Calendar 2025
Images from the Freewheeling South America 2025 Calendar
Cycling across the crystalline surface of the largest salt pan in the world is a surreal experience. Along the horizon, hills appear to float in the mirage as land and sky blend into one.
From our campsite administered by the Argentinian border guards, we take in the precious view of the iconic Mt. Fitzroy lit up with the last rays of the setting sun overlooking Lago del Desierto. We've just made a unique border crossing from Chile accessible only on foot or by bike, at a push.
An aerial shot of the famous circular bridge over the protected wetland reserve on Laguna Garzon connecting Departamento Maldonado to Rocha. A large sandbank separates this waterbody from the Atlantic and provides a haven for numerous of wetland birds.
As the sun begins its dive towards the horizon and the wind picks up all too suddenly we scramble to pitch our tent. Wisely, we have remembered to pack a rock to drive the pegs into the hard salt surface.
A vicuña inspects the barren landscape it calls home in the northern reaches of Chile. We're well over 4000 metres above sea level and the air is dry with a harsh aafternoon sun beating down. Nothing for miles but the gravel road, some vicuñas, and us.
In the central, more populated regions of Chile, a distant glow from the neighbouring settlements can still be seen over the horizon. It's another clear night and temperatures are mild. We spend some time outside gazing at the unfamiliar constellations of the Southern Hemisphere and a radiant Milky Way splashed right across the night sky.
Cerro Chocolate rises prominently into view as we climb past the treeline on a hike towards mirador Laguna Cerro Castillo. Fresh snow from the night before renders a dash of brightness on an otherwise overcast day. This Cordillera is immediately recognisable by the jagged peaks that lend it the appearance of a castle, and its name.
As we make slow progress on the gravel roads of Peruvian Andes, we catch our first glimpse of the breathtaking Cordillera Blanca. Tonight, we will sleep at the foot of a Glacier nearly 4850m above sea level. Already, we have begun to feel the twinge of our ride through Peru drawing ever nearer to its close.
On the border of Argentina's Misiones province and Brazil's state of Parana the river Iguazu plummets into a canyon from all sides, forming one of the most spectacular waterfall systems in the world.
Despite its serene appearance, this beautiful peak situated in the Araucania Region of is also one of the most active volacanoes in Chile. Great forests of Araucaria (aka monkey puzzle) trees grow on the rich volcanic soil all around the foothills.
It doesn't take very long on the bikes, especially in Patagonia to convert us into avid 'cloudwatchers'. The setting sun lights up these fairytale shapes in the sky with a warm glow, perhaps enough to give us a little cheer despite the ferocious winds.
The familiar peak of the imposing Volcan Licancabur gradually recedes in the background as we forge our way northbound through the Atacama.
Peeking out of the tent reveals a thin coating of frost all around. A usual morning scene in these parts. There is a stream nearby so we filter for the day and hang around till it's warm enough to get on the road once again.