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Best mountain destinations in South America

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El Chalten
Hiking Capital of Argentina
7.7
Fitz Roy rises 3,405 metres above the village of El Chaltén. Argentina names the village its national capital of trekking. The Laguna de los Tres trail leads to a viewpoint at the foot of the granite spire. Most hikes start right from the village so you need no vehicle.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Climb steep trail sections for breathtaking mountain panoramas
  • 🌊 Explore Laguna Capri’s peaceful turquoise waters
  • 🏞️ Hike to Laguna de Los Tres for Mount Fitz Roy views
Torres del Paine National Park
Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness
8.1
Three granite towers rise over 2,000 metres above the Patagonian steppe. They glow orange at sunrise when seen from the Base Torres viewpoint. The W Trek links the main valleys in four to five days. Boats cross Lago Grey to reach the face of the Grey Glacier.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Trek the scenic French Valley with mountain views
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour to see stunning Grey Glacier
  • 🥾 Hike to the iconic Mirador Las Torres viewpoint
Los Glaciares National Park
Where glaciers meet towering peaks
8.4
Perito Moreno Glacier ends in a wall of ice about 60 metres high. The face stands across a narrow arm of Lago Argentino. Boardwalks let visitors watch huge chunks of ice crash into the water. UNESCO listed the national park as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
Highlights:
  • 🛥️ Take a boat tour on Lago Argentino to glaciers
  • 🥾 Trek Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre trails
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk along the Perito Moreno Glacier boardwalks
Valle Nevado
Snow‑kissed peaks and alpine serenity
9.1
A ski resort sits at about 2,860 metres in the Andes east of Santiago. The drive from the city takes less than two hours. Skiers can link with La Parva and El Colorado on the Tres Valles lift ticket. The season runs roughly from June to October.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Take a cable car ride for panoramic Andes views
  • ⛷️ Ski or snowboard on world‑class pistes during winter season
  • 🏔️ Hike to the summit of Valle Nevado ski resort
Canaima National Park
Tepui Peaks and Angel Falls Wonder
7.7
Angel Falls drops 979 metres from the flat top of Auyan tepui. Sheer sandstone plateaus called tepuis rise from the jungle across the park. Visitors reach the falls by river canoe from the Canaima camp. Mount Roraima is a popular multi day trek on the southeastern edge of the park.
Highlights:
  • 🗻 Explore the unique tabletop mountains called tepuis
  • ⛰️ Hike the summit of Auyantepuy tepui for breathtaking views
  • 🌊 See Angel Falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall
Sacred Valley
Ancient terraces echoing timeless Andean rhythms
8.3
Stone terraces climb the steep mountainside above the town of Ollantaytambo. Snowcapped peaks such as Veronica at 5,893 metres rise beyond the valley. Visitors can climb the temple terraces and walk the narrow cobbled streets below. Trains to Machu Picchu leave from the station in town.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Stroll through Pisac market, shop woven textiles
  • 🗿 Explore Ollantaytambo ruins, climb fortress walls
  • 🏔️ Hike to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail
La Paz
Where Altitude Meets Adventure and Culture
6.6
The Mi Teleférico cable car network links La Paz with El Alto high above the city. Snowcapped Illimani at 6,438 metres rises behind the valley. Riders can look down on red brick homes climbing the steep slopes. The city sits at about 3,640 metres so visitors should take it slowly.
Highlights:
  • 🌙 Visit Valle de la Luna for surreal rock formations
  • 🧙‍♀️ Explore the Witches' Market for unique local crafts
  • 🚡 Ride the Mi Teleférico cable car for breathtaking city views
Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
8.4
Ausangate rises 6,384 metres southeast of Cusco and is sacred to local Quechua communities. Trekkers can walk a multi day circuit around its glaciers and turquoise lakes. Alpacas graze the high pastures along the route. The city itself sits at 3,400 metres so most travellers rest a couple of days first.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Plaza de Armas and admire colonial architecture
  • 🏔️ Take the train or trek to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
  • 🧱 Visit the ancient Inca site of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city
Mendoza
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
7.2
Aconcagua rises 6,961 metres west of Mendoza and is the tallest mountain in the Americas. Its slopes lie inside a provincial park along the Chilean border. Trekkers can walk to Plaza Francia base camp on a two day hike. Vineyards in the Uco Valley sit in the foothills with the Andes behind them.
Highlights:
  • 🍇 Join a tasting at a traditional Mendoza bodega
  • 🏔️ Drive along the scenic Route of the Andes to Aconcagua
  • 🍷 Tour vineyards and sample Malbec in the heart of wine country
Machu Picchu
Lost Inca city among clouds
The Inca citadel perches on a ridge at 2,430 metres above the Urubamba River. Steep green peaks wall in the ruins on every side. Visitors can climb Huayna Picchu at 2,720 metres with a timed permit. The Inca Trail reaches the Sun Gate at dawn on a four day hike.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Explore the ancient Inca temples and ceremonial sites
  • 🥾 Climb Huayna Picchu for panoramic mountain views
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise from the iconic Guardian’s House viewpoint
Vinicunca
Vibrant rainbow peaks illuminate Andean horizons
Bands of red, turquoise and yellow minerals stripe the slopes of Vinicunca at 5,036 metres. Oxidized minerals in the rock layers create the colours. The trail starts at about 4,500 metres and takes roughly two hours to walk up. Alpacas and llamas graze in the valley below.
Highlights:
  • 🗿 Explore nearby Machu Picchu ruins before sunset
  • 🌅 Capture sunrise over the multicolored slopes
  • 🏔️ Climb Vinicunca's rainbow-colored mountain trail
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