Llamas can be found in South America in a variety of places. They are pack animals and like to congregate in the countryside, deserts and highlands. While you could see a llama in a zoo or at an animal sanctuary, there really is nothing like seeing them in the wild. Here are some of the best places to spot a llama or two in their natural habitat in South America.

Chile

If you donâ??t mind braving the heat, you can often see llamas in the Atacama Desert. There are several treks that you can choose from to see llamas here. Despite the intense heat, you can see a variety of fauna and flora in the desert. Some of these include saltgrass, leafy algarrobo and of course, cacti. Torres del Paine National Park is also known for its rather high llama population. Itâ??s not uncommon to see them roaming freely around. In addition to llama watching, you can also go on a kayak tour, a guided hike or even camp for a couple of days.

Bolivia

There are a few places where you can see llamas in Bolivia. The Red Lagoon is home to quite a few llamas as well as thousands of beautifully colored flamingos. The lagoon itself is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. It has a red color that it gets from a certain type of algae as well as sediments that are found in the water. The Andes Mountains is also a popular place to see Alpacas, which happens to be a cousin of the llama. They tend to roam freely here and are easy to spot.

Peru

Llamas are a big part of the culture in Peru. They were domesticated animals and the Incas used them for a variety of different things. In peru there have been many traditions that involve llamas. Many of these traditions have been passed down from generation to generation. Cusco is a great place to go to get up close to a llama. There are plenty of opportunities to see, pet and take a picture with one. Machu Picchu is filled with llamas as well. Despite the high altitude here, llamas have no problems thriving even with the low oxygen levels. The best time to see a llama is early in the day. While here, be sure to also check out the ruins as they are unforgettable.