Argentina

[Kombi Chronicles]

After taking a couple of months to pause, relax and compete some long over due welding work in Paraguay, we finally hit the road a few weeks back and crossed back into Argentina.

We've spent a lot of time here since first crossing back in 2024 and have extensely toured it along down the east coast to Ushuaia and up through Patagonia.

One region we have yet to explore is the northern region, which will be our final destination here and call time on what has been an amazing couple of years.

We crossed back into Argentina at a border town called Posadas. We timed our re-entry based on the world cup, choosing to watch the England v Argentina match in neutral surroundings. But we crossed for the world cup final weekend, meeting up with our fellow British Overlanders Will and Stacey (Wonderfully Wild Adventures).

Parked next to Rio Paraná, we watched the 3rd place final match against France together, in front of a gorgeous sunset backdrop.

The next day, we headed to a craft bar to watch the final. Despite the appalling celebrations after the England v Argentina match, we wanted Argentina to win. We've spent a lot of time living here and have always been shown such wonderful respect and kindness and have many friends here now.

Whilst the result didn't go Argentina's way, hundreds of locals partied long into the early hours in a torrential storm. It was quite amazing to witness and be a part of.

We then said goodbye to our friends who have popped back to the UK to see family and friends.
Our plan was to drive all the way back to Mendoza. A 1600km trip to say goodbye to some good friends.

To get there, we had to drive through Argentina's Chaco region. A vast area of farm land and barren waste land. For days the only things you see are farm vehicles, large trucks and goats. Although we did spot a few interesting birds.

We're now have a few days off driving, wild camping at a nice reservoir spot, before we continue towards Mendoza.

Excited to get back to Mendoza now and enjoy some more malbecs with friends.

Here are a few videos of of recent events for anyone who enjoys watching travel content.

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[Saucer]

It looks amazing. We plan on driving around Argentina by car at a future point.

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

The Chaco drove was a bit boring,as is some of the southern pampa, but it's also interesting to be able to drive for days without really seeing much.

The most scenic drives are found in Patagonia. Some of the best views of our 7 years of travel.

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

Our tour of Argentina has continued this week, as we drove across the Córdoba region.

Our week started off with us wild camping next to a picturesque reservoir, surrounded by mountains.

It was the perfect environment to finally finish my next cinematic overland documentary of our drive to Rio to partake in the carnival celebrations.

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We then drove into Córdoba city for our first trip to the cinema in over four years to watch The Odyssey. £7 for two tickets as they had a two for one offer! I also had got the Mrs to chop my mop.

We then traded the big city for nature, as we drove Ruby up to 2200m to drive a stunning mountain pass.

After a few more wild camp spots we made it back to Mendoza, where we are spending a few days with an English/Swiss Overland couple who are building a campground here. Richie is really into BBQs and welcomed us with a giant barbecued lamb.

In the background, we had a glorious view of the snow capped Andes, a sight we have been familiar with for the last couple of years.

Next week, we plan on attempting one of the craziest routes of our entire 7 years of travel. Driving Ruby 4500m above sea level to visit Argentina's Altiplano. A harsh volcanic landscape.

The last time we attempted something similar in Bolivia, our intake hose fell off the back of our air filter and we had to rebuild our entire engine in Chile. So hoping this time goes a little smoother.

I've just posted another video update from here in Argentina, for anyone who enjoys travel videos. You can watch it here.

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[WESTY66]

I’ve got some catching up to do I’m afraid, I’m a few vids behind!! I’m still in awe how willow keeps your van running, she’s a star, but you know that already

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

No worries man. Our videos have been a bit chaotic, as I am currently posting across 2 channels.

We haven't been up to much until more recently. Things will really start getting interesting when we leave Mendoza.

She's a star and currently getting ready to order more parts for Ruby for her parents to bring over from the UK when they come to visit us next month

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

After a week of socialising with friends in Mendoza, We're back on the road tonight,camping g at a reservoir about 40 minutes outside the city.

The views here are stunning and it's actually the third time we have visited here now.

It was about windy when we got here, but tomorrow I'm hoping to get some cracking photos and videos of the snow-capped Andes Mountains next to the reservoir.

I think we're finally ready to start pushing north towards Puna De Atacama tomorrow, for what should be the wildest route we have ever attempted to drive Ruby across.

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

Today we're saying goodbye to tarmac.

We are going to drive A LOT washboard over the next couple of weeks.

But I honestly don't mind a slow scenic route with views lime this beside us.

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

Last night, we ended up at Cerro De Los Siete Colores (The Hill of Seven Colours). The views were just otherworldly and as you would imagine, it was incredibly quiet.

Temperatures have been dropping down to zero at night, so we have been using our Wallas XC Duo for more than just cooking at the moment.

Much to the delight of our kitties I might add!

We have been travelling in and out of Argentina for just over two years now and are edging ever closer to the north. We have heard the landscapes up there are some of Argentina's more impressive, even more so than Patagonia.

After waiting so long for this part of our trip, we are trying to savour ever moment now, as this will most likely be our last time in the country... At least in Ruby.

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

We've been pushing further north this week and found a few more interesting camp spots to break the drives up.

The first was a paid camp spot after we managed to get ourselves badly stuck attempting to drive down to a wild river camp spot. It's was a little run down, but for a fiver, it allowed us to was our filthy traction boards off and shower.

We've had some big four/five hour drives as we push up to the Catamarca region and the views have been incredible. Even after 7 years travelling through the Americas, it's still hard to believe there's just so many vast empty spaces, where you can drive for hours and not see anything.

Our next stop was a wild camp spot at a reservoir. It was only supposed to be a night, but we stayed a little longer just to enjoy the tranquility it offered after hours of driving. Our two cats Aimee and Lexi enjoyed joining us for some evening strolls as well.

The break provided me with an opportunity to edit our latest travel video, which documents our drive to the coloured mountains. You can check it out here.

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We're now only 4 hours away from the main turn off for Puna De Atacama. Last night we camped in a canyon at 2020m above sea level. We want to try and camp a little higher over the next to days to prepare for the highs of over 4000m that we will face during our next adventure. We've travelled up to 5000m in the past and altitude sickness is not fun.

Tonight, we are going to visit some natural thermal pools and sit under the stars, which is always a nice treat on the road.

 

[HappyDays-NI]

The drive from Mendosa up to the top of Aconcagua is spectacular. There are hot springs at the top but with rather an ‘eggy’ sulphur smell and an abandoned health spa hotel. We did it in a trip in 2004. Would love to travel round Argentina in a Moho. Good travels!

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

The drive from Mendosa up to the top of Aconcagua is spectacular. There are hot springs at the top but with rather an ‘eggy’ sulphur smell and an abandoned health spa hotel. We did it in a trip in 2004. Would love to travel round Argentina in a Moho. Good travels!

Is that the Los Libertadores pass? We love that route. Spectacular views as you drive down to Uspallata.

Argentina is a great country to travel in a motorhome. The whole of South America is to be fair.

There seems to be more Brits doing it these days. We even have our own UK Pan American Overlanders group

 

[Dolmen]

Really enjoying following your trip. I used to travel to Argentina a lot on business, especially Tucuman, all I know is the factories and the airports so great to see what it's like off the beaten track. Enjoy yourselves up North, definitely made me want to revisit.

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

Ah I absolutely adore Argentina. It's such a diverse country. From the gorgeous greenery of Patagonia, to the rocky mountains here up the north. And the people here have always gone out of their way to make us feel so welcome here.

I'm glad you have enjoyed following along.

Puna photos coming very soon

 

[Kombi Chronicles]

This week, we finally made it to the Puna region.

It's a vast volcanic landscape which in parts rises 4500m above sea level.

We managed to arrive here during a period where there are severe weather warnings for gale force winds. Which isn't fun where you sleep in a pop-top!

We've been sheltering behind sports hall over the last couple of days. According to the weather apps, the wind should start calming down tomorrow and we can finally start exploring.

Whilst we have been waiting, I put together another little travel video of our drive here. You can find it by searching The Kombi Chronicles on YouTube.

I'll share it here incase anyone wants to check it out first

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