Andes Mountains Chile

Stretching over 7 countries and 7000km, the Andes mountain range is the longest in the world and second highest only to the Himalayas. Formed by the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate, the movement of the plates has caused the formation of some 50 active volcanoes reaching 6000m along its length. The active volcanoes easily visited from Malalcahuello are lower, the highest and largest being Volcano Llaima at 3125m (10,253 ft). above sea level.

The Andes mountains in the Araucania or ninth region of Chile, are home to an amazing array of colourful alpine flowers in December to February and home to a variety of mammals including the Condor and Puma.