Route to Santiago
 

This is just some info to use for your decision.
My personal view, but it is your trip.

Main route South: Argentina Ruta 40 or Chile Pan American.
I prefer RN 40

If entering Argentina at La Quiaca, you have a decision to make.
* Follow RN 40 from start. Scenic and fantastic views. But very bad road. "Malo, malo..."
* Ride via Salta to Cachi, where you use RN 40 to Cafayate. And then follow RN 40 to Mendoza. Detours according to taste....

From Mendoza, cross over to Chile/Santiago

Hi Erik,
I have read the Colombia and Ecuador sections of your blog so far. Thanks for the info. I will probably go to the lacuna cuicocha, it looks good. I am actually going to take the coastal route in Ecuador, although your Amazonian route looked interesting. I have a portable espresso machine and bag of Colombian coffee with me, so thanks for tip on Ecuador coffee!
Cheers
Andrew

Hello Erik, is there any chance you could send me a link to your blog please?

On the road Medellin to Santiago: first week
 

I left Medellin just over a week ago and am currently in cotacachi, Ecuador. Trip has been good so far. I travelled a mix of highways and byways in Colombia, staying overnight in Jardin, Solento (2 nights), villaviejo (Tatacoa desert), Gigante, Mocoa, Ipiales, where I crossed into Ecuador. Last night I stayed in San Gabriel. I am going to check out cuicocho volcano lake tomorrow. I have been advised to stay away from the coast, due to unrest, violence, robbery, you name it, which is a shame as I was looking forward to getting to a beach for a change.
The road I took from Mocoa to Pasto was something else: gravel, washouts landslides, fog, mud, but the Himalayan made it and as a reward got a clean in Ipiales. The border crossing did not go smoothly, but I got through eventually.
Can expand on this narrative if required ………
Cheers
Andrew

Beach in Ecuador
 

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I have been advised to stay away from the coast, due to unrest, violence, robbery, you name it, which is a shame as I was looking forward to getting to a beach for a change.
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I assume that this is for the Esmeraldas areas. That use to be under "warning"
But....
West of Guayaquil, you have wonderful beaches in Salinas.
With a nice Malecón.
Take a rest stop there.
Busy during weekends by Ecuadorians from Guayaquil

Trampolino del Diablo
 

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The road I took from Mocoa to Pasto was something else: gravel, washouts landslides, fog, mud, but the Himalayan made it and as a reward got a clean in Ipiales
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Mocoa to San Francisco is called Trampolino del Diablo.
Hard core stuff
Good that the Himalayan toke you safe over that path

https://www.dangerousroads.org/south...francisco.html

Laguna de Cuicocha
 

Nice place to stay in that area is Otavalo.
Famous for its cloth market. Open all days. But extra large on Sundays.
"Mercado de ponchos"
The reals tuff when it comes to cloth made from Alpaca wool.
Chance to buy yourself a sweater to use in the cold mountains

Mde to scl report
 

:funmeteryes: