My favorite way to travel is by bike.
Bike touring is generally defined as traveling long distances by bicycle, whether that's a single day, several weeks, or even years on the road. What I love most about it is that there's no barrier between you and the world around you. It's just you, your bike, and the open road. Your senses become sharper, and you start noticing the subtle stories being told by the landscape, the weather, and the people you meet along the way.
If spending long days in the saddle doesn't sound appealing, I've found that overland travel is the next best thing. Trains, buses, shared taxis, and boats all offer a much deeper travel experience than simply flying from destination to destination.
To be fair, this perspective comes from my years as a budget traveler with more time than money. Even so, I believe everyone should take an international road trip at least once. If you truly want to understand a country or region, travel through it on the ground.
Think about a visitor coming to the United States. They fly into New York City, take a quick flight to Boston, then jump on another plane to Los Angeles before heading home. They've certainly seen some famous places, but they've only experienced a small fraction of what America actually is.
Ground transportation tells a different story. It takes you through capital cities, mid-sized towns, rural communities, and the vast stretches of countryside that connect them all. You begin to understand not just the landmarks, but the character, culture, and rhythm of a place. When you travel from one major city to another by air, you miss much of what makes a country unique.
During my South America backpacking trip, I traveled almost entirely by bus, making my way from Buenos Aires, Argentina, all the way to Medellín, Colombia. One of the most memorable segments was crossing from Salta, Argentina, to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
The ride from Salta to San Pedro de Atacama remains one of the most memorable bus journeys I've ever taken. As we climbed into the Andes, the landscape became increasingly barren and surreal. The green valleys around Salta slowly gave way to windswept plains, snow-capped peaks, and enormous salt flats. At times it felt less like South America and more like another planet.
By the time we descended into Chile and the Atacama Desert, I understood why so many travelers speak so highly of this route. It wasn't just transportation. It was an experience in itself.
Below are a few photos and a video from that journey through the Andes and into the Atacama Desert. The scenery was incredible. Enjoy the views.
