R&J Travels

Interactive Route Map.

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We flew from Madrid to Peru, which meant stepping off the plane in Lima was our first introduction into South America. Starting our journy in Peru resulted in us being thoroughly spoilt by the adventures, wildlife, history, hikes, scenery, culture, and cuisine it has in abundance. Although the phrase is becoming over-used, Peru really does have something for everyone. We slowly headed south, seeking the otherworldy landscapes hidden in the Peruvian countriside. Rugged coastlines, vast sand dunes, and snow-capped volcanoes came and went as we made our way inland to the Sacred Valley in the Andes. Every city we stopped at had friendly locals, happy to share their traditions and customs, and more importantly, their food. In Cusco, the former centre of the Incan empire, reminders of the past civilization are everywhere. Wandering down the narrow streets feels like walking back in time, and the archaeological sites that are scattered throughout the surrounding region are like treasures waiting to be discovered. Despite all this, nothing quite compares to the sights and discoveries along the 4-day Inca trail, culminating at the ancient Incan city built on a mountaintop above the clouds - Machu Picchu. With so many stand-out attractions, any trip to Peru is accompanied by crowds of people from all over the World, looking to find out what all the hype is about, but between the tour buses and the selfie sticks, there's always a peaceful moment to take in the incredible scenery.

Read more about our time in Peru by clicking the link below:

After the popularity of Peru, we began a month in its relatively undiscovered neighbour - Bolivia. Starting on the tranquil shores of lake Titicaca, we headed deeper into this landlocked nation. The roads feel less travelled, with fewer tourists, but the friendly locals and enchanting destinations remain. Bolivia still preserves lots of its ancient traditions and customs, highlighted in the beautifully dressed Cholita women throughout the nation, the superstitious witches markets in La Paz, and the peacefully remote tribes deep into the Amazon rainforest. In the cities, huge markets sprawl out over several blocks, with locals bartering over fresh produce, cosmetics, live animals, power tools, and more. The countriside is even more untouched, with dramatic rock formations marked only by the prehistoric footprints of dinosaurs, dense jungles overflowing with biodiversity, and the enormous salar de Uyuni, where you brain will struggle to conprehend the vast, perfectly flat blanket of salt. Every step of the journey in Bolivia was unique and unforgettable, and the more time you spend there, the more you grow to love it.

Chile is usually explored by hiring a car and road-tripping segments of this beautiful country. We decided to try and travel the whole length of the longest country in South America, using only public transport. Starting from San Pedro de Atacama, a little town in the dry and rocky Atacama desert, to Punta Arenas at the southern tip of Patagonia, it was quite the adventure. Slowly, but surely, the landscapes changed from one extreme to another. After exploring the dusty-red and beautiful landscapes of the driest place on Earth, we ventured through the Chilean capital before entering the country's lake district. The bolder and more vivid landscapes here are all postcard worthy, with the brightly coloured palafatio stilt-houses of Chiloe and the smouldering Villarica volcano feeling like they have been taken from a fairy tale. The bumpy gravel road continues south, with backdrops of ice-capped mountains and crystal clear rivers meandering through the wild landscapes of Patagonia. Isolated settlements become few and far between, as the days get longer and lighter and the nature gets wilder. When the road finally runs out, we continue by sea, sailing alongside seals and dolphins, and dodging ship-wreks. The unforgettable scenery does not stop, all the way to the quiet port cities of Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, where the infamous Torres del Paine national park awaits.

Argentina spans an unbelievably diverse range of climates and ecosystems, from the barren wilderness of Ushuaia - the southernmost city in the World, to the hot and dry vineyards of Mendoza - the wine capital of South America. We began our trip in the south, but despite the icy and hostile patagonian climate, the Argentinian people more than make up for it with their warm welcomes and hospitality. Here, the locals are always smiling and chatting over a hot maté. The country has become the powerhouse that it is today by welcoming and integrating migrants from all over the World, and each wave of immigration brought new culture, food, and passion to the country. Despite this imigration, Argentina remains one of the most patriotic countries we have visited, perhaps predominantly due to the nation's unanimous love for football. However, there is also a lot of beauty to be proud of, since their country is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the World. The mountains are dramatic and imposing in stature, the lakes are clear enough to see right to the bottom, and the glaciers are so huge they sound like thunder as they slowly crumble and melt in the sun. Don't make the mistake of rushing through this giant country - take it easy like the laid-back locals. Along the road, you will meet climbers, hitch-hikers, backpackers, and families from all over the World, but you'll meet many more Argentinians who are enjoying their own country and happy to meet new faces and have new experiences.

After accumulating some serious mileage hiking through patagonia, Uruguay was the perfect place to relax and unwind. Although relatively unknown to most of the world, visitors flock from its neighbouring countries to take advantage of the world class beaches and expensive seaside resorts in Uruguay. Somehow even more laid back than Argentina, just over the Rio Plata, Uruguay provides the ultimate settings for a lazy beach holiday. With flat, sandy coastline stretching uninterupted for miles, and thunderous waves sending surfers flying in all directions, its easy to see why Uruguay is such a popular summer holiday destination for South Americans. Outside of the high season though, the small beach towns are almost deserted, leaving endless pristine coastline to be explored in privacy.

As the second-poorest country in South America, and possibly the most unknown, we entered Paraguay with no idea what to expect. Our bus passed huge open countrisides, and down dusty roads, to reach the capital city of Asuncion. The city has many ornately decorated, colourful buildings that tell the story of the thriving capital Asuncion once was several decades ago, now lying within an abundance of abandoned buildings and neglected parks. It is home to many welcoming and friendly locals and cheap opportunities to try traditional Paraguyan food. Since the majority of Paraguyans live in the countriside, Asuncion is not a bustling city by any means, and feels rather laid-back. The country has a fascinating history, and is still home to indigenous tribes, with much of the population speaking Guaranese. Exploring the old Jesuit missions, which feel like they are in the middle of nowhere, is one way to get a sense of the country's past. Although it is often dismissed without a second thought, Paraguay has some hidden gems for those willing to search for them, from thundering waterfalls and huge green landscapes, to some of the friendliest people around.

Brazil - April & May 2024

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