Top 5 Treks in South America

Mountains are a magical place on our planet.

The Andees mountains in South America were formed only 45 million years ago despite the process really beginning some 140 million years ago.

I find the mountains a peaceful place to stop, and reflect in the mad world we live today. These places have remained mostly unchanged for hundreds of years while all around them everything has changed.

The mountains do not care that we have electric cars or smart phones, that we fly rockets to the moon or have world wars. Albeit for the slow changing geology, they remain static, dependable and ever present. The same cannot be said for the glaciers that line some of these mountain ranges, however that is for another post.

Here I want to list my top 5 treks in South America.

1. Torres Del Paine (Patagonia)

Torres Del Paine national park in southern Peru is a place of wonder. The changing luscious landscapes morphing in to rocky craggy peaks and then lined with glaciers provides changing scenery every day.

There are a number of treks available here, ranging from 1 day to 10 days.

For me the only way to trek this park is the O trek, named such as you do a loop around the entire park. Its a 8 -10 day trip. Nothing to buy along the way, nowhere to drop rubbish, everything you take in must leave with you.

This is an moderate solo trek for experienced hikers, with only one real high pass.

2. Huayhuash (Peru)

I was almost keen to put this as number 1, it was a close call.

The Huayhuash trek is stunning, looping around the mountain range (10 days) made famous in the book 'touching the void' Siula Grande. Every day provides a different vista, from glaciers, to rolling fields to huge 6000 m mountains.

This is the place to come and lose yourself in the beauty and peace and tranquillity.

There is even a set of hot springs half way round where you can wash and freshen up.

This can be treked solo, however, due to the fact almost every day there is a 5000 m pass, and food is scarcely available to buy, joining a group may be easier in terms of pack weight. The trail head is also a 4 hr drive from Huaraz.

3. Ausangate (Peru)

The trek around the Ausangate mountain is typically a 3 - 4 day trip.

Its a 2 hr bus ride from Cusco, once there there is a small town with basic supplies then you start the walk in to the mountains.

The trek takes 5 days all of which is above 4000 meters. There are 2 passes that take trekkers above 5000 meters.

The red colour of the rock provides stunning views, with huge glaciers this is a beautiful trip.

I did this solo, and it was a comfortable trip.

4. Santa Cruz (Peru)

A 4 day 3 night trek, this climbs through lush green valleys to the 6000 m towering peaks of the Andees.

This is a very crowded route but the views are fantastic.

A better loop, which I have not done would be the Alpamayo circuit, this is not one I have done, but I would love to.

5. Condoriri (Bolivia)

The Condiriri trek is often used by people as an acclimatisation trek for those wishing to climb the 6000 m peak of Huayna Potosi.

Regardless of that this is a great 3 day trek taking in some stunning mountain scenery, all within a few hours of La Paz.

The trek is less crowded than others and provides some beautiful opportunities for lake, mountain and sky shots.