by Taner » Tue 09 Oct, 2012 3:59 am
Awesome places, whatever you do, don't do the "Inca trail", quoted as there are thousands of Inka trails, many of which are spectacular and free to walk or token fees the equivalent of 1 or 2 dollars. I done a few for example, El Choro from La Cumbre to near Coroico in Bolivia is particularly nice and accessible.
Highlights on my trip (almost 4 months there, only Venezuela to Bolivia, and nowhere near enough time, so only a selection of what is available is listed):
Venezuela
- Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, nice hiking, can hop from beach to beach, secluded ones with no road connection
- Pico Humboldt/Bolivar, or just a nice hike from Mérida to Los Nevados which takes you near the summit
Ecuador
- The volcanoes and lots of other mountaineering options
- Baños, many hiking and biking opportunities, ride to Puno or even further if you want, it's a nice ride, lot of tourists at the start though where the waterfalls are
Peru
- Huaraz (anything around here seems to be amazing, Laguna 69, Pico Pisco, the lake is named so for being the 69th lake in the area)
- Colca Canyon (one of the expensive trips but the national park fee is not really avoidable if you want to see this region)
- Machu Picchu (several different multi day approaches, also saves the ridiculous train fares)
Bolivia
- Huayna Potosi (6088m, has an easy route for beginners, and great for acclimatisation)
- Nevado Illimani (6430m, also has an easy route for beginners)
- La Paz is a good base, also plenty of other mountains in the area and hiking routes, sport climbing, Murarata has skiing potential
- Salar de Uyuni -- surreal landscapes, also has its own hiking and mountaineering options
- I rarely recommend agents but Adolfo Andino in La Paz is great -- a local who has lived abroad, and is passionate about what he does, you quickly feel like a friend, could get invited to his personal trips for free (just share of transport, gear hire and your food, all very cheap), and a great source of info
I'm sure I've missed more, feel free to ask for more info!