The most beautiful places in South America

The best of nature in South America

Petr Liška
Wrote 2517 articles and follows him / her 248 travelers
The most beautiful places in South America
Inserted: 29.10.2017
© gigaplaces.com

South America, it is mainly the endless ridge of Andes, the volcanic plateau Altiplano and the amazing Amazon forest. To this, the harsh Patagonia, the foggy forests of Yungas and the huge rivers. In South America you will find some of the most interesting places of the whole world

1.
Machu Picchu

The most famous monument of South America

Rating:
| Altitude: 2 458 m / 8 064 ft

Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the most iconic place of Peru and perhaps all of South America. Not only famous for his legacy of the lost city of Incas, but also for his amazing location between the jungle-covered hills. There is perhaps no tourist who would visit Perú and miss this beautiful monument. continue reading

2.
Torres del Paine National Park

The most beautiful area of Chile

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The Torres del Paine area, located to the east of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, is one of the most beautiful places in Chile. There's nothing wrong with the bad weather that's mostly there. For most tourists, it's just an area around the most interesting granite towers of Cuernos and the Gray glacier, but beautiful places are more in the south around Lake Toro, near the Serrano River continue reading

3.
Iguazu Waterfalls

The most beautiful waterfalls in South America

Rating:
| Altitude: 180 m / 591 ft

Iguazu Falls are located on the of the same name river on the border of Brazil with Argentina. Iguazu are considered both the most beautiful waterfall in the world, but also the largest – decompose almost three kilometers wide and consist of around 275 individual parts. Waterfalls are worth visiting both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides. From brazil side, you will see Iguazu more panoramically. From the Argentine side you will stay more closer to waterfall and you can try more hiking trails. continue reading

4.
Salar de Uyuni

The biggest salar in the world

Rating:
| Altitude: 3 660 m / 12 008 ft

Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt desert on the earth. It is, for example, twice larger than famous Great Salt Lake in Utah. It has 12 106 square kilometers, salt layer is between 2–20 meters and annually is mined 20,000 tons. In addition, there are interesting black rocks towering from salar like true „islands“. They are covered by several cacti. Dry salt makes interesting geometric polygons here. On the other hand, when is salar after rains full of water, it looks like an endless mirror.   continue reading

5.
Atacama Desert

The driest desert in the world

Rating:
| Altitude: 2 544 m / 8 346 ft

The Atacama Desert is considered as the driest desert in the world. Atacama occupies the entire north of Chile and south of Peru. The most beautiful and a very accessible part of Atacama desert is seen near San Pedro de Atacama. Here are the bizarre red-colored cliffs and canyons. continue reading

6.
Salto Angel waterfall

The highest waterfall in the world

Rating:
| Altitude: 1 500 m / 4 921 ft

Waterfall Salto Angel falling nearly a kilometer from the table mountains in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world. It also belongs among the most beautiful of the world, mainly due to the magical nature around. continue reading

7.
Perito Moreno Glacier

The most famous Patagonian glacier

Rating:
| Altitude: 300 m / 984 ft

Perito Moreno Glacier is without a doubt one of the biggest attractions of the Argentine side of Patagonia. There are 48 glaciers going down from the south patagonian ice field, but this is just the most famous, the most visited, but probably the most beautiful one. Its length is a total of 30km. It is also massive in width – almost 5 kilometers. continue reading

8.
Laguna Colorada

The most beautiful lake of Bolivia

Rating:
| Altitude: 4 290 m / 14 075 ft

Red Laguna Colorada belongs among one of the biggest attractions of this part of Bolivia. You will admire here thousands of flamingos living in this red lagoon surrounded by volcanic mountains.   continue reading

9.
Roraima

The most famous table mountain in the world

Rating:
| Altitude: 2 810 m / 9 219 ft

Roraima (2,810m) is the highest of all the tepuis (table mountains) in South America. At its peak you will find the triple point of countries Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. Life on the vast mountain top is completely different from the savannah 400 meters below. Here you can find interesting rock formations, caves and even rivers. continue reading

10.
Colca Canyon

One of the deepest canyons in the world

Rating:
| Altitude: 2 169 m / 7 116 ft

Colca Canyon, with its 3,270 meters of depth is one of the deepest canyons of the world. His character changes from narrow gorge to the relatively flat valley with lots of terraced fields. In this canyon lead a relatively challenging trek along the old Inca trails. continue reading

11.
Geiseres el Tatio

Highly laid geysers

Rating:
| Altitude: 4 720 m / 15 486 ft

Geiseres el Tatio (4270 m asl) is one of the biggest attractions in San Pedro de Atacama. It is the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere. It will impress rather with large number of geysers (about eighty) rather than with eruption height. The geyser field itself is highly placed on the Altiplano and is surrounded by five thousand meters high volcanoes. continue reading

12.
Titicaca Lake

The most famous lake in South America

Rating:
| Altitude: 3 820 m / 12 533 ft

This fabulous lake is situated at an altitude of 3 820 meters above sea level. It is often stated as the highest navigable lake in the world. With its area of 8549 square kilometers it is also the second largest lake in South America. There are 36 islands and it has a clear blue colored water. It is actually a remnant of an ancient sea that once covered almost entire Altiplano. continue reading

13.
Cerro Fitz Roy

The most beautiful mountain in Patagonia

Rating:
| Altitude: 3 405 m / 11 171 ft

The amazing granite towers of Cerro Fitz Roy (3,405 m) /sometimes called Cerro Chaltén/, have many nicknames. One of the most prestigious is the Patagonian Granite Crown. In the sunsets, when the whole massif is lit up in ore, you will definitely say that it is one of the most beautiful sceneries you can ever see in the world. Fitz Roy itself is only the most massive and highest granite tower. This mountain is one of the most difficult in the world. continue reading

14.
Bolivian death road

The most famous South American road

Rating:
| Altitude: 2 451 m / 8 041 ft

If you want to get to Yungas region or to the Amazon from the Altipláno plateau, you always have a dangerous downhill run. The most famous of these dangerous roads is the Camino de la Muerte – Death Road. Today you will meet here mostly cyclists, thanks to a new safer road. continue reading

15.
Oasis of Huacachina

An oasis in the Peruvian desert

Rating:
| Altitude: 401 m / 1 316 ft

Just a few kilometers west of the great city of Ica is a desert with huge dunes and picturesque oasis Huacachina. Lake surrounded by dunes looks really remarkably. continue reading

16.
Grande Glacier

The ornament of the Torre lagoon

Rating:
| Altitude: 796 m / 2 612 ft

The highlight of the Torre lagoon hike is not only a stunning view of the mighty granite tower of Cerro Torre, but also of the magnificent Grande glacier leading directly to the lagoon continue reading

17.
Parinacota

The most beautiful volcano in the world

Rating:
| Altitude: 6 342 m / 20 807 ft

Among the most beautiful volcanoes of Bolivia and the whole world, there is, by a white cap decorated, Parinacota (6 342 m asl). Although the most fashionable exit trails lead to it from Bolivia, the most beautiful view is from the Chilean side of Lake Chungara. Together with the neighboring Pomerape Volcano (6,282m asl), they are called „two mountains“ after the Payachata in Ayamu. continue reading

18.
Alpamayo

The most beautiful mountain in Peru

Rating:
| Altitude: 5 947 m / 19 511 ft

Because Alpamayo looks like an impossibly beautiful glacier pyramid, it is ranked among one of the most beautiful mountains not only in Peru, but all over the world. Trekking routes lead both from the south (commercial) and northern (more adventurous) side of the mountain, so you can see it from virtually all sides. continue reading

19.
Laguna Chiar Khota

Lake with fabulous views

Rating:
| Altitude: 4 998 m / 16 398 ft

Laguna Chiar Khota (4998m above sea level) is the highest lake you can see on the Lagunas de Altura classical trail. Thanks to its incredible view of the Sajama Volcano, it is also one of the most interesting places in the entire trek. continue reading

20.
Licancabur

Volcanic lighthouse over lagoon Verde

Rating:
| Altitude: 5 960 m / 19 554 ft

One of the most typical Bolivian scenery is the view from the lagoon Verde of volcano Licancabur (5 960 m asl) lying directly on the border with Chile. Beautifully symmetrical volcanic cone rises to a height of nearly six thousand meters above sea level. Despite its height it belongs among simple hiking destinations.   continue reading

21.
Huerquehue National Park

Back to Prehistory

Rating:
| Altitude: 1 270 m / 4 167 ft

A beautiful Huerquehue National Park is located just outside Pucon. This is renowned for the mighty Arukari trees that remembers dinosaurs. Besides there are nice lakes, waterfalls, mountains and a view of the famous Villarica volcano. continue reading

22.
Illimani

Second Highest Mountain of Bolivia

Rating:
| Altitude: 6 439 m / 21 125 ft

The monumental massif of the second highest mountain in Bolivia, Illimani (6,439m), is one of the most famous Bolivian mountain images ever. The panorama of the endless number of red houses over which the white mountain crown rises on the horizon is breathtaking. continue reading

23.
Caracol waterfall

Fairytale waterfall

Rating:
| Altitude: 640 m / 2 100 ft

Caracol waterfall is for foreign tourists relatively little known yet is considered after the Iguazú as the second most beautiful waterfall in Brasil. Water exceeds more than 130 meters into the local jungle. It is located in the Sierra Geral south of the country continue reading

24.
Palca Canyon

A bizarre canyon full of rock formations

Rating:
| Altitude: 3 660 m / 12 008 ft

Just a short distance to the east of the largest city of Bolivia La Paz is another natural wonder – the canyon of Palca. Here you can admire the imposing rock towers and enjoy the stunning scenery continue reading

25.
Lookout from Cerro Otto

The most famous lookout near Bariloche

Rating:
| Altitude: 1 405 m / 4 610 ft

Cerro Otto (1 405 m), located right next to Bariloche, is renowned for its stunning views of the very rugged coast of Lake Nahuel Huapi.Even a cable car leads to the top, so even a physically weaker person can enjoy this beautiful sight continue reading

26.
Villarica volcano

Tourists favorite volcano at Pucón

Rating:
| Altitude: 2 847 m / 9 341 ft

Beautiful and especially still active, the Villarica volcano is without debate the largest dominant in Pucón region. Ascent to this volcano is the most popular and most challenging trip from this city. The views from the volcano and to the crater are really worth it. continue reading

27.
El Silar

Bolivian Bryce canyon

Rating:
| Altitude: 3 350 m / 10 991 ft

The most beautiful part of the valley Palca is a vast rock town of El Silar. Hundreds of eroded rock towers protrude here above the semi-arid landscape. The entire area is easily accessible from Tupiza. You can spend here hours by strolling and admiring the views. It is the most beautiful rock town in Bolivia. continue reading

28.
Lanín Volcano

A mighty peak at the Chilean-Argentine border

Rating:
| Altitude: 3 776 m / 12 388 ft

The massive volcano Lanin (3,776 meters asl) is directly on the Chilean-Argentine border. Renowned mainly by its beautiful surroundings, which, however, due to remoteness is relatively little visited by tourists. Near the volcano you will find prehistoric araukaria trees, lakes, but also older mountain ridges partially littered with lava continue reading

29.
General Carrera lake

Amazing Patagonian lake

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| Altitude: 202 m / 663 ft

On the border between Chile and Argentina lies the beautiful Lake General Carrera (other name Lago Buenos Aires). At the same time it is the largest Chilean lake (the fourth Argentinean) with a depth of up to 600 meters. The lake is surrounded by glacier-treated mountains and you can find beautiful romantic beaches and rocky islands. continue reading

30.
Jatuncocha Lagoon

The most beautiful lagoon in the Huaytapallana

Rating:
| Altitude: 4 580 m / 15 026 ft

During a trip to the Huaytapallana Mountains, you will find a number of very beautiful lagoons. The most beautiful of them is called Jatuncocha continue reading

31.
Paracas peninsula

Desolate region with yellow cliffs

Rating:
| Altitude: 3 m / 10 ft

Only a short distance from the city of Pisco is located the interesting peninsula of Paracas. The interior is desert and its edges are lined with beautiful yellow cliffs and rock formations. La Cathedral is the most famous of its kind. Together with the nearby Ballestas islands, this area is called the Peruvian Galapagos. continue reading

32.
The mysterious Nazca Lines

Gigantic ancient calendar?

Rating:
| Altitude: 430 m / 1 411 ft

One of the most mysterious places in Peru, or the entire world with its gigantic Nazca figures in the surrounding desert. Theories for what these figures have served are really a whole host, from a huge calendar to welcome aliens. Anyway, it's worth a visit, preferably from an airplane. continue reading

33.
Fumaroles Sol de Maňana

Devil's cauldron

Rating:
| Altitude: 4 870 m / 15 978 ft

The biggest „volcanic“ attraction on the entire salar tour are smoking fumaroles Sol de Maňana at a height of nearly five thousand meters above sea level. There are several such „smokey places“, so do not be surprised to see only a pond full of mud instead of amazing photos you have admired on pictures. You just may need to walk away a little.   continue reading

34.
National Park Tierra del Fuego

Beautiful countryside of Land of Fire

Rating:
| Altitude: 180 m / 591 ft

Only a short distance west of the capital city of Fire Country – Ushuaia, is the Tierra del Fuego National Park. You will find here a classic wind-scorched „Nordic“ landscape with plenty of lakes, mountains and wild forests around the large lake Lago Roca. continue reading

35.
Gray Glacier

The most famous glacier in Torres del Paine

Rating:
| Altitude: 442 m / 1 450 ft

One of the most interesting places of the Torres del Paine National Park is the Gray Glacier – one of the many glaciers of the mighty South-Patagonian glacier field. continue reading

36.
Volcano El Misti

Beautiful volcano over Arequipa

Rating:
| Altitude: 5 822 m / 19 101 ft

One of the most beautiful volcanoes in Perú is undoubtedly the El Misti volcano (5,822 m above sea level) towering over the city of Arequipa. Ascent to El Misti is one of the most popular excursions in this area. continue reading

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