10 Best Hikes in the Andes Mountains
The Andes Mountains are the longest running mountain range in the world. It spans 4,300 miles, seven countries, and nearly the entire length of the South American continent! If you are a hiker, it may be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we decided to offer this guide. From north to south, here are our top ten favorite hikes in the Andes:
Table of Contents:
- Salkantay Route to Machu Picchu, Peru
- Rainbow Mountain, Peru
- Colca Canyon, Peru
- Volcan Osorno, Chile
- Mount Fitz Roy, Argentina
- Perito Moreno, Argentina
- Get Help Planning Your Next Trip
Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Snow-capped Cotopaxi in Ecuador. Photo by Peru For Less
We begin our list with the great guardian of the Andes Mountains, Cotopaxi. At 19,347 feet, this volcano is the highest active volcano in the world! Use Quito as a basepoint for a tour of Cotopaxi National Park. There are many hikes you can do in this area, including Quilotoa Lagoon and the Cotopaxi Trek. Hiking to the top will require training and expertise beyond the scope of this article and is not recommended for most hikers.
Starting at the base of the towering volcano, you can trek to the forest of Chuquirahuas, or see the stunning turquoise water in the Quilotoa Lagoon. Apart from the stunning landscape, you may also see native animals such as the red brocket deer, Andean fox, and majestic guanaco. This is one of the most beautiful places in the incredible country of Ecuador, and you are sure to enjoy spending time in this area.
Cotopaxi National Park is located about 32 miles south of Quito, which means you will need to arrange transportation. If you get a tour, transportation will be included in the price. You could also get a ride and hike on your own, but given dangers of getting lost, this is not recommended. If you want some help putting together the details such as getting a guided tour of the park, our travel advisors can help you put together the perfect itinerary to match your speed and experience level.
Salkantay Route to Machu Picchu, Peru
Stepped terraces along the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu. Photo by Peru For Less
If you want to hike the Andes Mountains, this is the best way to get to Machu Picchu. It includes trekking through a diverse range of terrain such as calm valleys, mountain passes, and cloud forests. You will see white-capped peaks including Salkantay, which rises 20,574 feet above sea level. In Quechuan, Salkantay means ‘savage’ or ‘invincible.’ You will see why as you view the peak on day two, where you take on Salkantay Pass. The altitude here is 14,989 feet, so hikers must be in good physical condition.
The journey covers some of the most remarkable scenes in Peru, such as the Sacred Valley, traveling 43 miles over the course of five days. Many trekkers like to add a stone to the ‘apachetas,’ or stone towers, in the Salkantay Pass, which is a sign of respect to the mountain. Of course, the highlight of the experience is entering Machu Picchu at the end of your trek.