Introduction: Andes (02:14)

FREE PREVIEW

The Andes is the world's longest mountain range and contains cloud forests, salt flats, ice fields, and unique species.

Cloud Forest (04:17)

This mountain range is three times as long as the Himalayas. In Ecuador, the cloud forest receives 20 feet of rain per year. Unique species include spiders, stick insects, vipers and glass frogs; the rain frog can vanish from his predators by growing three-dimensional camouflage.

Cape Horn (06:47)

The Andes southernmost tip is called the "End of the Earth." Animals need to adapt to a constantly changing environment. Puma mothers must kill once every four days to sate their cubs; guanacos. a relative of the llama, serve as excellent prey.

Atacama Desert (05:36)

This area at the top of Chile is the driest place in the world, where some weather stations have never recorded a drop of rain. The salt flat lizard eats brine flies that leach the salt from the water. The reptiles fight for prime territory.

Prehistoric Lake (03:20)

Salar De Uyuni, surrounded by the Andes Mountains in Bolivia, is 16 feet thick. In late summer, sudden rains erupt, turning the salt flat into the world's largest mirror.

Machu Picchu (06:25)

Remnants of the Incan empire remain in the Central Andes. The Apurimac divides communities in half at Quecha. Residents from four villages rebuild a bridge annually by twisting together harvested grass to make ropes.

Mountains Stopping Clouds (04:27)

The spectacled bear can survive five months without drinking by sucking on plants. Young bears travel between oases cooling and remember their locations.

Dangerous Roads (04:39)

Glorioso Albeneida, a Peruvian driver, maneuvers his old bus down on a steep gorge. His tires only last ten weeks because the roads are so rough.

Remotest Peaks (07:30)

Andes form as two tectonic plates meet. There are over 200 active volcanoes across the mountain range. Ivan Calderon and Fuco attempt to climb La Esfinge.

High Altitude (07:16)

Clouds blow in from the Amazon basin, creating precipitation on the Cordillera Blanca. Cornices, flutings, and bizarre penitentes exist on the mountain range, carved by snow and ice. In Quelccaya glacier, white-winged diuca finches thrive and raise their young.

Credits: Andes (00:31)

Credits: Andes