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Best scenic drive destinations in South America

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Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
8.4
The road to Puno covers about 241 miles and takes 8 to 10 hours with stops. La Raya pass reaches 14,222 feet with views of snowy peaks and the Chimboya glacier. Stops include the Raqchi Inca ruins and the Pukara museum. Andahuaylillas and its San Pedro Church lie about 25 miles before Cusco.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Plaza de Armas and admire colonial architecture
  • 🏔️ Take the train or trek to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
  • 🧱 Visit the ancient Inca site of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
7.4
The Circuito Chico loops about 37 miles from downtown along Avenida Bustillo and takes roughly half a day by car. Nahuel Huapi stays in view for most of the route. A chairlift climbs Cerro Campanario in about seven minutes. The Colonia Suiza variant adds regional sweets and curanto.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore the Bavarian-style Centro Cívico and museums
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Nahuel Huapi National Park
  • 🚡 Take a cable car to Cerro Otto for panoramic views
Salta
Colonial Charm and Andean Landscapes
7.1
Drive between September and November or in April and May. December to February brings summer heat. Ruta Nacional 68 covers 117 miles from Salta to Cafayate in about three hours along the Quebrada de las Conchas. Its red and ochre canyon includes the Garganta del Diablo. Fuel stations are few.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Climb San Bernardo Hill via cable car for stunning views
  • 🚂 Ride the Train to the Clouds, one of the world’s highest railroads
  • 🦴 Visit the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña for mummies
Torres del Paine National Park
Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness
8.1
The park lies about 70 miles north of Puerto Natales. Chile Route 9 from Punta Arenas is paved for about 62 miles and then turns to gravel. Tyre chains are recommended in winter. The three granite Torres rise about 8,200 feet. Grey Glacier is roughly 9 miles long.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Trek the scenic French Valley with mountain views
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour to see stunning Grey Glacier
  • 🥾 Hike to the iconic Mirador Las Torres viewpoint
Manaus
Amazon's gateway to lush rainforest adventures
7.5
BR-174 runs north from Manaus through Presidente Figueiredo to Boa Vista and the border at Pacaraima. The road crosses Amazon rainforest and was paved between Manaus and the border in 1998. It closes daily from half past 6pm to 6am inside the Waimiri Atroari Indigenous Territory. Do not stop inside the reserve.
Highlights:
  • 🕍 Tour historic Santo Antônio Cathedral and local markets
  • 🌊 Visit Meeting of Waters confluence at sunrise
  • 🚡 Explore Amazon rainforest canopy via aerial tram
Puno
Lakeside town where cultures converge
7.9
Lake Titicaca lies at 12,507 feet on the border with Bolivia. It covers 3,232 square miles and is the largest lake in South America by area and volume. About 60 artificial Uros islands of totora sedge float near Puno. Taquile Island lies about 28 miles east of Puno and is known for textiles.
Highlights:
  • 🪨 Visit Sillustani pre-Inca mausoleum, admire stone columns
  • 🌾 Explore Uros floating islands, learn traditional reed boat building
  • 🚤 Take a sunrise cruise across Lake Titicaca's turquoise waters
Sacred Valley
Ancient terraces echoing timeless Andean rhythms
8.3
The Urubamba River carved the valley. Its Quechua name, Willkamayu, means sacred river. The valley runs about 37 miles from Pisac to Ollantaytambo. The river drops from about 9,800 feet at Pisac to 6,730 feet below Machu Picchu. Pachacuti had an estate at Pisac. Manco Inca won the Battle of Ollantaytambo in 1537.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Stroll through Pisac market, shop woven textiles
  • 🗿 Explore Ollantaytambo ruins, climb fortress walls
  • 🏔️ Hike to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail
Carretera Austral
Endless Patagonian horizons under starlit skies
Chile's Route 7 runs 770 miles from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins. Army conscripts began building it in 1976. Driving the full route requires three ferry crossings. The longest takes five hours from Hornopirén to Caleta Gonzalo, so buy tickets in advance. It passes Queulat National Park and Pumalín Park.
Highlights:
  • 🏙️ Explore Valdivia's historic port and night markets
  • 🥾 Hike to the turquoise waters of Cueva del Milodón
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic Carretera Austral to coastal villages
Andes
Majestic peaks echo ancient Andean legends
8.1
Argentina's Ruta 40 covers 3,230 miles. Its Abra del Acay pass reaches 16,050 feet between San Antonio de los Cobres and Cachi. The drive is difficult. Aconcagua, the highest peak, rises to 22,838 feet. The range crosses seven countries over about 4,300 miles. Los Libertadores is the main Argentina and Chile crossing.
Highlights:
  • ⚪ Explore Salar de Uyuni's endless salt flats
  • 🗺️ Traverse the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • 🏔️ Climb Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America
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