We are Pauline and Jimmy , a couple passionate about travel, adventure and hiking, who went on a world tour in January 2022. We spent more than 6 months in South America and did around ten hikes on this continent. And there is plenty to do!
In this article, we present to you 4 countries in South America where you will find a wide choice of hikes and treks to do in total autonomy depending on your desires and your level, as well as some climbs for the more sporty!
So we are going to talk about Argentina , Bolivia , Peru and Ecuador ! But before that, here is a box with our 10 essentials to take with you for a day hike.
10 essentials to have with you when hiking
- - A filter bottle from the Humagreen brand
- - Something to eat: sandwich, salad, snacks
- - Good walking shoes
- - Sunscreen
- - A hat or cap to cover your head
- - Clothing adapted to the weather
- - Walking poles if necessary
- - A first aid kit with what you need in case of falls or other
- - A paper or offline map on the phone
- - Some money
Bonus: If you're going on a multi-day trek, make sure you have good camping gear and enough supplies.
ARGENTINA
Argentina is our favorite country, all countries combined. It offers a diversity of incredible landscapes between lakes, mountains, plains, pampas and even salt deserts.
It is famous in particular for its magnificent region, Patagonia , between glaciers, frozen lakes and snow-capped mountains. The majority of treks depart from this region, notably from Ushuaïa (the city at the end of the world) and from El Chaltén (the trekkers' refuge).
Some hikes and climbs to do in Argentina
Laguna del Caminante, Ushuaia:
1 or 2 days of trek, 26km, 6 hours of walking per day, difficult. We advise you to sleep at the foot of the lagoon, it is a magical place to camp.
Laguna Esmeralda, Ushuaia:
Round trip hike, 8km, 4 hours of walking, easy. Its particularity is the color of its water which is a magnificent pastel blue!
Mount Susana, Ushuaia:
Round trip hike, 6km, 4 hours of walking, moderate. This hike offers breathtaking views of the city of Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel and Chile. We advise you to do it at sunset, as the glow in the sky is even more beautiful!
The Vuelta al Cerro Huemul, El Chaltén:
4 day trek, 66km, 7 hours of walking per day, very difficult. This trek allows you to see the 3rd largest ice cap in the world, the Viedma glacier. This is our favorite hike in Argentina but also the most difficult.
Lago Eléctrico, Laguna Pollone, Laguna de los Tres and Fitz Roy, El Chaltén:
3-day trek, 41km, between 3 and 7 hours of walking per day, moderate. This trek combines several lagoons while passing through the famous Fitz Roy. For the latter, we advise you to sleep at the Poincenot campsite to see the sunrise over Fitz Roy (about 1 hour walk from the campsite). The mountain turns orange, it’s sublime!
Ascent of the highest peak in Latin America, Aconcagua:
It is located at an altitude of 6,962 meters and it takes approximately 20 days to climb it.
BOLIVIA
Bolivia is also a country in South America located above Argentina. Like its neighbor, its geography is very varied.
In Bolivia, you will find the largest salt desert in the world, the Salar de Uyuni, volcanoes in the Sajama National Park, mountains over 6,000 meters above sea level, the Amazon in the north of the country, the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca and much more.
Some hikes and climbs to do in Bolivia:
Maragua Crater, Sucre:
2 days of hiking, 36km, 6 hours of walking per day, moderate to difficult. It is a very non-touristy trek and the landscapes are very beautiful due to the different colors: green, orange, red, ocher etc.
Isla del Sol, Lake Titicaca:
Day hike to circumnavigate the island, 18km, 7 hours of walking, easy to moderate. We advise you to sleep on site in a tent or hotel to be able to admire the sunset and/or sunrise over Lake Titicaca.
Ascent of Huayna Potosí, La Paz:
Mountain located at 6,088 meters above sea level, 3 days of ascent, with a guide, extremely difficult. One of our best memories of our world tour, whether for the challenge, the surpassing of oneself or the view once up there.
PERU
Peru is more and more visited, but between its Machu Picchu which is one of the wonders of the world, its numerous hikes and its Pacific coast for surfing, there is something to do and please travelers.
Peru is one of the countries in South America that offers the most hiking trails, each one different from the other. You can go from a canyon where it's 35 degrees to a snow trek near glaciers at -5 degrees.
Some hikes and climbs to do in Peru:
The Ausangate trek, Cusco:
4 or 5 days of trek, 62km, around 7 hours of walking per day, very difficult. One of our most beautiful treks that we have been able to do in South America! In addition, the path passes by the 7-colored mountain Vinicunca, a true wonder of nature. Finally, this trek is very little known, you risk only coming across alpacas on the way.
The Salkantay trek, Cusco:
4 days of trek, 71km, approximately 8 hours of walking per day, moderate to difficult. This trek allows you to reach Machu Picchu on foot instead of taking the bus or train. A unique experience !
Colca Canyon, Arequipa:
3 days of trek, 33km, approximately 7 hours of walking per day, moderate to difficult. This trek allows you to see the second deepest canyon in the world (3270m) after its neighbor, the Cotahuasi Canyon (3535m). There are also hot springs at the bottom of the canyon, so bring your swimsuit!
Several hikes in the Huaraz region:
It is the region par excellence for doing treks such as Laguna Wilcacocha, Laguna Churup, Laguna 69, the Pastoruri glacier, the Santa Cruz trek, the Matéo glacier or the famous Huayhuash trek.
Ascent of Chachani:
It is located at an altitude of 6,057 meters and it takes 2 days to climb.
ECUADOR
Ecuador is a country in South America nestled between Peru and Colombia. Its diversity in terms of landscapes is also surprising between the Amazon, the volcanoes, the Pacific coast and the Galapagos Islands.
Some hikes and climbs to do in Ecuador:
Cotopaxi Volcano:
Day hike from where the jeep drops you off. You can walk independently up to 5,000 meters above sea level at glacier level. You can also climb the volcano (located at 5,897 meters above sea level) with a guide and mountaineering equipment.
Chimborazo Volcano:
Day hike from where the bus drops you off. You can walk independently up to 5,100 meters above sea level at Laguna Condor. You can also climb the volcano (located at an altitude of 6,263 meters) with a guide and mountaineering equipment.
Laguna Quilotoa:
Day hike to tour the lagoon. Allow around 5 hours of walking and 10km.
Cajas National Park, Cuenca:
National park with 8 hiking trails from easy to difficult. You can either camp there, be careful it's wet and cold, or go hiking for the day. For example, you can combine path numbers 2 and 3 on one day. In total, count 12 km and 6 hours of walking.
We hope that you will find what you are looking for among these many hikes and climbs to do in South America.
To help you make your choice, here are our 3 favorites: the Ausangate trek in Peru , the Vuelta al Cerro Huemul in Argentina and the ascent of Huayna Potosi in Bolivia .