The three common denominators of the above three towns is their altitude and prominent location in the Andes. Each is found in elevations over 11,000 feet above sea level and amidst dazzling environment and on important ancient as well as present day routes.

The northernmost of the three is Huaraz. It’s close proximity to Lima offers convenient and impressive entry into the heartland of High Andes. Located in the stunning Callejon de Huaylas Valley with towering snowcapped peaks rising on all sides, the area is known for its wonderful mountain scenery which is often compared to that of the Swiss Alps. Huascaran, Peru’s highest mountain, and its mesmerizing neighbor, Alpamayo, bewitch and in every sense of the word rival the most spectacular peaks of the Himalayas.

In central highlands of the Andes the place to see is the striking Valley of Mantaro. Huancayo is its as well as Peru’s key market town and a junction. The most memorable entrance to Huancayo can be made by train that follows a rail line over Ticlio Pass of 15,700 feet above sea level, the highest railroad mountain pass in the Peruvian Andes, an elevation that is nearly 1500 feet higher than the very top of the Rocky Mountains!

The last of the three 11,000-feet plus high towns in the Andes is Cusco. Of the three it is undoubtedly most visited on account serving as the key access point for Machu Picchu. But its prominence is not only in relationship to the Inca culture that permeates it but the art and architectural monuments of the Colonial era that are well represented as well.

Each of the above towns is blessed with wonderful Andes mountain climate of sunny blue skies and suitable to visit throughout the year with the exception of the rainy season December to March.

Most travelers to southern South America will arrive in Buenos Aires and begin their trip from there. Although many profess wanting to tour Argentina, it seems one of the first places most wish to visit is Torres del Paine National Park. There is no question that Torres del Paine is a spectacular park, but the fact is it is in Chile and not Argentina and so it’s best to decide whether one may not be better off to trek Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy in Argentina rather than Torres del Paine.

Though to fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, and overland from there, is geographically straight and shortest way to get to Torres del Paine, the transportation to the park is not exactly convenient nor overabundant and if time is of essence this may be an issue. There is public bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas one can catch and hop off it at the park’s entry, and private transfers are available as well though not plentiful nor cheap.

Without a doubt the best access to Torres del Paine is from Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, south of Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia. Of course this poses a bit of a dilemma if starting from Buenos Aires. To get to Punta Arenas can be done either by flight via Santiago de Chile or by going to Bariloche in the heart of Argentine Andes first and from there overland across the Andes Lakes District to Puerto Montt and fly to Punta Arenas from there.

If going to Punta Arenas via Santiago may seem like a cumbersome detour, then add a stop and break up the trip by visiting Mendoza first. Mendoza is an easy flight from Buenos Aires and on the way to Santiago. In Mendoza you can tour the best wineries of the region, sample local dishes, lodge at some wonderful hotels, and after three or four days continue on to Santiago.

A better alternative is indeed to forget Torres del Paine altogether, tailor it into your itinerary on a future trip focusing on Chile only, and instead proceed from El Calafate to El Chalten, a base town for treks into the wilds of the incredible Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy. If you are on a limited time, from El Chalten you can head back to El Calafate and return to Buenos Aires from there.