
South United States of America be known for epos hiking the like Patagonia’s W Trek in Torres del Paine and the Inca Trail to Peru’s Machu Picchu. Beyond the famous routes, there are plenty of options for hikers who prefer a path less traveled, such as the trek done Northern Republic of Colombia to the lost city of Teyuna and the hike through Los Glaciares national parkland in Argentina. Whether you have single day or 14, this list of the best under-the-radar hike inch South America is bound to animate you.
Top 3 Can’t Miss
- Head to Republic of Colombia to explore the Ciudad Perdida ruins and swim in the Buritaca River.
- visit the glacial lakes of Los Glaciares National Park on a trek through with Argentine Patagonia.
- Explore Peru’s Sacred vale before heading to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu.
Lost City trek to Teyuna National Park, Republic of Colombia

Length:seven days
Level of Difficulty:dispute
If you’re searching for a trail few have traversed, a journeying to Colombia’s northmost wild be for you. Beginning inch Saint Nick Marta, discover the lush jungle of the Sierra Nevada withG Adventureson this challenging trek to Teyuna, besides know as Ciudad Perdida (Spanish for “lost city”), Associate in Nursing ancient Colombian town developed by the native Tayrona people. To access the site, visitant must rise 1,200 steps, and it’s approximate that only 10 per centum of the ruination ar unearthed, which impart to the cryptic entreaty of this forgotten city.
highlight of this tour include swimming inch the Buritaca River, exploring the Lost City with A guide, and watching hummingbirds waver through the trees. trekker volition need to carry their own gear wheel or hire a mule (for Associate in Nursing extra fee) to carry their packs. hiking typically payoff between four and six hours each day, and the high elevation arrive at be just under 4,000 feet.
ALT Chaltén to Los Glaciares national Park, Argentina

Paul Biris / Getty Images
Length:10 days
grade of Difficulty:Moderate to Challenging
start your journeying in vivacious Buenos Aires before you head deep into ArgentinePatagoniato experience information technology stunning beauty. On this trek withGeoEx, you’ll visit ALT Chaltén, angstrom unit small mount town on the border of the southern Patagonian ice Field with many hiking options. go on exploring the rugged mountains and glacial lakes of Los Glaciares subject Park, where you might experience Perito Moreno Glacier calving into the lake below. Before return to Buenos Aires, spend A few days at Estancia Cristina, a remote lodge where you can fish, ride horses, and return in the beauty surrounding you.
doomed City of Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu, Peru

Length:Varies
Level of Difficulty:Challenging
In a land known for exceptional trekking, it’s rare to find A less-trodden path. If you have your sights set onMachu Picchu, the Inca trail or Salkantay routes ar ideal, peculiarly with AN operator likeMountain Lodge of Peru, where you can residuum in the comfort of a luxurious lodge each evening of the hike.
just if you’re quest an alternative route to the illustrious ruins, perhaps the sacred Valley trek withWilderness travelbe for you. The Inca fortress of Pisac is one of the first stops on this route after leaving Cusco, follow past a visit to the ruination of Huchuy Qosqo, known atomic number 33 “Little Cusco.” The elevation here is almost 12,000 feet, and the position of the sacred Valley below ar impressive. there be A center stop at the ruin atomic number 85 Pumamarka before connection the Inca Trail for the final push to Machu Picchu.
Aysén to Fitz Roy, Chile

Length:9 Days
Level of Difficulty:Moderate to gainsay
Although most travelers go directly to southern Patagonia, northern Patagonia likewise boasts glaciers, fjords, natural state rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, all set along the Carretera Austral, the southern main road winding through theAysén part. on a trek withUpscape Travel, spend 9 days traversing area like Patagonia national Park.
Located in the Chacabuco Valley, the park is home to the highest level of biodiversity in the Aysén region – you’ll likely spot endangered huemul deer, pumas, and condors. trek through verdant woods and past lagoons and waterfalls until you range the Chilean-Argentine border, where you will cross to southern Argentina for a final hike to Mount Fitz Roy.
volcano trek to Cotopaxi National Park, Republic of Ecuador

Length:6 Days
degree of Difficulty:Challenging
just outside of Quito, Ecuador’s bustle about capital, the country’s revered avenue of volcanoes begins. piece the avenue include Associate in Nursing array of peak end-to-end the region, see the best on angstrom six-day hike withTierra del Volcán, where each night of tenting is juxtapose with cozy Sir Oliver Lodge stays astatine Hacienda El Porvenir and hacienda El Tambo.
Begin with an acclimation walk in the private reserve of Hacienda Santa Rita, then research the Inca fortress of Pucará del Salitre. on the way, you’ll hike through straw Fields and indigene Andean forests with the iconic peaks of Antisana, Cayambe, and Sincholagua in the distance. brand the final steep raise to reach Refugio Jose Ribas at almost 14,000 feet, set just beneath the summit of towering Volcán Cotopaxi.
Tercera Barranca to Sierra Baguales, Chile
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Length:Day Hike
Level of Difficulty:Moderate
Located come near Torres del Robert Treat Paine national park and set along the border of Argentina is Chile’s Sierra Baguales, an undiscovered, pathless, and utterly perfective tense region where natural state horses, condors, and rheas roam. Here, the mountains harbor A constant sun-drenched glow, and during a stay atAwasi Patagoniainch the property’s own Tercera Barranca Private Reserve, you can research Sierra Baguales during a day hike, which will lead you through five cattle gates, the finis of which solitary Awasi Patagonia clutches the key.
Truly state of nature and delightfully untrodden, this is the locale to search Patagonia serenely without the encroachment of other trekkers. walk Catedral and Ciutadella peaks as you ascend the range’s slopes, passing fossilise leaves, shark teeth, and tree short pants from over XX million years ago.
Lençóis Maranhenses national parkland to Atins, Brazil

Length:sixer Days
grade of Difficulty:Moderate
Thisrisky venture Life trektakes traveller to Lençóis Maranhenses national Park, known for information technology unique landscape, composed of large sand dune where fresh water sits in the valleys due to AN unusual rain pattern. four-wheel drive vehicle deliver you to the start point, where the hike through the dunes begins. there are opportunity to halt and swim in the lagoons on the way before bedding down feather in tent for the night.
The trek’s centre is spent visiting the village of Baixa Grande, where hammocks provide a spot to rest for the night. The journey culminates in a visit to the coastal sportfishing village of Atins, offer travelers the opportunity to slow down and unbend on the beach.
Pariuma settlement and Three Waterfalls, Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Length:VI Days
grade of Difficulty:challenge
tramp to waterfalls, a relaxing river float, and overnights inch the autochthonous community of Paruima are highlights of thisGuyana trekwith wilderness Explorers. With an elevation addition of close to 4,000 feet, hikers should be physically tantrum and ready to tackle the heat and humidity of the rainfall forest.
while in Paruima, visitors can learn astir the Arecuna people, known for their basket-weaving, farming, and hunter-gatherer skills. The civilisation be shared through storytelling and meals, with nights spend in hillock camps and community guesthouses.
Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain, Peru

Rory Fuller/Travel + leisure time
Length:sestet Days
Level of Difficulty:middle of the roader to gainsay
This stunning trek from Cusco draws few tourist atomic number 33 most travelers to the region have their sights set on Machu Picchu. Ausangate is view single of the holiest mountains in the Andes, and visiting remote communities furnish a unequalled experience as exterior influence is sparse.
on angstrom journeying withFlashpackerConnect, you’ll cross mountain passes range betwixt 15,000 and 17,000 feet. The landscape change from snowcapped extremum to rolling hills, culminating inch two natural hot springs, the perfect tense respite for both height malady and pall muscles. Llamas carry all the gear and supplies, going you unburdened to tackle the rugged terrain. The true award of this journey be atomic number 85 the trek’s end. When you come astatinerainbow Mountain, cognise atomic number 33 Vinicunca to locals, the paint hill of the landscape are sure to transfix you — the high spot of this respectful trek in Peru.
Dientes electric circuit on Isla Navarino, Chile

Length:sextuplet days
Level of Difficulty:challenge
Known as the southernmost trek in the world, the Dientes Circuit on Chile’s Isla Navarino is for the most part pathless, with cairns As trail markers. On this journeying withAdventure Life, you’ll wealthy person sweeping view across the beagle Channel to Tierra del Fuego and South from capital of the Bahamas bay to the Wollaston Islands and ness Horn. Hike past the jagged extremum of the Dientes First State Navarino and stay in idyllic campsites astatine Salto, Martillo, and Los Guanacos lagoons.
For the final push, ascend to Ventarron Pass for an unprecedented perspective of Mount Codrington before ending with a climb up Virginia Pass to Montes Lindemayer, allow you A well-deserved residuum at Lakutaia Sir Oliver Joseph Lodge within the Cape Horn macrocosm biosphere Reserve.
Condor Trek in the Andes, Ecuador

lav Elk III / Getty image
Length:4 years
level of Difficulty:Challenging
Begin thishigh-altitude hikein the Cayambe-Coca Reserve, where packhorses carry the gear, enable trekkers to push themselves to their limits. With an Ecuador Eco Adventure usher leading the way, you’ll tackle this route that’s said to be ace of the most beautiful inch the country, done soaker vale framed by impressive mountain peaks. cross the Antisana Reserve and Cotopaxi National Park, camping for tercet dark in the shadow of the Andes. A halt at the Papallacta thermal spring is your reward astatine the terminal of the journey.
ALT Calafate to altitude Chaltén, Argentina

Marco Botticelli / Getty image
Length:5 Days
grade of Difficulty:centrist
This trip to Argentine Patagonia hour angle you travel from El Calafate to the settlement of altitude Chaltén, one of the top hiking destination in Argentina. The high spot ofthis trip with Say Huequebe the trek to the Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint, a stunning spot to halt and yield in the views. It continues with an intense acclivity to Laguna First State Los Tres, where you tin can take A side path to the nearby laguna Sucia. before heading home, you have angstrom nighttime in El Calafate to enjoy some Argentinian delicacies.