Appreciated the world over for their stylized forms and captivating aromas, the colorful and blinding flowers of countless species of orchids decorate and adorn different landscapes in the Andes, drawing the attention of researchers and travelers alike, who always stop to admire them.

These beautiful highly sought after flowers can be found in all three regions of Peru: from the coast of the Pacific, to the Andean highlands and of course in the jungle areas. They grow at altitudes from 100 meters above sea level (masl) up to 4,800 masl. No other species have achieved such a high grade of diversity and complexity in each of their species.

There are hiking paths in Ecuador which are excellent for viewing orchids, such as Los Palmitos, near Quito, which leads you to fascinating orchid gardens containing almost 200 species, some of which are so small they can only be viewed with a magnifying glass.

The so-called "Land of the Orchids" is found in the department of San Martin in Peru, where such orchids such as Anguloa, Cattleya, Catasetum, Bollea, Brassia, Coryanthes, Lycaste are to be found in abundance.

Beautiful orchids can also be found in Bolivia amongst the ruins of Tiahunaco or Samaipata, or at the sides of modern roads, or on the banks of many rivers and lakes.

These marvelous flowers, which can be tiny (Trizeuxis falcata) or up to 70 centimeters high (Phragmipedium caudatum), captivate the view of the researcher and traveler because of their beautiful colours….beauties spread throughout the many Andean paths.