Stretching for almost 9000 km in length from the southern glaciers of Chile up to the northern mountain jungles of Venezuela, there are many incredible Andes hiking destinations to experience in this massive region of South America.
The strong majority of trips to this continent will include at least one visit to a region of the diverse Andes, and if it’s not on your plans then I highly recommend adding it. And whilst Cusco of Peru is the most popular destination, there are also many other incredible Sierra cities and towns worth visiting.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the very best Andes hiking destinations that you can visit throughout South America. Each is unique with their own highlights – which range from odd formations and biodiverse fauna to indigenous locals – so it’s worth really taking your time when visiting each Andean destination.
7 Of The Best Andes Hiking Destinations You Must Visit In South America
Having been to all of these destinations myself during my travels all over the continent, I’ll share some insider tips to help you have the best experience possible in each place.
Merida, Venezuela
Located in the cool highlands of Western Venezuela, Mérida is a big hit for travellers who dare to explore this incredible country.
It’s most famous for its cable-car (officially the longest on the planet) which rises some 3000m up a mountain to give some incredible views over the adjacent Pico Bolívar. The town of Mérida itself is also bursting with culture, where you can find lots of tasty arepa stands, lively plazas and some of the friendliest people I have ever come across on my travels.
Don’t forget to visit the nearby town of San Rafael de Mucuchíes too when here, which is just a few hours away and is known for its cathedral made entirely out of stone bricks – as well as the misty Mucubají Lake. Like with many of the other higher altitude destinations on this list, temperatures can get quite cold in Mérida, so bringing lots of warm layers and a thick coat is essential for your trip.
To get to Mérida you can either take the overnight bus from Caracas, or a short flight from the Venezuelan capital.
Merida Tips From My Experience:
✅ Best Highlights: The Cable-Car, San Rafael de Mucuchíes
🚌 Difficulty Getting There: Easy-Moderate
⏰ Time needed: 4-6 Days
Chachapoyas, Peru
Sitting on the eastern Andean slopes where the Peruvian Amazon rises up against these famous giant mountains, Chachapoyas is best-known for its ancient history and surrounding dense green cloud forests.
Once home to the Chachapoyas Culture who pre-dated the Inca, the Sky Warriors built the impressive Kuelap Ruins here as well as the iconic Karajía Sarcophagi which houses the remains of their most elite. Then we have the surrounding cloud forest and thick green jungle scenery of the region, which offers a different type of Andes hiking experience. Chachapoyas is famous for its giant Gocta waterfalls, as well as Yumbilla Falls which stands at 896m and is the fifth tallest on Earth.
You’ll need quite a few days here to tick-off all of these awesome places which are full-day trips (I suggest at least 4-5 days), as well as flexibility since the weather can be quite hard to predict. On rainy days, you can still enjoy the city of Chachapoyas itself which has a beautiful central Plaza de Armas square and pretty streets, as well as heading to restaurants to try local delicacies like the Caspiroleta de Hormigas and the Sacha Inchi peanut.
Getting to Chachapoyas overland can be a bit of an adventure – with buses either from Tarapoto or Cajamarca – while there are irregular flights from Lima.
Chachapoyas Tips From My Experience:
✅ Best Highlights: Yumbilla Falls, Kuelap Ruins
🚌 Difficulty Getting There: Moderate
⏰ Time needed: 4-8 Days
La Paz, Bolivia
One of the most popular cities on this list for travellers, La Paz remains one of my own personal favourites which I’ve already returned to after my first trip here.
The Bolivian capital is full of awesome things to do such as soaring around on the cable-car metro system and visiting the higher plateau of El Alto. The culture is also well and truly alive here, where you can enjoy architectural delights like Calle Jaén and Plaza San Francisco by day, and then watch a Cholita Wrestling Match by night.
La Paz is also a haven for many different kinds of day trips and memorable trekking experiences, with my own favorites being the hike up to the glacial lake of Charquini as well as biking down the World’s Most Dangerous Road). Huayna Potosí is a soaring mountain peak of 6088m in altitude which can be reached with a two or three day trek.
La Paz is really easy to visit with its international airport welcoming flights in from around the continent, and those in Southern Peru can also take a bus down from Lake Titicaca.
La Paz Tips From My Experience:
✅ Best Highlights: Biking down Death Road, Riding the Cable-Car Metro System
🚌 Difficulty Getting There: Very Easy
⏰ Time needed: 5-10 Days
Salta, Argentina
Heading much further south into Argentina now, Salta is usually skipped by most travellers given its remote location – who otherwise spend more time in Patagonia or around the capital of Buenos Aires.
However Salta is a true Andean city – and the culture here is as strong as you’ll feel it in other similar destinations around South America. I actually think it’s one of the most underrated and complete Andes hiking destination of all the places I’ve mentioned on this list, given the sheer amount of awesome day trips you can take from the city and around the surrounding regions of Northern Argentina.
These include the rich wine region of Cafayate, the bright white Salinas Grandes as well as the multicolored Quebrada de Humahuaca Mountain (the latter of which where you can try some really tasty Alpaca meat). Back in the city you can enjoy pretty colonial architecture in the Plaza 9 de Julio, and also hike up to the nearby viewpoint of San Bernardo.
Getting to Salta requires either a bus from Cordoba (the closest city), or crossing the border in from either Chile or Bolivia.
Salta Tips From My Experience:
✅ Best Highlights: Quebrada de Humahuaca, Cafayate
🚌 Difficulty Getting There: Moderate
⏰ Time needed: 4-7 Days
Huaraz, Peru
Sandwiched right between the towering Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra mountain ranges, Huaraz is the unofficial Andes hiking capital of the continent – and the best place in Peru for those who want expansive snowy landscapes.
Travelers who dream of visiting icy lagoons and giant glaciers will be spoilt for choice here. When I went to Huaraz for the first time, I decided to scale Nevado Mateo which is a day hike where you will summit a towering snow-capped mountain. Avid hikers can also take on longer multi-day circuits too such as those of Santa Cruz and Huayhuash, while Lake Parón and the Pastoruri Glacier are both must-visits on any itinerary in the region.
The town of Huaraz itself has a raw Andean feel, where you can relax in the Plaza de Armas whilst getting some much needed Picarones and Hot Chocolate when the evening hits. As well as hiking up the Rataquenua Mirador for scenic views, I would also recommend heading on the half-day trip to the ancient ruins of Chavín de Huántar – one of the only kinds of ruins in Peru where you can actually walk inside narrow labyrinth-style tunnels.
Huaraz Tips From My Experience:
✅ My Top Highlights: Nevado Mateo Hike, Lake Parón
🚌 Difficulty Getting There: Easy
⏰ Time needed: 5-10 Days
Cuenca, Ecuador
Now we head further north into the Ecuadorean Andes, to the architectural dream that is Cuenca. Known for its casas colgantes (hanging houses) Cuenca is arguably the most picturesque city of the all that I’ve mentioned on this list.
While here, you’ll want to fully make the most of your time exploring the streets of Cuenca. The Parque Calderón is the central plaza and perfect place to start for its iconic cathedral, and just behind we can visit the Mercado 10 de Agosto – where you can sample different Ecuadorian delights and get your own memorable ritual cleansing. I also recommend visiting Pumapungo Ruins, the Plaza de las Flores and heading up to the viewpoint of Turi Mirador for some awesome views where you can also head on a heart-racing swing right over the edge.
From the city we can easily visit the Cajas National Park which is just an hour away, and is a great way to get out into nature. It’s a high altitude wetlands area, where there are lots of long walkways, endemic animals and even some areas that are good for a swim if you can brave the cold Andean waters.
Getting to Cuenca is simple compared to other destinations on this list, with buses leaving frequently from Guayaquil, Quito and up from Tumbes which is just south of the Peruvian-Ecuadorean border.
Cuenca Tips From My Experience:
✅ My Top Highlights: Mercado 10 de Agosto, Cajas National Park
🚌 Difficulty Getting There: Easy
⏰ Time needed: 4-6 Days
Uyuni, Bolivia
If you’re looking for the most diverse range of epic landscapes possible, then you need look no further than the Uyuni region in Southern Bolivia.
Most famous for its iconic Salt Flats, the true highlights lie deeper in the region which can be accessed with a multi-day tour. Over three days you can spot giant herds of Pink Flamingos, wild Vicuñas and Viscachas, as well as explore red lagoons, remote deserts and towering dormant volcanoes. When I went on the three-day tour my favorite highlight was by far the Geysers del Sol de Mañana – which are full of heavy steams as they sit right above bubbling magma.
Being completely honest, the town of Uyuni itself has little to offer aside from some local-style restaurants and colonial streets. It’s best to try and arrive here early the same day before your tour departs, and look at leaving either the evening you get back or the following morning so you make the most of your time when travelling around Bolivia.
You’ll first need to get to the town of Uyuni, which can be done either with an overnight bus from La Paz, or a bus from nearby Sucre or Potosí. Tours can be bought in town, however those in San Pedro de Atacama of Chile can also start tours there which visit the same destinations.
Uyuni Tips From My Experience:
✅ My Top Highlights: Seeing Pink Flamingos, The Salar de Uyuni, Visiting Red Lagoons
🚌 Difficulty Getting There: Easy
⏰ Time needed: 2-4 Days
Pro Tips From Experience Before Heading To These Andes Hiking Destinations
Pack A Range Of Clothes
For the majority of destinations at higher altitudes, you’re going to need thick jumpers and coats when heading up into the higher mountains here. Evening temperatures can get quite bitterly cold, which you’ll definitely be feeling when leaving early for treks. However you’ll also want to bring thin layers and lots of sunscreen too, given the sun can be really intense during the day which makes it easy to get sunburnt. If visiting the lower altitude Amazon Andes, or if visiting in wet season months, then rainproofs or a poncho are also essential.
Prepare For High Altitudes
The majority of destinations that you’ll visit here are above 2000-2500m, and some much higher too which can cause different altitude sickness symptoms – which can range from headaches and nausea to vomiting and dizziness. During your first two days in each destination city, you’ll want to take it easy as your body is acclimating before heading on any high-altitude treks or day trips. You can also take Coca Leaf Teas or Diamox if cleared by your doctor for use.
Visit With A Flexible Schedule
Whilst you can usually visit your typical city or town destinations within just a few days, I highly recommend planning longer with between 5-7+ days for each of these Andean destinations (or even better which is to have an open schedule). Not only will this allow you to acclimate properly without rushing, you’ll also find that these regions are packed with awesome day trips and treks – and that you’ll most likely need longer than you originally thought to properly see them and explore the surrounding regions.
Overview Of The Best Andes Hiking Destinations
And that’s all for my guide on the very best Andean destinations to visit all across South America.
Whilst regions like Cusco remain the most popular, there are in fact many others that are just as impressive and are worth getting to know. Not only can you see epic mountain vistas and a variety of endemic animals in each, you’ll also get to enjoy more warmer cultures, different geographies and more raw off-the-beaten-path experiences too.