South America overland itineraries & highlights

At first glance, it might seem hard to differentiate between the 12 nations of South America. Almost all speak Spanish or Portuguese; most have the Andes as their vertiginous spine; and many of them descend into the near endless Amazon. But a South America overland tour will make you wonder why you ever thought Peru and Bolivia were alike, or what on earth Chile has in common with Argentina.

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South America overland itineraries & highlights

South America might have been designed for adventurous overland travel. It has a diversity of landscapes between different countries, from thick rainforest to white sand beaches, snow tipped and jagged mountains to barren salt flats; ancient ruins and modern cities, and an enthralling mix of cultures. And of course the continent is so large that you can take many different routes across it, depending on your available time and personal interests. Here’s a few of our favourites.

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South America coast-to-coast

Travel from the cosmopolitan flair of Rio de Janeiro on the Atlantic coast to Lima, once the capital of Spanish America, on the Pacific, through countries such as Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Along the way you can explore Lake Titicaca, the Iguazu Falls and the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Depending on your travel dates, there is also potential to tie in the Rio Carnival or New Year celebrations at the beginning or end of your tour.

This trip can be done with a rapid, ‘taster’ itinerary over just three weeks, traveling by bus, train and internal flights, or it can be extended into a longer South America overland tour where you’ll get around mostly by self sufficient expedition truck, camping for much of the time. This latter option gives you more time to explore and get a real feel for each destination. You might take a few hiking expeditions in the Torres del Paine National Park for instance, a tango lesson in Buenos Aires, or a rainforest safari in the Amazon.

Patagonia

Spanning swathes of Chile and Argentina at the southern tip of the continent, Patagonia is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The lure of renowned trails in the Torres del Paine National Park, the frozen landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park, accessed from El Calafe and El Chaltén, Mt. Fitzroy and the magnificent Perito Moreno glacier – Patagonia is a stunning destination for overland tours.

A typical itinerary will last around three weeks, zig zagging across the border between Chile and Argentina several times, often negotiating steep Andean passes. Purpose-built expedition trucks are the ideal way to get around, sometimes camping, and at other times staying in hostels or guesthouses. As with the coast-to-coast route, tours in Patagonia tend to operate between the austral spring and autumn, avoiding the harshest winter weather, but here especially you will need clothing to suit all conditions.

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Practicalities

Linking up the myriad highlights of South America on an overland tour naturally means some long drives, but it’s difficult to complain when every day brings something new and exciting. If you’re camping then you can expect basic conditions and an emphasis on participation in everything from setting up camp to cooking meals. On shorter tours, you may stay instead in hotels and guesthouses, with domestic flights cutting down travel time between key destinations.

The terrain can be challenging at points as well – that said the Camino Austral out of Rio is a real stunner – but roughing it like this only adds to the fun and unpredictable nature of overland travel in South America. Grin and bear it, because there’s sure to be a jaw-dropping waterfall, or a glistening stretch of coastline around the next bend in the road.

Tips from our vacation reviews

“This was a well planned and well conducted trip, the hotels were all good or very good and all in close proximity to the local attractions, bars and restaurants; our guide was excellent, as were the local guides. It was fast paced and at times tiring but oh so well worth it. I have travelled quite extensively over the years, as a couple, in small and in larger groups and I would rate this trip as one of the best ever.” – Andy Goodenough on a coast to coast tour through Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Peru

“Be prepared to live out of a suitcase and enjoy traveling. Not for people who just like to sit on a beach all day. If you like exploring and want to learn about different countries then this vacation gives you more than you can imagine.” – Ann Hammersley on a South America overland tour through brazil and Ecuador via the Galapagos Islands