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Pan American Expedition | part 2 Cartagena – Cusco

11 April, 2025

Pan American Expedition | part 2 Cartagena – Cusco

Route
Expedition information
  • April 17 – May 24, 2027
  • 38 days
  • 5,750 km
  • 5

Pan American Expedition | part 2

Cartagena - Cusco

This leg of the Pan American Highway expedition takes you from the colorful Caribbean coast of Colombia all the way to the ancient heart of the Andes in Peru. Over the course of about six weeks, you’ll experience a mix of landscapes, cultures and history: from tropical beaches to high mountain passes, from vibrant cities to remote jungles.

Route

Our journey begins in Cartagena, a lively port city with a rich Spanish colonial past. From here we head inland, passing through the lush heart of Colombia’s famous coffee plantations and visiting charming villages along the way. In Medellín, we’ll discover how this once-troubled city has reinvented itself into a hub of innovation and culture. History lovers will enjoy San Agustín, home to the largest collection of pre-Columbian statues in South America. Soon after, the road leads us into the green depths of the Amazon jungle: alive with sounds, colors, and wildlife. Music will follow us everywhere during this expedition, whether it’s the rhythm of salsa echoing through Colombian streets or local tunes in small towns along the route. As we continue south, the first ridges of the Andes rise up in front of us. We’ll gradually make our way higher, always taking time to adapt to the altitude so everyone can travel comfortably. Eventually, we’ll cross the equator into the southern hemisphere and make our way into Peru: a land of alpacas, breathtaking mountain scenery and world-famous cuisine.

Our expedition ends in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, perched at 3,400 meters above sea level. This altitude can be challenging, but by ascending and descending in stages, we’ll give our bodies time to adjust and enjoy the journey. Cusco is a city bursting with history, vibrant markets, and colonial charm, the perfect gateway to one of the highlights of the expedition: Machu Picchu. Hidden deep in the Andes at 2,430 meters, this legendary Inca citadel is both a literal and symbolic high point of the trip. Surrounded by steep mountains and lush cloud forests, it’s a great finale to this leg of the Pan American Highway expedition.

Good to know: Part of this route may depend on local circumstances at the time of travel. Safety is always our top priority, and we’ll ensure that the route is both sensible and spectacular,so you can focus on the adventure and the experience.

s
37 nights
w
Guided tour
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Level: 5

Video

Sneak Peek

This isn’t a video from this exact expedition, but from one of our earlier South American journeys. It gives a glimpse of the landscapes, activities, and experiences you can look forward to. On many of our truck expeditions, a videographer travels along, so be sure to explore our other videos too. They’ll give you a real sense of our style, the trips we organize, and the adventures that await.

Prefer to rent a fully equipped 4×4?

No car of your own? No problem.

For this journey, you can rent a Toyota Double Cab pickup or a Land Cruiser 78, ideal for two or four travellers. Our rental vehicles are never older than five years and are fully prepared by Overland Travel for comfortable, self-sufficient expedition travel.

Each car comes outfitted with everything you need: a fridge, air compressor, rooftop tent (double cabs come with two), complete sleeping setup, Starlink satellite communication (subscription included), VHF radio, Garmin navigation, long-range fuel tank, essential tools, recovery gear and spare parts. In other words: step in, start driving, and enjoy the adventure without the hassle of buying or preparing your own 4×4.

Interested in taking the vehicle home? After the expedition, you can choose to buy the car for a good price.

What do we offer?

Fully organized and hassle-free: your focus is simply to drive, explore and enjoy the adventure.

The expedition includes a detailed adventure road book, off-road guidance, and full technical support along the way.

A balanced mix of cultural experiences and natural beauty.

Overnight stays at carefully chosen locations: hotels, campsites, or bivouacs.

Plenty of fun, memorable moments, and stories to share.

Optional: vehicle shipping and support.

Follow Up Expedition(s)

Tip! Follow up expeditions are already planned for this trip (not included in the price of part 2). Do you want to discover more of South America? Book the follow-up expeditions from Cusco to Santiago and from Santiago to Ushuaia. If desired, we can arrange the storage of your vehicle (price on request). The vehicle will then be stored in a secured area. Since we are also starting the follow-up expedition there, you can get back on board in August and enjoy the next expedition without having to ship your 4×4. Please note that you can book the expeditions separately, but you can book them in combination as well. We even recommend doing so, to get the most out of your South America experience.

Want to join this expedition?

Start with this form.

Would you like to receive the digital brochure with all the details about this expedition? Do you have questions, or are you ready to register? Just fill in the form, and we’ll get in touch with you.



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