The Ultimate Guide to South America’s Top Overlanding Routes: Planning, Waypoints & Intel
South America is a continent built for adventure. From the high-altitude peaks of the Andes and the vast, arid deserts of Patagonia to the impenetrable depths of the Amazon rainforest, few places test an overlander like this one.
Pair this route guide with The Ultimate Overlander’s Guide to South America for deep dives on rig setup, safety, border paperwork, culture, and on-the-ground tactics. It’s written specifically for long-haul overlanders on this continent.
South America is a continent built for adventure. It’s a land of epic scale, from the high-altitude peaks of the Andes and the vast, arid deserts of Patagonia to the impenetrable depths of the Amazon rainforest. For an overlander, this continent represents one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges on Earth.
This guide is a deep dive into the most iconic overlanding routes in South America. We’ll go beyond the highlights and give you the key waypoints, crucial planning intel, and the official contacts you’ll need to turn this dream into a reality. In addition to exploring South America, it’s essential to consider the top overlanding routes in the USA, which offer stunning landscapes and diverse terrains. Whether you’re navigating the national parks or winding through the backroads of the countryside, these routes provide unique experiences that complement your international adventures. Embrace the spirit of exploration as you create unforgettable memories on both the South American trails and American highways.
The “Grand Tour” Continental Route
1. The Pan-American Highway (South American Section)
Description: This is the southern half of the world’s longest “motorable road.” It’s the granddaddy of all overlanding routes, taking you from the Caribbean coast through the Andes and all the way to “the end of the world” in Patagonia.
Location: Colombia to Ushuaia, Argentina.
Estimated Time: 6 – 18 months (highly variable).
Difficulty: Moderate. The driving itself is mostly on paved roads, but the challenge comes from border crossings, city navigation, high-altitude passes, and sheer endurance.
Key Waypoints: Cartagena, Colombia -> Bogotá -> Quito, Ecuador (Avenue of the Volcanoes) -> Lima, Peru -> (detour to Cusco/Machu Picchu) -> La Paz, Bolivia (detour) -> Santiago, Chile -> Bariloche, Argentina -> Ushuaia, Argentina (Southern terminus).
Planning & Intel
The Route: The “Pan-Am” is more of a concept than a single defined road. You will be making constant choices about which detours to take. The single most important tool for this trip is a community-driven planning app, such as the Overland Gear Guide Expedition Planner, which provides community-sourced campsites, mechanic locations, border-crossing info, and more.
Maps & Navigation: A combination of a GPS unit (like a Garmin with up-to-date South America maps) and Google Maps (for city navigation) is essential.
Permits & Access: This involves multiple, complex border crossings. You will need Temporary Import Permits (TIPs) for your vehicle for each country, along with personal visas and mandatory auto insurance. Research each country’s requirements months in advance.
South American Border Crossing: A General Guide
Disclaimer: Border requirements change frequently and without notice. This is a general guide. You MUST verify this information with the embassy or consulate of each country you plan to visit, well in advance of your trip.
Passport & Visas
- Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned exit date.
- Visas: Most South American countries (e.g., Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile) offer visa-free tourist access for 90 days to citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia. However, some (like Bolivia) may require a visa, which can sometimes be obtained at the border or must be applied for in advance. Verify this for your nationality.
Vehicle Documents (The Holy Trinity)
- Title/Registration: You MUST have the original vehicle title, registration, and a notarized letter of permission from the lienholder (if the car is financed) or owner (if it’s not in your name).
- Driver’s License & IDP: Your home driver’s license is usually sufficient, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is cheap, easy to get, and highly recommended as a certified translation.
- Temporary Import Permit (TIP / Permiso de Importación Temporal): This is the “passport” for your car. You will get one at every land border you cross. It’s a legal document tying the vehicle to your passport, ensuring you don’t sell it illegally. You must get this “canceled” when you exit the country. Failing to do so can result in massive fines or being barred from re-entry.
Insurance
- Carnet de Passages (CdP): This is a customs guarantee for your vehicle. Good news: The Carnet is not generally required for any country in South America.
- Mandatory Insurance (SOAT): Most countries require you to purchase local, third-party liability insurance. This is often called “SOAT” (e.g., in Peru, Colombia). You can typically buy this at the border or in the first major town you come to. It’s a legal requirement.
Key Contacts & Information Sources
Do not rely on a single source. Check with the embassy of your home country located in the capital of the country you plan to enter.
- Overland Gear Guide Expedition Planner: https://overland-gear-guide.com/overland-expedition-planner/ (Essential for planning campsites, borders, and waypoints).
- PanAmerican Travelers Association (Facebook Group): A very active community for real-time border and safety updates.
Example (for a US Citizen):
- U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia: https://co.usembassy.gov/
- U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru: https://pe.usembassy.gov/
Iconic Patagonian Overlanding Routes
This is arguably the most famous overlanding region on the continent, defined by two legendary highways.
2. Ruta 40 (Argentina)
Description: A legendary 5,194 km route that runs the entire length of Argentina, parallel to the Andes. It’s one of the longest and most beautiful highways in the world, famous for its vast, empty landscapes and relentless wind.
Location: La Quiaca (Bolivian border) to Cabo Vírgenes (Atlantic Ocean).
Estimated Time: 3 – 6 weeks.
Difficulty: Moderate. Once notoriously rough, Ruta 40 is now about 90% paved. The remaining gravel (ripio) sections are in the south and can be corrugated and rough. The single biggest challenge is the famous Patagonian wind.
Key Waypoints: La Quiaca (Start) -> Salta -> Mendoza (Wine Region) -> Bariloche (Lake District) -> El Chaltén (Fitz Roy) -> El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier) -> Rio Gallegos -> Cabo Vírgenes (End).
Planning & Intel
The Route: This is a high-speed (where paved) and often desolate drive. Fuel planning is critical in the Patagonian sections (south of Bariloche), as stations can be 200-300 km apart. The wind is extreme and can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
Maps & Navigation: The route is well-signposted. A standard GPS or Google Maps is sufficient.
Permits & Access: No permits are required. The best time to travel is during the Patagonian summer (December – March).
Key Contacts:
- Argentina National Tourism: https://www.argentina.travel/en
- Vialidad Nacional (Road Conditions): https://www.argentina.gob.ar/obras-publicas/vialidad-nacional
3. Carretera Austral (Ruta 7, Chile)
Description: This is one of the world’s most beautiful and rugged overlanding routes. It’s a 1,240 km “highway” through the heart of wild, northern Patagonia, connecting remote villages, glaciers, and national parks.
Location: Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins.
Estimated Time: 2 – 4 weeks.
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard. What was once all gravel is now a mix of new pavement and very rough, muddy, and winding ripio. The route requires multiple ferry crossings.
Key Waypoints: Puerto Montt (Start) -> Hornopirén (Ferry) -> Chaitén -> Puyuhuapi -> Coyhaique -> Cerro Castillo -> Puerto Río Tranquilo (Marble Caves) -> Cochrane -> Villa O’Higgins (End).
Planning & Intel
The Route: This is a slow, scenic drive. The challenge is logistical. The route is broken by fjords, requiring several ferry crossings. These ferries MUST be booked in advance in the high season (December – February). The road physically ends at Villa O’Higgins. To continue south to El Chaltén, you must backtrack or take a series of passenger/bike-only boats and a hike (known as the O’Higgins Crossing).
Maps & Navigation: A good GPS is essential, as are local paper maps.
Permits & Access: No permits needed for the road, but you must book and pay for the ferries.
Key Contacts:
- Ferry Operators (Essential): https://www.barcazas.cl/ and https://www.transmarchilay.cl/ are the primary companies.
- Chile National Tourism: https://chile.travel/en/
High-Altitude & Desert Overlanding Routes
4. The Lagunas Route (Bolivia)
Description: This is one of the most famous and challenging overlanding routes on Earth. It’s a 3-5 day, high-altitude (4,000-5,000m / 13,000-16,500ft) journey across a remote, unmarked desert of volcanoes, geysers, and brightly colored lakes.
Location: Uyuni, Bolivia to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Estimated Time: 3 – 5 days.
Difficulty: Hard to Extreme. There are no marked roads, only faint tracks in the sand. It is extremely remote, with no services, no food, and no fuel. High altitude sickness is a major risk, and nighttime temperatures plummet well below freezing.
Key Waypoints: Uyuni -> Salar de Uyuni (Salt Flats) -> Isla Incahuasi -> San Juan -> Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree) -> Laguna Colorada -> Sol de Mañana (Geysers) -> Termas de Polques (Hot Springs) -> Laguna Verde -> Hito Cajón (Chilean Border).
Planning & Intel
The Route: This is a true expedition. Do NOT attempt this route solo. A convoy of at least two vehicles is the minimum safe standard. You must carry all your own fuel, food, water, and warm-weather gear. Acclimatize in Uyuni or San Pedro for several days before attempting.
Maps & Navigation: A reliable GPX track is 100% essential. You cannot navigate this route with a paper map or Google Maps.
Permits & Access: You must pay an entrance fee for the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, which covers most of the route.
Border Crossing: Hito Cajón (Bolivia/Chile)
This is one of the most remote and highest-altitude (over 4,480m / 14,700ft) border crossings in the world.
- Functionality: It is a small, basic post. It is not 24/7. It can close without warning due to weather (snow/wind).
- Bolivian Side (Aduana/Migración): You must get your passport exit stamp and, crucially, cancel your vehicle’s TIP. The office is located right by Laguna Verde.
- Chilean Side (Aduana/Migración): The main checkpoint is not at the border itself, but ~50 km inside Chile, in San Pedro de Atacama. You will drive this “no man’s land” and then check into Chile (passport stamp, new vehicle TIP) at the combined border post there.
Requirements
- Visas: Check requirements for your nationality for both countries.
- Vehicle: Title, Registration, IDP.
- Chilean Agriculture Control (SAG): Chile has extremely strict agricultural controls. You MUST declare all fresh food (fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, honey, wood). It is best to consume or discard all fresh food before reaching the San Pedro checkpoint to avoid heavy fines.
Key Contacts:
- Bolivian National Parks (SERNAP): https://sernap.gob.bo/
- Consulate of Chile (e.g., in La Paz): Check for entry requirements.
- Consulate of Bolivia (e.g., in Santiago): Check for visa requirements.
- Overland Gear Guide Expedition Planner: https://overland-gear-guide.com/overland-expedition-planner/ (primary source for recent track conditions and warnings).
5. The Peruvian Andean Spine (“Gringo Trail”)
Description: A classic route that connects Peru’s most famous historical, cultural, and natural wonders. It takes you from the coastal desert, up extreme mountain switchbacks, to the heart of the Inca empire.
Location: Lima to Cusco and Lake Titicaca.
Estimated Time: 2 – 4 weeks.
Difficulty: Moderate. The roads are mostly paved, but the challenge is the driving itself. You will face extreme switchbacks, high altitudes (Cusco is 11,152 ft), and aggressive local traffic.
Key Waypoints: Lima -> Paracas (Ballestas Islands) -> Huacachina (Dunes) -> Nazca (Nazca Lines) -> Arequipa (Colca Canyon) -> Cusco (Machu Picchu) -> Puno (Lake Titicaca).
Planning & Intel
The Route: While a common tourist path, driving it yourself is a major adventure. Plan for altitude sickness; take it slow when climbing from Arequipa to Cusco/Puno. Machu Picchu permits must be booked months in advance.
Maps & Navigation: Google Maps works well for the main highways.
Permits & Access: No permits are needed for the roads, but all major sites (Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon) require paid tickets.
Key Contacts:
- Peru National Tourism: https://www.peru.travel/en
- Machu Picchu Official Tickets: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/
The “Final Frontier” Route
6. The Trans-Amazonian Highway (BR-230, Brazil)
Description: A legendary, 4,000km government project to bisect the Amazon rainforest. It is one of the most infamous and difficult overlanding routes in the world, synonymous with deep mud and jungle survival.
Location: Cabedelo (Atlantic coast) to Lábrea.
Estimated Time: 4 – 8 weeks (highly variable).
Difficulty: Extreme. The paved sections are easy, but the long, unpaved sections in the heart of the Amazon are often impassable rivers of mud, interrupted by failing log bridges and remote ferries.
Key Waypoints: Cabedelo (Start) -> Marabá -> Itaituba -> (Ferry across Tapajós River) -> Humaitá -> Lábrea (End of main section).
Planning & Intel
The Route: This is a serious expedition, not a casual trip. It is only passable during the dry season (approx. June – November). Even then, expect extreme mud. You must be 100% self-sufficient, with full recovery gear (winch, traction boards, mud-terrain tyres) and mechanical skills.
Maps & Navigation: GPX tracks and local knowledge are essential. Conditions change weekly.
Permits & Access: No special permits, but you will pay for ferries.
Key Contacts: This is deep jungle; there are no official ranger stations for road conditions. Your only reliable information will come from the iOverlander app and by asking truck drivers you meet along the route.
South America Overlanding FAQ
Do I need a Carnet de Passages for South America?
In general, no. A Carnet is not typically required for South American countries. Instead, each country uses a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) tied to your passport and vehicle. Always check current rules before departure and make sure each TIP is properly canceled when exiting.
What’s the best “first big route” in South America?
For many overlanders, parts of Ruta 40, the Carretera Austral, or the Peruvian Andean Spine make ideal introductions. They offer serious landscapes, decent infrastructure, and bail-out options. The Lagunas Route and Trans-Amazonian are advanced, expedition-level routes.
When is the best season to overland South America?
Patagonia (Ruta 40, Carretera Austral) is best from December to March. High Andean routes (Lagunas, Peru spine) are often best in the local dry season. The Trans-Amazonian is generally only realistic in the dry season (around June to November). Always cross-check your route plan against regional weather patterns.
Is it safe to overland South America?
Millions of travelers drive and ride across South America every year, but you must respect local risks. Avoid night driving, stay updated on local security advisories, use secure parking in cities, and follow current advice from other overlanders via communities like the PanAmerican Travelers Association and iOverlander.
How important is Spanish (and Portuguese) for overlanding here?
Speaking at least basic Spanish makes border crossings, police stops, and day-to-day logistics far smoother. Portuguese is a big plus in Brazil. At minimum, learn key phrases for documents, directions, and vehicle issues, and keep translations saved offline on your phone.
