Trekking in South America
South America is one of the world’s greatest trekking destinations, offering trails that thread through Inca ruins, granite spires, turquoise lakes, and high-altitude passes. The continent claims a couple of the most famous walks on the planet, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and the circuits of Torres del Paine, alongside countless wilder, quieter routes for those willing to venture farther afield.
The variety is extraordinary. In the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes you cross passes above 5,000 meters beneath glaciated peaks, camp beside glacial lakes, and pass villages where life follows ancient rhythms. Down in Patagonia the scenery turns to jagged granite towers, calving glaciers, and windswept steppe, while in the far north you can hike to lost cities in the Colombian jungle or scale the mist-shrouded tepui of Roraima.
Altitude, weather, and permits all shape the planning. The classic Inca Trail requires booking months ahead, high-altitude routes demand real acclimatization, and Patagonian seasons are short and fierce. Whether you join a supported trek with porters and mules or shoulder your own pack on a remote circuit, the payoff is walking through some of the most spectacular and culturally rich landscapes on Earth.
Top Trekking Destinations#
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru The most famous trek in South America follows an ancient stone path through cloud forest and mountain passes to arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at dawn. Along the way you pass a string of lesser Inca ruins invisible to those arriving by train. Permits are strictly limited and sell out months in advance, and the trail closes each February for maintenance.
Torres del Paine W and O Circuits, Chile The crown jewel of Patagonian trekking, this park delivers the multi-day W and full O circuits past granite towers, hanging glaciers, and iridescent lakes. Trekkers stay in a network of refugios and campsites, booking beds well ahead in peak season. The southern summer from November to March offers the best, if famously windy, conditions.
Huayhuash Circuit, Peru Widely regarded as one of the finest treks on Earth, this demanding loop encircles a compact range of glaciated peaks and turquoise lakes near Huaraz. Multiple passes above 4,500 meters make it a serious, remote undertaking with little sign of the outside world. The dry season from June to August is the only sensible time to attempt it.
Santa Cruz Trek, Peru A spectacular and accessible introduction to the Cordillera Blanca, the Santa Cruz route crosses a single high pass beneath towering snow peaks over three to four days. Camping beside glacial lakes with views of Alpamayo is a highlight. Its manageable difficulty makes it a favorite first Andean multi-day trek.
Ausangate Circuit, Peru Circling a sacred 6,384-meter peak near Cusco, this high-altitude trek passes glaciers, hot springs, herds of alpacas, and the famous Rainbow Mountain. The route stays almost entirely above 4,000 meters through raw, remote Andean wilderness. Strong acclimatization is essential, and the dry season runs from May to September.
Quilotoa Loop, Ecuador This multi-day walk through the Ecuadorian highlands links indigenous villages and patchwork farmland to the stunning turquoise crater lake of Quilotoa. Trekkers stay in family-run hostels, making it a cultural as well as scenic journey. Its moderate difficulty and village-to-village comforts suit independent hikers.
El Chalten and Fitz Roy, Argentina The self-styled trekking capital of Argentina offers superb day hikes straight from town, above all the walk to Laguna de los Tres beneath the Fitz Roy massif. Trails to glaciers and viewpoints suit all abilities without the need for permits. The southern summer months bring long days and the best chance of clear skies.
Ciudad Perdida, Colombia This jungle trek climbs through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to a Lost City older than Machu Picchu, reached only on foot over several days. The humid, muddy trail passes indigenous villages and river crossings deep in the rainforest. Guided groups are mandatory, and the drier months from December to March are most comfortable.
Colca Canyon, Peru One of the world’s deepest canyons plunges dramatically near Arequipa, and trekking routes descend to green oases at its base past terraced villages. Andean condors soaring on morning thermals are a signature sight. The steep out-and-back climbs reward early starts, best made in the dry season.
Mount Roraima, Venezuela Trekking to the flat summit of this ancient tepui means walking through the Gran Sabana grasslands before scaling a natural ramp up sheer cliffs. The otherworldly plateau of black rock, crystal pools, and endemic plants feels like a lost world. Expeditions require guides and self-sufficiency in a remote, rain-prone region.
Cocora Valley, Colombia In Colombia’s coffee region, this gentle day trek winds through cloud forest to a valley studded with the world’s tallest palm trees, the towering wax palms. The surreal sight of slender palms rising from green hills is unforgettable. Easy access and moderate terrain make it perfect for casual walkers.
Choquequirao Trek, Peru Often called the sister city of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is a vast Inca ruin reached only by a demanding multi-day trek into a deep river canyon. The steep, remote trail keeps crowds away, so you may explore the ruins in near solitude. Its difficulty and isolation reward committed trekkers seeking an authentic adventure.