- For other places with the same name, see Andes (disambiguation).
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Área_Cultural_Andina.png/220px-Área_Cultural_Andina.png)
The Andes
The Andes are a vast mountain chain in South America. They extend from Chile to Venezuela through Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.
Cities
Other destinations
Understand
Talk
Almost everyone you encounter will be able to communicate in Spanish. Quechua and Aymara are also major languages in the region, and there are some lesser-known tribal language.
English is spoken by most people in the tourism industry, at least in major destinations.
Get in
Get around
See
- Aconcagua, the highest peak of the Andes, rises to 6,962m above sea level, making the Andes the highest mountain range outside Asia. Climbing expeditions for Aconcagua usually set out from the Argentinian city of Mendoza
- Ojos del Salado in Northern Chile is a comparatively easy to climb peak, still 6,893m. In fact it is so gradual that it's a place of choice for height records for motor vehicles (although the summit hasn't been reached in such a way yet) and possibly the highest summit you can reach by only hiking.
Do
- Many ski centers operate in the Andes during the winter months.
- Hike the Inca Trail.
Eat
Drink
Stay healthy
Obviously, the Andes include some high-altitude destinations. To avoid headaches and potentially worse symptoms, it's a good idea to acclimate to the altitude slowly; see altitude sickness for more details.
Go next
- The Rocky Mountains in North America