4x4 Expedition: South America Explorer

4 weeks and 7,000 km through Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, from Ushuaia to La Paz, first 1,400 km in Argentina over the Andes to Puerto Montt in Chile. There, we drive up the Carretera Austral and back over the Andes to Mendoza, from there through the Argentine Pampa following the tracks of the 'Dakar' over Chilecito to Salta, another 2,300 km in Argentina before we reach the Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia and drive via Oruro to La Paz. 29 travel days, including 1 preparation day, 2 flight days, and 21 driving days (average 390 km/driving day, 250 – 700 km/day), 2 rest days each in Aldana and Mendoza, as well as 3 buffer/rest days.

4 weeks and approximately 6,800 km from La Paz in Bolivia past Lake Titicaca to Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. From Lima over Quito to Cartagena on the Caribbean. 29 travel days, including 1 preparation day, 2 flight days, 21 driving days (average 390 km/driving day, 250 – 700 km/day), 2 rest days each in Quito and Lima, and 3 buffer/rest days.

We explore the countries: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia.

Nestled between the Andes to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Argentina offers us diverse landscapes and a rich culture. We cross the country from south to north, traveling from the Pampas up into the Andes. Our off-road trip literally starts at the end of the world, in the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia in Argentina. After an equipment check and a tour briefing, we hit the road and drive up into the mountains, crossing the Garibaldi Pass, from which we enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and fjords. Here we already arrive at our first border.

After the politically and culturally turbulent times of the country, including the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in the 1970s and 1980s, Chile is now counted among the economically most stable countries in South America. This country also impresses us with its varied landscapes such as the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, or the fjords that we cross. After our first border crossing on this off-road trip, we take a small ferry across the Magellan Strait and leave the island of Tierra del Fuego via one of the most important waterways, setting off for the mainland of South America.

We leave the natural beauty of Rio Gallegos and head towards the Torres del Paine National Park, which is famous for its impressive mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, and rich wildlife. Upon arriving at the national park Porito Moreno, we observe the glacier of the same name, Perito Moreno. This glacier pushes against a mountain nose, forming a huge lake on one side that rises over the years and eventually bursts when the water level reaches the necessary height. This glacier is one of the few that still flows forward instead of just melting away. As we continue our journey, we can approach the snow-covered mountains and soon spot the mystical Mount Fitz Roy in the distance. Our off-road trip leads us deeper into the dryness of the Argentine Pampa. We repeatedly cross turquoise streams as we traverse the Argentine Pampa. In these endless plains, we occasionally see a few sheep, which are the only economic income source of the area beside oil. In an Argentine estancia, we will prepare a typical 'Cordero asado' in his 'sheep hall' in the evening together with the owner. Strengthened by the authentic tasting, we continue to the Roballos Pass, where we cross the border back into Chile.

On arriving at Patagonia National Park, we drive on the off-road trip past the rapids of one of the most spectacular rivers in the country, the Rio Baker, through valleys once created by glaciers. Our next stop is Lago General Carrera, the largest lake in Chile. Here we visit the marble cathedrals, only accessible by water. We spend the following rest day in a wooden lodge by the lake with views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. The indefatigable ones can of course take excursions in the area. We meander along the famous adventure route, the Carretera Austral, through dense forests along wild rivers and breathtaking views. On our way to our next destination, the port city of Puerto Montt, we pass the oldest trees in the world, the Alerce trees. Before reaching Puerto Montt, we cross three fjords. From the lively port city, the route becomes lonely and we encounter few vehicles. With the two volcanoes Villarica and Linares in view, we drive up until we reach the Colbun Lagoon, a reservoir in the Andes.

Back in Argentina, we head further north into the mountains and take a rest day in Mendoza to taste the local Malbec wines at a winery. On our way further north, we visit the Talampaya National Park and traverse deserts with huge rock sculptures. Between Chilecito and Cafayate, we follow and cross the various routes of the Dakar, which took place in South America from 2009 to 2019. Until we reach Cachi on our off-road trip, we travel on the famous dream road 'Ruta 40', which starts further north and winds along the Andes through all of Argentina down to Patagonia. We drive over Salta towards the Bolivian border.

Bolivia is located, surrounded by Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile, in the heart of the South American continent. Bolivia is home to part of the largest lake on Earth, Lake Titicaca. Upon arriving in Bolivia, a well-developed road leads us to the town of Uyuni, where we can marvel at the largest train graveyard in the world and photograph our off-road vehicles beside these relics of another time. Uyuni is also home to the largest salt flat on Earth, the Salar de Uyuni. Here we can drive our off-road vehicles directly over the salt flat. The Dakar Rally has also left a monument made of salt at the lake. We will spend the night at the lake in a hotel where we can relax in the heated pool. From Oruro, we drive quickly across the Altiplano to La Paz, where we can take a circular route over the Cumbre Pass at 4,670 m, via the new Ruta 3 through the mountains to Coroico and back over the most dangerous road in the world, the Yungas Road. We continue from Bolivia's capital, La Paz, west towards Lake Titicaca, which we will circle north or south, depending on weather conditions, until we reach Puno.

We set off to the countries: Peru, Ecuador, Colombia.

In Peru, there is much to experience such as the mysterious Nazca Lines and Lake Titicaca. Furthermore, the country impresses with its many significant archaeological sites, from the time of the Incas to the colonial period. We leave Lake Titicaca southwest towards Arequipa, also known as the white city. From there, it is 'only' about 125 km to the Pacific coast. Along the coast, we drive until we reach the Nazca Plain, where we will explore the world-famous drawings (geoglyphs) from the air during a round flight. We continue along the rugged coast until we reach the capital, Lima. In Lima, we will try a typical 'Seviche' in the evening on the Pacific coast. Halfway to Trujillo, we leave the coast and drive into the western Andes up to Huaraz. Near Huaraz lies Pierina at an altitude of 3,800 to 4,200 m, which used to be one of the largest gold mines in Peru and had to endure numerous social conflicts. When the then largest gold producer in South America, Barrick, acquired the promising deposit in 1996 by purchasing Arequipa Resources, a young Canadian 'junior' exploration firm, for an seemingly exaggerated price of about a billion dollars, the mere announcement of the deal caused Barrick's stock market value to more than double! Meanwhile, Barrick has risen to become one of the two largest gold producers in the world. The mine is now closed and in the process of recultivation. After visiting the huge open-pit mines, we make our way back to the Pacific coast through the 'Duck Gorge'. In Trujillo, we visit the famous clay ruins of Chan Chan and in the evening we eat grilled fish nearby in Huanchaco. A few minutes' walk from our hotel in Cajamarca is the room where the Incas filled gold for Pizarro to free King Atahualpa. Also from Cajamarca, we take a detour to Yanacocha, the largest gold mine in South America and one of the highest (on average 4,000 m). The mine is still in open-pit mining and will soon transition to underground mining. Over 10 tons of gold are produced there each year. On our further journey through the mountains, first to the east, then to the north, we pass several Inca settlements. In Leymebamba, we make a short stop at the mummy museum. Revasch and Karajia are on our way and Kuelap, the Machu Picchu of the north, one of the most important fortifications from the Inca era.

Ecuador has Quito at 2,850 m, not only the highest capital in the world. Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage site and known for its colonial architecture. We drive through the challenging tracks through the Ecuadorian Andes to Cuenca. Behind Ecuador's third-largest city, we will pass the most significant Inca city in the country, Ingapirca, on our further journey with the off-road vehicle. In Riobamba, we leave our off-road vehicles and take a small train ride over the Devil's Nose (Nariz del Diablo). Before Quito, we drive on the slopes of the two volcanoes Cotopaxi at 4,000 and Chimborazo at 4,500 meters high, the highest point on our journey. In Otavalo, we visit the largest indigenous market in South America, which will impress us with its colorful diversity of the fabrics offered. From there, we head back south to the thermal springs of Papallacta, where we will indulge in a day of relaxation in the hot springs.

After Colombia has been making negative headlines for years due to drug wars and guerrilla battles, the country can now be safely travelled and experienced. The people of Colombia are incredibly hospitable. Over Mocoa, which is located at 604 m, we drive up endless curves into the mountains. The extraordinary Tatacoa Desert with its bizarre rock formations, gigantic cacti, and the 'Valley of Wishes' awaits us here. Heading north, we follow the Magdalena, the largest river in Colombia, through its plain surrounded by mountain ranges until we reach the small town of Honda. Until we reach Santa Cruz de Mompox, a beautiful colonial town on the banks of the Magdalena, we remain in the Magdalena river valley. On the last day of our off-road journey, we reach Cartagena, the pearl of the Caribbean, and enjoy the evening in the beautiful old town.