PM – Andes Mountains road trip

12:30 to 1:30 PM – And es Mountains landscapes and wine tasting

2:00 to 3:00 PM – Lunch (Not included)

5 :00 PM – Drop off at your h otel in Santiago

Tour Type: Private Tour

Duration: Around 9 Hours

Distance: Santiago to Andes Mountains is around 2 hours and 30 minutes Important: Itinerary is flexible & subject to change

* Subject to weather and road conditions

* Availability between April and September (Fall and Winter in Chile)

     Highlights

Discover wonderful landscapes in Cajon del Maipo.

Explore the Andes Mountains and learn all about its geography (Glaciers, volcanos, mountains, rivers, waterfalls).

Walk by the impressive Andes Mountains   and enjoy breathtaking landscapes at 2.500 meters above sea level (Not hiking).

Enjoy an impressive view of the  San Jose Volcano, Morado Mountain, and Marmolejo Mountain .

Discover different Andean fauna as condors, foxes, goats, sierra finch, eagles, etc.

Enjoy a glass of a premium  Chilean wine  with a stunning view meanwhile we tell you stories about the Andes Mountains.

Eat typical Chilean food at a local and cozy restaurant in a small town in Cajon del Maipo  (Not included).

Why choose this route?

This is a great road trip for people that want to visit CAJON DEL MAIPO and ANDES MOUNTAINS in one day.

Cajon del Maipo is one of the most beautiful places close to Santiago with different natural attractions as glaciers, volcanos, hot springs, national parks, etc.

The impressive Andes Mountains in Central Chile are full of colors and unique shapes. Marmolejo Mountain is the highest mountain in this area. This mountain is over 6100 meters above sea level.

Explore breathtaking Andean landscapes and learn about Chilean geography with a local guide!

Price This is a PRIVATE TOUR (Minimum 4 Ad ults)

4 Peop le:  USD $185  p er person

5 People:  USD $170   p er person 6 People or more:  US D $155  per person

* Book ASAP due to limited availability

* Take 2 or more tours for a Special Discount

* Groups between 8-15 people c ontact us for a  Special Price

Important Information

Minimum:  Minimum 4 adults

Price for Infants (0 to 2 years old):  Do Not Pay

Price for Children (3 to 10 years old): USD $100 per person

Vehicle:  Comfortable van or minibus depending the quantity of passengers

Lunch:  Not included. We will take you to a local restaurant and give you the best recommendations

Pick Up:  Pick up from your hotel or location in Santiago

Drop Off: Drop off to your hotel in Santiago or Santiago Airport wit h your personal luggage

Tour La nguage: English

Walking Level:  Easy. Walking is optio nal.

Booking: We accept last-minute bookings

Availability:  This tour is offered between April and September (Fall and Winter in Chile). Tour offered during the week mostly.

Weather: Tour subject to weather conditions

Road closed: If the road is closed, we will do an alternative Andes Mountains day trip or refund

•    Private Tour

•    Pick up from your hotel in Santiago in a comfortable vehicle

•    Drop off  to your hotel in Santiago or Santiago Airport with your personal luggage

•    Professional Driver

•    Local Bilingual Guide ( Different than the driver) •    Passenger Transportation Insurance

•    Coffee, Ho t Chocolate, or Tea Stop

•    Wine tasting of a special Chilean wine in the Andes Mountains

•    Activities Fee •    Snack and bottles of water

Not Included

•    Lunch in a local restaurant

•    Tips

                              Summary

Let's travel to Cajon del Maipo!  We will pick you up from your hotel in Santiago at the time established in the itinerary. We will take you to the mountains where you will live a magical experience. We will take the road trip to Cajon del Maipo for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. During the road trip we will tell you all about Chilean culture meanwhile we enjoy Chilean music.

Time to live a wonderful experience in the Andes Mountains!

We will travel to San Jose Volcano Road and enjoy wonderful landscapes meanwhile we explain you about the geography of the area. We will reach about 2.500 meters above sea level (over 8,000 feet). We will stop in different viewpoints to  enjoy the Andean nature. We will enjoy nature and wildlife. You will be able to see Andean fauna as condors, foxes, goats, sierra finch, horses, eagles, and so on. We will stop 

Let's try Chilean flavors!

We will have a special glass of premium Chilean wine meanwhile we share interesting stories about the Andes Mountains. Then, we will have a typical Chilean lunch in a small town in the middle of the mountains. You will try Chilean flavors and learn about Chilean customs.

Time to go back to Santiago!

We will take you back to your hotel in Santiago for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. During the road trip, you will be delighted with Chilean music.

Are you ready to live a local experience in Chile?  

What to Expect

Top 10 Tour Agency in Santiago by TripAdvisor

Outstanding Customer Service - Professionalism - High Quality Service 

"Spent 2 days with Sebastian on private tours of Valparaiso and the Andes. Both days were amazing experiences. The communication before the tours were prompt and clear. The vans were clean/comfortable with safe drivers. Seb was enthusiastic and full of information. The itineraries included a lot without feeling rushed and the local restaurants he picked for our lunches had delicious food. He was also flexible when we decide to stay longer in some areas, took pics when asked and also brought us to the airport at the end of our tour. I would strongly recommend ILoveChile tours!"

Jeanne Zuber, USA - January 2023

TripAdvisor

"The guide (Fran) was amazing, unbelievably knowledgeable, personable, local but with excellent English having lived in the US.  She was fun, charming and gave us a really strong sense of local culture and just knew how to organize a very full, rich day, how much to talk how much to let us just enjoy the view. Fran was very charming. She had loads of surprises including a nice wine toast and a spread of snacks for us before we headed back to town." Deirdre Girard, USA - February 2019 Facebook

" Delightful Day Trip to the Andes. Andes Mountains Day Trip: Sebastion and driver Tio provided a delightful day, with great information, friendly and personalized, paced just right. We started with a drive through the city and then up into the Andes Mountains, through small towns and villages, with stops along the way for little treats, and a traditional lunch which was delicious. The drive was accompanied by several genres of Chilean music, which Sebastian chose to give us a flavor of the culture."

Lonettie Matheron, USA  - January 2020

"This is a brilliant tour company and we had a lovely day on the Andes winter route. Fran and Seba are warm, flexible, engaging, and passionate about all things Chilean. Indeed, this day felt like it was spent with local friends, showing us the best of the city’s natural surrounds. A+"

Natalie Ferres, Australia - August 2019

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Welcome to & Beyond Andes Travel, a place to experience the most Peruvian thing and the prettiest of Peru.

Peru is filled with wonder, adventure, and magic! As a local, it’s our pleasure to welcome you to this beautiful part of the world. Get ready to embark on a journey that’s sure to awaken your senses, ignite your passions, and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

From the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu to the vibrant local markets and breathtaking landscapes, Peru is a country that’s bursting with energy and excitement. Here, you’ll experience the magic of a culture that has thrived for centuries and continues to inspire people from all around the world. Read More…

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7 Days Trail Running Camp in The Andes

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The Andean region of Ecuador is well known for its several stunning peaks that you can see at one glance, amazing weather and easy access to high elevation. Ecuatraveling created a program where you will definitely be challenged and feel very proud for exceeding your own limits! The trail running camp is a 7-day program that combines interesting trail running paths with really good variations of elevation, technical routes and fantastic landscapes. You will be accompanied by professional local trail runners at all times! This program runs all year long and areas to be visited are not affected by extreme weather conditions.

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1 Option Available

7 Days Trail Running Camp in The Andes: $2670

Pickup included

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's not Included

• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses

Cancellation Policy

• If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Additional Info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

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Andes Challenge

Hopeful to return in 2025

Andes Challenge  did not run in 2024

In the final months of 2023, Ecuador experienced political and social turmoil in the lead-up to, and in the aftermath of, the presidential election. In January 2024, Ecuador experienced a marked rise in violence and declared a state of emergency. Our team is saddened by the increase in the turmoil and unrest. Weighing all of these factors, and with the safety of our students and staff at the forefront of all our decisions, we made the difficult decision to cancel Andes Challenge for the summer of 2024. As we look ahead to 2025, the Overland team is hopeful that we will be able to return to Ecuador, but we will not open enrollment for this trip until September, at the earliest.

Read about our culture of risk management ›

View other Challenge Trips

“We love Overland!

The leaders, the families, the mission, and the personal growth we see in our children year after year.”

Sally Wolfanger

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“My favorite part of the trip? I couldn’t possibly choose.”

Stunning views – from Quito to Otavalo and everywhere in between – with incredible hikes and such amazing cultural immersion. This was my favorite summer of my life.

Kieran Cottrell

Richmond, Virginia

view the full itinerary

Download the Andes Challenge Itinerary for all of the details!

Planning the journey – good things to know.

your questions, 
 answered

With 40 years of experience, we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t when crafting a great outdoor summer experience. Our team is just a phone call or email away.

View more frequently asked questions ›

Have more questions or want to inquire about availability? Contact Us or call: (413) 458-9672

How challenging is this trip? What do I need to prepare for?

Students going on Andes Challenge should prepare for full days of outdoor activities led by two caring Overland leaders, day hikes to viewpoints and mountaintops, and a fun, supportive, and wholesome Overland experience. The group will spend 14 days hiking an average of 8 miles per day.

We expect you to arrive to your trip fully prepared for all activities. No prior language experience is required for this trip.

All students must complete the required training program for this trip:

• 4 weeks before your trip: take four 90-minute hikes or in your boots.
• 3 weeks before your trip: four 2-hour hikes in your boots.
• 2 weeks before your trip: four 2.5-hour hikes in your boots with a backpack loaded with 20% of your body weight.
• 1 week before your trip: five 3-hour hikes in your boots with a backpack loaded with 30% of your body weight.

Please bring your completed and signed Training Calendar to trip start.

Andes Challenge is one of Overland’s most challenging hiking trips. While trekking, your group will average around 8 miles each day, and hike at an elevation over 10,000ft above sea level for the majority of the trip. Your final challenge day will take you just below 16,000ft above sea level.

On Andes Challenge, you will hike across rolling farmland, wind around with the canyons and trek across the Páramo – Ecuador’s high altitude tundra. You’ll start with day hikes where you’ll carry just the essentials for the day. Then, you’ll set out on a multi-day trek. While trekking you will carry all of your toiletries and personal clothing, but not your sleeping bag or group gear. Group gear will be shuttled to the backcountry camping locations. You should expect to be carrying a heavy day pack. In the month before your trip, you should break-in your hiking boots and complete the pre-trip training (see below).

Overland trips are wholesome, structured experiences with high expectations of each student’s behavior. You are expected to be enthusiastic, positive, helpful and supportive of your trip mates and your leaders. We ask that you leave your cell phone and electronics at home (cameras are always welcome), so you can fully engage with your group and your trip. Arriving ready for a challenge — and prepared to contribute to an enthusiastic group — will go a long way toward creating a successful trip. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss preparing for your Overland trip.

What kind of gear do I need to bring?

Students are responsible for bringing their own personal gear, including weather appropriate clothing, sturdy shoes & boots for hiking, and a suitable daypack and/or backpack. Clothing should include moisture-wicking base layers, mid-layers for warmth, and windproof/waterproof outer layers. Overland will provide any needed group gear, including tents, food, pots and pans, etc.

What do I need to know about traveling to/from this trip?

You will need to arrange transportation for your child at trip start and trip end. Getting to and from the trip is a breeze: Quito has good connections to the U.S., and our leaders will be on hand on arrival and departure. We will provide more specific travel information once we have placed your child on a trip.

What are meals like at Overland? Can Overland accommodate allergies and intolerances?

Meals at Overland

Good food (and plenty of it!), excellent nutrition, and fun are the goals of Overland’s meals. Each group buys, prepares, and eats all of its meals together. Our students, with their leaders’ supervision, prepare all meals. A typical breakfast has cereal, milk, juice, and fruit; most lunches are sandwiches (or wraps) with a variety of fillings, plus chips, and fruit; dinners reflect easily prepared group meals like pasta, burritos, and stir-frys (all of which will typically have a selection of sauces and fillings). At Overland, meals are a group experience, an important way to foster connection with and consideration for other group members.

Allergies Intolerances

We recognize there are many young people with food allergies or intolerances. We welcome these young people’s interest in joining us, and we ask parents of a prospective Overland student with an allergy/intolerance to please consider the following important information.

Most meals at Overland are prepared in basic kitchens (or outdoors), and groceries are typically purchased from small stores with limited choices. As a result, meals are prepared and served in what may be allergen-contaminated environments, and on many trips allergen-free/gluten-free foods are not readily available. While we cannot guarantee allergen-free meal settings, we will do what is reasonable to provide allergen-free/gluten-free foods on those trips where available.

In all things, our top priority is to help maintain all students’ well-being; to this end, all Overland leaders are trained to recognize and respond to allergic reactions, including administering antihistamines and epinephrine (both are carried in every trip’s first aid kit); leaders carry cell phones, and in some cases, satellite phones, so that should the need arise, emergency personnel can be contacted and their services requested. It is important for all prospective parents to understand that many groups travel in remote areas where emergency services may not be easily or readily accessible.

Our Admissions Process is Collaborative

During our admissions process, we will review all submitted Allergy Questionnaires to understand the applicant’s allergy/intolerance. We will then consider whether or not the applicant’s allergy/intolerance may be reasonably accommodated. If our admissions team has any concerns, they will contact the parent. In this conversation, we will seek to learn more about the allergy/intolerance, and we will discuss the available grocery stores, emergency services, and medical facilities on the applied-for trip. These conversations generally have one of three outcomes:

• The applicant is placed on the applied-for trip if the applicant otherwise qualifies.
• We offer a different trip if the applicant otherwise qualifies.
• We recommend waiting a year and re-applying.

Managing Food Allergies/Intolerances is a Partnership

Our commitment is to the health and well-being of each of our campers. Our goal is to partner with parents and campers—a partnership in which:

• We clearly describe our trips and policies;
• Parents clearly describe their child’s allergies or intolerances and their child’s maturity level and capability to self-manage their allergy or intolerance.
• We work together with parents in a collaborative and interactive process to determine if there are reasonable accommodations that can be made so that otherwise qualified applicants can participate in our trips.
• Students on an Overland trip take an active role in managing their allergies, including reading food labels as needed, eating only those foods with known ingredients, and seeking a leader if a reaction is suspected.

Meals: Vegetarians Specialized Diets

Every summer there are many vegetarians who join our groups and who enjoy meat-free meals. We are happy to welcome these students as long as they understand they will share in the group’s meals but will simply have the meat portion withheld. For example: sandwiches at lunch with hummus, lettuce, tomato, and cheese (while the rest of the group has sandwiches with sliced turkey or ham); pasta at dinner with a tomato sauce (while the rest of the group has pasta with a meat sauce). We sometimes have requests from applicants with specialized diets—vegans, for example—to provide separate, specialized meals. As much as we might like to accommodate these applicants, the limitations of our kitchens, the size of available grocery stores, and the importance of group meals make it impractical to provide separate, specialized meals.

How often will there be access to showers and laundry? Will my child have to bring quarters and detergent for laundry?

Staying clean and comfortable is important at Overland!

Most trips have frequent access to hot showers. This ranges from nearly every night on some of our Introductory, Service, and Language trips, to every couple of days on many hiking trips, to longer stretches–three to five days, sometimes a little longer–on some of our more challenging trips. The goal on every trip, however, is to take showers when they are available!

In general, on every trip we do laundry once a week– this is typically in a laundromat with funds and detergent provided by Overland (and it’s usually a lot of fun!).

What are Overland’s policies on phones, electronics, and communication?

To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails, or text messages to or from our campers. Your child will call home on arrival and departure with our phones and assistance, and in the case of an emergency. If your child brings a phone for use while en route to their trip, please note that all phones will be collected on arrival and returned at departure. While we will take reasonable steps to prevent damage, theft, or loss to phones, we take no responsibility for phones, and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged, or stolen phones.

 Electronics

 Cameras are welcome but please do not bring any other electronics (e.g., iPods, iPads, Kindles or other readers, GPS or similar devices). All electronics (except cameras) will be mailed home on arrival (at your risk and expense).

Communication: We’ll Be In Touch With You If Needed

 Our leaders in the field check in with our office regularly; they carry cell phones (and in some cases satellite phones). Anytime a camper is treated for an injury or illness by a doctor or other medical personnel, parents are notified by our office. A director will call the parents to explain the nature of the injury or illness, the sequence of events leading up to the injury, and/or the steps leading to the treatment. Parents are typically able to speak with the medical personnel, with the leaders, and with their child.

Please tell me about safety at Overland.

Safety and risk management are at the forefront of our decision-making–from trip planning to leader training to supporting our groups in the field.

We cannot guarantee absolute safety–no program can. All recreational activities include inherent risks. Therefore, we strive to manage the risks that we can, knowing we cannot eliminate them.

We work hard to recruit, train, and support our trip leaders so they can create the kind of trips that have made us successful since the 1980s.

Please click here to read more about our approach to risk management and our accreditation by the American Camp Association.

What is Overland's admissions process?

When we receive your application, if your first choice is available, we will:

• email you to thank you for your application,
• send you a link to access your Family Portal, and
• charge a deposit of $795 to your credit card.

If your first choice is not available, we will email you to discuss options.

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There’s a reason families return to Overland year after year: our carefully crafted trips take our students on a multi-summer journey of discovery-of the world, and of themselves.

More Questions? Just call 413.458.9672 or email [email protected]

Ski The Andes

Home » Destinations » Chile » The Andes

ski country in the andes

The gorgeous peaks of the Andes – the second highest mountain range in the world – provide an incredible backdrop for your Chilean ski adventure. With several world-class ski resorts within a few hours of Santiago (some even sit on the slopes of active volcanoes!), Chile offers one-of-a-kind experiences for skiers and boarders of all skill levels. As Chile’s leading ski tour operator, Upscape delivers the most comprehensive portfolio of full-day and multiday excursions exploring the best that Chilean ski country has to offer. We are the exclusive operator of Ski Arpa snowcat skiing , the only cat skiing in all of South America, as well as a leader in heliskiing and backcountry tours. Combined with the best of South American hospitality, gastronomy, and culture, your ski tour is sure to be an adventure of a lifetime.

If you reside in the Northern Hemisphere, breaking away from the summer heat and hitting the slopes in Chile can be a major relief. To keep the “endless winter” momentum, join Upscape on the Andes Mountains, where you can ski down the second highest peaks in the world. With the laid back vibe at the Andes, there are rarely long lines at the lifts and you won’t have to worry about overcrowding.

Ready to ski at world-class ski resorts in Chile?

Winter season can start as early as late-June and generally continues through September. We recommend going in August when the local crowd thins out and powder is almost always guaranteed.

How to arrive

One great benefit of many ski centers in the Chilean Andes is their accessibility. From Santiago, most ski centers can be reached in under two hours (driving).

GOOD TO KNOW

Language: Spanish Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP) Visas/fees: Travel to Chile does not require a visa for US/US/EU/CAN/AUS travelers. AUS citizens must pay a reciprocity fee.

What to do in the Andes

Ultimate South America Skiing + Riding Adventure >>

UPSCAPE MOMENT

Heli ski in the Andes

Catski at Ski Arpa

Board to Board: Same Day Snow to Surf

HIGHLIGHT MOMENT

Ski the Slopes of an Active Volcano

Where to stay: overnight recommendations.

Also be sure to see where to stay in Santiago .

Powder Lodge

Casa San Regis

Alto Nevados

Planning your ultimate heli-ski trip to chile, 8 reasons to ski portillo this southern winter, our favorite ski slopes, sleeps and spots.

Do you wish to contact us?

Reach us at: +1-888-853-4101 e-mail: [email protected]

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