South America - Overland Travel

All Images By Rick Hemi

There's no simple way to cross through or around this land mass without having to zig-zag and circumvent it many times, which will at least take one year to 18 months or more to complete - if thoroughly executed.

The timing should be calculated to reach Patagonia through the summer months unless the cold bitterly winds and snow from Antarctica isn't an issue. The festivals are many throughout the continent and can also be placed into a schedule, although some main events do coincide with other festivities at the same time.

​Even if one were to pre-plan an entire transit journey before arriving, it's guaranteed to change its course along the way. The endless amounts of detours into national parks alone are far beyond the reach of focus.

Almost every country has its unique local presence of bygone culture, and history that's scattered far and wide. Over-landing is the ultimate option for South America, it doesn't get better than this anywhere on the planet.
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Many that do visit for short periods find out quickly how much this continent has to offer and regret their short stay status. South American landscapes are mind blowing, the rivers untamed jungles, and the Latinos themselves are out going and extroverted.

​​That's just the tip of the iceberg waiting for those who are game enough to explore the continent. Don't think twice to solo travel through this land mass at your own pace and leisure. 

Long Haul Flight Arrival - Top Three Cities

Flights arriving into South America are in their thousands from Europe, USA, and the Pacific. Arrival destinations to begin any overland journey covering the entire continent, are best begun at opposite ends of south America. Overland up, down and across the continent from Colombia, Argentina, or Chile will avoid any back-tracking. Bogota, Buenos Aires, and Santiago are the best three arrival hubs. Timing of arrival also plays an important role at both ends of the continent of seasonal changes and festival events. Landing in Santiago in the mid-spring, is perfect timing reaching Patagonia. For those wanting a slow start,  Argentina and Chile are good options. ​

From the southern Pacific, Instead of using direct flights, the better option via Papeete & Easter Island is recommended. Why rush when you've got plenty of time on your hands. Soak up some sun and enjoy the local atmosphere before reaching Santiago.    

Solo Overland Transit Routes - South America

Sth. Bound - Rio Turbo To Puerto Williams Via The West Coast : Nth. Bound - Patagonia To Colombia Via The East Coast

Landing into South America is the easy part. Transiting overland through the entire continent requires time, lots of time, patience and endurance. Reaching the Patagonian region is recommended from November onward. The winter months in Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina are rewarding for those who enjoy the great outdoor wilderness lifestyle. Low and highland off-road transit routes may be affected from flash flooding, slips caused by erratic weather.

Full frame DSLR or Mirrorless camera gear, headlamp and compass are essentials for South America. Planning ahead well in advance for journeys off the beaten track is recommended. Avoid rushing through South America, like many have regretted, it could be years until returning to this continent. 

For more detailed information the climate to travel website has a thorough analysis of any country's temperature conditions covering all seasons. Transiting by bus through South America is straight forward with plenty of different bus companies offering affordable pricing and comfort. The Ormeno bus company based in Lima operates two routes through the continent (Lima-Buenos Aires, Lima Caracas). Ormeno is a no-frills transportation service that has been operating five day transit runs for decades. Purchasing your own VW Kombi is another option, which I've done numerous times - more on this in the overland transit page. On long-term overland travel journeys, the question arises of what photo gear to use. This should be researched well in advance. The photo-gear page covers a variety of equipment I've personally used which may give inspiration and insight. 

Macapa-Belem-Santarem-Manaus-Iquitos-Pucallpa : Manaus-Boa Vista : Manaus-Porto Velho : Manaus Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira : Leticia-Puerto Asis

Transiting on ferry boats in either direction up or down the Amazon is relatively straight forward. In Brazil, ferry boats from Belem will get you connected through the Amazonian river tributaries to Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru. All ferry boat connections are interlinked up and down the Amazon basin. In Brazil slow boats from Belem connect to Santarem and Manaus. There are scheduled ferry boat sailings from Porto Velho to Manaus each week. There are constant ferry boat sailings from Manaus to Belem and Tabatinga/Leticia. There's also slow boat connections from Manaus to Boa Vista. The river link from Manaus to Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira gets you to the back-door entrance into Venezuela. Connections from Leticia to Puerto Asis in Colombia can take up to 3 weeks with cargo vessels. 

There are no direct Putumayo river ferry boat services. There's the option of taking a fast boat from Santa Rosa to Iquitos. Ferry boats from Iquitos to Pucallpa take approx. 7 days up river and 4 days down river. Connecting onward up river from Pucallpa to San Francisco or from Iquitos to Yurimaguas can be done with infrequent cargo vessels in either direction. A robust reliable hammock is required on all slow boats. Completing the entire Amazon basin circuit will take 3+ months.​

Choosing an Amazon ferryboat route are many. Deciding where one begins, is usually from Belem to Pucallpa, or down river in the other direction with numerous connections and stop-offs. Other favorite routes are Porto Velho via Manaus, Santarem to Macapa via Belem, and Coca via Iquitos to Pucallpa, and onward to San Francisco using anything that floats. For those looking for extreme riverboat journeys, the Manaus - Venezuela route through to Puerto Guayana Venezuela will do it. Time duration of this journey is approximately two slow months with stop-offs. This is a drug contraband smuggling route including bandits, thieves and snitches - watch your stuff!

Hot and humid, Santarem port, the gateway to Itaituba, Manaus, Belem and Macapa. Spending a few days here is more than adequate. Remember to board ferryboats with your own hammock.

Overland Transit Routes

Deluxe Bus : Bush Bus : Self Drive : MC : Van : 4WD : Truck : Hitchhike

Plenty of time is required fully completing thorough overland journeys through the continent. Approximately 18 months to two years will cover this amazing rugged landmass. The average stay within each country is approximately between 2-3 months. Many foreigners rush through South America, because of limited time running on stupid schedules. Don't be one them. South America is a continent that requires as much time as you can give it. 

Overland Road Trip - South America

Overland Road Trip South America : Make Your Dream Reality : Self Drive : Stop & Stop : Freedom

I've driven VW Kombis through South America several times - Don't think about it - Just do it!

If you're like me wanting your own time schedules, privacy, and stopping at locations without rushing around looking for public transport, is purchasing your own vehicle. VW Kombis maybe old, but there's still plenty of these classic vans running around the continent. Even purchasing a VW Kombi that may require minimal  engine repairs, or a fresh coat of paint will be beneficial when it comes to the time of reselling it. New and second hand parts for VW Kombis are still available scattered in most latin countries. Some foreigners will instead, store their Kombi till returning to South America for another full-on road trip a year or two later. This does involve some extra official paper work, but worth the effort if returning. Of late, driving your own vehicle through the entire continent may or may not be fully completed due to car-jacking, extortion, and corruption in Venezuela.
The road route connection from Colombia to Guyana and Brazil is through Venezuela. Driving through Isolated bush track highways in Brazil is dangerous. Banditry highway robbing happens more frequent than you can imagine. Nothing much changes driving on South American highways. It's all about luck and timing. Night driving should be avoided, if you value your life and stuff. A friend had bought a Brazilian registered VW Kombi only to have it smashed and badly damaged in Chile while driving at night. Thinking that nothing will happen to you in any remote region in South America is something that shouldn't be taken lightly, excluding only Patagonia, and Chile. More info on driving and purchasing your own vehicle in South America in the Overland Transit section.

Positives - Use your own route at your own pace : Negatives - Rough back roads : Breakdowns : Isolated highway bandits

Major South American highways are as good as anywhere else around the planet. It's only when deviating through secondary road routes, and driving through short cut bush tracks when roads become hazardous. Never park up somewhere along the side of highways during the night with your own transport. Driving vehicles with number plates from neighboring countries can be dangerous. Reaching safe places before the sun sets to park vehicles is a priority. South American highway road bandits and thieves show no mercy when it comes to easy targets. I've seen how bandits operate, they all use their own techniques. More on banditry and thieves in the overland transit page.

A 2nd Brazilian gasoline powered VW Kombi bought and used across South America - Breakdowns - None

Drug Smuggling - Don't Even Think About It!

Above Images - Amazon Tri border Brazilian Narcotic Drug Control Inspection. 

Quick examples - Colombia Australian female busted smuggling 6 kilos of cocaine : Argentina New Zealand female busted smuggling 5 kilos of cocaine : Colombia European drug ring busted smuggling cocaine : Peru English females busted smuggling 11 kilos of cocaine : Chile 1800 foreigners busted for drugs in one year : Brazil Drug smugglers busted in Brazil are mainly foreigners : Ecuador Americans busted for heroin : Brazil Smuggling cocaine in the stomach to New Zealand.

A warning to those who think that overland drug smuggling or being a drug mule anywhere in South America is easy money - It's not. Drug border control checks, including random highway checks throughout the continent are now normal procedure. Border drug check controls involve separate gender strip searches, drug sniffing dogs, and a thorough inspection of all baggage. Personally, I have met foreign tourists who were caught with small quantities of cocaine who thought their stash wouldn't be found. South American drug enforcement officers know every hiding place in existence. They've had plenty of experience over the decades busting their own citizens who also thought they could evade from being caught smuggling drugs across borders. Expect hardcore drug searches at the borders of Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. These countries including other Latin republics do carry out random drug searches inside their own borders. South American jails are not holiday camps like in Scandinavia - Don't smuggle narcotics unless you want to rot in a South American jail. Personally checking and repacking all baggage should be done before transiting across borders or at airports.

Cocaine Tourism - A Fool's Paradise!

Jet setting thousands of miles across the skies just to party and snort cocaine is totally insane. Many Westerners, especially under 30s fly the same flight paths to the usual hangouts where cocaine is cheap and plentiful. The image snap above shows just that. This isn't about promoting narcotic usage offshore, it's about connecting air mileage to something more constructive rather than self-drug abuse in other countries. Get a grip, there's more to life than consuming drugs — You don't need to get high looking up at the sky.  

Interacting With Latinos - Learn Spanish!

The Latinos are an amazing mixture of cultures intermingled with colonial and indigenous heritages. Their hot blooded temperament and mood of the moment is witnessed on every street one walks. It's the only continent that has the same outward extroversion that is stimulated sociably in public. If one were to walk the avenues of Buenos Aires or stroll a remote village in Colombia the conversation between locals will contain the same elements of energy and temperament. Relating to Latino's is easy, just talk - and see what happens. Latinos enjoy chit chat and will chat all day if possible. Indigenous locals within the Andean block are more closed off towards foreigners. Iif one were to spend a day's free labor working in the fields with them, the interaction will be immense. Sometimes as a visitor we demand too much and understand very little of how to put the first foot forward when trying to communicate with others. Interacting and speaking Spanish is the key guaranteeing a higher level of satisfaction over-landing through the continent. Connecting with Latinos is important if one wants to enjoy the full extent of what South America has to offer.

Random street photography will keep anyone busy capturing random snaps within mountainous regions in the Andean block. Open markets are plentiful, busy, packed with indigenous locals selling product and purchasing supplies.

The Caribbean coastline, is well known and regarded for its up-tempo mood-swing from Cartagena to Salvador. Dress-mode is vibrant among locals who are normally fully charged and extroverted. The endless amount of trendy beaches, bars and hot spots will keep most travelers activated non-stop through the nights. Personally, free camping at isolated beach locations with minimal tourism is better. Below, tribal culture within the Andean block within mountainous regions of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Most people on 2nd, 3rd and fourth visits to the continent usually return to their favorite places of interest. A few locations worth mentioning I've personally revisited - the Andes Amazon regions, Patagonia and Angel Falls. I normally spend at least 12 months traveling through South America.
On previous journeys, I've used all types of local transport, including hitching lifts and self-driving across the continent. Some of the best journeys of a lifetime are transit journeys on board rough bush buses through the middle of nowhere.

Capturing Random Snaps - Use Real Cameras!

Avoid being a yuppie smartphone traveler - Instead use real camera gear stuff. 

I totally avoid using smartphone cameras for street photography — no matter the brand or how many lenses and megapixels they may have. I switch smartphones off heading out the door. For more info on what I've personally been traveling with capturing random images through continents, take a look in the photo gear page for added inspiration. Using real camera gear by far, is more satisfying — try it.   

Explaining the difference between smartphone cameras to real cameras to people having no interest in street photography, is a complete waste of time. It's also about traveling through the continent with excessive weight, and safety concerns. Honestly, if you're going to get robbed, you'll be robbed of anything by the way you present yourself out on the street. Latino street thieves already know their targets of who will become their next victim — with or without camera gear. Traveling using real camera gear stuff rather than just smartphone junk, is more than self-satisfying for landscape, diverse street captures, and people shots, just like the above closeup street portrait. Avoid becoming brain fogged by glossy smartphone advertising. One only requires a quick research what type of photo gear wildlife, landscape, sport, street and fashion photographers use — not smartphones.    

Overland Travel South America - A Vibrant Journey

From the Colombian Caribbean coast to the lowest point of the continent - Puerto Williams, is an epic journey through a cultural mix of history and topography that guarantees satisfaction for anyone planning overland journeys through it. Many foreigners begin their overland journeys through the continent beginning at Rio Turbo or Cartagena.

South America, a continent that saturates most visitors who discover how immensely different each country is with numerous ethnic diversity. South America is an adrenaline rush for landscape lovers, highland hikers and wildlife fanatics. Combine this in together with Latino art, food, dance, music and song, it makes the continent an epic adventure of solo overland travel with everything and anything one could wish for.

Choosing your own type of transport through the continent is straight forward. Slow bush bus, deluxe bus, train, self-diving, slow boat and high speed Amazon river service, or simply hitching lifts on board trucks. 

Capturing clear sharp distant images like above requires more than five lens smart phones. Full frame DSLR and quality point and shoots is where it's still at in the 2020s. Those who think their smart phones will cover their entire overland South American journey will become very disappointed. Above images, taken with full frame DSLR camera gear from 2.7 kms distance.

Those who end-up reaching this classic sign board have made it to the lowest inhabited point of the continent. From here jumping on ships to the Antarctica ice shelf is only a stones throw away across the roaring 40's. One can be lucky enough hitching a ride on a supply vessel instead of the usual fly in fly out, or those over expensive tourist ships during the summer months to Antarctica.

The Pan American highway with congested transit traffic heading northbound on the western side of the continent. Getting up and down through the western side of South America is a breeze, even hitchhiking is simple enough, if one has plenty of time on their hands. Hitching lifts with trucks and private vehicles are usually from the last gas fill stations out of any city or town. This gives the opportunity to openly chat with drivers before jumping onboard. I've personally hitched lifts on board trucks, cars, 4WDs and vans through the continents since 1982 with zero issues.
Any overland transit journey through South America isn't complete without accomplishing at least a one-way voyage through the Amazon river. Pullcapa to Belem via Iquitos, Leticia, Manaus and Santarem is one option. Jumping on board slow boats are numerous with random stop-offs at river ports along the way. A sturdy hammock is required and recommended for all slow boat journeys.

South American main transit highways vary from country to country. Some of the best bitumen roads are in Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia. Dirt track highways are still active in Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and within the central regions of the Amazonian basin. In general, most roads diverting off major highways will eventually turn into narrow single-lane bush tracks having minimal maintenance. The Amazon region has numerous bush track routes to experience a week or two of travel without seeing a tar-sealed road in any direction. During the wet season some bush track routes turn into non-passable bog pits. The Andean chain high pass dirt road routes in Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina are among the top overland transit routes in the Americas. A few personal favorites are the Paso Agua Negra, Uyuni to Salta, Letham to Macapa, Pasto to Puerto Asis, and Cusco to Rio Branco.

Above, La Selva is where it all happens. Tourism overflow, ayahuasca hubs, coca plantations, and cocaine distillery jungle labs sprawled through the region. The sweaty hot climate comes for free. Those who haven't traveled throughout the Selva haven't been to South America.

Interior Overland Transit - Jungle Bush Routes

Jungle Bush Track Highways - Suriname : Guyana : French Guiana : Amazon :  Brazil : Peru : Venezuela

Above, typical jungle bush track highways through the middle of nowhere notorious for random bandit holdups.

Each days different in transit along jungle clad bush track highways with some days good, other days bad. We're not talking about common bush bus breakdowns or flooded out routes. It's whether or not transport is suddenly held up by highway bandits. This happens more often than most acknowledge outside these regions. You'll never hear about them in news. More about safety, robbing and thieving in the Overland Transit page.

These images reflect how total travel freedom offshore was taken for granted through the '80s era. Capturing images of almost anything one wished without fuss or bother. Travel was rough as guts, no one cared what one thought, or what others said. We didn't carry hankies around shedding tears, there were no such thing as snowflakes back then. Westerners traveling offshore during the postcard era weren't brainwashed with indoctrinated Marxist group think education. They didn't hate their homeland countries. Cancel culture and critical race theory wasn't yet hatched. Post 2020, the Western world has become a vile cesspool of wokeness hysteria.

Transiting on slow trains through South America is more thrilling than most imagine. Slow bush track rail is still being used in certain regions in Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. Hanging out the sides or on rooftops of trains will depend if locals are doing it. This is solely at your own risk, don't expect trains to stop if you suddenly slip off the side, and kiss goodbye to any baggage left on board, it won't be there after a few stops. Below, up in the Andean highlands heading over the Andes onward to the Amazon region.

Wildlife In The Wild - South America

Wildlife Aren't In Zoos - Use Camera Gear Not Smart Phone Junk.

The entire continent is teaming with an overflowing abundance of wildlife. Transiting southward from the Colombian Caribbean coast down through Venezuela, Guyana to the Amazonian basin, one encounters dense tropical rain forests. It's here where jaguar, puma, reptiles, and exotic birds can be seen with the assistance from local wildlife guides. Cruising around alone inside any of these sanctuaries isn't recommended. Slow painful deaths from camouflaged coral snakes happen. Advancing more southward through Peru and the Bolivian Altiplano, flamingo, alpaca, and llamas are commonly spotted feeding within their natural habitat. It's also here where the Andean condor resides, and can be easily seen the further one travels more southward. One of the most well known sanctuaries in the continent, which I personally recommend to visit, is Torres del Paine national park situated in the deep south in Patagonia. Hiking and trekking through this region one can spot Guanaco, condor, deer, and over 20 species of other mammals, including a large variety of different birds, with absorbing amounts of flora and fauna. The transit route from Calafate via Torres del Paine onward to Puerto Natales, and downward to Ushuaia is a mind-blowing scenic journey that shouldn't be missed. The ultimate time through the Patagonia region is usually after early spring has begun. This allows more visibility with less low cloud cover, fog and rainfall - there's a selection of more continental wildlife image captures here 

The Bolivian Altiplano has a mixed variety of different wildlife habitat. Desert foxes, vicuna, llama, and flamingo are commonly spotted wherever there's a substance of high altitude grass, springs, salar ponds, and lakes. Traveling with some form of camera gear is recommended through the Altiplano region. Up market point and shoots, 4/3 cameras and full frame DSLRs are the best options. 

Macaw parrots, one of the many hundreds of different bird spices within northern jungles of S.A.

Drizzly misty overcast days within Torres del Paine can't be avoided. November through February are the preferable time period visiting the Patagonian region. The visibility during these months is clearer with less cloud cover. The average Patagonian rainfall is approximately 440mm annually with April and May the wettest months.  ​

Gators like above are spotted within the Patanal, Colombian Amazonas, and most backwater regions throughout the Amazon region. Amazonian coral snakes will kill a human with severe pain before death. Alligator attacks within the Amazon region are rare. Locals are aware avoiding swimming in dense camouflaged water. Don't try your luck of being the first foreigner hitting main stream news headlines chomped up by one.

Flamingo gatherings are scattered throughout the continent with the Altiplano region the best location for all round yearly activity. 

One wildlife subject South America isn't lacking are Alpaca. They are seen scattered along the highlands of the Altiplano flatlands, and are normally ear-tagged owned by local families. Flocks of Alpaca can be spotted wherever lush green marsh wetlands are established.

Jungle bush land regions within the Amazon basin have an abundance of toucans. They can be heard by their peculiar bird call and spotted nestled up together in trees. Below, a hungry desert fox grabbing some grub.

South America - Grabbing Snaps

Boredom Doesn't Exist In South America - There's Always Something To Photograph

Capturing everyday travel snaps through the continent is part of the journey. Just look around of what catches the eye and take it. These quick examples may not be of any value at the time they were taken, but many images will end up being used years later. It's better to take more still images than video. Image captures can later be enlarged as prints on canvas, metal and glass hung on walls.

Guzzling down Mate de Coca brew every day will certainly replenish your body with natural minerals and vitamins. Coca leaves contain traces of magnesium, calcium, phosphorous,including vitamins A, B1,B2,B6, C and E. Coca leaf can be easily found at most Bolivian markets. Just ask locals, they'll point you in the right direction.

South America certainly doesn't lack signage and nationalism, it's spotted everywhere especially through the Andean block.

​The Colombians - Great Interaction

The Colombians - it doesn't matter where one travels through the country, their rewarding hospitality is everywhere. It's their positive outward personality that climbs to another level compared to other Latin countries. Even with the past and on-going conflicts since the mid 80's with drug cartels and F.A.R.C., the Colombians haven't lost their vibrancy as a nation to do what they do best - entertain amongst themselves. This is one Latin country that absorbs many months of solo travel without even acknowledging it. Colombian landscape is as diverse as it gets, and the people explosive. Whatever plan one has, don't leave South America without transiting through the bread and width of Colombia. The country has an amazing culture with ethnic differences that reflect the true values of their nation.

Below, when Colombians party - they party. A street gathering outside Camino Real in central Cali during festive events.

Colombia - Overland Transit Routes

Minimum Time Stay - 3 Months : Top Locations - Every Where

Explore & Chill - Colombia

Top Regions - Caqueta : Guainia : Magdalena : Amazonas : San Andres

Three things Colombia isn't short of, warm waters, green emeralds and quality handmade bags. The above image of Johnny Cay was taken during an earlier overland journey through the continent. Like most other classic images through this website, they were scanned from small 5x3 inch snaps instead of using the original negatives.

Finding quality handmade designer products through South America isn't difficult. Colombian Wayuu mochila bags are one of the most versatile woven bags found on the planet. The mochila below was privately hand made and gifted. The quality of these bags certainly give many years of wear and tear reliability. Purchasing Colombian green emeralds is another great option. Setting an emerald into one-off ring designs, and finished in 18 carat gold can be done in any large city. On a previous visit, I had designed my own jewellery, a custom designed ring fitted with a 6.3 carat emerald (shown below). Soft suede leather can be purchased at most tanneries, and handmade into belts and vests.

Rhythm - Salsa - Samba - Merengue - Cumbia

It's impossible to imagine Latinos without music

The magical influence of South America begins the moment of arrival to the continent. Latinos are extroverted. They spend more time outdoors than indoors. Large cities and small rural villages bustle with overcrowded pavements and endless traffic. When mingling along foot-walks towards a favorite outdoor breakfast retreat, it's striking to observe the individual personalities amongst locals from all walks of life. Sipping a "cafe con leche" and listening to distinct rhythms of salsa blasting across from neighboring boutiques, echoes through the entire continent. It's difficult to imagine Latinos without music. It’s embedded in them from the day they're born and tolerated without prejudice amongst them. Music is an easy way to pick up Spanish. Spending time and interacting with street kids is another alternative. Most locals have all the time in the world to explain or describe whatever until it is understood. Traveling through Brazil speaking Spanish is easier than relating in Portuguese to the rest of the continent who only speak Spanish.

Cuban Band Buena Vista Social Club Playing Live At A Very Small Venue In Bogota - Rating 10/10

Cali is a prime example of continuous rhythm of Salsa through the night. There's actually not a single bar or venue that plays western music in Cali. It's pure Salsa. Medellin, Manizales, Bogota, and the Caribbean coast have their own distinctive flavors of local music tones. Salsa, Merengue, and Cumbia are integrated, and certainly plays its part in Colombian culture. Colombian reggeaton has been around a while, but the influence of original Cuban Salsa has been around for decades and will always be the number one rhythm through the country.
Below, point and shoot snaps taken at the Petronio Alvaraz Pacifico Musica Festival in Cali. The event is held yearly over 4 days. The festival is well organized, and heavily influenced with distinct African rhythms from a variety of different groups from the west coast region.

What - Nikon D3 In The 2020s

Good second hand DSLR overland still cameras — D3 Rating 9/10 : D780 Rating 7/10 : D800 Rating 7/10 : D7100 Rating 7/10 : D3S Rating 10/10

The above ratings are pointed at still street photography only, not for video ratings or for all those "user  friendly" updated options that are continuously rolled out in later model DSLR full frame bodies. From out of the above five Nikon DSLR bodies, I still use the older models, the Nikon D3/S 12MP as a daily go get to cameras for capturing random still street images. In the 2020s, the D3/s are regarded as paperweight cameras to most, because they lack all the latest add-on technology. Who cares? I can ensure the D3/S are still amazing cameras designed to do what they've proven to do well past their expiration timeline. Give me a fast prime lens, or a 6Kg AFS 600mm f/4 attached to either one of these 12MP bodies, they will get the shots. Don't get me wrong, Nikon's D780 is a great semi pro full frame DSLR, I use it, but personally, the older flagship 12MP pro-bodies are still capturing excellent street images, street portraits, and diverse still image captures in the 2020s. Both bodies are extremely comfortable to hold and use in any position with their heavy weight. Those traveling using lightweight point and shoots and junky smart phone cameras through South America will probably think otherwise. It's a personal choice.      

It's always the same question I get asked no matter the country or continent I'm in - "Why do you use these old heavy 12 megapixel tank cameras?" It's simple, the reliability of these particular models will survive and handle almost any environment without failing. The D3 in the image has already proven itself in +50C temps twice for 3 week periods at a time, and has also passed the ultimate cold test within extreme subzero temperatures below minus -30C @ 4000+ meters altitude for a month. Nikon got it right with these body designs. The D3 and D3S both fit perfectly in the hand, they are non-stop robust daylight workhorses for street photography, portraits, landscape, and wildlife anywhere on the planet. Of course, a selection of prime lenses are required, mostly fast low light lenses, and lengthy zoom.

In general, capturing random street snaps of Latinos isn't difficult. By using positive interaction beforehand with individual subjects is like elsewhere throughout the The Real World. Knowing the art of how to interact with total strangers may sound difficult to some. Interacting with all kinds of different people also requires all kinds of different interacting skills.

Below, the Nikon D780, is nothing more than a Z6 placed inside a full frame body. I still use a 2007 DSLR D3 more than the D780!

Altiplano - High Altitude Wilderness

The Bolivian Altiplano weather patterns are extreme through the seasons, producing spectacular changing vistas of low cloud, clear blue sky, and dust storms over landscape formations. Rich ore sediments embedded in mountains reflect multiple colors of rustic orange with white sulfate hypnotizing the visitor. The Altiplano is a harsh barren region with climatic extremities like in Tibet or Lesotho with an unforgiving presence of nature's wild side. The view above of barren Altiplano landscape at 4870 meters.

Bolivia's Altiplano region is the cream of the crop for high altitude scenery. Traveling slowly through the Altiplano rewards anyone with open views of arid desert, salt salars and flamingo filled lakes, a small part of the amazing spectacle of what the South American continent has to offer.

Andes - Volcanoes On Steroids

Volcano vents in full motion have extremely loud noisy sounds of their own churning like cement mixers on steroids. This incredible rhythmic motion is awe inspiring to witness. Volcanic activity is rife along the Andean chain, especially in Chile and Ecuador. This particular live vent was in central Chile deep within an isolated national park without another soul in sight. It took several days hitching lifts reaching the location. On arrival, it was only the tune of the earth rumbling with its distinctive overtures. Below, another volcano showing its center core pot of pure liquid molten.

Patagonia - Southern Wilderness 

Visiting Patagonia is either in winter or early spring before the snow melts. One can be lucky enough to find local farmers who may offer work to cover accommodation and food costs. Having your own transport in this region is required if long term stay is planned. Argentina isn't complete unless one spends time in the deep south. November through April is the appropriate time visiting the Patagonian region. Spectacular clear views of Fitz Roy may require return visits depending on weather conditions. One can also backtrack to the region before or after Tierra Del Fuego. Approximately 3 months travel time will cover Argentina. Starting from the south, and then traveling northward is recommended.
Above & below images, separate visits showing different weather conditions in the deep south.

Chavin - Pre Inca Temple

La Selva - Colombian Venezuelan Frontier

Amazonian estuaries overflowing with an abundance of different aquatic water plants, like this wild crop of shell flowers (water lettuce).

Andes - Highlands Escape

Jasper Falls - Venezuela

Jasper falls, located in La Gran Sabana region in southern Venezuela is what it's named after. The falls cascade onto a solid terrace of opaque rock. The river bed reflects a brilliant radiance of the red jasper reflecting through the water that stuns any visitor with ever-lasting impressions. Venezuela physical map 

Los Andes - Great Outdoors

Heading into the Andes trekking and getting lost within the Cordilleras is what most foreigners enjoy. The great escape into peaceful surroundings amongst majestic mountains is where it's at. Different locations are scattered throughout the Andean chain. Ancash and Patagonia are the adventure sports regions for outdoor lovers. Rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking, and to watch wildlife in their natural habitat can't be better.  

South America - Jungle Territory

Stick To Well Worn Paths & Road Tracks Within The Entire Amazonian Region.

Narco Controlled Territories Are Many : Self-Driving Your Own Vehicle In These Regions Is At Your Own Risk!

Westerners exploring into jungle regions alone should be well aware of the dangers that lay waiting inside them. It's not just venomous snakes, big cats, and spider bites that are dangerous. Since the collapse of socialist Venezuela, the narcotic trade has increased greatly inside entire swaths of isolated jungle terrain, used for cultivating, producing and smuggling product. Bandits, and drug smugglers are far more dangerous than the chances of being bitten by venomous reptiles. It's at your own risk and peril walking along semi-trodden down tracks that could lead directly into narco controlled turf that may be booby trapped with explosives, or other devices warning narco operatives someone has entered their turf  

Getting The Shots - South America

Traveling through South America without some form of camera gear will become disappointing. Smart phone camera travelers should reconsider their options before landing into South America. Traveling with at least a point and shoot, or full frame DSLR, or both is recommended. Above, an enlarged crop example captured from distance using full frame DSLR and zoom. A local also tried capturing the same shot using a smart phone junk. The result - totally disappointing. Smart phone captures are only good for close subject matter.

Atacama - Northern Chile

The Valley of the Moon, landscape and rock formations resembling distinct similarities of the moon's surface. One of the best times to visit this amazing spectacle of topography is approximately two hours before sunset. Below, one of the largest fault line rifts in the Atacama region. I was actually self-driving in a rush past this location and had only grabbed this snap because of stopping at the right place at the right time while en-route to Calama. The distant 6500+ metre volcanoes looked like small specks. Highest volcanoes in Chile 1- Ojos del Salado 6891  2- Llullaillaco  6739 3- Incahuasi 6621 4- Tupungato 6570 5- Parinacota 6348 6- Pular 6233 7- El Solo 6190 8- Aucanquilcha 6176 9- San Pedro 6145 10- Sierra Nevada de Lagunas Bravas 6127

Guyana - Suriname - French Guiana

Is It Worth Traveling To These Hidden Enclaves? Yes, But Don't Tell Anyone.

Rain forests abound through South America. One small enclave that particularly stands out from others, are the pristine jungle forests in Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Guyana alone has over 1200 species of birds reside, including the largest eagle - the Harpy. Guyana's forests are also teaming of jaguar, and randomly spotted in open areas. The Brazilian government plans constructing a super major highway through to Georgetown to bypass Amazonian river traffic in and out from Manaus. Above, the Iwokrama canopy walkway, north Rupununi.

Pucallpa To Belem

The Amazon river at its widest width showing the river's vast water flow catchment. There was a time when one could use their own make-shift raft, and cruise from one end of the river (Peru) to the mouth at Belem. Draconian rules and regulations have shut this down due to safety. Ferry boats take three days sailing time from Belem to Manaus port. It takes another 3 days from Manaus to Tabatinga/Leticia tri-borders. Follow on boat transport to Pucallpa and Coca is at Iquitos. Heading upstream into Colombia along the Putumayo to Puerto Asis can be done using infrequent cargo vessels which can take between 12 to 21 days.

Amazon Sunsets

Tupiza Region - Southern Bolivia

A stones throw away from Tupiza township. landscape in the region suddenly changes displaying open views of rugged cliff divisions with reddish pink jagged pinnacle tops.

Andean Chain - Central Peru

A view of the Andean chain looking southward, central Peru. The elevation level was approximately 5500 meters  altitude where this image was taken. Below, windy clear skies, lunar snap with DSLR photo gear. The original capture was taken in RAW color (low res only shown here on this website).

Sagrado Valley - Urubamba

A partial view of Inca ruins at valley Sagrado in the Urubamba region.

Uros Tribe - Titicaca

Historical data of the Uros Tribe record they were forced off the mainland from the expansion by the Inca, and were forced to take residence on Lago Titicaca. Today, the Uros islands total more than 70 floating reed habitats scattered on the lake. Totora reeds have been used through the centuries by the Uros  who still construct their dwellings, furniture and boats from Totora reed. The Uros pre-date Incan civilization. Their lifestyle is basic and simple, and still hunt and fish their daily meals. Each year in November, The Uros Tribe gather together to reenact the legend of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo.

The craft of hand weaving boats is automatically passed down through the generations of the Uros Tribe. Each boat is constructed from fresh harvested Totora reeds weaved together and held in tightly in place with wire. After a short time period newly assembled reed boats are bone dry ready for use.

Approximately 1,300 Uros reside on the scattered archipelago of floating reed islands on Lake Titicaca. The number of yearly visitors mount to a staggering 200,000 which has brought a steady income for the Uros people. Around 70% of the population work full time with tourism.

Street Interaction & Chit Chat

South America is certainly not short of children. Latino families are much larger in comparison to European or other western nations. Latino kids are open and friendly to interact with if Spanish is spoken. The simplest way to learn Spanish is with children. Elderly Latinos are also happy to chat with you all day. Random street photography with Latinos starts here - it can't be any easier. The enjoyment of showing images taken of locals to locals, especially children and elderly is rewarding, it goes both ways. Interaction within barrios gives the same positive results.

Young or elderly, positive street interaction levels are the same and increases if time isn't an issue.  

Like anywhere else around the planet, interaction skills through South America goes a long way. Without knowing  how to interact with certain types of people, capturing street images like below will almost be impossible. This local was strolling at 6am through the streets of Bogota. Image was captured using a DSLR full frame.

Wild Cactus & Salt Salars

Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, located in Bolivia. May through to October is the best time to visit the Salar region, as the dry weather displays pastel skies during the winter season. The township of Tupiza located in southern Bolivia is one of the best places to begin a 4-7 day journey through the Altiplano in a rented 4WD.

Salt Pan Valley - Peru

It's a 45km journey from Cusco to the slopes of the Qaqawiñay mountains reaching Salinas de Maras. This small valley contains one of the purest forms of salt, which is extracted and exported off-shore. The pre-Inca salt pans are a formation of hundreds of shallow pools, and filled by a hypersaline underground spring. The spring water has natural trace elements of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and silicon. The valley of Salinas de Maras is at an elevation of 3890 meters - Urumbamba Valley - Peru.

Megalithic Age - Peru

​We are told the Inca were the original designers of large megalithic rock cut-outs that fit perfectly in place next to one another. Like most megalithic rock structures around the planet, they have many similarities in design, but with little or no reference of what tooling was used, or how large tonnage rocks were moved in to their positions. Most theories being only assumptions.
The Inca like other ancient civilizations (Aztec, Indian, Egyptians, Mayan, Carthaginian, Etruscans, Hawaiians, Mesopotamians) were heavily into ritual human and child sacrifices. Demigod stone structures around the planet carved from stone also bear close similarities in design. There's also evidence of ancient underground tunnels scattered through South America, India, and Sardinia. They have been cloaked and kept in secrecy through the centuries.
​Are these hidden underground tunnels somehow linked to each other? Ancient civilizations basically worshiped similar looking demigods - regarded as only myth legends - really?
There are other reports, South American secret tunnels are inter-linked under the ice to Antarctica. One has to ask why Hitler was so interested under the deep ice in Antarctica in the mid 1930s? Hiding submarine fleets in this region doesn't add-up, especially when the initial war front was in full swing in Europe. It has no logic.
Actually, no one to this day unless being a political representative or a Vatican dignitary can freely travel independently past the 60th southern parallel into the Antarctica?. Is it that global dignitaries visiting Antarctica all have the same fascination to stare at penguins all day? What's so fascinating under the Antarctica ice? - That's the big question no one seems to know except for US/Russian military personal who all tight lipped. It's also strange, since the 1958 global Antarctica pact, no one can freely travel in Antarctica. Why did the Soviets agree to the 1958 Antarctica treaty when they're situated at the Arctic? What did the Soviets know? Were they informed before the pre 58 to sign the southern ice pact? Cloud smoke and conspiracies theories are many. Maybe Antarctica penguins have more data than we can grasp.
Also worth mentioning, early original conquistador Vatican complexes through central and south America had constructed their foundations directly over discovered tunnel entrances hiding them out of sight from public view. The Cusco region has numerous original untouched Vatican churches. As most probably know, the Vatican complex in Rome has an untold amount of hidden underground tunnels and chambers packed with booty dating back to Titus

San Augustin - Colombia

I've visited the San Agustin complex several times, and recommend anyone passing through the region to at least spend a few days here.  San Agustin is controlled under the umbrella of UNESCO.

The San Agustin statues in Southern Colombia show certain design similarities to those of the Olmec, Aztec, including at Chavin, Easter Island and surrounding islands of the Pacific Rim. Skeletons of Giants have also been discovered in Colombia at Tolima and Nueve Granada archaeological sites, which may suggest, and have bearing there were different tribes of giants.

Ulta Valley - Ancash Peru

 Artesonraju mountain situated in Ulta valley, Ancash region showing its majestic peak. 

Cobblestone Colonial - Venezuela

The coastal town of Coro in Falcon state has an abundant amount of quiet cobblestone streets beside washy painted colonial dwellings. The feel of Venezuela at the time this image was taken already had a sour taste of Socialism that was falling apart at the seams. Gasoline was at giveaway prices, one cent American per liter. The black market exchange rate was 25 times more than the official bank rate. A 3 month visit through the country had cost the same amount as two weeks travel in Brazil. Overland transit through Venezuela wasn't difficult, only time consuming, buses were overbooked, power-cuts were normal, and random highway control checks were many, some with severe searches by imported Cuban military.

Getting through Socialist Venezuela today isn't worth the high risk factor from highway banditry, vigilante gangs, or from the endless amounts of corruption payoffs en-route through the country. Underpaid military soldiers and police at control checkpoints has been an on going issue for years. Westerners who decide to travel through Venezuela should already have excellent interaction skills, speak and understand Spanish, and know how to use their inner instinct and judgement out on the street. If you think Brazil is bad after dark, multiply Venezuela by 100x more for the chances of being mugged, robbed, bashed, kidnapped, corrupted, or raped. I made it through Venezuela not once but twice without losing a thing, or having to pay one peso. At the end of the day, it's up to each individual to master their own level of safety precautions to outsmart whatever negativity that may unfold, and know how to deal with each situation before it happens. Using split second decisions will avoid robbery, mugging, loss of stuff, and assault.

If you can travel overland through Venezuela for 3 months without being mugged, robbed, corrupted or held up - Give yourself a pat on the back.  I got through the country traveling extensively twice with no issues.

Chavin - Pre Inca

Chavin is recognized as one of the earliest known civilizations in the Andes. The ancient complex is nestled within a high fertile Andes valley @3200 meters altitude. The main temple complex consists of a flat-topped pyramid design with surrounding platforms in dressed stone with an endless underground tunnel system of passageways. A display of carved stone with decorations portraying human animal hybrids can be seen scattered through the location. Many of the underground tunnels are closed off for public viewing? Chavin temple dates back as far as 1500 BC. Above images, dressed stone and symbolic head designs having similarities to those further south at Tiahuanaco.

Altiplano - El Dorado

Remote high altitude landscape in Bolivia distinctively exposing natural rich sediments of formed mineral ore deposits well beyond the expectations of ancient El Dorado. Bolivia has large landmasses of untapped mineral resources which are now becoming increasingly valuable to the global tech industry. Today, Lithium carbonate is classified among the most strategic elements for the development of future magnetic and electric technologies. This particular mineral is in abundance in Bolivia. China is one of the major contributors towards Bolivian mineral and energy exploitation resources. It includes the mining of raw minerals of tin ore, tin, silver, zinc, lead, antimony, hydrocarbons and lithium carbonate. Below image - Chiquicamata copper mine northern Chile.

Chinchorro - Atacama

 One of the original mummified remains that has now been removed from the Archaeological Museum in San Pedro.

Rumble Tumble - Leather Tannery

The global export of leather cow hides from South American tanneries is unmatched. This classic leather tannery in Colombia has been in the export business for decades exporting top quality leather hides to the US, Europe and Asia - Palmira,Valle del Cauca.

Mercedes Camper - Patagonia

1950s Mercedes truck converted highway house bus based in Ushuaia

Peruvian - Stone Sculptress

South America has a history of famous artists, sculptures and musicians. One female sculptor that really stands out with her artistic work is based in Barranco, Lima. Silvia Westphalan creates her masterpieces from stone, she transforms her designs from local stone, and forms them into simplistic art with each piece presenting amazing concepts in different shapes and forms. Above images, Helpers moving a finished rock sculpture weighing more than 250 kg that's about to be wall mounted. Some of Silvia Westphalan's completed stone sculptures weigh more than 300 kilograms. Because of the many requests from different clients, and customers globally, Silvia ensures she has a wide range, and variety of stone carved art forms in a variety of all shapes, patterns, and sizes to satisfy everyone's taste.

Anything creative starts with a vision. Silvia Westphalan begins her stone carvings with sheer hard work and imagination.

Silvia's one-off rock pattern designs giving unique finishes of modern art sculpture created from solid rock. 

Below, Silvia Westphalan stands in front of one of her amazing stone carved sculptured masterpieces. Sliva's designs and concepts are solely created, and shaped with a hand-held power grinder. Each completed art form is one of a kind no matter what size or weight it is. Her rock sculptures have been sold, and displayed in exhibitions around the world.

Into Carnivals? - Salvador Bahia

Latinos love their Festivals. They are spread far and wide through the continent with some continuing for weeks. Timing plays an important role, especially pre-booking accommodation well in advance. Carnival season in Brazil is like as though the entire country has shut down through the event. The Brazilians really know how to party hard out non-stop for a week during their yearly held carnival.

I was the only foreigner among countless others at a guesthouse during the Salvador carnival that wasn't robbed. Some were beaten and bashed on the street, while others were robbed twice or even 3 times during the festival. During carnival events the crime rate increases - watch your stuff.

Above, Salvador carnival in full swing mixed with different dance rhythms, samba and loads of sweat.

Vintage American V8 Autos

Some Latinos are more than friendly. This old timer, who I had randomly met on the street was under the bonnet of his 59'er Ford V8 pickup replacing a worn out fan belt. With some open interaction and good knowledge of this particular engine (272 V8 Y block). For the rest of the day we drove around in his classic V8 out and around his village.

Some Latinos are more than over friendly. This old timer, a Boliviano, who I had randomly met on the street was under the bonnet of his '59 Ford V8 pickup replacing a worn out fan belt. With some open interaction and good knowledge of this particular engine (272 V8 Y block), we then spent the rest of the day driving around in his classic V8 out and about around the region.

One thing South America isn't short of are the amount of classic American cars and pickups scattered across the continent. Vintage V8 automobiles are sought after by car enthusiasts from the USA. Vehicles are reexported back to the States from Venezuela, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Colombia. The bare shell of the above Ford Bonus pickup was dumped on the outskirts of a small Bolivian village on the Altiplano.

Look for cheap gasoline? look no further, Venezuelan 95 octane gasoline was selling for 0.08 cents a gallon in September 2022. That's two cents a liter. On both previous visits, I could fill up a Ford V8 4WD pickup for $1 USD. That's one good positive traveling through Venezuela. Corruption, thieving and banditry keeps you on your toes getting through the country. Below, a 1958 Ford V8 sedan looking rough as guts with missing cosmetics, windows and bald tires, all relative to the owner, who lives within the desert environs in Peru. As long as it runs - what's the problem.

Latinos love their cars, especially north American classics. Venezuela still has plenty of ground pounding V8s running through the country. Below, a mid-sixties 2 door pillarless Ford Fairlane 500 in mint condition, Colombia.      

Red is the go fast color, it's also the most accident prone color spotted through vehicle scrap yards in South America. The continent is rich full of classic American cars and pickups. Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru and Uruguay are the countries for those looking for American Iron. Brazil is the home for thousands of classic VW Kombi vans, they were manufactured there. I've bought a couple, and driven them across the continent.

Angel Falls (979M) - Venezuela

In 1937, Jimmy Angel, a gold and diamond entrepreneur from the USA landed his 9 star G-2-W Flamingo on the top of Auyantepui (Angel Falls) with his wife and a co-worker. He had already flown over this region 4 years earlier prospecting for mineral ore beds, and had sighted the falls as a proposed landing site. On Jimmy's 2nd visit, he had made a successful landing on the top of Auyantepui, but his plane had nose-dived at the end of the landing run, and became bogged in soft mud. 

The spectacular view of Angel Falls displaying a 979 meter water drop (3212 feet). .Reaching Angel Falls is via Ciudad Bolivar. It's advised to check with locals first in advance, if the Orinoco river actually has enough water depth for long boats to travel on for the 50km journey up river. Through the dry season, Angel falls may lack water flow over the edge. Staying a few weeks getting lost in this wilderness region is totally recommended. Angel Falls puts other waterfalls to shame with captivating splendor with lasting impressions. Best time to visit - After heavy rainfall.

It took Jimmy and his wife 11 days to cut through dense jungle terrain before reaching to the nearest settlement of Kamarata. His plane remained on top of Angel Falls until 1970, until it was salvaged by the Venezuelan military using helicopters. The plane was dismantled and restored. It's placed at the entrance of Ciudad Bolivar's airstrip. Jimmy Angel died in 1956. His ashes were scattered over Angel Falls by his wife and sons in 1960.

South America - Minimum Time Required - 12 Mths.

Forget about boring beach sunsets. Capturing images of the sun in desert regions, the Amazon and throughout the Andes is more rewarding. Above, I captured this snap self-driving through southern Peru.

High pass climbers graveyard at Los Puquios nestled in the Andes between Santiago and Mendoza during mid-winter. Every year inexperienced climbers and hikers die from various injuries. The majority of death victims is caused from ill-equipped climbers ascending or descending Aconcagua (6961 meters) during winter months. Below, Huascaran (6768M) first light.

High Elevation - Altiplano

Those slowly moving through the continent without some form of photo gear other than using smart phone cameras will end up catching images like above. Long distant shots require lenses with quality optics to self-satisfy the the user. Don't expect smart phone cameras with zoom powered optics to hold their quality when images are cropped and enlarged. Above snap, Los Andes Altiplano high altitude cold zone region.r. Below, Andes free camping location Bolivia. Thermal layered clothing required at this level.​

I'm originally from NZ, so Kiwis are fortunate enough to have numerous thermal hot springs, but not at 4000+ meters elevation. I was soaking in the shallow hot spring, shown below,  for an hour or so, without disturbance from yuppie foreign tourists. It was probably because this little spring didn't have that wow factor for selfies. Like all thermal hot springs, one should avoid breathing in fluid from thermal water. It may contain amoeba organisms that can lead to amoebic meningoencephalitis, causing brain damage with no cure.     

Freedom camping through South America, is where you park your vehicle, or when it's time to pitch a tent. There are risk factors involved where one decides to free camp. Sporadic thieving and holdups happens, even at high altitude elevations in the middle of nowhere. Hey, it's South America, not Scandinavia. I had met a couple of Kiwis who were robbed of all the belongings, including their tents while they were on the last leg up to the summit of up El-Misti. Another, an Israeli was shot and killed fighting off thieves while camping. It's certainly not the first, and definitely not the last time foreigners will be robbed of their stuff.. Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Peru are all in competition with each other, of which country is the top thieving paradise. In general, free camping in the middle of nowhere throughout the continent without being targeted solely depends, if local thieves have already robbed stuff from others the night before within the same location. If so, you get a free pass. Below, this was a 5400M elevation spot to camp for a couple of days.

Amazon - Rain Forests

Second and third generation pristine Amazonian rain forest is abundant, and easily seen in any direction along dirt road tracks and passable river waterways. In saying this, many large older trees have been removed and are still being culled around the clock deep inside regions in Brazil and Peru. The majority of Amazonian timber removed is processed and exported to the USA and Europe.

Snow Line - Andes

Fresh sprinkle of powder snow touches the edge of the Atacama desert - Chile/Argentine frontier. 

Iguazu Falls - Southern Brazil

There's plenty of isolated space to hang out for the day exploring around Iguazu falls. Iguazu falls are at their most spectacular during or just after the wet season when water flow is at its highest volume. Reaching Iguazu is through Paraguay and Argentina at the southern international border crossings of Brazil. Ezilon maps - Brazil - Argentina - Paraguay

Overland Transit Routes - Brazil

Modern Artist - Alberto Grieve

If you're into trendy modern art Alberto Grieve, a painter modern artist from Lima, Peru will make your visit to the capital as an added bonus. Alberto splashes his artistic hand work on to canvas with vibrant streaks and colors creating one-off designs. Some of Alberto's finished canvases are more than five meters in length.

Indigenous Markets - Andean Block

Rising early heading out the door to local markets becomes automatic procedure through the Andean region. Each market has its own indigenous atmosphere. Capturing close-ups using zoom-lenses is the easy way out without the need of interacting with subjects. Any good point & shoot, 4/3 or DSLR camera will grab more than enough images within open markets through the continent.

Colonial Heritage - All Directions

Historical villas, churches, and grand haciendas from the colonial era are seen in all directions across the continent. They each have their own unique designs, splendor, and ambience. The majority of colonial buildings were original constructed in and around, or close-by to original Plaza de Arma complexes.

Central Lima, a shot taken at Plaza de Armas, one of many large historical Plazas through the continent where locals and foreigners alike congregate enjoying the atmosphere of yesteryear. Since the late '80s, I've always returned to the same accommodation 3 blocks away from the above image - Hostal Espana.  

Central square Villa de Leyva, a unique Colombian township known for it's laid back lifestyle and historical richness.

Cusco, Peru. A bustling chill out hub and main crossroad junction, since the 1980s. Nothing much has changed here in the 2020s.     

Plaza de Armas - Every Town Has One

Plaza De Armas - almost every Hispanic town and city has one. Plazas are great chill-out places to cool off during the heat of the day. During the evening summer months central outdoor plazas become jammed packed with locals as a meeting hub.

Old plazas, like above are usually covered in trees planted decades ago. Below, Cuzco Plaza today is still the same as when first designed having no trees. This was probably due to rail running through the center of town in the early 20th century. Cuzco suffered extensive damage in 1950 from a magnitude 6.0 earthquake.

Jungle Swamp - Amazon Region

The heart of the Amazon basin is where one can see an endless carpet layer of water lilies. These areas are also known where alligators and snakes hang-out. It's not advisable to wade around or swim in natural black water estuaries in Amazonian jungle terrain.

Everyday - Different Views

Typical cumulus cloud formations are spotted throughout the entire Amazonian region. Best viewing times - late afternoons.

Inca - Demi-God Worshipers

Underground Secret Tunnels : Elongated Paracas Skulls : Skeletons Of Giants : Child Sacrificial Rituals

Machu Picchu, there's more than enough information about this isolated Inca temple hideout. The Machu Picchu ruins show inspirations of how the Inca were such grand designers of structure, but even today, there's still the mystery of how large rock cut-outs were machined and layered to fit perfectly. During the Spanish conquest the Jesuits had discovered deep underground tunnels that were hundreds of kilometers long. The majority of the first constructed Jesuit monasteries throughout Central and South America were built directly over the tunnel entrances to keep what ever they discovered for themselves and still remain in secrecy today. Gold, ancient artifacts, and other unknown ancient secrets were retrieved and taken back to the Vatican vaults. There are many ways to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco. The 4 day trek is the ultimate option. Visiting Machu Picchu is a must-do, and certainly a part of the South American solo overland travel and transit journey.

Looking from both sides of probably the best preserved entrance through the complex.

Misty Mountain - Infra Red Roll Film

An enchanting capture of Machu Picchu using original infra-red roll film during a 2nd visit to the temple complex. The hassles of the roll film days aren't forgotten. Traveling with lead bags were required for safety protection through European and Asian airport x-ray machines on one-way flights to South America. An average amount of 135 and 120 film mounted to 50+ rolls. 

Capturing clear view snaps of Machu Picchu depends on prevailing weather conditions. It can be completely misty and overcast with zero visibility until late afternoon, or clear blue skies the entire day. With three past visits to M.P. since the '80s, a fourth visit is on the cards sometime in the 2020s. Climbing up Vannu Picchu is now restricted. Pre-purchased tickets in advance ensures getting up on the peak for amazing views. Below, strolling from Aguas Calientes, and then cutting up between each road level was a great workout.

Where The Rivers Meet - Central Amazon

The Amazon region for most is getting from one location to another. One requires plenty of time on their hands to complete extended excursions off main rivers. If one were to begin at Pucallpa to Coca, or through to Belem with stop offs en-route, it would take more than several months to complete. The most valuable asset through the Amazon basin, and getting through the entire continent,  is having enough time duration without any pre-planned itinerary.

The Amazon attracts Latinos and foreigners from all walks of life. Getting to tribal locations, hiking in dense forest and viewing wildlife are the usual destinations. The meeting of the waters is another favorite. The natural converging of the two largest tributaries (Rio Negro & Solimoes) conforms the major part of the Amazon water flow. The merging of both rivers is a continuing process for approximately seven kilometers. Renting small motorboats to get out and about to various locations are found down at any port or estuary. If using dugouts, or motor driven boats on your own, it's advisable to ensure spare gas, life jackets and food supplies are in order. Local boat operators are many, and more than willing to assist reaching locations. Negotiated transport fees should be haggled beforehand.

Las Lajas - Where Pilgrims Gather

Top left - seven page published overland journey through Colombia - Tabi Mag Japan 1990. Above - Las Lajas snap from 1st visit - 1989  

Las Lajas sanctuary is considered sacred. It has a weekly flow of pilgrims visiting the site. Las Lajas can be viewed further up the valley. The church is situated within an isolated region a short drive from Ipiales, en-route to Puerto Asis, and further onward to Leticia using slow cargo vessels. The region beyond Puerto Asis has smuggling and narco influences with militia. Las Lajas was originally constructed across a lower portion of the valley where meandering streams and waterfalls are within walking distance.

Puerto Williams - Beagle Channel

Puerto Williams in the Beagle Channel is the lowest township of South America. It's one of the gateways to the Antarctica ice shelf. Puerto Williams is a spectacular part of the southern end of Patagonia displaying rugged forms of landscape with a variety of flora and fauna, and wildlife. The Dientes de Navarino mountain range is a trekker hiker's location through the summer months. There's still descendants of the Yamana Indians at Villa Ukike village west of Puerto Williams. Jumping on board a ship to the Antarctica will become easier, and less expensive when the Chileans embark more vessels from their two most southern ports (Puerto Williams & Punta Arenas). In saying that, there's still a chance of hitching a lift on board a supply vessel for those who have the time and patience. 

Malbec - Asado de Carne - Argentina

Argentinian wines are superbly crafted with different blends to satisfy anyone's palate. Visiting local wineries becomes addictive. This offers the opportunity of seeing a hands on view during the clipping and harvest season. Chilean wines are also right up there. Also worth to note Bolivian red wines are cultivated in the southern region of the country located in Tarija valley bordering Argentina.
Latinos enjoy their daily meat intakes, especially Argentinians. The aroma of Asado de Carne (barbecued meat) makes anyone's mouth water in the vicinity of restaurants specializing with this delicacy. Restaurants normally grill full quarters of Beef, lamb, and goat directly from an in-house fire pit. It's then served sizzling hot direct to tables with choices of smorgasbord add-ons, including varieties of locally made wine.s Below, Asado beef, Melbec wine, Salto Province - northern Argentina.

Touristy Hang Outs - No Thanks!

South America, like Asia and parts of Africa which have been continuously trodden down with tourism since the 1980s. Bars, restaurants, cheap accommodation, and tourist guides started multiplying through the continent at hot spot locations at the close of the 1990s. This was witnessed, on third and fourth visits to the continent. I'd meet other Westerners who were doing lightning trips through South America of no more than one or two months, using internal flights jumping from city to city. They were the type of "traveler" competing with one another of how many places they could see in the fastest time period possible. Sitting down chatting with these flight babies, they all had one thing in common - Beaches, bars, nightclubs and cocaine. Their travel itineraries were almost identical to the usual tourist locations i.e. Rio, Cuzco, La Paz, Mancora, San Pedro, Iquitos, Tananga, Medellin and Quito. They aren't called flight babies for nothing, they spend more travel mileage at 30,000 feet than on the ground.

Tri-Borders - Mount Roraima

​Time duration hiking to Mount Roraima is six days turn around. Depending how many are in a group, the cost of a guide, camping gear, and food supplies vary. Prices can be haggled with local tour guide operators in Santa Elena. The typical greeting on the summit of Mount Roraima are volumes of wet mist and cloud. The topography, flora and fauna including the surrounding views are magnificent and recommended to anyone that's into natural wild wilderness landscape.

Roraima mountain holds a powerful significance for the indigenous people of the region regarding ancient myths and legends. Trekking to Mount Roraima takes two days, and highly recommended experiencing the great outdoors in the region. The flora and fauna on top of Mount Roraima is unique to the plateau, which is why the area is called the lost world. The continuous slow flowing thick fog and mist certainly creates a mysterious haunting presence on the mountain. Rating 10/10 Below, warning to selfie lovers, don't expect any help sliding off the edge at this isolated location in the middle of nowhere - You're on your own.

The Long Route - French Guiana-Suriname-Guyana

Getting off the beaten track isn't difficult to accomplish anywhere through the continent, although traveling through these three small countries will give the feel of total isolation. Transportation in general is basic using vans, bush buses and hitching lifts. Transiting in either direction gets you back to the Brazilian frontier, and onward to Macapa or Boa Vista.

On the positive side, spotting bird wildlife, fishing, jungle and Savannah hiking with open free camping matches and surpasses other known destinations. Due to increased narco and people smuggling from neighboring countries, these enclaves have on-going criminal activity - Watch your stuff. Crossing directly into Venezuela from Guyana should be avoided, this region is regarded as a Red Zone.

Salar - Flat Lands

Only stupid people travel through continents only using smartphone junk — Avoid being one of them, instead use real camera gear i.e. Nikon, Canon, Sony, DSLR, mirrorless, 4/3 cameras. Below, at the time the below image was captured heavy rains had flooded an area of the salar salt flats that not only showed a reflective sky, but also a clean straight partition of the water blanket edge on the salar itself — a flat level plain.

Street Snap Photography

Street photography is more of a broad term defined on anything that's appealing to the person taking the snap. Taking random street portraits are certainly a large part of any street photographer's collective folio. Today, every man and his dog use cell phones snapping away selfies, so actually it's become much easier in one way to randomly photograph people on any given street without too much fuss or bother. The majority of Latinos are usually very relaxed with foreigners grabbing random snaps of them publicly.

There are some who may dislike being photographed, which should be automatically recognized and respected. One example of negative flack, which is nothing new, and has been ongoing for years, is within certain parts of the main fruit and vegetable market in old La Paz. Pointing a lens in the direction at local vendors - even at long distance may quickly become aggressive. It's a different story if cash payouts is involved. The easiest way around this, is to first interact without exposing cameras. Chit chatting and purchasing fruit, or snacks normally works with most locals, but not all. This applies almost anywhere through the continents. Interacting first is key to capturing close-up street portraits.

South America will keep most street photographers flat out busy no matter the country or location. 

Sculptor Artist - Victor Delfin

 Victor Delfin residence and workshop address -  Domeyer 366, Barranco, Lima - more info

Victor Delfin from Lima Peru is widely recognized, and widely known for his contemporary designs, and artistic flair. His carvings, sculptures, and artwork must be seen to be appreciated of the scope, scale, and magnitude of each finished concept and design. His work is shown in major museums throughout South America, USA, and Europe. Delfin uses all types of materials from sheet metal, steel, alloy, wood, polychrome acrylics and canvas. You may be lucky enough to still catch him working on a concept at his workshop studio in Barranco, Lima.

Victor Delfin finishing the final touches of a relief mural showing depicting peasants caught between Maoist guerrillas and the army through the 1980-2000 conflict at his workshop studio in Lima.

Victor Delfin's immaculate studio workshop where his sculptures and artwork masterpieces are created. Below, a big cat constructed from raw sheet metal in its finally stages at Victor Delfin's metal workshop.

Sulfur Springs - 4800M

Sol de Mañana is well worth a visit situated in the south-western region of Bolivia. It's a high altitude geothermal region  that's constantly active. Bubbling mud pools, and the hissing and spit of pressured steam forced into the atmosphere is visibly witnessed closeup.

Great Outdoors - Argentina

Traveling through Argentina is a breeze using local luxury deluxe buses. This is a different story if driving your own vehicle, especially with foreign number plates i.e. Brazilian or Chilean. Corrupt pay-off bribes to local highway control police does happen at different provinces through the country. On several occasions, I've personally encountered bribe pay-offs allowing passage through control security check points driving personal vehicles.
​I've always made sure to have a large supply of palta (avocados) and packets of cigarettes that are visibly seen on the front seat and on top of the dash in my Kombi vans. Other foreigners driving their own vehicles haven't been so lucky, because of not knowing the tricks to freely pass through the country without paying large sums of cash bribes.

Old Man Cacti - Andean Region

South American old man cacti (Cephalocereus senilis) is recognized by its whitish webs of hair which plays as a deterrent for stopping direct heat penetration. Flowering begins after the cacti reaches heights over 6 meters (20ft) and continue to grow up to 12 meters tall in the right temperate conditions. Flowers only bloom and open at night exposing pastel pink and white colors. Old man cacti are seen in the Andean regions within canyons, and mountainous areas of Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

 Chauchila District 

Close to Nazca is the ancient cemetery known as Chauchila. It's here where one can see mummified human remains. Through the centuries most of the deceased were dug up from their tombs and robbed of their jewellery, and whatever other artifacts that were worth robbing. Patches of human skeletal remains can still be seen scattered in the desert.

Santa Cruz Trek - Huascaran Peru

Wild Bush Weed - South America

Decriminalized - Argentina - Uruguay - Chile - Ecuador - Peru - Colombia - Paraguay

Illegal marijuana cultivation through South America has been around for countless decades. It's something that's been ignored by authorities ever since cocaine became a lucrative global hit, and now especially of late due to positive legalization of cannabis through most of the continent. Wild weed hybrid strains can be spotted in remote regions well away from main tourist ghetto hot spots. Small time illegal growers don't even bother pulling up male plants. Deer including other different wildlife end up devouring wastage hemp. One has to imagine the gross volume of illegal marijuana that's been cultivated within wildness regions throughout the continent. Even though many Latinos have preferred other forms of recreational drugs, cannabis has always been readily available, and easily sourced when required. Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela certainly have their fair share of supply and demand for locally grown weed - Guyana, Suriname included. Latino wild weed may have different strains through the continent but no one really cares. Next time you're out and about somewhere between the Pacific coast and the Andes, or from the Atlantic ocean to the Amazon basin, you can be lucky enough to discover hemp plants scattered here and there that don't belong to narco crops. If you do suddenly walk in to a cultivated patch of weed - don't hang around too long unless you want to become cannabis fertilizer. Warning, those posting any type of drug images - including simple weed shots like these on social media, blog sites, websites etc, should have the raw image data for safety precautions of where they were original taken. Some countries with harsh drug laws may suspect weed shots may have been home grown - Got it?

Humberstone - Atacama

On reaching Humberstone (la Palma), one quickly experiences how much heat the Atacama desert dishes out. The aroma of nitrate saltpetre residue abounds. Deserted community dwellings and rustic mining leftovers are seen scattered through the once thriving township.    

Various image captures strolling through Humberstone. Best time visiting this location is early morning or late afternoon. I used my own vehicle getting there. Humberstone is now a dreaded UNESCO site, which means it's become just like other controlled locations through the planet as an upgraded tourist attraction.   

If you like these images I captured at Humberstone, then certainly don't arrive at this location without some form of photo gear (excludes smart phone junk).

Basic Living - Home Sweet Home

Traveling through South America for most foreigners is a rewarding experience of diversity different to their own lifestyle and culture, especially dwellings and property lifestyles. One can't notice the countless amounts of Barrios scattered across the backdrop of large city skylines. Some Barrios are constructed up the sides of hills, and nestled at the foot of mountains on the outer perimeter of urban sprawl. Major Latin cities like Lima, Bogota, Rio, and Quito have their own unique Barrios. The residents share the same dreams and passions like anyone else - A home with a roof over their heads.

Below, a tiny classic Latino cottage constructed from aged hardwood with milled 8"inch rough sawn planks.

Strolling through barrios on the out skirts of cities will bring you to basic dwellings like above. Generally, people are open, friendly and inquisitive asking all kinds of questions. Rough clad wooden homes constructed 6+ decades ago may look as though they re falling apart, but this dwelling with 8"inch wide planks will probably be still intact for another 6 decades.  Below - home sweet home.