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Alasca - De carro?

Drive to Alaska???

When we tell people about the Expedition 4×1, one of the first questions that show up is:

What`s the deal? Can you really drive to Alaska?

Since this is a question that we also had in our minds before starting to research and plan this adventure, we thought it was worth writing a post-response =)

Well, now anticipate that the answer is yes and no!

Yes: we will effectively arrive by car in Alaska!
No: in some places, will use other means of transport!

Let`s go to the details:

The first part we will not do with the road will be crossing the Amazon River Santarem to Manaus. Actually, there are driving alternatives on the way, but, to take advantage of the tour and we can make a trip a few days on the Amazon River, we will ship Tanajura (our car) on a boat and get her in Santarem!

The second section is the crossing of South America to Central America (Colombia to Panama)! There, actually, it is not posible to drive through. The main reason is the fact that there isn`t a road linking the two countries, with more or less 300km of forest, through the famous Darien Gap (for more information, click here). Besides, the region is very dangerous, since it is used as a hideout for drug dealers and the FARC. In this case, we will take a boat or plane to Panama!

Now it's worth talking a little bit about this part of the trip (Colombia-Panama)! We learned a few days from the day 10 May 2012 there will be a vessel making the trip Panama-Colombia-Panama (for people, merchandises and CARS!). This type of transport came into existence in the late 90 but was abandoned by sanitary (contagion of FMD) and economic issues (lack of demand).

Since then, the alternative that exists (and that all adventurers that we know used) is the temporary export, made by a cargo ship!! It takes a long time (average 2 weeks), expensive costs (about 2 thousand dollars each leg) and is a ridiculously bureaucratic process !! Now, with this ferry, things got much easier for our side!! The news is all over the newspapers of Colombia and Panama, it seems that the issue is serious even.

With this option (for the curious, You can take a virtual tour of the ship – click here) the trip that could take longer than 2 weeks – plus headache – now will only last 12 hours!! Not to mention the drastic reduction of costs, because in the previous case we had to catch a plane to Panama and eventually buy roundtrip tickets (to avoid problems with immigration!)

Well, returning to the main subject of the post, there is another part that we can not do by car, back to Central America to South America (which we will pass through, from Panama to Ecuador).

Ultimately, although we have to do some parts of the way by boat, yes, we will arrive in Alaska (and Ushuaia) by CAR!!!

17 Comments

  • Mejolaro Says

    Very good site and tips… I'm also planning to do this trip and certainly will use the data to help me… however my path will be different and will have to cross the border Ecuador – Colombia ,that despite being area “Red” I was told that it is safe, to seek a pick up a friend who lives in Quito… But the rest of our trips are probably similar

    • 4x1
      4x1 Says

      Fala Mejolaro,

      Thanks for the compliments! We are very happy to know that most of us Brazilians will be undertaking a trip like this!!

      In fact as this post is quite old much has changed. We just returned from Panama to Colombia and made Colombia to Ecuador! We passed Bogota, Medellin and Cali and had great experience there s!

      Anything you need we are there!
      Good trip and good road!

      • Everaldo Says

        My dear, esamos planning to take an BH script(MG) to Panama, passing through South America, can you help me?
        I need information, as will our first long drive.
        Hugs
        Everaldo and Ivana

        • 4x1
          4x1 Says

          Hello Everaldo! Feel free to get in touch with us (4×1@4×1.com.br) and to navigate the Blog!! It will be a pleasure to help them!! A hug!

  • ivan brasil Says

    Congratulations on your courage and journey . May God protect vc's .
    td surely going to work and you's will have many things to tell. boooooaaaaaaaa
    viajjjjemmmmmmm.

  • Philip Insunza Says

    In Verdade, Envy is killed I was already in my 10th heart attack…
    Young, much luck and success to you on this trip.
    What you are doing is historic!!!
    A big hug,
    Philip

  • Pingback: Anonymous

  • I made this script bike 1994 and despite the long time may have some information that might help
    qquer something just send me an e-mail
    Hugs and good luck
    Rogério lupião
    lupião@ig.com.br

  • Maite Ribeiro Says

    I loved the explanation of the route, very boaa! I'm hoping very much to be all right! Cause this trip will be a SEUCESSO!!!

  • Ana Paula Bellino Says

    Boys congratulations for winning!! That Coragem…q dream…q sensational!!! To think I did a small backpack with Gustavo for Latin America in 2006! And now all of you will live this adventure / achievement! Too…I follow here the whole trajectory!! MAKE A GREAT TRIP, ENJOY A LOT .. I'll be rooting for here!!IBoa luck and go with God! Annie

  • Grace Says

    What great news! Show de bola! Then tell us how was the experience of the boat and if everything went right! Lol! = )

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