Fifty stunning pictures that show the astonishing landscapes of South America

The diversity of South America’s landscapes is perhaps the greatest of any continent.

It’s hard to fathom that both the driest hot desert in the world, the Atacama in Chile, and our planet’s most biodiverse region, the Amazon rainforest, can be found within the same landmass.

There’s also the bright-white salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni in southwest Bolivia and the colourful ‘Rainbow Mountain’ in Peru, two very different landscapes with almost otherworldly beauty.

The latter forms part of the Andes, the world’s longest continuous mountain range, which winds its way through seven countries and has a mythical appeal for many. 

And while the continent may be home to 422.5 million people, there are vast areas where you could find yourself completely alone and shrouded in stillness.

Scroll down for stunning images of our pick of South America’s most striking scenery, from mighty waterfalls to dramatic volcanoes and dreamy islands. Ready your jaw for dropping…

Behold Mount Roraima – one of the most extraordinary, most mystical places on earth. At 9,219ft (2,810m), it’s the highest table-top mountain in the world, and it forms a ‘triple border’ point between Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. Most of the plants found there are carnivorous, according to mountroraima.net, and constant rain results in waterfalls ‘popping up all over the place’. You won’t be surprised to hear that it inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1912 book The Lost World. Want to visit? Get ready for a three-day hike…

It’s certainly not boulder dash. There really is a staircase in the crack of a 650ft rock in Colombia – and the views from the top are incredible, if you’re fit enough to endure the 650 steps up there. They have been wedged into a huge crevice in the 10-million-ton El Peñon de Guatape rock in Colombia, and mean the rock has become a bizarre look-out post across a mesmerising landscape

It’s certainly not boulder dash. There really is a staircase in the crack of a 650ft rock in Colombia – and the views from the top are incredible, if you’re fit enough to endure the 650 steps up there. They have been wedged into a huge crevice in the 10-million-ton El Peñon de Guatape rock in Colombia, and mean the rock has become a bizarre look-out post across a mesmerising landscape

The dazzlingly turquoise Quilotoa Lake sits at a dizzying elevation of 13,123ft in the Ecuadorian Andes in the three-kilometre-wide (1.86 miles) caldera of the Quilotoa volcano. It was formed following an eruption about 600 years ago. Fancy visiting? There are regular buses to it from nearby Latacunga

The dazzlingly turquoise Quilotoa Lake sits at a dizzying elevation of 13,123ft in the Ecuadorian Andes in the three-kilometre-wide (1.86 miles) caldera of the Quilotoa volcano. It was formed following an eruption about 600 years ago. Fancy visiting? There are regular buses to it from nearby Latacunga

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park on Brazil’s north Atlantic coast is known for its vast desert landscape of undulating, white sand dunes and clear rainwater lagoons. The optimal time to visit is between June and September when the lakes are full and the sun isn’t too strong

This is the first of several pictures of epic South American waterfalls in this collection. The above image shows the majestic Kaieteur Falls, where the Potaro River plunges off a 741ft cliff in Guyana's Kaieteur National Park in rather dramatic fashion. It is the world's largest single-drop waterfall by water volume - 23,000 cubic feet of water plummets every second. The falls were discovered in 1870 by British explorer Charles Brown

This is the first of several pictures of epic South American waterfalls in this collection. The above image shows the majestic Kaieteur Falls, where the Potaro River plunges off a 741ft cliff in Guyana’s Kaieteur National Park in rather dramatic fashion. It is the world’s largest single-drop waterfall by water volume – 23,000 cubic feet of water plummets every second. The falls were discovered in 1870 by British explorer Charles Brown

Sangay volcano in Ecuador is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and was erupting at the time this caption was penned. And at 17,159ft, it's also one of the highest active volcanoes

Sangay volcano in Ecuador is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and was erupting at the time this caption was penned. And at 17,159ft, it’s also one of the highest active volcanoes

An amazing shot of the world's largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni, in Bolivia, as seen from the cacti-covered Isla Incahuasi, a rocky outcrop of land and former island in what used to be a large lake before it dried out many millennia ago. The salt flat lies at an elevation of 12,000ft and covers almost 12,000 square kilometres (4,633 square miles)

An amazing shot of the world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni, in Bolivia, as seen from the cacti-covered Isla Incahuasi, a rocky outcrop of land and former island in what used to be a large lake before it dried out many millennia ago. The salt flat lies at an elevation of 12,000ft and covers almost 12,000 square kilometres (4,633 square miles)

An amazing photograph taken in Peru's Huascarán National Park, which comprises most of the mountain range known as Cordillera Blanca - the world’s highest tropical mountain range. It has peaks at elevations up to 22,000ft

An amazing photograph taken in Peru’s Huascarán National Park, which comprises most of the mountain range known as Cordillera Blanca – the world’s highest tropical mountain range. It has peaks at elevations up to 22,000ft

Photographer Chad Peltola captioned this image 'looking off the back of a PeruRail train as we crossed the Altiplano [an Andean plateau]'

Photographer Chad Peltola captioned this image ‘looking off the back of a PeruRail train as we crossed the Altiplano [an Andean plateau]’

A sci-fi movie set? Nope. It's the incredible 127-square-mile Tatacoa Desert in Colombia

A sci-fi movie set? Nope. It’s the incredible 127-square-mile Tatacoa Desert in Colombia 

Rio de Janeiro, captured at sunrise in a glorious image, with Sugarloaf Mountain guarding the mouth of Guanabara Bay and the 124ft Art Deco Christ the Redeemer statue watching proceedings from the top of 2,329ft-tall Corcovado mountain

Rio de Janeiro, captured at sunrise in a glorious image, with Sugarloaf Mountain guarding the mouth of Guanabara Bay and the 124ft Art Deco Christ the Redeemer statue watching proceedings from the top of 2,329ft-tall Corcovado mountain

Nevado de Acay is a 5,950m-high (19,521ft) mountain in the Salta province of Argentina and the site of an Inka mountain sanctuary. The 'Ruta 40' that runs parallel with the Andres and makes for a classic road trip passes close to it

Nevado de Acay is a 5,950m-high (19,521ft) mountain in the Salta province of Argentina and the site of an Inka mountain sanctuary. The ‘Ruta 40’ that runs parallel with the Andres and makes for a classic road trip passes close to it

The 150-mile-long Beagle Channel, in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago between Chile and Argentina, was named after the ship HMS Beagle during its first hydrographic survey of the coasts of the southern part of South America, which lasted from 1826 to 1830. A young Charles Darwin joined the second expedition in 1933 and wrote of the region's beauty

The 150-mile-long Beagle Channel, in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago between Chile and Argentina, was named after the ship HMS Beagle during its first hydrographic survey of the coasts of the southern part of South America, which lasted from 1826 to 1830. A young Charles Darwin joined the second expedition in 1933 and wrote of the region’s beauty

A car makes its way through the Atacama Desert beneath the highly active 18,300ft Lascar Volcano. The Altiplano is a broad Andean plateau on Chile's northern frontier with an undulating altitude of between 3,500 (11,480ft) and 4,500 metres (14,760ft)

A car makes its way through the Atacama Desert beneath the highly active 18,300ft Lascar Volcano. The Altiplano is a broad Andean plateau on Chile’s northern frontier with an undulating altitude of between 3,500 (11,480ft) and 4,500 metres (14,760ft)

This is the otherworldly Sol de Manana near the Salar de Uyuni salt flat, a huge field of bubbling mud pools and hot steam geysers, which can erupt to heights of 50ft. It sits at an elevation of 15,900ft

This is the otherworldly Sol de Manana near the Salar de Uyuni salt flat, a huge field of bubbling mud pools and hot steam geysers, which can erupt to heights of 50ft. It sits at an elevation of 15,900ft 

The beautiful Valle de la Luna - or Valley of the Moon - in Chile is so named because, as you can see, it has a rather lunar-like appearance. It lies near the town of San Pedro de Atacama

The beautiful Valle de la Luna – or Valley of the Moon – in Chile is so named because, as you can see, it has a rather lunar-like appearance. It lies near the town of San Pedro de Atacama

The 62-mile-long Salar de Atacama salt flat in Chile has thousands of small salt formations, creating a dreamlike landscape

The 62-mile-long Salar de Atacama salt flat in Chile has thousands of small salt formations, creating a dreamlike landscape

The mighty Santa Cruz River runs east for 239 miles across the Patagonian plateau from the glacial Argentino lake in Los Glaciares National Park and eventually drains into the Atlantic Ocean

The mighty Santa Cruz River runs east for 239 miles across the Patagonian plateau from the glacial Argentino lake in Los Glaciares National Park and eventually drains into the Atlantic Ocean

This is the North Yungas Road from La Paz to Coroico in Bolivia. Looks like a lovely drive doesn't it? And it is, as long as you're very careful indeed. The 37-mile stretch is also known as 'Death Road' - and has a reputation of being one of the most dangerous in the world, thanks to a distinct lack of barrier protection from cliff-edge drops

This is the North Yungas Road from La Paz to Coroico in Bolivia. Looks like a lovely drive doesn’t it? And it is, as long as you’re very careful indeed. The 37-mile stretch is also known as ‘Death Road’ – and has a reputation of being one of the most dangerous in the world, thanks to a distinct lack of barrier protection from cliff-edge drops

Gocta is an amazing 2,529ft-tall waterfall in the Peruvian province of Chachapoyas in the Amazon that has two drops

Gocta is an amazing 2,529ft-tall waterfall in the Peruvian province of Chachapoyas in the Amazon that has two drops

The Tequendama Falls, 20 miles southwest of Bogota, is one of Colombia's main tourist attractions. Visitors are drawn by the sight of water gushing down a 433ft-tall cliff face amid verdant foliage

The Tequendama Falls, 20 miles southwest of Bogota, is one of Colombia’s main tourist attractions. Visitors are drawn by the sight of water gushing down a 433ft-tall cliff face amid verdant foliage

Machu Picchu needs no introduction - it's one of the world's most famous ruins. Half a million visitors a year are drawn to it, despite its remote location 2,430 metres (79up in the Peruvian Andes

Machu Picchu needs no introduction – it’s one of the world’s most famous ruins. Half a million visitors a year are drawn to the 15th-century Inca citadel, despite its remote location 2,430 metres (7,972ft) up in the Peruvian Andes

When you think of a tropical paradise, do you think of Colombia? No, we don't either. But that may change thanks to this amazing image of Cayo Cangrejo, a stunning little island in Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park. It has a couple of bars and the snorkelling opportunities are enticing, to say the least

When you think of a tropical paradise, do you think of Colombia? No, we don’t either. But that may change thanks to this amazing image of Cayo Cangrejo, a stunning little island in Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park. It has a couple of bars and the snorkelling opportunities are enticing, to say the least 

Medellin has been described in the past as one of the most dangerous places on earth and from where Pablo Escobar's narcotics empire grew. Now it's one of the most hipster holiday destinations on earth and described by Lonely Planet as 'a bustling place of industry and commerce', where discos 'attract beautiful people'

Medellin has been described in the past as one of the most dangerous places on earth and from where Pablo Escobar’s narcotics empire grew. Now it’s one of the most hipster holiday destinations on earth and described by Lonely Planet as ‘a bustling place of industry and commerce’, where discos ‘attract beautiful people’

Yes, another waterfall, but can you blame us? This one is called Caracol Falls and cascades 426ft off cliffs in Brazil's Caracol State Park

Yes, another waterfall, but can you blame us? This one is called Caracol Falls and cascades 426ft off cliffs in Brazil’s Caracol State Park

In the high alpine areas of the Andes wander vicunas, a relative of the llama and a wild ancestor of domesticated alpacas

In the high alpine areas of the Andes wander vicunas, a relative of the llama and a wild ancestor of domesticated alpacas

Rainbow Mountain sits at an elevation of 17,000ft in Peru and is, according to one website, fast becoming the country's second-most visited site after Machu Picchu. The peak's hues only became visible in 2015 when its once-permanent snow cover melted

Rainbow Mountain sits at an elevation of 17,000ft in Peru and is, according to one website, fast becoming the country’s second-most visited site after Machu Picchu. The peak’s hues only became visible in 2015 when its once-permanent snow cover melted

The Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is home to some of the planet's most incredible, otherworldly peaks. These are the Cuernos del Paine, which stand at over 6,561ft

The Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is home to some of the planet’s most incredible, otherworldly peaks. These are the Cuernos del Paine, which stand at over 6,561ft

Perhaps the most irresistible of all South America's waterfalls - the Angel Falls in Venezuela's Canaima National Park. It is the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a height of 979 metres (3,212ft) and a plunge of 807 metres (2,648ft). The falls cascade from the top of Auyán-Tepuí ('Devils Mountain'), 'barely making contact with the sheer face', Encyclopaedia Britannica points out. The falls were first seen, it says, in the 1930s and named after James Angel, an American adventurer who crash-landed his plane nearby in 1937

Perhaps the most irresistible of all South America’s waterfalls – the Angel Falls in Venezuela’s Canaima National Park. It is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a height of 979 metres (3,212ft) and a plunge of 807 metres (2,648ft). The falls cascade from the top of Auyán-Tepuí (‘Devils Mountain’), ‘barely making contact with the sheer face’, Encyclopaedia Britannica points out. The falls were first seen, it says, in the 1930s and named after James Angel, an American adventurer who crash-landed his plane nearby in 1937

The Iguazú Falls, on the border of Argentina and Brazil, is a chain of hundreds of waterfalls that collectively form the largest waterfall in the world - twice the width of the Niagara Falls and taller, too

The Iguazú Falls, on the border of Argentina and Brazil, is a chain of hundreds of waterfalls that collectively form the largest waterfall in the world – twice the width of the Niagara Falls and taller, too

The five-kilometre-wide (three miles) Perito Moreno Glacier is located in the Los Glaciares National Park in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina. Needless to say, it's popular with tourists. One of the spectacles on offer is the sight of colossal blocks of ice being shed from the 200ft-tall front and crashing into the water

The five-kilometre-wide (three miles) Perito Moreno Glacier is located in the Los Glaciares National Park in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina. Needless to say, it’s popular with tourists. One of the spectacles on offer is the sight of colossal blocks of ice being shed from the 200ft-tall front and crashing into the water

This is the world's largest tropical wetland area, the Pantanal. It covers more than 70,000 square miles in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul and parts of neighbouring Bolivia and Paraguay and is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including jaguars, monkeys and piranhas

This is the world’s largest tropical wetland area, the Pantanal. It covers more than 70,000 square miles in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul and parts of neighbouring Bolivia and Paraguay and is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including jaguars, monkeys and piranhas

The Caño Cristales river in Colombia is regarded by many as the most beautiful in the world. Known as the 'liquid rainbow', the spectacular waters are turned into a kaleidoscope of colour thanks to freshwater plants known as macarenia clavigera

The Caño Cristales river in Colombia is regarded by many as the most beautiful in the world. Known as the ‘liquid rainbow’, the spectacular waters are turned into a kaleidoscope of colour thanks to freshwater plants known as macarenia clavigera

Here the Andes forms a mightily impressive backdrop to a vineyard near Mendoza in Argentina

Here the Andes forms a mightily impressive backdrop to a vineyard near Mendoza in Argentina

The magnificent Atlantic Forest, even more ancient than the Amazon, once covered 1.2million square kilometres (463,000 square miles) of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Now, following centuries of deforestation it covers less than 100,000 square kilometres (38,600 square miles)

The magnificent Atlantic Forest, even more ancient than the Amazon, once covered 1.2million square kilometres (463,000 square miles) of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Now, following centuries of deforestation it covers less than 100,000 square kilometres (38,600 square miles)

The old town of Cartagena in Colombia, bordered by the Caribbean Sea, is easily recognisable by its colourful buildings, including the eye-catching San Pedro Claver Church, its most famous landmark

The old town of Cartagena in Colombia, bordered by the Caribbean Sea, is easily recognisable by its colourful buildings, including the eye-catching San Pedro Claver Church, its most famous landmark

Chile’s capital and largest city, Santiago de Chile, sits in a valley surrounded by the jaw-dropping, snow-capped Andes

Chile’s capital and largest city, Santiago de Chile, sits in a valley surrounded by the jaw-dropping, snow-capped Andes

The Uros people moved to Lake Titicaca, 12,000ft up in Peru, around 3,700 years ago. Today, around 1,200 of them live on an archipelago of 62 islands

The Uros people moved to Lake Titicaca, 12,000ft up in Peru, around 3,700 years ago. Today, around 1,200 of them live on an archipelago of 62 islands 

You'll find the thunderous, 430ft-tall San Rafael Falls in the Amazonian foothills of the Andes, Ecuador

You’ll find the thunderous, 430ft-tall San Rafael Falls in the Amazonian foothills of the Andes, Ecuador

La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, sits at a dizzying 11,482ft above sea level. If that's not high enough for you, then take a ride on the city's chairlift system, which goes up to 13,000ft

La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, sits at a dizzying 11,482ft above sea level. If that’s not high enough for you, then take a ride on the city’s chairlift system, which goes up to 13,000ft

Ushuaia in Argentina sits at South America's tip. Some call it the city at the end of the world

Ushuaia in Argentina sits at South America’s tip. Some call it the city at the end of the world

The imposing Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador is 19,393ft high. And this lofty, fiery beast is one of the most active volcanoes in South America, though the last significant eruption was in 1907

The imposing Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador is 19,393ft high. And this lofty, fiery beast is one of the most active volcanoes in South America, though the last significant eruption was in 1907

Pictures like this evoke a sense of Indiana Jones-esque adventure. Here you're gazing upon the Shiripuno River in Ecuador, which snakes through the Amazon Rainforest

Pictures like this evoke a sense of Indiana Jones-esque adventure. Here you’re gazing upon the Shiripuno River in Ecuador, which snakes through the Amazon Rainforest

Brazil's Porto de Galinhas, which is home to several miles of rather lovely beaches

Brazil’s Porto de Galinhas, which is home to several miles of rather lovely beaches

Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful churches in the world, Las Lajas Sanctuary is found on a 130ft-tall bridge in Colombia close to the border with Ecuador

Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful churches in the world, Las Lajas Sanctuary is found on a 130ft-tall bridge in Colombia close to the border with Ecuador

A decade ago, paleontological finds dating back to the age of the dinosaurs were discovered in the idyllic landscape of the Tacuarembó region in north-central Uruguay

A decade ago, paleontological finds dating back to the age of the dinosaurs were discovered in the idyllic landscape of the Tacuarembó region in north-central Uruguay

Chapada Diamantina is one of Brazil's most majestic national parks - spanning 15,000 square miles, it's larger than many European countries

Chapada Diamantina is one of Brazil’s most majestic national parks – spanning 15,000 square miles, it’s larger than many European countries

The 2,652-metre (8,700ft) tall Osorno volcano towers on the horizon behind Puerto Varas on the shores of Lake Llanquihue in southern Chile's 'Lake District'

The 2,652-metre (8,700ft) tall Osorno volcano towers on the horizon behind Puerto Varas on the shores of Lake Llanquihue in southern Chile’s ‘Lake District’

The incredibly bendy Paso Internacional Los Libertadores mountain pass in the Andes between Argentina and Chile, which is 10,498ft above sea level at its highest point

The incredibly bendy Paso Internacional Los Libertadores mountain pass in the Andes between Argentina and Chile, which is 10,498ft above sea level at its highest point 

 

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