The Andes Mountains are the world’s longest continental mountain range, stretching from South America’s southernmost tip to the continent’s northernmost shore in the Caribbean. It encompasses seven nations and includes some of the world’s highest peaks: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. Because of its immensity, the region is also home to several indigenous cultures and a variety of species that have all adjusted to the various Andean climates and hilly surfaces. The Andes Mountains Tours is a trekking wonderland, but there are far more activities to consider during your next visit to this continent:
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1. Visit Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas, once renowned as the Inca breadbasket, is home to a variety of magnificent views and locations to explore. The region is about an hour’s drive from Cusco and is peppered with colonial townships, as well as the remains of majestic Inca temples and fortifications. Most excursions stop at Pisac, a charming hamlet with a colorful market 3 times a week.
Handcrafted handicrafts and textiles can be bartered for alongside fresh fruit by locals. Pisac also has an amazing Inca site perched high on a steep spur above the town. Continuing the river westbound brings you to Ollantaytambo. It is strategically located at the beginning of the river’s drop to the Amazon forests, and it includes squat colonial buildings with Inca foundations, as well as picturesque roads and squares.
2. Visit Lake Titicaca’s islands
At 3,812 meters, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake, straddling the boundary between Peru and Bolivia. The lake’s azure blue water is dotted with golden beaches and promontory that are home to traditional indigenous populations, giving it a culturally rich site. Touring the islands is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Begin by going to the Uros Islands on the Bolivian shore.
Since the Incas, the indigenous residents, the Uros Indians, have opted to separate themselves from their lakefront neighbors on strange floating islands built of reed. Continue to Isla de la Luna (‘Moon Island’) to see the Inca nunnery of the Oak Uyu Sun Virgins, one of the lake’s most important archaeological sites. It’s a 10-minute boat ride from here to Isla del Sol (‘Sun Island,’ regarded in Inca civilization as the mythological home of the sun deity.
3. Argentina, Chile, and Peru: food and wine
The Andes are a popular destination for wine and gastronomy enthusiasts. Almost two-thirds of all Argentine wine is produced in high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza, including Malbec, Cabernet, and Chardonnay. Stay at a handful of our favorite vineyards on the Andes’ eastern and western slopes. Food and wine are becoming more sophisticated and popular in Chile. In Santiago, you may discover more about Chilean cuisine by sampling local pastries (empanadas), meats, and seafood dishes.
Lima, Peru’s capital city, is another wonderful dining destination. Peruvian gastronomy has long been regarded as one of the great pleasures of visiting the nation by those in the know. Geographic extremes mixed with numerous cultural influences have resulted in an exceptionally diversified cuisine that balances fresh seafood with substantial meat meals and basic ingredients with rich as well as sophisticated flavors. So why not take a city culinary tour? Explore the local markets, try ceviche for one of the city’s best seafood restaurants, and have a light meal of Peruvian great food nibbles.
4. Travel across Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats
The huge Salar de Uyuni is a naturally formed salt desert in Bolivia that covers over 10,000 square kilometers. Driving through the Salar offers the impression of flying when rainwater blankets the salt. The landscape is devoid of features, save for the occasional “floating” island that appears before drifting off into the distance. When it’s dry, the white salt desert is a playground for perspective-bending trick photography. The earth is engraved with fascinating hexagonal patterns when viewed up close. You can anticipate a very bizarre and captivating experience no matter whenever you arrive.
5. Riding a horse
Exploring the Andes mountainous region by horseback is another unique and traditional approach to viewing more of the many locales. Explore the wild natural environment of Torres del Paine on horseback, join the aggies in Argentina, or ride out into Chile’s the Atacama Desert. There’s also the option of horseback riding the ‘alternative Inca Trail’ (Salkantay trip) in Peru, or saddle up and go through the volcano-studded scenery of Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes. Whatever you choose, these are among the most enjoyable horseback riding spots in the world.
6. Look for pumas at Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park
The fauna at Torres del Paine National Park is diverse and abundant, but the Andean mountain lion, or puma, is arguably the most sought-after sighting. They are cleverly hidden, making them difficult to spot. Your chances are better here, though, because you are being accompanied by an expert tracker who is familiar with their environment and movements. This guided tour prioritizes spotting and capturing a cougar or two while admiring the beauty of the national park’s scenery. A glimpse is not certain, and in such a beautiful setting, it’s a worthy exercise in any case.
Above are the top 6 things to do in Andes Mountains Tours. Hope the information in our article is useful to you on your next trip.
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