The ‘gringo trail’ is a term for the route most tourists and backpackers typically take while in South America. Machu Picchu, Bolivia’s Salt Flat and the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro come to mind.

While those places are certainly worth visiting, there are so many other amazing places on this nature-blessed and history-rich continent. Here are some of my favorite off-the-beaten path places to visit in South America.

Ischigualasto & Talampaya National Park, Argentina

Quebrada Las Gachas, Colombia

Quebrada Las Gachas is one of those secret spots you don’t want to share. Like an alien formation, Las Gachas is a red, shallow river with numerous plunge pools that you can belly-slide into, or simply soak in like a natural jacuzzi.

Choquequirao, Peru

The Choquequirao site is often compared to Machu Picchu; they have a very similar structure and architecture, they served as huge ʀᴇʟιԍιous, ᴘoʟιтιcᴀʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇcoɴoмιc centers of the ιɴcᴀ ᴇмᴘιʀᴇ and both cities ᴇscᴀᴘᴇᴅ the sᴘᴀɴιsн coɴQuιsтᴀᴅoʀs.

Gocta Falls, Peru

Not as famous as the Iguazu Falls or Angel Falls, Gocta Falls nevertheless is an impressive waterfall in the north of Peru. At 771m high, it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world.

Marble Caves, Chile

Thousands of years of erosion and glacier water rundown produced smooth, wavy curves in the natural marble column. In the right season, the sparkling water reflects light onto the marbles, turning it an unreal cerulean blue.

Lamas Castle, Peru

Far in the north of Peru, Tarapoto is way off of the ‘gringo trail’. The city is in the Amazonian cloud forest region and is surrounded by waterfalls. However, what stood out the most is the small town of Lamas, 35 minutes away.

Samaipata, Bolivia

Samaipata is a tranquil town in Eastern Bolivia nestled in the mountains and surrounded by ʀuιɴs, waterfalls and national parks. In Quechua, ‘Samaipata’ means ‘Rest in the Highlands’. It is a perfect spot to be away from the cнᴀoтιc city life of La Paz or Santa Cruz.

Pukara de Tilcara, Argentina

The small mountain town of Tilcara is one of the many towns in the magnificent valley of the UNESCO-declared Quebrada de Humahuaca in the north of Argentina.

Purmamarca, Argentina

The town of Purmamarca in Northern Argentina is famous for its Hill of Seven Colors (Cerro de los Siete Colores).

Cuevas de las Manos, Argentina

The enigmatic Cuevas de las Manos (Caves of the Hands) in Argentina is the largest and most dramatic display of hand prints in the world. This ancient rock art exhibit is believed to have been painted more than 9000 years ago.

< Source : https://www.roadaffair.com/off-the-beaten-path-south-america/ >