Magical Andes

The Andes stretch through Mendoza and into the Atacama Desert, a place that might hold some answers to the lingering questions of humankind's origin.

Welcome to Bolivia, home of the Salar de Uyuni, Earth's largest salt flat, and La Paz, where an aerial tram gives intimate views of the Andean Plateau.

With its vast cities coexisting with symbols of the Inca Empire like Machu Picchu, Peru holds a strong link between ancient traditions and modernity.

In Ecuador, adventurers try to conquer the active volcano Cotopaxi, while risky winding roads link towns anchored in the mountains to bigger cities.

The 8,500-kilometer journey through the Andes comes to an end in Colombia, where lively cities like Cali, Medellín and Bogotá nestle in the mountains.