Driving a Defender at the Altiplano, What Can Go Wrong? La Puna// EP.72

Traveling the altiplano (La Puna) in Argentina, the 2nd highest plateau in the world in a Land Rover Defender. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, just stay in the video to find out.
We leave Mina Julia at 5000 m above sea level as the wind is getting crazy. We didn't know that the day was going to get even more adventurous. The path we chose is one of the most demanding in the area where there is a very steep hill, with loose sand. It gets late and we get some shelter in one mine station. The next day is one of the most beautiful we have ever experienced, mind blowing landscapes.
Continuing south we get to Laguna Verde, full with microorganisms giving the water a turquoise color. We have some lunch and leave as the wind is unbearable. We see many animals on the way, vicuñas and many llamas, really beautiful.
We arrive at Antofagasta de la Sierra and can put finally diesel after more than 600km on the tank. But we need to spend two days at el Peñón, putting apart the starter which was not starting reliable anymore.
Next stop Campo de Piedra Pomez, a huge pumice stone field. Absolutely incredible. We spend the day offroading the reserve and driving on volcanic rock. Until we suddenly see green and mountains. Hidden some hot springs and two beautiful hot pools. This was really a paradise.
What an epic adventure, one we will remember for many years to come.
Enjoy the Ride!
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*** 🫶 ***
For other overland videos in Africa, Asia and now South America check our channel. ⬇️
About our Chanel:
We, Kai & Irati from Germany and Spain, are currently on a full-time Overland journey. We quit our jobs, our apartment and left Germany mid of March 2022. We traveled all the way from Germany to South Africa, and had amazing experiences for one and half years. Follow us in season 3 where we will be exploring South America
If you want to know more check out this Playlist:
• ABOUT us & The Bluelandy
Social Media:
Travel-page: / thebluelandy
He: / mrkaifox
She: / iraticortadi
Introducing our Home on Wheels the Bluelandy, check the Room Tour(*):
• Land Rover Defender 11...
Land Rover 110 TD5 (MY 1998)
X-Vision-X PopTop (roof Tent)
BF Goodrich tires 265/75/R16
Land Rover HD springs & Kony Heavy track Raid shock absorbers
GMB "Esel" roof rack
GMB long range fuel tank
GMB Sandboards
X-Vision-X exterior storage box (rear left)
DIY Custom outdoor shower
270° Foxwing Awning - Rhino Rack
200W Victron Energy solar system
- Solar Panel: 2x Offgrittec 100W
- Charge controller amzn.to/3gXf2s5
- Battery Monitor amzn.to/3VSNwdN
- Inverter amzn.to/3BgTEon
Nolden 7" Bi-LED headlamps
Additional Headlamps amzn.to/3VXo32P
HELLA Value Fit Exterior lights amzn.to/3F46eso
ExTec rear door folding table
DIY Custom Flight case interior
Autotherm D2 Diesel Air-Heater amzn.to/3P5NVaL
32 l Engel Fridge / Freezer
Lifesaver Jerrycan water filter amzn.to/3UIybvG
Garmin Drive 52 amzn.to/3Qz7tFz
Camera Gear (*):
DSLR: Canon 90D amzn.to/44GHhOo
Point and Shoot: Sony vz1 amzn.to/45HYoAP
Action Cam: GoPro Hero9 amzn.to/3P7plGE
Drone: DJI Mini 2 amzn.to/3UDYnHw
(*) Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored but we may also have affiliate links to the mentioned tools/gear, which means every purchase made allows us to earn a small commission to keep our channel running.

[@davegreenwood1663]

Honestly better than watching TV .30 mins of breathtaking video .The landscape,drone shoots .music .Just awesome work.

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so much! This place was a dream to capture and fun to put together! 😎 So happy you are appreciating!!

[@WannabeOverlander]

🔥

[@BEAM0781]

You have matured so much since Africa. It is now a joy to watch you guys. Wonderful mechanical skills combined with good story telling ! Keep up the good work!

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so much! So happy that you enjoy our episodes 🤗 Kai is master of his art! See you around!

[@WilfredWalker-dq6rp]

I know I have said before that a video was superb, but this will take some beating ! Fabulous videography and of course you had some incomparable scenery to work with 👏👏👏. Is it possible to get photos of some of the exceptional scenes you captured in this part of your trip ? And Kai, your mechanical magic comes to the fore again - repairing the starter motor 👏👏

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so so much! The puna is out of this world, really an incredible place to explore! And a pleasure to capture, but sometimes it was difficult as it is massive. We haven't considered having pictures available for download, maybe in the future! For now we share some shots in Instagram. Kai is a master of this art! We would not be where we are if it was not for his skills!

[@RhythmofOverlanding]

You have a better video than the National Geographic...... what amazing journey and make me keep watching all your videos.

[@Thebluelandy]

Wow thank you for those nice words! We’re glad you enjoy the videos

[@buffalo4127]

This was so terrific! Kai rebuilt the starter, wow the beauty of 1990’s Landrovers! Try all that with a 2023 vehicle and you would just install a new starter after waiting for two or three weeks for the thing to fly in! 👍🏼

[@Thebluelandy]

Yeap, that would be the case with modern cars! 😵

[@warriorgn]

Beatiful place. Thank you for shate with us so nice and extraordinary area. I didnt know Argentina have so interesting regions.

[@Thebluelandy]

Happy to share!! Argentina is becoming one of our favorite places! ❤️

[@AndrewEve-rp6wx]

Brilliant guys, well done a superb video. What a stunning place, sometimes reminded me of Namibia. Keeping me enthralled at 0300 in the morning in Cape Town. Now, if I could just step across the Atlantic to my right ………

[@Thebluelandy]

It is absolutely stunning! Yes, sometimes it felt like Namibia, for example the mountains at the hot pool loon similar to the ones at the farm. I would definitely ship to Montevideo and explore Argentina, it is a treat! 😍

[@karinvriese7811]

What an incredible and beautiful landscape! Those colors are surreal! Even the blue color of the sky! Wish I could be there....

[@Thebluelandy]

It was insane! I, myself, would come back there any minute! 🥺😍

[@Thebluelandy]

It was insane! I, myself, would come back there any minute! 🥺😍

[@davidatkinson3542]

Wow. That is some serious dust. The bath at end was fitting.

[@Thebluelandy]

Dusty!! We couldn't open the windows one bit, we would get sand in the last corners of our Landy 😭

[@grahames9228]

Well done in diagnosing the starting issue and having the skill to fix it.

[@Thebluelandy]

Kai is a master in his art! Really sometimes feels like magic. In reality it's patience, always trying, not overthinking and being methodical. 😍

[@michaelsecomb4115]

Spectacular. Particularly like how the commentary is carefully judged to complement, but not interfere with the visuals, which really tell the story. That Landy is also an impressive beast.

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so much! Sometimes is really difficult to find the balance, you don't want to gets short on information but also avoid overwhelming the viewer. Sometimes it's just the right mix and many other times it's not. 🤗Thank you so much for appreciating and commenting! 🥺

[@daleengman8283]

Soo good guys.....amazing landscape. And still really like your video style.....cheers!

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so much! The place is incredible, and we enjoyed it to the max! Happy to capture and share it🤟😉

[@sukottora]

6:52 What a view!

[@Thebluelandy]

It was incredible! Even more than the shot! 🤟😎

[@That_Guy_Outside]

Amazing. So breathtaking!!! What an adventure.

[@Thebluelandy]

It is really been incredible. Sometimes it's difficult to sink everything in. 😳

[@tandyroyal8513]

great idea cleaning the starter, never thought of that 👌

[@Thebluelandy]

Gotta give some love to this Landy! It nearly has 300.000 km 🥺

[@marksoutherton8888]

Another fantastic video from the Blue Landy team. The drone footage was incredible and the pumice stone was simply amazing 😮 Well done for the excellent film footage again, and well done Kai for fixing the starter motor in such difficult circumstances. Stay safe, and lots of love from Brighton UK 🇬🇧

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you, thank you!! Traveling the Puna region was epic. The landscapes, the harsh environment and altitude, the wildlife, ... just wow. We loved capturing it and putting the video together. So happy to see you enjoyed it! Wishing you wonderful holidays! Greetings from snowy Argentina 🙌

[@rolandsauter2546]

Super traumhaft schön!!! Der Countdown läuft und bis dahin verkürzen wir uns die Wartezeit mit euren tollen Videos.

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey Roland vielen Dank!

[@laurentnicolas1550]

Well done, good work and thank you for the magnificent images ! (and still with the Swiss highway sticker on the windscreen...)

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so much as always! I think the sticker will come off naturally at one point. Until then it stays. Haha

[@ruudsmith3836]

wow really good views! enjoyed !

[@Thebluelandy]

Stunning ones! Happy that you enjoyed 😎😉

[@damianorizzi1621]

Luoghi e immagini assolutamente spettacolari, grande riparazione di Kai e fantastico bagno in altitudine con notte stellata e poi ancora, emozionanti guadi... Un altro indimenticabile capitolo da aggiungere a un epico viaggio, tutto meritato. Complimenti alla narratrice e a tutta la squadra. E sempre... forza Land!

[@Thebluelandy]

Grazie mille! questa zona era davvero incredibile. Kai è un maestro nella sua arte! ci stiamo divertendo tantissimo in Argentina! davvero consigliato!!

[@truckcamper_felix]

wieder ein klasse Video !!! ❤ Danke !

[@Thebluelandy]

Vielen Dank 😊

[@richardbarr7158]

Excellent filming guys, looks incredible to experience you life choices with highs & occasional lows.

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so much Richard! We do have many ups and downs in this trip, and it's always our intention to share them as they come! Thank you for watching and commenting 🤗

[@janvanzeeventer6716]

Absolutely stunning

[@Thebluelandy]

It was so beautiful!! Harsh but beautiful 😍

[@thomasstrebel2776]

I think I need to go there... already in the video an absolute blast!!!

[@Thebluelandy]

You HAVE to come here! It is something to experience at least once in a lifetime. Just a tip, don't rush it, first in terms of acclimatization and second on the exploring!

[@thomasstrebel2776]

@@Thebluelandy and doing it with your own defender is just the right thing to do

[@pedroestebanhvozda1428]

Fantastica experiencia....!!!! No olviden que solo vieron una pequenia parte de la Cordillera de los Andes, zona Norte...... Los paisajes maravillosos se multiplican por todos lados y la aventura tambien....!!! Abrazo desde Buenos Aires para ustedes y a seguir disfrutando de los caminos....!!!!

[@Thebluelandy]

Increíble Argentina! La estamos disfrutando como ningún otro país. Vaya paisajes y gente maravillosa 😍

[@stevestott1514]

Cheers to another spectacular adventure video from the blue landy crew . Your videos are Always a great viewing pleasure . From fixing a landy to enjoying seeing it flexing along some awesome high mt trail . To the wild life and spectacular scenery . Thanks again for sharing your wonderful journey with us your over landing friends . Cheers from Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A. :) :) :) 🍻👍🏼😁🌎

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so much Steve, as always! This place was incredible, and would love to come back again. It is an Overlanding paradise! We make a great team!

[@stevestott1514]

@@Thebluelandy ..😁🎄👍🏼

[@philippem832]

Certainly one of your most beautiful video. Thanks a lot.

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so much! It was stunning here ❤️❤️❤️

[@tusafilms7286]

Wow…excellent!

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you! Amazing place indeed!

[@badfinger61]

Oh mi corazón. The Altaplano is stunning! Another very impressive video, guys. I'm glad Bluelandy and yourselves made it through the difficult times and were able to bring us this amazing video. Bravo!

[@Thebluelandy]

Es increíble! La puna nos robó el corazón ❤️ really it is one of our favorite places, doesn't matter what you have seen this place surprises you every minute. It was hard at times, also because of the harsh conditions, that wind is no joke! But we three make a great team, you will see it in future videos as well!

[@badfinger61]

@@Thebluelandy Thanks again for the wonderful video work!

[@FrankSeidler]

I wish I had those technical skills 🙂 - well done

[@Thebluelandy]

Kai is really a master of repairing and fixing! His skills are really broad and come from always trying never doubting. Which is pretty difficult already!

[@henrygreen19]

Wow !!!

[@Thebluelandy]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@user-ys8nf9oq4q]

地球とは思えない、宇宙の果てのような景色です。 あなた方の知恵と勇気を讃えます。 そして、私はあなた方にこの素晴らしい動画アップに感謝しています。 Auf japan

[@Thebluelandy]

それはこの世のものではありません！ ご視聴とコメントありがとうございます！

[@Thebluelandy]

それはこの世のものではありません！ ご視聴とコメントありがとうございます！

[@cars2drive298]

was in that pool 20 years ago !! 🤣, miss argentina, those colors are incredible 😍🤩

[@Thebluelandy]

Wow 😱😱😱😱really amazing. Bet you enjoyed when less people new about it 🙌

[@juanprime8827]

You are brave for travelling in the Puna alone, just one car, with a TD5 engine!. We crossed Salta, Catamarca, La rioja, several times, always using f2 to 4 vehicles. Fuel freezes in the nigth.

[@Thebluelandy]

Gracias!! It was a rough terrain and tough conditions, but it felt so special being up there alone. But one thing is important to say, is that even though is remote, there is traffic due to the many mineries (which can save you in case of distress).The cold and the low humidity, as well as the sun are not possible to avoid, so one needs to go prepared!

[@mohamedbhamjee1856]

Greetings awesome show keep them coming

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you for watching and commenting 🤗🤗🤗

[@tusafilms7286]

Lo vi tres veces. Buenisimo.

[@Thebluelandy]

Mil gracias!!!!

[@lairjb]

Amazing vídeo.

[@Thebluelandy]

Thank you so much!!

[@ruudsmith3836]

been catching up on a few previous episodes back African continent...really good vids back there. ok gonna watch this now

[@Thebluelandy]

Ouh have fun, there were a couple of pretty epic adventures around or time in Africa 😍let us know your favorites!

[@nagsonkaritungu3618]

Nice video watching from Namibia 🇳🇦

[@satishpatel5260]

AWESOME 👌 🆒️ WONDERFULLY, BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED ARGENTINA 🇦🇷, 👍 like 👍 in NAMIBIA 🇳🇦 AFRICA 🌍,,, ARGENTINA 🇦🇷, ADVENTURES

[@Thebluelandy]

Nice!! We love Namibia ❤️ greetings from snowy Argentina!

[@nagsonkaritungu3618]

@@Thebluelandy you guys must come visit my Namibia again

[@Thebluelandy]

@@nagsonkaritungu3618 most probably we will!

[@kyawhtike2282]

nice🤗🤗

[@Thebluelandy]

It was incredible!

[@andrewthacker114]

I was wondering if it was beer they were drinking at 3000 meters 😅 Why not 😅. Interesting clip.ill have to google where you are, exactly.

[@Thebluelandy]

Ouh yes, kind of celebrating when they can, German style! Google Mina Casualidad and you get a good picture of the remoteness!

[@andrewthacker114]

@@Thebluelandy okay, thank you. Big help, you are a lot further north than I expected. Close to Chile .

[@cmoreoverland6739]

So ready....

[@Thebluelandy]

Yihaaa ✌️😎

[@bertplank9892]

Please finish with the customary "Enjoy the ride"....it's your trademark.!!....as usual VG video.

[@Thebluelandy]

Haha I thought I change a bit 😄 but yeah it kind of is our motto ✌️ thanks again Bert!

[@trialandtrophy5237]

Der Klassiker beim TD5 Anlasser und zum Glück einfach zu reparieren...........wenn man diese verflixte Mutter hinter dem Starter aufkriegt. Gibt es da evtl. noch ein Outtake mit Flüchen? :-) Schöne Bilder !

[@Thebluelandy]

Haha ja, hatte den Starter mehr als einmal draußen daher wusste ich um das ding…. Beim ersten Mal hab ich ganz schön geflucht. Allein bei der verstecktenmutter eine andere Schlüsselweite zu verwenden ist ein Verbrechen 😅

[@TheEulerID]

I would have thought such a heavily laden Land Rover with a naturally aspirated engine at altitude is going to be a bit breathless, but I guess nobody is going that fast so nothing a bit of low gearing can't cope with. The advantage of what is a 1940s design is that it is simple and can mostly be fixed roadside with fairly simple tools. A Defender or earlier series Land Rover turns every owner into a mechanic. I have been on the Altiplano myself, but in Peru, being driven in a very beat up bus which the driver, on a 14 hour day and wearing sun glasses day and night drove into a ditch on an unpaved road. We all had to get out and push it out. But I did love the Andes, and Peru and its Inca architecture is astonishing. nb. cool hot springs is surely an oxymoron, but then English is full of weird phrases. However, hot springs are the best, and I think I've sampled them in the mountains of Nepal, Tanzania, Peru and Costa Rica. In the latter, listening to the eruptions on the volcano above.

[@Thebluelandy]

Great story, I guess the driver had also loaded up on Coca Lives, at least that was the case with all the drivers we passed 😅 The Defender is a turbocharged diesel that helps a lot in those altitudes. Without the turbo, the thing would hardly move 🙈

[@TheEulerID]

@@Thebluelandy As you say, Coca Leaves were a staple and you could buy them pretty well everywhere. The turbo charger explains everything I guess it was the older series Land Rovers I was thinking of.

[@stocksj]

Looks like the surface of Mars.

[@Thebluelandy]

It for sure does!

[@jensstrang1501]

Schöne Region. Wünsche Euch frohe Weihnachten und alles Gute für das nächste Jahr, keine Pannen! Übrigens, in Mannheim liegt noch kein Schnee.

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey Jens, Vielen Dank, ebenfalls! Naja richtig Schnee in der rheinebene wir wohl eine schöne Kindheitserinnerung bleiben aber kaum noch realistisch in der Zukunft

[@magoyo8412]

incredible episode ¡ congrats¡ a question , do you always use de diff block during the gravel roads ¿

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey thank you! No! You should only use diff lock when you need to expect that you’ll loose traction with one wheel. I use it in sand, snow, rivers, or really steep bumpy sections. And deep washouts. If you use it all the time you’ll have a lot of wear at tires, drive shafts, drive flanges and all the gears. Not recommend

[@magoyo8412]

@@Thebluelandy thanks, i saw your cabin air filter 👍 i also had one too, i bought it in Poland and the change in the interior of the cabin was very good, keep it clean for much longer. Impressed about your mecanic knowledge ! Very important in that enviroment. Keep going and safe trip

[@Thebluelandy]

Thanks, I’m not sure what you saw but I would love to have a cabin air filter but I don’t know hot that could work…

[@buffalo4127]

Hi Guys, how about some starting fluid sprayed in the air cleaner during those cold morning starts? Could save on your battery…

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey, i would never use Start fluid if I can avoid it. I’m not concerned about the battery having the solar panels… The risk using start pray is always that you put too much and you get to high rpm and damage the engine

[@buffalo4127]

Good to know. I’ve used starting fluid with old Caterpillar tractors and farm machines. However I imagine the Landy with its turbo engine could be damaged. Still excellent work on your part, repairs at 12000 feet!

[@jacqueshickley]

I'm not sure where you are currently, but please keep your ear to the ground with regards to the possible tension between Venezuela and Guyana. Stay safe.

[@Thebluelandy]

Thanks for the tip! I don't think we will make it to Venezuela. Money is limited and travel burnout is real!

[@Schla-Gulp]

Wenn die Drohne kaputt gehen würde wäre das schon echt bitter. Aber ich vermute ihr habt selbst dafür Ersatzteile dabei. 😂 Mal eine Frage zu den weißen Felsen oder Steinen die man bei 19:49 sehen kann. Ich habe das nicht richtig verstanden. Ist das Bimsstein ?

[@Thebluelandy]

Ne für die Drohne haben wir nur Ersatzpropeller. Würde auch generell nicht sagen das wir viel Ersatzteile dabeihaben. Kreativität hilft oft mehr 😉 Ja es ist Bimsstein 👍🏻

[@defendermodsandtravels]

How much fuel do you carry? What range do you need? Thanks.

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey! We carry 115L of diesel. Depends the terrain, but between 900 and 1100 km.

[@WannabeOverlander]

👋🏻🤠🇫🇮

[@Thebluelandy]

🙌🙌🙌

[@davemangle6448]

What brand snorkel are you using ?

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey, i welded the snorkel myself using 80mm stainless steel pipes. Extec sells a similar one. The cyclone is from MAN Filters.

[@davemangle6448]

@@Thebluelandy thank you 🙏🏽

[@Tuhinsaha429]

please come to INDIA and visit Ladakh , you will forget this place.

[@bertplank9892]

And you'll be visiting the 🚻 toilet multiple times....best stick with the altiplano and cute Llamas ...

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey!! We are not planning to go to India, we heard is not the most overland friendly destination. Argentina is that sense a paradise!😍😎

[@nicholastoo858]

Any chance you can do 4k upload? YT These days gives people poor 1080p, then charges to give Premium 1080p. If you upload 4k, they can't charge people for premium 1080p, because we can get other resolutions that are better than 1080. That is 1440p and 4k.

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey Nicholas! The same answer than in the other video... the 1080p is the standard, not worse or bad quality. The premium is better yes. We did two videos in 4k and it was a nightmare to deal with file size, edit and export the final video. We did it because it was during our stay at the farm so we we could limit the number of files in 4k. If we do it all the time , we would run out of hardrives pretty fast. 😵

[@dennisbrown3824]

No postings. Is everything OK?

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey!! Taking some time off! I didn't know I needed some that bad and now is getting longer than expected 😅 hopefully getting in the groove soon 😎

[@dennisbrown3824]

So pleased all OK. Yes, time off/out is very important in long expeditions. Sleep deprivation and exercise suffer and can take their toll. I'm sure I speak for all your followers, enjoy the journey..:)

[@satishpatel5260]

👉💜ADVENTURES FROM AFRICA 🌍 ✨ CHABWINO, ZIKHOMO

[@Thebluelandy]

From Africa to South America, adventures of a lifetime!

[@12kerryman]

Hi Guys. What an amazing video. Really enjoyed this absolutely, amazing landscapes. Are you guys driving all those sandy gravel roads at 12psi? Very curious about tyre pressures always. There is a recovery technique for stall out out hills, you may know this already - link below 19:20. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGHaqGd_etaEbKMsi=KftyTwantasd0V3l

[@Thebluelandy]

Hey!! We dropped it so low to get out of the mess. Normally we move between 21 and 36 psi//1.5-2.5 bar (sandy-gravel)!