South America 4x4 Offroad Experience

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.