... That you've never heard of!

We’ve all heard of the iconic journeys, from hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu to walking the 'W' trek in Patagonia. These epic routes are famous for a reason and shouldn’t be missed – but there are a few more adventures you might not have heard of. This is our guide to the wild ones, highlighting the journeys which show you the lesser-known tracks and trails of South America’s most beautiful places.

Probably the most famous of all Latin America’s trails, the journey to Machu Picchu is nothing short of iconic and it’s easy to see why. Take our classic route to complete the trail over 5 days and 4 nights or enjoy an extended trek through the quiet Cordillera Vilcabamba before joining the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Did you know there’s more than one way to Machu Picchu? This is one of them. A similar level of difficulty to our Inca Trail trek, this trail will be that bit quieter and also doesn’t require a trekking permit. You’ll travel below the mountain of Salkantay, a snow-drenched 6,270m peak and journey through some of Peru’s most beautiful and diverse landscapes, passing by Andean communities, coffee plantations and high altitude jungles along the way. A highlight is the high point of the trek: feasting your eyes on the breathtaking views to be had from the top of the Salkantay Pass (4,600m).

The more challenging – but deeply rewarding – way to reach Machu Picchu, hiking via Choquequirao means you’ll get to visit two famous Inca sites in one adventure. The latter ruin is an ancient fortress and differs from Machu Picchu in that it’s only accessible by foot. Parts of the ruins have been claimed by jungle over-growth and so Choquequirao still offers that Indiana Jones-esque sense of exploration we’re all secretly after when it comes to visiting an archaeological site. This trek involves 9 days walking, a max altitude of 4,500m and a thrilling camp beside the citadel at 3,000m.

We’ve paired this with Choquequirao because it’s another tough trek, but a little lesser-known – perfect for those looking to feel lost in the wilds. The route follows a circuit around a sacred peak of the Incas, Nevado Ausangate, through a rarely-visited range replete with alpine valleys and pristine lakeside camps. It’s not going to be easy as you cross 5,000m passes, but this trip will undoubtedly quench the thirst of anyone looking for the true Andean experience. A quick visit to the hot springs at Pacchanta offers welcome relief mid-trek and after you’ve finished, our adventure on this circuit includes the must-see visit to Machu Picchu.

Our final pairing in Peru takes us well and truly off-the-beaten-path. Famed as one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, the Cordillera Blanca is a sensational trek in stupendous scenery through the heart of this aptly named snow-capped range. Follow the Pan-American highway to the mountain town of Huaraz and from there your journey begins. A succession of stunning views of 6,000m peaks leads you to a special highlight, a visit to the Alpamayo basecamp.

The Cordillera Blanca has a lesser-known neighbour, and that’s the Cordillera Huayhuash. This beautiful trek allows you to access wild landscapes and remote valleys that few trekkers get to experience. Keen mountaineers will be fascinated to see the Siula Grande, the backdrop for Joe Simpson’s epic story, Touching the Void. With superb campsites beside green glacial lakes and the excellent company of our Quechua crew, this trip offers a rare and true South American experience.

National Geographic refers to it as ‘one of the most remarkable vistas on Earth’, the iconic Salar de Uyuni is the cherry on the cake of Bolivia’s unique and bizarre landscapes. Within just two weeks you can see plenty of what’s on offer, from the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca to hiking in the Cordillera Kari Kari; from the salt flats themselves to hiking up to the crater of multi-coloured volcanoes.

One of the world’s most underrated high-level trekking destinations, the Royal Mountains of Bolivia stretch 120km from the Wara Warani in the north to the Chucura Valley in the south and boasts a number of 6,000m+ peaks. You’ll enjoy days of world-class trekking past snowy peaks and gorgeous blue lakes, and even go over a number of 5,000m+ passes (the highest altitude you’ll reach on our trek is 5,350m). Due to the fact that you start this adventure at a lofty 3,500m in the city of La Paz, it features an acclimatisation period around Lake Titicaca before the trek – one of the many unexpected highlights!

When it comes to Patagonia there are quite a few unmissable experiences: walking in Fitzroy, seeing the Valle Frances, hiking to the base of the Paine Towers and Glacier Grey. The imaginatively named W trek, so called for its shape, combines all of these highlights in one stunning adventure into the heart of the Paine Massif. This might be the quickest way to see some of Patagonia’s highlights and therefore one of the most popular, but it still exceeds expectations when it comes to being immersed in Patagonia’s uniquely wild landscapes of granite towers, cascading waterfalls, magnificent peaks and crystal clear lakes.

Longer and wilder, this adventures takes on the coveted 'O' trek - a complete circumnavigation of the Paine massif and all of its superlative scenes. You’ll be in awe of the sheer scale of its mountains, the mighty size of its immense glaciers and the number of different types of astounding flora and fauna. KE are one of few UK companies to offer the full circuit and if you’re looking to trek the very best trails in Patagonia and immerse yourself into the most incredible scenery on the planet, this is the trek for you.

Ecuador is famed for its magnificent volcanoes and this walking highlights adventure showcases the very best of them. Over two weeks, you will explore its high-altitude volcanoes, unique paramo and cloud forest, vibrant culture and jungle lowlands with a series of day walks, picturesque transfers and a collection of interesting sightseeing and adventurous experiences along the way.

This exciting trekking and climbing holiday will give you the opportunity to climb the three highest volcanoes in Ecuador: Cayambe (5,790m), a peak that boasts the only glaciers in the world to actually straddle the equator; Cotopaxi (5,895m), one of the world’s highest active volcanoes and the stunning, snow-capped Chimborazo (6,310m), the highest summit in Ecuador.