Dakar 2009, the first South American adventure
This plan translates the first South American Dakar. Africa is gone, but the raid spirit remains: long stages, huge landscapes, Andes crossings and an Argentine finish.
The route also recalls the Aéropostale through Patagonia and the names of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Vicente Almonacid.
The first South American edition of the rally.
Connect stages like a race log.
A simple aircraft keeps you close to the terrain.
Mendoza - Valparaiso and Copiapo - Fiambala require preparation.
Understanding the flight
The change of continent does not remove the Dakar spirit. The route becomes a large South American loop where the Andes replace the Sahara as the main obstacle.
The appeal is the rally rhythm: clear stages, contrasting landscapes and daily progression.
Before departure
- Prepare Andes crossings with map and safe altitude.
- Keep clear weather over Mendoza - Valparaiso and Copiapo - Fiambala.
- Choose an aircraft easy to land and relaunch from regional fields.
- Keep a stage log to preserve the rally atmosphere.
Suggested route
Buenos Aires and northern Patagonia
Ezeiza, Santa Rosa, Puerto Madryn, Jacobacci and Neuquen set the Argentine stage, between open land, plateau and Aéropostale memory.
SAEZ → SAZR → SAVY → SA1B → SAZN
Mendoza, Chile and the Pacific
San Rafael, Mendoza, Valparaiso, La Serena and Copiapo create the first Andes crossing and the Chilean northbound section.
SAZN → SAMR → SAME → SCVM → SCSE → SCHA
Fiambala, La Rioja and Cordoba
The return through Fiambala and La Rioja brings the route back to inland Argentina, with a final raid logic toward Cordoba.
SCHA → SA1K → SANL → SACO
Experience tips
Do not fly too high outside the Andes: terrain contrasts are part of the experience.
Treat every leg like a rally stage: briefing, weather, fuel and arrival screenshot.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2009