Pan American Expedition | part 4 Cartagena – Cusco

The Pan American Highway isn’t just a road: it’s a series of journeys through some of the most incredible landscapes and cultures in the Americas. Each leg has its own story, from tropical jungles and golden beaches to soaring mountains and ancient cities.

Leg 4 takes you from the colorful port city of Cartagena on Colombia’s Caribbean coast all the way to Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire in Peru.

• Part 1: Seattle – Anchorage (May 17 – June 27, 2026)
• Part 2: Seattle – Mexico City (September 12 – October 23, 2026)
• Part 3: Mexico City – Panama City (January 5 – February 8, 2027)
• Part 4: Cartagena – Cusco (April 11 – May 22, 2027)
• Part 5: Cusco – Santiago (August 1 – September 4, 2027)
• Part 6: Santiago – Ushuaia (November 1 – December 5, 2027)
• Part 7: Antarctica Extension (December 7 – December 22, 2027)

This expedition can be booked on its own, or combined with other legs of the Pan American Highway for the full north-to-south adventure. Whichever way you choose, it’s a journey that will stay with you long after the final mile.

We leave the Caribbean coast behind and head into the South American continent: from Colombia’s colorful coastal cities to the ancient heart of the Andes in Peru. Over roughly six weeks, the landscapes grow wilder, the mountains higher, and the history richer.

Tropical heat and cool mountain air, lively cities and remote jungle roads, modern Latin American culture and civilizations that thrived long before the first Europeans arrived: leg 4 has it all!

We begin in Cartagena, a vibrant Caribbean port city where pastel-colored houses, old city walls and warm sea air set the tone for the journey ahead. From here, we turn inland and start crossing Colombia. A country known for its diversity, hospitality and dramatic scenery. The road takes us through the green hills of Colombia’s coffee region, where plantations cling to steep slopes and small villages invite us to slow down and soak up local life. In Medellín, we see firsthand how a city with a complicated past has transformed itself into one of South America’s most dynamic cultural hubs.

In San Agustín, we explore one of the most important archaeological sites on the continent, home to mysterious stone statues carved long before the Inca Empire rose to power. Then the scenery changes again. The mountains give way to lush lowlands as we head toward the Amazon basin. Here, the air is thick with life: dense jungle, winding rivers, and an orchestra of birds and insects that never seems to stop. It’s a completely different world, and a reminder of just how vast and varied this continent really is.

Climbing into the Andes

As we leave the jungle behind, the Andes slowly rise in front of us. Snow-capped peaks, deep valleys and high mountain passes define the next stage of the expedition. We take our time here, ascending gradually and allowing our bodies to adjust to the altitude. This isn’t a race, it’s about enjoying the journey and traveling comfortably.

Crossing the equator marks another milestone as we enter the southern hemisphere and roll into Peru. Expect dramatic mountain scenery, grazing alpacas, and a food culture that’s considered one of the best in the world.

The grand finale: Cusco & Machu Picchu

Our expedition ends in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, sitting at 3,400 meters above sea level. Cobblestone streets, lively markets and layers of history make this city a destination in its own right. It’s the perfect base for the final highlight of this leg.

From here, we visit Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel hidden high in the Andes. Set among steep peaks and cloud forests, this extraordinary site is both a literal and symbolic high point of the journey.

This video isn’t from this specific expedition, but from one of our previous expeditions. It gives a taste of the landscapes, activities and experiences you can expect on our journeys. We often travel with a videographer on our truck expeditions, so be sure to check out our other videos as well to get a real feel for our style and the adventures we offer.

This expedition doesn’t have to end in Cusco. Follow-up expeditions through South America are already planned (not included in the price of this leg), giving you the opportunity to continue your overland journey even further south.

From Cusco, the route continues with Leg 5: Cusco – Santiago, followed by Leg 6: Santiago – Ushuaia. Together, these expeditions take you deeper into the Andes, across vast deserts, remote valleys and all the way to the southern tip of the continent.

You’re free to book each expedition separately, but we highly recommend combining them to experience South America as one continuous adventure. To make this easy, we can also arrange secure vehicle storage in Cusco (price on request). Your truck will be stored safely and ready to go when the next expedition kicks off: meaning no shipping hassle between legs.

Hop back in, turn the key, and keep heading south.

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