The International A-List

SOUTH AMERICA

Galápagos Islands National Park (Ecuador)

Biologists and naturalists recognized the Galapagos Islands' unparalleled uniqueness long before the park became Ecuador's first in 1959. The splendidly isolated archipelago, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, represents the earth's most important microcosm of untouched evolution. Here you'll encounter a secluded universe with a wide array of animals who are refreshingly tame—even in light of all the tourists who now flock there. The islands' popularity entrances travelers and naturalists alike, but Ecuadorian safeguards, such as the National Park Service and Charles Darwin Research Station, keep the treasures protected from our own species proclivity to destroy. In addition to sanctioned, on-land nature-viewing, underwater exploration—whether scuba diving deep into the volcanic reef or snorkeling adrift on the current—opens up another world in this already dizzying realm.

Gateway City: Fly to Baltra on the Galápagos from Quito, or take a boat charter from Quito.
Size/Acreage: 3,043 square miles (on land)
When to Go: Calm seas and warm temps make December to May the best time to visit.
Accessibility: Medium
Prime Activities: Diving, snorkeling, bird-watching, sea kayaking
Inside Scoop: There's a $100 ($50 for children under 12) park entrance fee—seldom included in the cost of most outfitted trips.
More on the Galapagos:
Galapagos Sailing
Galapagos Wild
www.galapagos-islands.net

Manu Biosphere Reserve (Peru)

Stretching from montane forest in the upper Andes to tropical Amazonian rainforest, the Manu Biosphere Reserve covers a staggering array of habitat. But even more incredible than the geographical diversity is the bird count. Established in 1977, the Biosphere Reserve now has the highest concentration of avian life in the world: over 1,000 different species have been recorded thus far (including seven different species of macaws). If birding itself seems more National Public Radio to you than Outdoor Life Network, the trip into Manu should get your blood pumping; the journey takes two days from Cuzco, traversing unpaved roads alongside Inca ruins, cloud forests, and lush, lowland rainforest.

Gateway City: Cuzco
Size/Acreage: Over five-and-a-half million acres—half the size of Switzerland!
When to Go: May to September, during dry season
Accessibility: Medium
Prime Activities: Bird-watching, wildlife observation, hiking
Inside Scoop: Because the Biosphere has such a small human population, the wildlife hasn't yet learned to fear humans.
More on the Manu Biosphere Zone:
Peru Tourism

Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)

According to legend, Torres del Paine's signature peaks, an ominous pair of granite horns, originated from an evil serpent named Cai Cai who caused a flood and killed the warrior tribe inhabiting the region. The snake then turned the tribe's bodies into stone, creating the lurching, 6,300-foot Cuernos del Paine. Beyond these recalcitrant pillars, an intricate series of trails weave past glistening lakes, sprawling glaciers, gushing waterfalls, and a rapidly growing wildlife population. Since Torres del Paine gained recognition as a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 (not to mention becoming the public profile for all of Patagonia), hikers and horsemen haven't been the only beneficiaries; the number of pumas has risen from endangered numbers, and while there were only 600 guanacos 20 years ago, today there are over 3,000.

Gateway City: Puerto Natales
Size/Acreage: Over 59,000 acres
When to Go: October through March
Prime Activities: Trekking, climbing, camping, wildlife viewing, horseback riding
Inside Scoop: Make the long hike up the granite massif of El Paine, and trek down to the Refugio del Torres for the park's most magnificent sunset spot, with the burnished Torres as your backdrop.
More on Torres del Paine:
GoChile.com