South America Adventure
In and around South America
Visting South America is a dream and when the opportunity arose to do a circuit of the continent overland - who could say no? The start and end point for this trip is Quito, Ecuador, but the trip encompassed Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia before heading back to Ecuador, the Galapagos and Quito again. I´ll be travelling with Tucan Travel from Quito to Quito and all the adventures will be recorded as I travel.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Freyja
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1
Wild Times in Quito
Arrived in Quito on the Monday without baggage that did not get on the same plane as me where I was met by my friend Paula, Dennis and his father G... Continue reading »
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2
Amazon Rainforest
Left Quito and headed for Mishualli, on the banks of Rio Napo, in the Amazon rainforest via a detour toBaos as the road we intended to use was clos... Continue reading »
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3
Relaxing in Banos
Arrived in Baos later afternoon and checked into our hotel, located by the waterfall. Very pretty town but lots of roadworks that can make the road... Continue reading »
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4
Clowning Around in Cuenca
Left Banos at 7am this morning for the drive to Cuenca, the 3rd largest city in Ecuador and a World Heritage site. On route we stopped at Ingapirc... Continue reading »
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5
Pigging Out in Punta Sal
Crossed the border today into Peru - not too much problems at the border for anyone and as we were making pretty good time the plan was to head thr... Continue reading »
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6
Education in Huanchaco
Left Punta Sal, early this morning at 7am after a 6am start with getting the tents down and breakfast. Long driving day which saw as stopped befor... Continue reading »
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7
Mixing with the Locals in Lima
Arrived in Lima at about 6pm after a long drive and a stop at two small Inca ruins on the way - Max Uhule and Paramonga. On the latter one, Sam an... Continue reading »
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8
Pisco Sour, Wildlife and Adventure Sports
Left Lima around 10am and headed down the PanAmerican Highway, via the coast to Pisco. Some great views over the beach and stopped at there for lu... Continue reading »
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9
Nazca and mummification
We camped for the night in the grounds of hotel opposite the airport where there were llamas and a stange deer type creature in the ground.Â
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10
Frozen bodies and nun orgies!
Long drive to Arequipa today via the beach and today we left the the coast after our lunch stop overlooking a small beach resort that has now being... Continue reading »
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11
Unaccommodating Condors!
Our original plan was to leave Arequipa at 2am to head to Colca Canyon to see the condors in the canyon however they are apparently in mating seaso... Continue reading »
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12
Shopping and Irish Pubs
It was a long drive today to Cuzco leaving at 7am and arriving at 6:30pm with only a stop for lunch. We were racing Dragoman for part of the way a... Continue reading »
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13
Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail
Left Cuzco and headed just outside to Sacsayhuaman (pronounced Sexy Woman), an Inca site overlooking Cuzco. The site has zigzag walls thought to s... Continue reading »
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14
Boat Trips and Local Families
Left Cuzco at 8am, well was meant to but a problem with the laundry in that people didn't get there washing back or it was wet or that it was incom... Continue reading »
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15
Christmas Arguments
We were due to leave at 6am this morning but things didn´t go according to plan. Helen and Pete asked if they could stay on the truck until La Paz... Continue reading »
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16
Dizzy Heights
Headed off at 7am without any hiccups although he alarm didn´t go off. Was a very quiet day on the truck with most people sleeping and some still... Continue reading »
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17
Salt Flats and Stuck Truck
Left a 8am this morning as the roads to Uyuni are pretty bad quality. They weren´t kidding, they were the bumpest roads we have been on so far - s... Continue reading »
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18
Dynamite New Year
Left Uyuni at 8am this morning for the drive down back the same roads to Potosi. It had been raining the night before so everyone was unsure how t... Continue reading »
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19
No room at the Inn
Left Potosi after a little lie in without too many hiccups. Found out that some of the group had managed to find a private party, hidden in a bar... Continue reading »
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20
Argentinan nights
Started early this morning but was slightly delayed due to the lack of markets and shops open hence the hunt for breakfast supplies was to no avail... Continue reading »
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21
Hot desert days and Chile nights
Left Salta at 7am for the drive to our next country and destination. Most people slept through the journey and again the scenery was stunning. It... Continue reading »
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22
Long truck day
Got up this morning as tents had to be down by 6am. It was still dark which provided the first challenge of the day in trying not to lose the pegs... Continue reading »
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23
I´ve been at the beach too long!
Had a little lie in this morning and and was further delayed when there was a problem with the truck. Andy jacked up the cab, tilting it forward a... Continue reading »
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24
Indulging in local pastimes
The curse returns and our 8am start didn´t happen. Last night, some of the group headed out to Kamikaze and at 5am Matt turned up at his cabin, co... Continue reading »
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25
Sun and Snow
The curse continues! We were a little late in leaving Santiago as a few passengers were late coming down. Matt and Michael turned up at 6:30 to s... Continue reading »
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26
Swiss Influences
Left at 7am this morning and drove through the Lanin National Park to the border, leaving Chile and entering Argentina again. The border post was a... Continue reading »
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27
Truck day and car park
Early start this morning and a long truck day to Peritor Moreno. It was a sleeping day mainly as there was very little happening and very little s... Continue reading »
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28
Glacier and Tendedor Libre
Woke up early this morning with Nicola screaming, some weird dreaming she had been having. Left at 7am for another long truck day. The scenery wa... Continue reading »
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29
Trekking on horse and foot
Got up to discover there was no water in the hostel and that my towel had been stolen. Most annoying! Crossed the border, entering Chile once aga... Continue reading »
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30
Last Day in Chile
Set off this morning without any problems and no curses occuring although took the budget driver, Pete to town with us so that he could pick up the pa... Continue reading » -
31
Sailing Club
A long drive day ahead and crossed the border, leaving Chile and entering Argentina. Had a ferry crossing and border crossing today but nothing par... Continue reading »
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32
End of the World!!!
Was awoken early by the budget group preparing breakfast at 6.30 and some of our group also getting up. Found out later that although our place wa... Continue reading »
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33
Oh no, not again!
An early start this morning leaving at 7am to make Rio Gallegos tonight. It was sad to leave Ushuaia as there were many things still to do and it... Continue reading »
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34
Change of plans
A later the planned start as Andy needed to buy new tyres for the truck. He refused to drive on without them and will put on any he can get rather... Continue reading »
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35
Patagonian Wales
An earlish start for another long drive to Puerto Madryn and the extra distance we needed to make up for the previous day. Again there was nothing... Continue reading »
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36
1000km today
Very early start this morning with tents down by 5.15am and breakfast before a 6am leave. SAS got up earlier that us and we managed to leave before t... Continue reading » -
37
Bright lights of Buenos Aires
Left at 8am and had a short drive to Buenos Aires today arriving just before 12pm. Everyone was very excited at arriving here as they had been loo... Continue reading »
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38
Free Camping and Jesuit Ruins
Left at 7:30am after a mad panic to pack up the remainder of my stuff. Was feeling bad as I thought I was holding everyone up but luckily Julie di... Continue reading »
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39
Capital city???
Had a lie-in and relaxing time in the morning. Headed to the pool for a swim and sunbathe as it was only a short drive today. It was hot at aroun... Continue reading »
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40
Waterfall wonders
Left Asuncion at 7:30am and drove across Paraguay for the day. The weather was hot and sunny and the airconditioning (read open windows) were worki... Continue reading »
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41
Across Brazil
Left at 7:30 this morning for a long drive. This is one of those truck days where nothing much happened apart from sleep, reading, toilet stops and r... Continue reading » -
42
Downpours
Another longish drive today through scenery that is basically like driving through a rain forest. Amazing. Arrived in humid weather to the campsite.... Continue reading » -
43
Island Cruise
Left at 8am and drove through more of the same scenery and arrived in Parity and the campsite just before lunch. ´Magaly´was already there and ´Fr... Continue reading »
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44
Carnaval Time
Headed out of Paraty for our final stop on this leg of the tour and where we would be saying goodbye to a number of the group who are not continuin... Continue reading »
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45
Ouro Preto
Left Rio this morning which was both sad and a relief. Sad because of the goodbyes and a relief as we would be getting away from all muggings and... Continue reading »
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46
Beach Days in the Landing Site
The following day was early but we made good time and arrived in Porto Seguro earlier than anticipated. After pitching the tent at a campsite ab... Continue reading »
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47
Street Parties
A reasonable start today but I lost the advantage of a window seat and the fresh air - well humid breeze this offers. It was today that was g... Continue reading »
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48
Swimming Waiters
Headed out of Salvador and towards the coast and the first of our beach resort stops. Was a long truck day of some 12 hours arriving at the c... Continue reading »
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49
Pool Parties and Puppet Parades
Head out on short drive today heading up the coast, although we didn´t get to see much of the coast line to Olinda. Arrived there just b... Continue reading »
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50
Swimming with Dolphins
After a short drive, in which a lot of people slept off the night before, we arrived in Pipa, another beachside resort. Pipa means Barrel in... Continue reading »
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51
Flying High
Arrived in Canoa Quebrada around 3ish after another hot driving day on the truck. This is another hippie town that has now turned touristy and t... Continue reading » -
52
Wildlife and National Parks
Long and hot truck day with a lot of time spent sleeping the night off before for most of the group. Arrived in Ubajara (means broken canoe in l... Continue reading » -
53
Bad Roads and Friendly Locals
Left early for the long two days drive to get us to Belem and our Amazon ferry (more in next entry on the latter). The drives were long and h... Continue reading »
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54
Crusing Down the Amazon
After an internet, supermarket and late lunch stop (avoiding the tropical rain storm as much as possible) it was time to meet the group and headed... Continue reading »
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55
Dry Land at Last
Today was a bit of a late start and time was spent catching up with everything - emails, handwashing and things before exploring some of the t... Continue reading »
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56
Welcome to the Jungle
Left early this morning still not fully recovered from being ill and boarded the air-conditioned bus out through the jungle towards the Rio Urubu (... Continue reading »
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57
Last night in Brazil
Early start this morning for the long drive to Boa Vista and our last day in Brazil. The scenery was changing but not overly excited although at... Continue reading » -
58
And so to Venezuela
Left after a leisurely breakfast and rejoined the truck after so long. We drove straight through to just before 11am when we reach the border... Continue reading »
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59
Angels Falls
Very early start this with us getting the kettles on at 5:45 for breakfast and a 6:30am leave for a long days drive. The roads were very windy and... Continue reading »
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60
City of Sky Scrappers
Another early start today for the drive up to the Caribbean Sea and then Caracas. We eventually stopped for coffee and a cake stop later... Continue reading »
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61
Wildlife Hunting
A fairly relaxed start to the day with a a quick stop at the bakery after the bags where loaded on the truck. Venezuelans seems to like baker... Continue reading »
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62
World Record Ice Cream
Left the campsite after breakfast and headed back to Barinas and out again, this time up through the Venezuelan Andes through virgin forest and the... Continue reading »
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63
Detour to Columbia
We left Merida at 12.30pm, after an early lunch and continued on through the Andes towards our destination for the night (not sure where it was).&n... Continue reading »
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64
Colonial Charm
After a lazy start, headed to the airport where we said goodbye to Magaly and Euan for the last time. Took two flight, the first to Bogota an... Continue reading »
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65
LOST in Columbia
After a late start we boarded our mini bus, complete with air-con and DVD player, for Santa Marta and our stop for the night. The journey took... Continue reading »
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66
Closed for the Holidays
After an earlish start this morning, we walked the 40 mins back to the main entrance where the bus would pick us up and then stopped just after the... Continue reading »
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67
Fossil Hunting
Left Quito a little delayed due to our driver being late, apparently something to do with rain and a transport strike. Anyway, headed off and... Continue reading »
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68
Shopping with the Otavalo Indians
Left Bogota early in the morning and headed to the airport and our last flight in Columbia. We arrived and checked in to find, not to our sur... Continue reading »
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69
Circuit Complete
Left early this morning and headed the short drive to Quito through the Andes. It was beautiful with high mountain passes and deep ravines.&n... Continue reading »
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70
Oh The Rain
Started late this morning due to the late night last night. Packed up stuff and headed to the hostel that both Jen and I would be staying in.... Continue reading »
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71
Rats - The Beach
Headed out early this morning to the bus terminal for Trans Esmeralds, chosen as it was just down the road from my hostal. The bus a coach co... Continue reading »
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72
Pampering & Sightseeing
Arrived back in Quito a little later than planned and expected and headed straight for the hostal where I had arranged to go out to dinner with Jen... Continue reading »
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73
Riding the Devil`s Nose
Woke early and decided to head down to Riobamba in the morning rather than the afternoon to make sure a hotel wouldn't be a problem and to give me... Continue reading »
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74
Celebrations All Round
Met up with some of the guys for breakfast this morning and heard all about their Galapagos trip - really looking forward to going now as it sounds... Continue reading »
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75
Heaven is a Place on Earth
Baltra and Bachas Bay - Welcome to the Galapagos
Got up early the first day and headed to the National Airport in Quito for my flight... Continue reading »
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