Overlander's Handbook
Trip Reports

South America ~ Landrover 110 300 tdi

Who Ed and Sue ~ website
ProfessionIT
Born 1970Nationality British
Previous travel experienceGroup travel once and mainly independant travel to Canada, USA, Thailand and Peru.
This tripMini Tour of South America
Departure dateAug 2003
Number in group2
Trip duration5 Months
Distance covered15,000 Miles
Cost of trip (not incl. vehicle)?6000 not including landy or shipping
Best dayThey were all great, but the best days were in Bolivia. The drive from Tupiza to San Vincente and then Atocha. The salt flats and the South West Circuit.
Worst/ hardest dayGetting stopped continually by the Peruvian Police around Lima and having to wait until they got bored of trying to extract a bribe.
Favourite placeBolivia! Bolivia! Did I mention Bolivia!
Biggest headacheNone really - waiting to get the landy through customs at the port in Ecuador.
Wish I hadn'tFilled the landy with stuff we never used.
Most pleasant surpriseThe people, all friendly and helpful. No breakdowns.
Any illnessThe odd dodgy belly and a few hangovers
Other trips plannedZambia for a month
One overlanding tipPack your wagon as if you were packing for a hiking trip. It's very easy to throw the kitchen sink in back because you think you have the space.
Type of VehicleLandrover 110 Hardtop 300 tdi
Age/ mileage on departure6 years old 48,000 miles
ModificationsRoll cage, Heavy Duty Suspension, Dual Batteries, Insulation, Underbody protection, jerry can lockers, roof tent, fridge.
Most useful accessoryfridge
Mods you wish you'd doneNo jerries and used a long range full tank. Maybe a poptop camper conversion instead?
Tyres usedWrangler things
Number of punctures
Vehicle's weak pointWater ingress, nothing else broke.
Vehicle's strong pointPractical, easy to work on, available in the UK
Vehicle problemsNone, the only thing that broke was the horn
Same vehicle again?Yes, but I like the idea of something bigger to allow you to get out of the elements.
One driving tipDon't follow buses the wrong way up one way streets!