Andes Travel Guide

The Andes are the world’s longest continental mountain range, running through several countries of South America. Millions of tourists each year flock to the area, searching for stunning views, unique culture, thrilling sport and rich history. All of this can be found, if one knows where to look. Welcome to pampeano’s travel guide to the Andes. 

With so much of it to choose from, it can be hard to choose which part of the Andes to visit. Make sure to do your research before you visit to ensure you make the most of your time in this gorgeous area of the world. The following are some of our suggestions for some great locations to visit. 

For the history lovers, we recommend the ancient Inca capital Cuzco, in Peru. This UNESCO world heritage site is a very popular tourist location, with over 2 million visitors a year; and you can see why, with ancient historical buildings forming the heart of the city. The city is only a stone’s throw away from another world-famous heritage site, Machu Picchu. Here visitors will experience the ancient world, today. 

For people who long for a city break, consider La Paz, Bolivia. This more modern city affords all the luxuries of the 21st century, but the spirit of South America remains, with regular street markets (including the famous witches’ market) and plenty of local history to be seen. The capital of Bolivia - and the highest capital in the world - La Paz is a great base from which to see the sights of the nation.

For people looking for winter sports, the Patagonia region of Argentina is world renowned for its world-class ski resorts. Skiing in South America is a great option, as it is done in the summer in the northern hemisphere. The Cerro Catedral Alta resort has recently had a 6 million dollar renovation, so is more modern and luxury than ever. It’s also very close to the tourist city of Bariloche, so there’s plenty of activities for everyone.

For those who want something completely different, visit the surreal Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. At 12,000 feet from sea level and 4,000 square miles, Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flats. It’s a popular tourist destination, with many hotels being built from salt blocks cut from the flats. One of the most popular attractions here is the eerie collection of abandoned locomotives known as the train cemetery, which has to be seen to be believed. 

pampeano have a history with the Andes mountain range; the polo fields of La Pampa in Argentina - where pampeano was born - are overlooked by the magnificent mountains, which have inspired local artisans for generations. Our iconic logo, the pampa diamond, is an ancient Aztec symbol which represents the peaks and valleys of the Andes. 

The best time to visit the Andes is from May to October. The temperature is cooler, and skies should be clear making for stunning views. The ski season runs from June to October, with the best powder generally in July and August. The wettest month is February, when the Inca trail shuts down for renovation, so this month is best avoided altogether. 

Once you’ve chosen where and when you’re going to visit, you’ve got to choose what you’re going to take with you. pampeano offer a wide range of travel accessories. Consider our large luxury leather travel bag; this durable carrier will fit all of the travel essentials, in style. To organise the bag, we offer a range of toiletry and cosmetic bags. We suggest the Afeite washbag, which can be colour coordinated with the travel bag. To ensure your documents are secure and organised, we suggest our Azar passport cover, our Sello luggage tag and our Pase travel card holder. All of these will help make your journey as smooth as possible. 

Of course, once you arrive, you have to look the part. Fit in with the locals with one of pampeano’s iconic polo belts. These luxury belts are handmade in the heart of Argentina, so it is only right to wear one when visiting pampeano’s home. We suggest three of our polo belts specifically inspired by the magnificent mountains; the Tornado, Sierra, and Rosa. The colours and designs of these belts reflect our designers’ experience of the world-famous mountains, and would make the perfect accompaniment to a trip to the South American continent.

We hope you’ve learned something from our travel guide, and we wish you a Bon Voyage!