TRANSCONTINENTAL: AREQUIPA – USHUAIA

Welcome to Peru, in Arequipa, the "White City" dominated by the Misti and Chachani volcanoes. After discovering its UNESCO-listed center — the Plaza de Armas, the majestic cathedral, and the Santa Catalina monastery — the motorcycle adventure begins from Hotel Villa Elisa. Climbing toward the Salinas Reserve, asphalt soon gives way to dirt roads: a lunar-like landscape of salt lagoons and active volcanoes leads us across the Altiplano to Espinar, amidst alpaca herders.

The route then dives into history, winding through canyons and high-altitude lakes to reach Cusco, the navel of the world. After exploring its streets, we head to the Sacred Valley and the salt mines of Maras. We follow the Urubamba River to Ollantaytambo, where we stay facing the fortress and glaciers. From there, the Machu Picchu experience is a journey through time: its verdant terraces and stone temples suspended in the clouds showcase pre-Columbian genius.

The scenery changes dramatically after a 4,700 m pass: a breathtaking descent takes us into the humid Amazon at Quincemil. After a sensory immersion on a cacao farm, we climb from 600 to 4,300 m through spectacular hairpin turns to Macusani, the "alpaca capital." Finally, crossing the raw Altiplano and its isolated villages, the deep blue of Lake Titicaca comes into view. We stop at Llachon, at the tip of a peninsula. A crossing to Taquile Island offers a final meditative and ancestral pause before continuing the adventure toward Bolivia.

Day 1: Arequipa → Salinas-Espinar – 241 km (off-road: 170 km)
Day 2: Espinar → Cusco – 240 km (off-road: 70 km)
Day 3: Cusco → Ollantaytambo – 97 km (off-road: 36 km)
Day 4: Machupichu → Machupichu – 0 km
Day 5: Ollantaytambo → Quincemil – 316 km (off-road: 36 km)
Day 6: Quincemil → Macusani – 228 km (off-road: 3 km)
Day 7: Macusani → Llachon – 254 km (off-road: 86 km)
Day 8: Llachon → Llachon – 0 km.

We leave Llachon, riding along the indigo shores of Lake Titicaca (3,800 m) to reach the Bolivian border and its snow-capped mountains. A stop in Copacabana immerses us in local traditions before crossing the vast Altiplano to Oruro, where the smiles of the locals warm the atmosphere. The scenery then softens in the green valleys leading to Sucre, the "White City." This UNESCO-listed colonial gem offers a touch of elegance before the pilgrimage to Potosí. At over 4,000 meters, under the shadow of the mythical Cerro Rico, you swap your motorcycle helmet for a miner's helmet to explore the depths of the famous silver and gold mines.

The route to Uyuni crosses arid and wild plains. After passing the train cemetery, the landscape becomes surreal in front of the Salar de Uyuni, an endless salt ocean where we stay in a salt hotel. Exploring this giant mirror takes us to Incahuasi Island, crowned with giant cacti and llamas. Heading south through Tupiza and Villazón, the land turns ochre and blood-red as we approach the Argentine border.

The Quebrada de Humahuaca (UNESCO) then opens its doors: at the end of a winding path, the village of Iruya appears like a postcard in the heart of multicolored valleys. The descent is a symphony of colors, passing through the authenticity of Purmamarca and the traditions of northern Argentina. The final turns guide us to Salta, "la Linda." In this beautiful colonial city, we celebrate the stage with a traditional asado and folk music, ready for the next chapter of our adventure in gaucho lands.

Day 9: Llachon-Peru → Copacabana-Bolivia – 242 km
Day 10: Copacabana → Oruro – 358 km
Day 11: Oruro → Sucre – 328 km
Day 12: Sucre → Potosi – 154 km
Day 13: Potosi → Uyuni – 246 km
Day 14: Uyuni → Uyuni – 0 km
Day 15: Uyuni → Villazon – 312 km (off-road: 27 km)
Day 16: Villazon-Bolivia → Iruya-Argentina – 182 km (off-road: 47 km)
Day 17: Iruya → Salta – 315 km (off-road: 60 km)
Day 18: Salta → Salta – 0 km.

The heat rises as we depart Salta, the compass pointing south through the Quebrada de las Conchas, a glowing red canyon with natural amphitheaters, to reach the lush vineyards of Cafayate and its renowned bodegas. The route becomes a challenge toward Belén: gravel tracks weave between the abandoned mines of Minas Capillitas, followed by remote trails where riding becomes instinctive across dried riverbeds, under the watchful eyes of the few shepherds.

We reconnect with the famous Ruta 40 in Chilecito to savor the curves of the Cuesta de Miranda in the heart of a vivid red valley. The journey takes on an otherworldly feel in the Valley of the Moon (Ischigualasto Park), a fossil desert dotted with rock mushrooms and dinosaur footprints, before reaching San José de Jáchal, like an oasis at the foot of the Andes. Heading west, the corrugated metal tracks of Uspallata lead us to the legendary Paso Caracoles: its 29 dizzying hairpins mark the spectacular entry into Chile and the descent toward the Pacific.

Distances are given as an indication.

Valparaíso then welcomes us, a chaotic and colorful port where we explore on foot this open-air museum of poetic street art. Riding along the coast to Constitución, the salty air accompanies a landscape of cliffs, wild beaches, and pine forests. Finally, the adventure takes us inland, trading aridity for the dense, humid greenery of the volcanoes. The village of Curacautín greets us, a peaceful haven nestled opposite the majestic Llaima volcano and its millenary araucarias.

Day 19: Salta → Cafayate – 264 km (off-road: 98 km)
Day 20: Cafayate → Belen via Andalgala – 305 km (off-road: 100 km)
Day 21: Belen → Chilecito via Tinogasta – 226 km (off-road: 56 km)
Day 22: Chilecito → San Jose de Jachal – 335 km (off-road: 59 km)
Day 23: San Jose de Jachal → Uspallata – 397 km (off-road: 35 km)
Day 24: Uspallata-Argentina → Valparaiso-Chile – 297 km
Day 25: Valparaiso → Valparaiso – 0 km
Day 26: Valparaiso → Constitucion – 391 km (off-road: 7 km)
Day 27: Constitucion → Caracautin – 497 km.