Off the beaten track - South America

HBK

Hi Guys,

Anyone whos been, could you name a few places kinda off the tourist path in the following:

Ecuador,
Peru
Bolivia

perhaps Chile aswell?

I mean places that are definitely worth a visit, be it for many differing reasons?

Hockney

Ecuador:

1) Quilotoa Loop.

It's reasonably well established tourist-wise but defintely worth hitting. A 3/4 day hike through indigenous villages staying with families/hostels along the way. You also take in the crater of Quilotoa volcano which is stunning. You'll probably need an overnight in Latacunga the day before taking on the hike.

2) Banos

This is well on the map aswell but unmissable in my book. Bridge jump, cycle by waterfalls, rent buggies/jeeps, excellent rafting/kayaking, views of an active volcano spitting sparks by night if you're very lucky. Good food (Casa Hood!), good hostels (Plantas y Blanca) and lots to do by day and by night.

Peru:

1) Chachapoyas.

There's a pre-Inca settlement here called Kuelap which gets little or no tourists, which is unbelievable given how impressive it is, it's absolutely massive, really cheap and you'll probably have the place to yourself. The only ruins top it in Peru are Machu Piccu. From Chachapoyas there's loads and loads of good hiking, you could honestly be there for 2 weeks hiking alone. Wikipedia Kuelap. You should go there by starting a 5 hour hike early in the morning (to avoid the major heat, bring sun protection, and lots of water).

2) Chiclayo.

The town itself hasn't got much, but there are some world class museums within half an hour by collectivo. Also there's Sipan which you can climb, supposed to be very impressive.

3) Huaraz

Another hiking and mountaineering mecca if you're into that. Absolutely brilliant.

Bolivia:

1) Rurrenabaque

Cheapest place you'll see the Amazon jungle from. 3 or 4 day jungle trip by boat, staying overnight every night in a riverside lodge. Anaconda hunting, pirahna fishing, all kinds of jungle animals, night trips, kicking off a day at dawn listening to the jungle waking up, excellent trip.

Only catch is that you either have to fly there, or take a minimum 24 hour bus from La Paz on terrible roads. I took the plane on safety grounds alone. No need for malaria medication here, it's outside the Malaria affected region.