The Andes - The Backbone of South America

The Andes

The Andes mountain range is the longest chain of mountains in the world which is about 7200 km from Venezuela in the north to the southern tip of Chile in the south. It runs parallel to western South America. This mountain range includes some of the world's highest peaks outside the Himalayas. It provides some of the spectacular scenery in South America.
These mountains were the home of Incas and other civilizations of South America like Chavin, Nazca and Tiahuanuco. These civilization left behind a string of dramatic ruined cities, Trading routes. Indigenous peoples like Quechua and Aymara still lives in the rural Highlands of Andes. They were traditional costumes farm the terraced slopes.

Terraced Slop Farm - Andes

The classic route of Andes range run between Quito in Equador and La Paz in Bolivia via Peru. This is the most visited region in Latin America that's why known as the " Gringo Trail".
 Quito, the capital of Equador, in an attractive colonial city with its spring-like climate and good tourist facilities, it is perfect to start the journey. Sierra in Equador, Avenue of the volcanoes is a site having spectacular trekking & Climbing opportunities. Heading south towards Peru there in Vilcabamba, a beautiful valley and close to cloud forest of Parque Nacional Podocarpus. Crossing into Peru spectacular scenery can be found in the Cordillera Blanca. It is also the highest tropical mountain range. Then head towards Cusico. It is the gateway to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. It is South America's biggest tourist attraction, set on a terraced plateau between two prominent mountain peaks. Inca trail is the most popular way to reach there.

Machu Picchu - Peru

Bolivia's Andean summary include clear blue water of Lago Titicaca, which is on either side of the border between Bolivia and Peru. Huayna Potosi is one of the few peaks in South America over 6000 m where you can climb without prior experience.
Moving south from Bolivia, you will cross into the Chilean Altiplano. It is a high mountain plain with beautiful scenery, which is between turquoise lakes and snowcapped Andean volcanos. The main tourist centre of the region is Solar de Atacama and fuming Geysers of El Tatio.

Acancagua Peak

Chile's eastern border with Argentina is naturally formed by 5000m long series of the Andes. Highest mountain peak (outside Himalaya) Aconcagua is on to Argentina side of this border. From here you could head into Argentina's Lake district and on to Patagonia. There is an option to loop back into Chile and explore carreterabAustral. It is a 1000m road that winds through a lush green wilderness laced with the national park.