Our Big South American Journey

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About five months ago my boyfriend (Jack) and I started to think about what we wanted to do on our gap year between finishing university and starting a full-time job. Both of us knew that we wanted to travel, but what that really meant or was going to look like was a little unclear. Jack had mentioned South America as a possible destination as a passing comment, but the more we both investigated it, the more we decided that was where we wanted to explore. The problem, well not really a problem per se, more the decision, was where exactly in South America we wanted to travel, as South America is a rather big continent…

Upon doing some research, it became increasingly difficult to narrow down one set country or region to focus on. The list of places we wanted to go began to grow pretty quickly. The sublimity of the Patagonian mountains, the vastness of the Atacama Desert, the beauty of the Bolivian salt flats, the diversity of the Amazon rainforest, the romance of the Chilean vineyards and the cuteness of the Peruvian penguins all called out to us. Therefore, the idea of a road trip was born. We don’t fully know yet what that will entail, but the rough plan is to either start in Southern Argentina or Chile and travel north through Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. The remoteness of southern Argentina makes it a little tricky to navigate, but a domestic flight from Buenos Aires or Santiago will bring us within easy distance of popular areas in Patagonia. 

But, instead of getting bogged down by the details, I wanted to round up a few of our must-see places as that is the most exciting part of the planning. I’m so excited!

Argentina

Mount Fitz Roy

We will be visiting Patagonia in the autumn when the leaves are a mesmerising golden brown. I am not only excited about seeing the landscape awash with the colours of autumn, but I’m hoping that we can move through the landscape relatively crowd-free. 

There are so many places in Patagonia that we want to visit, but Mount Fitz Roy is high up the list. Mount Fitz Roy is located in the famous Andes Mountain Range, within the Glaciers National Park. It stands at 3,405 meters above sea level and to reach this mountain you need to start in El Chaltén, a small town in Argentina. From there, the path to the base of the mountain begins. The variety of routes surrounding the mountain is vast, but I’m confident that wherever we end up it will be beautiful. 

Mendoza

Mendoza is one of Argentina’s most famous and well-renowned wine regions, and many of the vineyards boost views of the Andes beyond. I’m keen to find a well-priced wine tour and visit some of the locals growing and making some of the world’s best Malbec, among other varieties. It seems silly not to make the most of what will be on our doorstep! …

Chile

Atacama Desert

The Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth, and I’ve read many blogs about road trips through this vast and impressive landscape. A few highlights include the Lagunas Baltinache, which are a series of small salt lakes that you can go wild swimming provide a unique perspective of the surrounding desert. The salt flats of Talar are another spectacle not to be missed, alongside the volcanoes which have an almost lunar quality about them. In such an open, expansive, and arid landscape there is a lot to explore. I’m also hoping that we get to see some flamingos!

Valparaiso

Valparaiso is a port city on Chile’s coast. It is known for its colourful hillsides, vibrant street art and sunny, golden beaches. I think visiting a few more urban places will create a nice balance from the more open, natural spaces. 

Peru

Paracas Nature Reserve

The Paracas Nature Reserve is a protected natural area just a four-drive from the main city of Lima. It is known for its abundance of marine wildlife, arid, orange-coloured desert, and dramatic shoreline. We will hopefully get the chance to see sea lions, penguins, albatrosses, pelicans, and turtles in their natural habitats by taking a boat trip out around the Ballestas islands. There are also many remote beaches which provide more chances to see wildlife and admire the intricate wave-sculpted rock formations. It sounds like a geographer’s dream, which works for me!

Machu Picchu

It wouldn’t be right to travel all the way to South America and not hike to the top of Machu Picchu. This world heritage site is hugely popular not only for its beautiful scenery but also for the history of the Incan empire that encompasses it. We haven’t decided on the best route yet but making it part of a longer and more varied trek sounds like the best option to absorb as much of the scenery and history as possible. 

Early morning in wonderful Machu Picchu

Lake Titicaca

This remarkable freshwater lake straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia, and it is the world’s highest navigable body of water. It is also said to be the birthplace of the Incas, some of whom still live upon floating islands on the lake. I would love to visit these islands, talk to the local people and cruise around on the water taking in the scenery around me. 

Bolivia

Salt flats

The Bolivian salt flats stretch 4,050 square miles and exist due to evaporated prehistoric lakes. At certain times of year, a thin layer of water covers the flats reflecting the sky above. The harsh beauty and isolated nature of the flats makes for a unique experience whatever the weather. 

Senda verde wildlife sanctuary

Perhaps a less well-known destination, but one that sounds just as rewarding and exciting is the Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary located in the Amazon basin. The organisation rescues over 350 different species from illegal trafficking, including monkeys, bears, tortoises, and birds. You can either visit as part of a guided tour or you can get involved in two-week volunteering schemes which fully immerse you in the important work that the volunteers do. Another possibility (and one that Jack will love) is to hire mountain bikes and cycle down Yungas Road, a road carved into the mountainside. The almost 40-mile route takes you through snow-covered mountains to tropical jungle, but I will have to see if I’m brave enough for that!

Ecuador

The Amazon Rainforest

This is a rather large place to put on this list, and we haven’t figured out the best place or tour to explore the Amazon yet – but we would love to visit somehow! How could we not?! The Amazon covers almost half of Ecuador and tours tend to be slightly cheaper than from Brazil or Peru. I expect it will be a trip unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, with over 1,400 different animal species, including 200 mammals, 121 reptiles and nearly 600 bird species. And… that is not including the 70,000 different types of insects and 1,000 species of trees. It is exactly the untouched status of this landscape that appeals to me so much, and Ecuador is home to the most diverse biosphere on earth. Yasuni National Park is one of the four national parks in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest, and perhaps this is where we will head.

Mindo Valley

The Mindo Valley, otherwise known as the cloud forest, is a rural village in the Andes mountains. It is home to an abundance of wildlife, in particular, birds and it is a great place to soak in the natural surroundings. I fancy a waterfall hike, finding hidden little gems off the beaten path, and maybe (if Jack convinces me) going for a dip in the cool water below.

Ruta de las cascades

Speaking of waterfalls, these popular waterfalls look incredible! The 25km cycle route from the town of Banos sounds like a fun way to explore this area. 

Colombia

Tayrona National Park

The lush tropical national park is home to some of the country’s best beaches, as well as walks along the coastline and boat trips. Although it can be busy during the peak season, there are plenty of beaches that are more hidden – you just have to aware of the swim warnings as some of the beaches have very strong currents. Still, a few days relaxing in the sunshine doesn’t sound too bad to me!

Cocora Valley

Just outside the Colombian city of Salento is the cloud forest, jungle, and farmland of the Cocora Valley. It is a great place for hiking and I’d also love to spend a few days in Salento which looks like a fun little town and lies at the heart of Colombia’s coffee producing region. The classic five hour Cocora Valley route looks super pretty, and we’ll get to see the tallest palm trees in the world!

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Published by lifeofbeckyc

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