SOUTH AMERICA South America: A Continent of Contrasts and Heart South America is a continent that hums with life — wild, colourful, and endlessly varied. It’s a place where deserts meet glaciers, jungles meet cities, and adventure meets soul. For overlanders — those who crave the open road and the stories it brings — South America is not just a destination; it’s a calling. For overlanders and adventure travelers, South America is a perfect start for new overlanders or long-term overlanders nearing the end of years of overlanding (LIKE US) Towering Andes, endless deserts, lush jungles, and windswept plains — the continent is a playground for those willing to follow the road less travelled. It’s not just a journey; it’s an immersion in landscapes and lives that stir the soul. Epic Roads, Untamed Landscapes From the southern reaches of Patagonia to the northern edges of Colombia, South America is a continent of contrasts. The Carretera Austral in Chile winds through fjords, rivers, and dense forests, offering some of the most scenic driving in the world. Bolivia’s Lagunas Route challenges both vehicle and driver, rewarding grit with flamingo-dotted salt flats and volcanic vistas. In Ecuador, the Quilotoa Loop meanders past Andean villages and turquoise crater lakes, a true test of overland endurance. For desert lovers, Colombia’s Guajira Peninsula delivers stark beauty where sand meets sea, punctuated by remote Wayuu communities. Adventure is everywhere — if you’re not willing to leave the highways behind. Argentina’s Ruta 40 stretches over 3,000 miles along the Andes, offering hidden hot springs, rugged canyons, and gaucho villages. Northern Peru’s Lares Valley offers trekking, local markets, and a glimpse of Andean life untouched by mass tourism. Even Brazil, famous for Rio and the Pantanal, holds secret overland gems like the Chapada Diamantina plateau — a labyrinth of canyons, waterfalls, and trails only accessible by four-wheel drive. South America rewards curiosity and courage. Every dusty track, mountain pass, and hidden lagoon tells a story of resilience and beauty. For overlanders, it’s not just a continent to traverse — it’s a landscape of contrasts, culture, and heart. Pack your maps, check your tires, and prepare to leave the beaten path behind. The adventure of a lifetime is waiting. The People and the Heart What sets South America apart isn’t just terrain — it’s the warmth of its people. Long stretches of road are punctuated by roadside cafés, local farms, and welcoming families. Sharing a mate in Argentina, swapping stories over a campfire in Patagonia, or trading a wave with villagers on remote Bolivian passes — these are the moments that make the journey unforgettable. Top 5 Easy Must-Overland Routes in South America Carretera Austral – Chile, 1,240 km of moderate gravel stretches, Highlights: Fjords, waterfalls, lenga forests, hidden villages, glaciers scenic drives, perfect for soft 4×4 adventure and wild camping. Lagunas Route – Bolivia 250 km gravel, high altitude, salt flats, Red and green lagoons, volcanic peaks, flamingos, desert landscapes otherworldly scenery — ideal for photographers and thrill-seekers. Ruta 40 – Argentina, 5,000 km many options available unpaved stretches, mountain passes. Andes mountains, gaucho culture, hot springs, canyons, lakes a classic overland adventure with endless exploration. Quilotoa Loop – Ecuador, 150 km mountain roads, occasional mud Crater lake, Andean villages, local markets, volcanic landscapes Cultural immersion and stunning high-altitude scenery in a compact Guajira Peninsula – Colombia, 600 km round trip from Riohacha sand dunes, remote desert tracks. Desert meeting the Caribbean, Wayuu villages, flamingos, remote beaches on the edge of the continent — desert landscapes with a coastal twist. GREAT AMAZONE TRACKS True overland adventure doesn’t stop at mountains or deserts — it dives into the jungles of Brazil, Suriname, and Guyana. Brazil’s northern Amazon tracks, including the BR-174 toward Manaus and the logging trails of Pará, cut through dense rainforest and river networks, revealing wildlife and indigenous communities far from tourist paths. while Guyana’s Kanuku Mountains tracks and Rupununi savannah trails take you through untamed jungle, river crossings, and Amerindian villages. Brazilian Amazon Overland Tracks – Brazil, lots of options between 50 and 500 km seasonal deep muddy trails, river crossings, seasonal flooding, Dense rainforest, wildlife spotting, indigenous communities, Explore the heart of the Amazon outside the tourist boats; ideal for 4x4s and jungle camping. Key routes include the BR-174 toward Manaus and the northern Pará tracks connecting remote riverside villages. Off-Road Routes in Suriname & Guyana, lots of options between 100 and 300 km seasonal deep muddy trails, river crossings, seasonal flooding, dense jungle, unpaved logging tracks, seasonal rivers untamed jungle, hidden waterfalls, Amerindian villages, wildlife encounters overlanding with minimal infrastructure. In Suriname, the East-West logging roads open access to pristine rivers, savannahs, and remote settlements, In Guyana, the Kanuku Mountains tracks and Rupununi savannah trails provide adventure through true jungle, rivers, forests, and remote indigenous communities. These are the roads where adventure meets immersion: muddy, unpredictable, and spectacularly rewarding. South America is a continent of contrasts, culture, and heart. Every mountain pass, desert track, and jungle road is an invitation to explore, to test your limits, and to connect with the land and its people. For overlanders and adventure travelers, it’s not just a place to visit — it’s a living, breathing adventure, and every journey leaves an imprint on the soul. OUR JOURNEY Our South American journey began in 2016 when we shipped our expedition vehicle from South Africa to Argentina. What followed was an epic multi-year exploration of nearly every country on the continent, each offering its own rhythm, flavor, and soul. From the windswept wilderness of Patagonia to the high passes of the Andes, and from the cultural vibrancy of Brazil to the remote villages of the Altiplano, South America continuously surprised and inspired us. Argentina and Chile became home for months, with their stunning national parks, glaciers, and desert landscapes. We bush-camped under stars in the Atacama and stood in awe of Perito Moreno Glacier. Bolivia tested our vehicle and our nerves—its high-altitude salt flats and rugged tracks were challenging but unforgettable. In Brazil, the warmth of the people matched the heat of the tropics. We celebrated Carnival, explored the Pantanal, and drove coastal routes fringed with paradise beaches. Uruguay felt relaxed and European, a perfect pause in our route. Peru and Ecuador brought history to life—from Machu Picchu to the Galápagos Islands. We hiked ancient trails and cruised among sea lions, giant tortoises, and blue-footed boobies. The Guianas—French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana—were perhaps the least traveled and most surprising. Rich in nature and cultural fusion, they reminded us why we travel slow and deep. In Colombia, we found a country that had transformed itself. Its mountain towns, coffee regions, and coasts welcomed us warmly and challenged the stereotypes of the past. We didn’t make it to Paraguay or Venezuela, but we’re content knowing we’ve immersed ourselves in the heart of the continent, spending years rather than weeks to truly experience it. South America showed us extremes—richness and poverty, joy and hardship, jungles and deserts, chaos and peace. What stayed with us most was the resilience of its people, their openness, and their generosity—often with little to give, they gave everything. After 4 years of driving across South America, through mountain passes, dense jungles, remote villages, and megacities, we left the continent with our hearts full and our eyes wide open.