| In 1952, 23 year-old Che Guevara and his friend | | | | Cuzco is a lovely, but dodgy city. It was once the |
| headed south from Buenos Aires and travelled South | | | | capital of the Inca Empire and is still the base of the |
| America by motorbike. His stories of their heroic | | | | Machu Picchu. |
| journey are famous and are exploring, dramatic, | | | | Unexpected Adventures |
| hilarious and sometimes a tale of disaster at the same | | | | Let Che's enthusiasm from his diaries infect you and |
| time. Following Che's route will give you a special insight | | | | guide you to take opportunities along the way: jump on |
| into the nature of South America and the historical and | | | | a dusty truck and share your ride with strangers or |
| geographical aspects of its social cultures. | | | | jump in the water to help pushing a ferry. Be careful, |
| Comfortable Road trip | | | | because Che's route will sometimes take you to |
| Unless you choose to the trip off-road by bike, your | | | | distant and isolated regions and borders which can be |
| trip will be much more comfortable then Che | | | | dangerous. Don't hesitate to ask guidance from locals, |
| Guevara's road trip was back then, because | | | | but always use the tourist infrastructure wherever you |
| nowadays the roads are paved and you can travel by | | | | can. Enjoy the spontaneous adventures, but try to |
| air-conditioned bus, train or car. Even though it's more | | | | balance your enthusiasm with care. |
| comfortable you can still see the stone hut shelters of | | | | Travel Time and Tips |
| the Andean altiplano, feel the romance of the | | | | It took Che 9 months and recently two actors who |
| weather-parched townships in the dust of Patagonia | | | | made a film on the way travelled the same route in a |
| and hot humid sheds in the Amazon jungle. | | | | year. If you travel the road by boat and by bus, you |
| Circling South America | | | | can do it within a month, but if you want to do it n |
| Che's diaries take you on a dazzling tour down | | | | Che's spirit you need at least three months. There is |
| Argentina and right across the Andes. After that you | | | | no best time to travel through South America, you can |
| travel up Chile to Peru and from Cuzco to Iquitos | | | | do Che's route year-round. Remember that June to |
| through the spectacular Amazon headwaters. And of | | | | August can be very chilly in the southern part and |
| course you go to Colombia and Venezuela. In the | | | | inform yourself about the rainy seasons when you are |
| Atacama Desert south of Iquique, Chili you should see | | | | there, because they vary. |
| the world's biggest open-pit mine, the Chuquicamata | | | | Che never visited Bolivia and his trip didn't end in |
| copper mine. It's Chili's main wealth-source and Che | | | | Venezuela. You can choose to pause to take some |
| was furious about the fact that it was owned by the | | | | Bolivian tours and finish your trip in Venezuela. Or you |
| US. Explore the Amazon jungle around the Ieper | | | | can follow his spirit and share his respect for the |
| colony of San Pablo where native Indians tell and | | | | majesty of South America. |
| teach you the tales of the thick and dark forest. | | | | |