Highlights of Gringo Trail

Below are some of the major travel highlights for Gringo Trail. For more in-depth attractions of each country on this route, click on the country names below or select a route to see the highlights on this section of the journey. Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).

In-depth highlights: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Wildlife attractions of Quito - Rio (central route)

Huascarán National Park
Huascarán National Park is located in the Cordillera Blanca Range of the Peruvian Andes, the highest tropical mountain range in the world. There are 27 peaks over 6,000 metres within the park, with Mount Huascarán at 6,768 metres being the highest. The snow-capped mountains, deep ravines, glacial lakes and variety of vegetation make it a region of spectacular beauty. Important wildlife found in the park include the Andean condor, spectacled bear, puma, mountain cat and white-tailed deer. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Huascarán National Park

Huascarán National Park

Huascarán National Park is located in the Cordillera Blanca Range of the Peruvian Andes, the highest tropical mountain range in the world. There are 27 peaks over 6,000 metres within the park, with Mount Huascarán at 6,768 metres being the highest. The snow-capped mountains, deep ravines, glacial lakes and variety of vegetation make it a region of spectacular beauty. Important wildlife found in the park include the Andean condor, spectacled bear, puma, mountain cat and white-tailed deer.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Huascarán National Park

Amazon Rainforest (Peru)
The Peruvian Amazon is part of the vast area of rainforest which covers 5.5 million km² across nine countries. Flying into the small town of Puerto Maldonado in eastern Peru, a boat trip up the Tambopata River will take you to a jungle lodge from where you can explore the rainforest. Home to more than a third of the world’s plant and animal species, the Amazon is probably the most bio-diverse areas on earth. Walks along jungle trails and boat trips offer the chance to view and explore some of these, including the plants used for food and medicine. Animals that may be spotted include monkeys, boars and a myriad of bird species, as well as giant otters and black caiman on the waters. It's also possible to visit some indigenous Indian communities who live in and off the Amazon rainforest. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Manú National Park

Amazon Rainforest (Peru)

The Peruvian Amazon is part of the vast area of rainforest which covers 5.5 million km² across nine countries. Flying into the small town of Puerto Maldonado in eastern Peru, a boat trip up the Tambopata River will take you to a jungle lodge from where you can explore the rainforest. Home to more than a third of the world’s plant and animal species, the Amazon is probably the most bio-diverse areas on earth. Walks along jungle trails and boat trips offer the chance to view and explore some of these, including the plants used for food and medicine. Animals that may be spotted include monkeys, boars and a myriad of bird species, as well as giant otters and black caiman on the waters. It's also possible to visit some indigenous Indian communities who live in and off the Amazon rainforest.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Manú National Park

Amazon Rainforest (Bolivia)
Amazon Rainforest (Bolivia) The rainforest of the Amazon Basin extends over vast areas of the north-east of Bolivia. This is a region of enormous biodiversity of flora and fauna, with hundreds of species of birds and butterflies in addition to animals such as shy tapir, jaguar, howler monkey, deer and sloth. The region includes the protected areas of the Madidi National Park and the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, the latter a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying in jungle lodges, you can explore the Amazon with walks through the rainforest and canoe rides along the rivers, spotting wildlife and learning about the importance and uses of the jungle plants. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Noel Kempff Mercado National Park

Amazon Rainforest (Bolivia)

The rainforest of the Amazon Basin extends over vast areas of the north-east of Bolivia. This is a region of enormous biodiversity of flora and fauna, with hundreds of species of birds and butterflies in addition to animals such as shy tapir, jaguar, howler monkey, deer and sloth. The region includes the protected areas of the Madidi National Park and the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, the latter a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying in jungle lodges, you can explore the Amazon with walks through the rainforest and canoe rides along the rivers, spotting wildlife and learning about the importance and uses of the jungle plants.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Noel Kempff Mercado National Park

Pantanal
The Pantanal is a vast area of wetlands in central Brazil that is one of the best areas in South America for wildlife viewing. Covering some 230,000 km², it is one of the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystems. The diversity of animal species in the Pantanal is staggering - over 650 bird species, 400 fish, 50 reptile and 80 mammalian, with the landscape ensuring they are much easier to see than in other parts of the continent. Animals include jacare, giant anteater, ocelot, jaguar, cougar, giant river otter, capybara and pamba and march deer while some of the bird species of note are the hyacinth macaw (the world's largest parrot), jabiru storks and roseate spoonbill. The wetlands can be explored on foot, horseback, boat rides or on vehicles depending on the terrain and time of year. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Pantanal Conservation Area

Pantanal

The Pantanal is a vast area of wetlands in central Brazil that is one of the best areas in South America for wildlife viewing. Covering some 230,000 km², it is one of the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystems. The diversity of animal species in the Pantanal is staggering - over 650 bird species, 400 fish, 50 reptile and 80 mammalian, with the landscape ensuring they are much easier to see than in other parts of the continent. Animals include jacare, giant anteater, ocelot, jaguar, cougar, giant river otter, capybara and pamba and march deer while some of the bird species of note are the hyacinth macaw (the world's largest parrot), jabiru storks and roseate spoonbill. The wetlands can be explored on foot, horseback, boat rides or on vehicles depending on the terrain and time of year.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Pantanal Conservation Area