SOUTH AMERICA’S LANDSCAPE

Argentina
Iguazú Falls
Puerto Iguazú, Misiones province

In the north of the country, at the border of Brazil and close to the border of Paraguay, you
can visit these fantastic waterfalls.
Visiting from the Argentinian side is the most rewarding. You can get a lot closer to them than from
the Brazilian side. From close-by you can experience the great force of the water, especially when
standing just above the Garganta del Diabolo - 'The Devil’s throat'. If you want to get even closer,
you can take a tour on one of the powerful rubber boats that bring you right underneath some smaller
sections of the waterfalls.

Argentina
Patagonian Highway (Ruta 40)
National Route 40, RN40, Patagonia

National Route 40, or just Ruta 40, is more than 5000 km long and just one of these classic
routes of the Americas. Nowadays a large part of it is paved so the trip might not be as rough and
romantic as it once used to be but still, it's a great way to travel from Northern to Southern Patagonia.
It gives you a better idea of how vast Patagonia actually is. The classic part of Ruta 40 is between
Bariloche and El Chalten, roughly 1300 kilometres long and takes about two days. There is just no
end to the infinite sceneries with hills, mountains, lakes and sometimes a farm with sheep or
guanacos. The halfway point where many people end up staying overnight is Perito Moreno, an
insignificant town not to be confused with the glacier that bears the same name further South.

Bolivia
Eduardo Avaroa National Park
South West Bolivia

The south-west corner of Bolivia, straddling the border to Chile, is a unique area on this
planet. It is protected as a national park but the beauty of this region reaches way beyond the borders
of the park. The arid altiplano landscape is dotted with volcanoes such as the active Ollagüe (5863
m) where you can see smoke rise from its side, and the perfectly symmetrically shaped Licancabur
volcano (5920 m) on the border with Chile.
The park and region is however mostly known for its many lakes that all have different colours from
white to blue, green and red. The most famous ones are the Laguna Verde, at the Licancabur
volcano and the Laguna Colorado. The colours of these mainly salty lakes come from different algae
and plankton. It is these algae that attracts the three different species of flamingos that are present in
high numbers at most of the lakes. This area keeps surprising because there is still much more to
see. There are geysers and bubbling mud pools at Sol de Mañana, there are hot springs to warm up
on a chilly morning, rock formations such as the Arbol de Piedra and there is the rabbit with a long
tail called viscacha.
Bolivia
Galaxy Cave
South of Salar de Uyuni

Only discovered in 2003 by two local men, Cueva Galaxia is a small cave but quite different
from usual caves with stalagmites and stalactites. The cave has only a few small chambers with pretty
ceilings that look more like web-like structures, kind of like deteriorated tree leaves - or like inverted
corals - leave it up to your imagination!
In this small area just south of Salar de Uyuni there is also Devil’s Cave (Cueva del Diabolo) with
sacred burial chambers. Around these caves and on the hill above the caves you get pretty views of
the area. Furthermore, is the area full of petrified cacti.

Bolivia
Isla del Sol
Lake Titicaca

No journey to Lake Titicaca would be complete with a trip onto the lake itself. Isla del
Sol, in the southern part of the lake, offers an excellent day or overnight trip. A growing tourism
infrastructure offers eco-hotels and organic restaurants for those who wish to spend the night.
Or, very well-maintained hiking trails cross the island providing wonderful views not only of the
lake, but the other-worldly island geography. Added to that, mystical ruins dot the island and
taking a local as a guide will give insight into the rituals of the indigenous groups who
have used the island as a place of worship for centuries.

Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni
Bolivian Altiplano

The largest Salt Lake of the world keeps on amazing people and should be on the itinerary
when visiting Bolivia or even South America. At an altitude of about 3600 m it is part of the Bolivian
Altiplano. This enormous Salt Lake is dry most of the year but for a few months there is some water
in the lake turning it into a huge mirror. When the lake is dry you can drive across admiring the
vastness and because there is the lack of depth it is popular to make fun photos with different objects.
Other attractions are the small local salt production places at the edge of the lake where you can see
the locals dry the salt and make salt bricks to use for constructing houses and hotels for tourists.
Inchausti island is another popular stop and pretty much in the middle of the Salt Lake where there
is a trail that leads to the top of this cactus-filled island.

Bolivia
Valle de la Luna
La Paz
 Formerly the bottom of the prehistoric lake formed in the high plateau between the
Occidental and the Royal range shared between Bolivia and Peru. This area now has an attraction
very different from the numerous Inka remains. The flat clay was transformed by underground rivers
and torrential rain and wind and the area now boasts strangely shaped pinnacles and deep winding
canyons consisting of sedimentary clay, volcanic ashes and the occasional congregation of gravel and
pebbles. Some of the towering clay pillars have been named according to their appearances but the
real draw here is just walking around in this bizarre landscape, whether you think it looks like the
moon or not...

Bolivia
Volcano Tunupa (5,160 m)
Salar de Uyuni

At the northern edge of the Salar de Uyuni towers the Tunupa Volcano above the Salt Lake.
On a day trip it is possible to hike to the crater rim at about 5,000 m or even further direction the
top of the mountain. The base for the hike is in the tiny village of Coquesa, where there is not much
more than a few houses and a hostel. From there you can start hiking but it makes it definitely a little
easier to be driven some hundreds of meters uphill close to some caves with mummies at about
4,000 m. The hike from here is quite strenuous, especially approaching the edge of the crater where
the terrain is sandy with small stones. The views are amazing though and worth the effort. When
you stand about 1,500 meters above the salar you quickly forget the tough climb.
Brazil
Chapada Diamantina
Near Lençois, Bahia

Get away from the Bahian beaches and head to the Chapada Diamantina and Vale do Capão
for some hiking. Before it became a national park, the Chapada Diamantina was a diamant mining
area, hence its name. You can go trekking for multiple days or do day hikes in a landscape of table
mountains and waterfalls.
At the cahoeira da fumaça you can hang your head over the edge of the cliff and watch the waterfall
go down and spray up again, not touching the ground.
Lençois is the main access place for the Chapada Diamantina and is a pretty and lively colonial town
where you can easily spend a few days.

Brazil
Iguaçu Falls
Foz do Iguaçu, Parana state

Brazil shares these fantastic waterfalls with Argentina. They are not the largest, highest,
widest, etc of the world, others take these honors, but they are very impressive. You can go visit from
either country. From the Brazilian side you get a larger overview of the falls from a trail across the
river. It gives you a good idea of the vastness of the falls. Also, the surrounding nature is beautiful.
You can see several animals. Birds such as egrets and toucans but also the adorable Coati. Foz do
Iguaçu is the access town but except for visiting the falls there is little else to do here.
NORTH AMERICA’S LANDSCAPE
Canada
Bic National Park
Quebec

Set on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, this smallish (in Canadian terms) national
park boasts a beautiful coastal landscape of headlands, coves, islands and mountains. It's home to
many seabirds and large populations of harbor seals and gray seals. There are plenty of both hiking
and bicycle trails in summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails in winter. Le Grand
Tour (8.7 km, 3 hours) hiking trail is really diverse and will take you along the rugged coastline, past
beaches, on steep and narrow cliff tracks and through forest. Accommodation within the park range
from camp sites and rustic shelters to yurts and cabins.

Canada
Montmorency Falls (84 m)
Québec

Niagara Falls in Ontario are Canada’s largest waterfall by volume and Della Falls (440 m) in
British Columbia are the highest. So, Montmorency Falls (84 m) must settle with the title as Québec's
highest waterfall (sheer drop). It's located a short drive from Québec City and the base is right next
to the highway. There are bridges, boardwalks, viewing platforms, and plenty of stairs, all for free.
The only things that cost are the cable car and zipline. The public bus runs straight to the top of falls,
making it both a spectacular and cheap sight.
Canada
Wild West Coast
Tofino,Vancouver Island, British Columbia

If running off a list of 'beach holiday destinations', Canada would probably be near the
bottom of the list. But with more coastline than any other country on Earth, it would be logical that
Canada has some darn fine beaches. And they don't come much finer than those in Pacific Rim
National Park on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The village of Tofino was once, not long ago,
a tiny rain-soaked fishing village at the end of the Trans-Canada Highway. But these days, the ultra-
cool surfer hippie scene has taken over. The waves, along the seemingly endless stream of pristine
beaches, are finally attracting worldwide attention. Although the summer is the busiest season, a visit
during the wintery rainy season can be cool too. And storm watchers are rewarded with some of the
wildest weather conditions.

Greenland
Ice Sheet
Most of Greenland

The Greenlandic Ice Sheet is that big chunk of ice that covers the interior of Greenland.
Roughly 80% of Greenland's surface is covered by this one-piece of ice sheet (also called ice cap),
making Greenland very white. At its thickest, it is more than 3 km deep and it stretches about 2400
km north to south - sizes that are too hard to comprehend for the human mind. A visit to the edge
of the ice sheet will put a bit of perspective to it. You can easily look across some of the glaciers that
run off the ice sheet, not knowing whether a finger of ice is 150 m or 150 km wide, since the air is
so clean and everything is just rocks and ice with no point of reference.

Hawaii
Kahuna Falls
Hamakua Falls, Hawaii the Big Island

The drive to Akaka Falls is something out of Hawaii 5-0. The Hamakua Coast wraps through
beautiful valleys along steep oceanic cliffs into deep blue ocean. The walk through the park to see
the waterfall is beautiful and the surrounding fauna is just as impressive. But if you want to be a little
more adventurous, next to the lookout at Kahuna Falls, a trail drops to the bottom of the valley
where you can swim at the bottom of the falls. It is a pig hunting trail and very steep and slippery...
Hawaii
Kailua Beach
O'ahu

One of the best beaches on O'ahu is the long Kailua Beach. It has soft white powder sand,
turquoise blue waters, and views several small islands off-shore. It's protected by Kailua Bay which
makes for gentle waves, perfect for swimming, kite surfing and other water fun. The beach is located
in the posh, but hippieish, community of Kailua and has a nice shady beach park with all facilities.

Hawaii
Lanikai Beach
O'ahu

If you feel the gentle waves at Kailua are "too rough", then head to the even more esteemed
beach next door at Lanikai. The picture-perfect beach has been mentioned as the prettiest beach on
Oahu - and for good reason. Not only is the sand white and soft, but the aqua blue water is calm,
which is unusual for Hawai'i. However, there isn't much shade and hardly any parking (besides a few
spots on the residential streets), so you will have to park at Kailua and walk about 20 minutes.
Hawaii
Makua Beach
O'ahu

Secluded Makua Beach is located as far as the road will take you. It has white sand and sets
at the foot of the scenic Waianae mountains. The water is known for dolphins, which you might be
able to see in the early morning.

Hawaii
North Shore Road Trip
O'ahu

The prettiest drive on O'ahu is probably along the stunning northern coastline from Heeia
State Park to the surf town of Hale'iwa. From east to west it follows the Kamehameha Highway along
the Windward Coast at the foot of the dramatic sheer cliffs of Koolau mountain range. Some sections
of the road are so close to the wateredge, that large waves splash the tarmac. The sights along this
section include Kualoa (scenic valley used in movies) and Kahana Bay (serene beach). The road
wraps around the most northern tip of O'ahu and continues along the North Shore, which is famous
for its beaches and surf spots, which include Sunset Beach (big wave surfing), Banzai Pipeline (tube
surfing), Shark's Cove (snorkeling and diving), Waimea Bay (surfing), and Laniakea Beach (green
sea turtles).
Hawaii
Volcano Kiluea
Hawaii the Big Island

In Hawaiian beliefs, Pele is the God of Lava. Pele has been very busy for many years on
Kiluea Volcano. Arguably the most active volcano in the world, Kiluea has been growing the size of
the Big Island for over 40 years. Since lava is continuously flowing into the ocean, seeing this
phenomenon is a very special experience. The best way to get there is to drive to the end of the H-
130 and park in Kalapana. Walking along the ocean cliffs is amazing because it allows you to see all
the past flows. The trail literally winds through recent birthplaces of the earth. On arriving at the
active flow, the view is unbelievable. As the river of lava enters the ocean, steam rises into the sky.
Depending on how active it is, on entering the ocean, sometimes lava explodes into the sky. Be sure
to bring plenty of water and some thick soled shoes because the ground is hot and can melt your
shoes.
 PLACES
AND
LANDSCAPES

Submitted by: Jan Kayle Caunsag

Submitted to: Wil Tyron Tirol