South America 4x4 Offroad Experience

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

4 weeks and 7,000 km through Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, from La Paz to Ushuaia over Oruro and the Uyuni Salt Flat in Bolivia, from Salta through the Argentine Pampa to Mendoza, twice over the Andes, in Chile down the Carretera Austral to Puerto Montt, then back to Argentina for 1,400 km until we reach Ushuaia. 29 travel days, including 1 preparation day, 2 flight days, 21 driving days (average 390 km/day, 250 – 700 km/day), 2 rest days in Aldana and Mendoza respectively, and 3 buffer/rest days.

The beautiful and diverse Colombia impresses us with its varied culture. The country's culture has been influenced by the Spanish conquerors, indigenous peoples, and African slaves who were brought to this land. Cartagena, where our off-road trip begins, is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country. From Cartagena, we head south and follow the Magdalena River until we arrive in the small town of Honda. The small town of Honda is known, among other things, for steam navigation on the Magdalena, the largest river in the country. We continue through the Tatacoa Desert, which impresses us with gigantic cacti and extraordinary rock formations. From the river valley, we drive up to 1,600 m altitude until we reach Mocoa again at 604 m and cross the border into Ecuador.

Ecuador is located between Colombia and Peru. The incredible diversity of ecosystems present in this country ranges from the impressive Andes mountains over the Amazon rainforest to the beautiful Pacific coast and the mysterious Galapagos Islands. A bridge was swept away during a flood a few years ago, so we have to take a small detour with our off-road vehicles here. During the off-road journey, we can relax on our rest day at the Papallacta hot springs. In Otavalo, we let ourselves be enchanted by the colorful diversity of the largest indigenous market in South America. After passing through the capital of Ecuador, Quito, we reach the highest point of our journey at 4,500 m on the flank of the Chimborazo volcano. With a small train, we travel across the Devil's Nose (Nariz del Diablo). We continue to the significant archaeological site, Ingapirca, and then to the third largest city in Ecuador, Cuenca. From there, we head south until we finally cross the border into Peru and arrive at our hotel in San Ignacio in the first town after the border.

A breathtaking mix of cultural treasures, natural wonders, and culinary experiences awaits us in Peru. From the stunning landscapes of the Andes over the Amazon jungle to the ancient Inca cities. In Kuelap, the Machu Picchu of the north, we have an impressive view from the walls and towers of this fortress city of the Chachapoya culture. We pass through Trujillo, known for its impressive Colonial architecture. In Trujillo, we visit Chan Chan, the former capital of the Chimu Empire. Chan Chan is a adobe settlement and one of the largest in the world. We will visit the coastal town of Huanchaco, known for its fishing boats made of reed, the Caballito de Totora, in the evening for a tasting of a typical ceviche.

Bolivia borders Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The culture of the country is heavily influenced by the indigenous population and their traditions and customs. The largest salt flat in the world, the Salar de Uyuni, is located in Bolivia. The capital of Bolivia, La Paz, offers us an interesting mix of modern life and traditions of the indigenous culture. We drive over Jayoqota, also known as Salar de Coipasa, a lesser-known salt lake area, to the Uyuni Salt Flat. The salt flat offers us a surreal image with its endless white surfaces that often merge with a clear sky. The largest train graveyard in the world can be found in Uyuni, where we can observe the contrast between our new off-road vehicles and the prehistoric locomotives. We continue towards Salta and the Argentine border.

Argentina has a diverse history. The country stretches across a large part of southern South America. Immigration waves from Europe, as well as the Spanish colonial period, have greatly shaped the country. The capital city, Buenos Aires, is a melting pot of different cultures and is known for its vibrant cultural richness. After crossing the border into Argentina, we arrive in Salta, a city in the northwestern Andes. The city is characterized by its well-preserved colonial architecture as well as its vibrant culture and picturesque surroundings. We continue to Cachi and onto Route 40, one of the longest roads in Argentina, which takes us through remote areas of the country with breathtaking views of mountains, gorges, and deserts. Arriving in Argentina's wine region, La Rioja, we embark on various segments of the Dakar Rally and visit the rock formation Quebrada de la Troya near Cafayate.

In Chile, the long country stretching along the west of South America, there are several experiences to be had on our off-road vehicle journey. Due to its stretch from north to south, Chile offers many landscape differences and can continually amaze us. Our route takes you through the most beautiful and adventurous landscapes of Chile. The notorious adventure road, Carretera Austral, begins in Puerto Montt and provides breathtaking views of the impressive landscapes of Chile. Gradually, the road becomes lonely and there are not many cars on the way. We cross a fjord with our off-road vehicles on a ferry and take another perspective from which we can observe the surrounding landscape. After leaving the ferry, we drive through gigantic forests where the Alecre trees, which can live up to 3,000 years, grow.

We have arrived in the expansive plains of the Pampa and are tasting a Cordero Asado with the owner at an estancia. We continue to El Chalten, the gateway to Mount Fitz Roy, the most famous peak in Patagonia. We drive to the Perito Moreno National Park, which is known for the glacier of the same name, which is one of the most spectacular glaciers in the world.

From Argentina, we travel through Chile and back to Argentina. We cross the Magellan Strait with a small ferry. Now we find ourselves on the vast island of Tierra del Fuego. The cold and harsh weather here does not allow much life anymore.

All border formalities await us as we cross the border back into Argentina. From the border, we again drive into the mountains and one last time over the Andes, westward to the Garibaldi Pass. Here, we have a spectacular view of the fjords of the southern continent. In Ushuaia, on the Beagle Channel, we then arrive after about 7,000 km in the southernmost drivable city in the world.