South American Encounter

Join Odyssey Overland on a 19-week expedition exploring the heart of South America in depth, covering Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Chile, and with the option to visit Paraguay. From the Amazon to the Andes and Patagonia, and from the east to west coasts this expedition really explores these exotic countries. Travelling in a custom-built overland truck with a group of 16-22 like-minded travellers, we love getting off the beaten track while still making sure we visit all the major sites..

Details of Upcoming Expeditions

Please remember, due to the nature of these expeditions they book up a long time in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Overview

Starting and finishing in Buenos Aires, Argentina, our route focusses on the central and southern section of South America, which has so much to offer – from the vibrant cities of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, to the wide-open spaces of the Altiplano in Bolivia, wildlife experiences in the Pantanal wetlands and the Amazon basin, Incan empire ruins, the mighty Andes mountains and stunning Patagonia region, coastal and lake-side beaches, trekking and adventure activities, glaciers and volcanoes, diverse and fascinating cultures and exotic food.

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HIGHLIGHTS

It is hard to narrow down a list of highlights for this expedition, but here is our attempt! The Weekly Route Plan has more detail, a week-by-week itinerary and some amazing photos.

• Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, and our start and end point for this expedition. Plenty of sights to see, but the heart of BA is in the people and culture: the “Paris of South America” is home to passionate tango music and dance, steak houses on every corner, and countless cafes to sit and watch the world go by. Rated by many as the best city in South America, it is a great introduction to this epic continent.

• Hop across the bay by ferry to the stunning colonial town of Colonia Del Sacramento in Uruguay.

• Gaze in awe at the cascading water of the Iguacu Falls, we visit both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides.

• Cross the bridge to Paraguay for an optional day trip to visit the vibrant market in Ciudad del Este.

• Take the mountain train from Curitiba to Morretes and explore the Parque Estadual Marumbi.

• Chill on the Brazilian Emerald Coast from heaving Rio de Janeiro to chilled Paraty.

• Explore the old gold boom town of Ouro Preto with is steep cobbled streets and colonial master pieces.

• Float down the crystal clear streams of Bonito.

• Explore the southern Pantanal, one of the world’s largest wetlands with many exotic animals.

• Get an adrenaline fix as you mountain bike, raft, bungy jump, abseil, scuba dive, snorkel, swim and so the list goes on with adventure activities offering a different way to experience the natural beauty and epic landscapes of South America.

• Enter into Bolivia via a seldom used border and travel through the Jesuit villages of Santiago de Chiquitos and San Jose De Chiquitos.

• Barter away a morning in Cochabamba, Bolivia’s best market town.

• Head into the Amazon from Rurrenbaque in Bolivia and spend 2 days exploring the jungle by river boat and trekking with local guides.

• Trek the Inca Trail, or the other amazing treks as we travel.

• Explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and enjoy the old Inca capital of Cusco.

• View the other-worldly Nazca Lines from the air.

• Head high into the Peruvian Andes mountains in search of giant Andean Condors.

• Visit the floating islands on Lake Titicaca.

• Explore the city of La Paz, Bolivia’s unofficial capital, with its witchcraft market and many other attractions.

• Visit the silver mines of Potosi in Bolivia and lean how dynamite works.

• Explore the largest salt flat in the world, Salar de Uyuni and cross the high altitude Andean plateau, from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama.

• Go to a unique coffee bar in cosmopolitan Santiago, the capital of Chile.

• Explore the wine growing regions of Maipo and Mendoza.

• Experience the gaucho (cowboy) lifestyle on an Anglo-Argentinian cattle ranch.

• Explore the lake district of Chile and Argentina with stunning blue lakes as we drive Route 234.

• Climb the still-active Villarrica volcano.

• Los Glaciares National Park- hike in the shadow of the stunning FitzRoy range, or watch as the Perito Mereno glacier slowly groans its way into a glacial lake

• Torres del Paine national Park with more epic trekking opportunities

• Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world, the Beagle Canal and Tierra del Fuego National Park

• Cross the Magellan Straits

• The Valdez Peninsula National Park with its amazing marine life, whales, sea lions, elephant seals and penguins.

• Finish up back in Buenos Aires for a last big party.

• If time (and funds) allow, the Antarctic cruise season will be starting just as our expedition finishes, what better way to explore a bit more of this wonderful part of the world.

This is only just scratching the surface of all the amazing things we will see and experience as we travel along this incredible route. Further details are included in the Weekly Route Plan.

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Want to know more?

Click on the links below to find out everything you need to know about this epic expedition:

• Overview and highlights
• Weekly route plan
• Optional activities
• Food & accommodation
• Pre-trip planning
• Costs & booking