01 Lima
Start of the adventure
02 Vinicunca mountain
also called Montana de Siete Colores. This beautiful formation, located at an altitude of 5200 metres, offers breathtaking views.
03 Arequipa
the second largest city in Peru and located to the south near the border with Chile, at the foot of the volcano El Misti. It is a city with a Catholic tradition and was formerly closer to the Spanish crown than the Inca
04 Colca Canyon
One of the deepest canyons in the world (4160 metres deep)
05 Paracas National Reserve
Peru's second largest city, it is located to the south near the border with Chile and lies at the foot of the volcano El Misti. It is a city with a Catholic tradition and was formerly closer to the Spanish crown than the Inca
06 Huaraz
Trekking to Laguna 513 at 4431 metres above sea level and the foot of Hualcán Mountain
07 Fortuna waterfall
Small national park where the Fortuna waterfall is located surrounded by greenery
08 Parco Nacional Arenal
Night walk in the forest near the Arenal National Park where there are incredible reptiles and amphibians
09 Parco Mistico Arena
Famous for its suspension bridges and wildlife.
10 Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
11 Liberia
Costa Rica's second largest city by population and close to the border with Nicaragua.
12 Isola di Ometepe
Island in the middle of Lake Cocibolca
13 Parco Nazionale Manuel Antonio
Forest overlooking the ocean where wildlife is very active
14 Puerto Viejo
Village on the Caribbean coast with a very Criolla and Jamaican energy and culture.
15 Boca del Toro
Enrico's first scuba diving certificate
16 Panama City Canal
17 Cartagena
A quintessential colonial city renowned for the slave trade, with a well-preserved historic citadel, though the vendors can be overly persistent.
18 Santa Marta & Ciudad Perdida
After Cartagena, I headed to Santa Marta, the starting point for the stunning 4-day trek to Ciudad Perdida and a fascinating encounter with the Kogi and Wiwa tribes.
19 Parco Tayrona & Palomino
After returning to Santa Marta, I visited Tayrona Park and Palomino, before stopping again in Santa Marta for the Colombia-Argentina Copa America final, enjoying the atmosphere despite the loss.
20 Medellín & surroundings
Medellín offers a mix of industrial history, narcoterrorism legacy, Botero's art, and contrasts between revitalized and developing areas, plus exciting football and trips to Piedra del Peñol and Guatapé.
21 Bogotà
Bogotá, often underestimated by travelers, is actually quite interesting with its colonial architecture in La Candelaria, Botero and Gold museums, and residential areas like El Retiro.
22 Eje cafetero
In the coffee region, known for its high-quality coffee, I spent 4 days exploring Salento, Filandia, and the Cócora and La Carbonera valleys, famous for their wax palms and a 25 km downhill ride.
23 Cali
Although it is a bit dangerous, being the capital of salsa makes it extremely lively.
24 Quito
Quito, Ecuador's capital at nearly 3,000 meters and crossed by the equator, is a clean city surrounded by mountains. I spent two enjoyable weeks there and saw a Copa Sudamericana match.
25 Otavalo
Named after the indigenous community famous for its wool production and traditional ponchos.
26 Cotopaxi National Park
Cotopaxi, the world's third-highest volcano at 5,872 meters, provided 3 days of relaxation and trekking; bad weather stopped the summit attempt, but lower hikes like Pasochoa were rewarding.
27 Baños
Baños is famous for its natural hot springs and adventure sports; I spent 3 days rafting and biking the scenic Ruta de las Cascadas.
28 Cuyabeno National Park
After three days in isolation at the Ecuador-Colombia-Peru border, I explored the Amazon, unsuccessfully searching for an anaconda, visiting the Siona community, and appreciating the rainforest's timeless beauty.
29 Cuenca
After 2 days in the city known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and UNESCO status, I still preferred Quito.
30 Copacabana & Isla del Sol
I spent two days in a small town where I discovered both Christian faith and Bolivian shamanic traditions, followed by a visit to Isla del Sol, where I stayed with a local community and completed a 20 km trek.
31 La Paz & Surroundings
I spent four days in La Paz to acclimatize before climbing Huayna Potosí, exploring its rich cultural and political contrasts, and went on two excursions: a thrilling downhill ride on the Death Road and a visit to the ancient Tiwanaku ruins.
32 Climb to Huayna Potosi
Climbing Huayna Potosí was a magical experience; accompanied by two Germans and an Andean guide, we started at 4,700 meters, acclimatized at base camp, practiced ice climbing, and reached the summit after a two-day ascent.
33 Sucre
I spent three days in Bolivia's capital, exploring its rich history of liberation from Spain through the actions of Simón Bolívar and José Antonio Sucre, as well as its cultural landmarks.
34 Potosi
Founded in 1545 during the colonial era for its vast silver reserves, Potosí quickly became the largest city in the Americas; visiting the active mines of Cerro Rico offered a deep understanding of the phrase "you don't work in a mine."
35 Salar de Uyuni tour
I enjoyed a breathtaking three-day tour, exploring the train museum near Uyuni, the vast Salar and Incahuasi Island, colorful lagoons surrounded by volcanoes, geysers, wind-sculpted rocks, and the Siloli Desert, before crossing the border into Chile at over 4,000 meters.
36 San Pedro de Atacama
After the Uyuni tour, I arrived in San Pedro de Atacama, a small tourist town near the Atacama Desert. I spent three days mountain biking through the Valle de la Luna, Valle de la Muerte, and Garganta del Diablo—an amazing experience!
37 La Serena & Coquimbo
I spent three days in La Serena, known for its long coastline, during which I experienced Independence Day celebrations and visited Coquimbo's massive national fair—the largest in the country!
38 Valle del Elqui
An hour and a half from La Serena is a valley known for Gabriela Mistral, astronomical observatories, and Pisco production. I visited distilleries, a high-altitude winery, biked, and explored Mistral's works—highly recommend a visit!
39 Santiago
Santiago, often underrated by travelers, is rich in political and artistic history. A visit reveals the impact of the 1973 Pinochet-led coup against Allende, the ongoing search for justice for victims of the dictatorship, and the push for a new constitution. Architecturally, the city shows strong European influence, and I also attended a passionate Colo-Colo football match.
40 Val paraiso & Vina del Mar
Two cities close to each other but with distinct personalities: one is Chile’s first port, known for its colorful houses, murals, and vibrant atmosphere; the other, Viña del Mar, is a resort for Santiago’s upper class, home to a moai from Easter Island.
41 Mendoza
After crossing the border into Chile on a bus trip with extended timings, I spent four days in South America’s wine capital. I must admit the wine is truly fascinating, which is why I focused solely on visiting wineries.
42 Cordoba
On the way to Buenos Aires, I stopped for four days in Córdoba, Argentina's second-largest city with a strong university tradition. I visited a former clandestine detention center from the military regime era (1970s–80s)—a deeply moving experience.
43 Alta Gracia e la Cumbrecita
Near Córdoba, Alta Gracia is famous for its air quality and as Che Guevara’s childhood home, now a museum. I then visited La Cumbrecita, a picturesque German-Swiss village in a timeless forest.
44 Buenos Aires
My absolute favorite city! Whether it was having friends there, constant talks about football and politics, the parks, the culture, or the social energy. I visited iconic sites, attended electrifying matches in legendary stadiums, and witnessed peaceful protests against President Milei’s reforms. Truly unforgettable.
45 Patagonia del nord - Bariloche/el bolson
I broke up my stay in Buenos Aires with five days of trekking in Bariloche and El Bolsón—both absolutely stunning places.
46 Patagonia del sud Argentina - El calafate, el chalten
After seeing the Perito Moreno glacier in El Calafate, we headed to El Chaltén, a tiny village at the base of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Despite challenging weather, we were lucky to glimpse Fitz Roy (IMG_4377, IMG_4297) and Cerro Torre from afar (IMG_4651) on the last day.
47 Patagonia del sud Chilena - Punta arenas, Parco Torres del Paine
After 8 days in southern Argentine Patagonia, we stopped for 3 days in Punta Arenas, the southernmost city on the continent, to visit Magdalena Island and its Magellanic penguins. We then concluded with a 4-day trek in the sensational Torres del Paine National Park.
