Founder of the Inca Rally, Juan Herrada
The Inca Rally is a throwback to old exploration days, a rejection of overly safe tours and a search for genuine local experiences. It’s a unique challenge and opportunity to have a positive impact on others. It’s a real adventure with a purpose.
The Inca Rally adventurers get a kick out of hurdling themselves headfirst into the unknown armed with just their ability to be resourceful enough to get out of any sticky situation. Shaking the safe monotony of daily life and plunging straight into adventurous randomness are what they live for.
In an interview with the founder, Juan Herrada described to Guyana Times Sunday Magazine what the adventure entails: “Imagine blitzing it across the Peruvian Andes, hustling through Ecuadorian deserts and Colombian plains, cruising through Venezuela’s Caribbean coastline and plunging into the depths of the Guyanese Amazonian jungle armed with just your poncho, a hammer, some chewing gum and your wits. That’s the Inca Rally!”
Juan added that along the race’s 8,000 km route, you will experience one of the most stunning landscape ranges and mingle among some of the most exciting cultures of any rally. You will party the nights away in the different capitals, learn about great community projects en route and challenge yourself throughout with all the other racers that you meet.
“You may break down in the middle of nowhere and the closest spanner may be a lama ride away. You may decide to take a detour and end up in a peculiar rural festival for a few days. Or you may discover new routes that were not on the map. That is the beauty of the Inca Rally; you never really know what could happen. The only certainty is that you will have an unforgettable experience and come back with plenty of amazing stories to tell,” he narrated.
Juan said his fascination with the legend of El Dorado prompted him to do research. He read about the routes which were taken by those seeking the “city of gold”- including Guyana. He said that is how the routes were determined for the Inca Rally. Additionally, he was connected with Guyana via his many friends who had done charitable work here and related their exciting experiences; Juan was intrigued.
The adventure
The first Inca Rally was successfully completed in August, 2012. The adventure begun in Lima, Peru, where the adventure seekers’ haggling skills were tested as they tried to find the best possible machine (vehicle) that their limited money can buy. Once they had acquired their pre-World War 2 motor, attached the necessary rubber bands to the pistons and bag over the missing window, they then raced it across Peru into Ecuador, up through Colombia, across Venezuela and into Guyana, where a great little welcome party awaited.
Along the way, they encountered a melting pot of indigenous languages and cultures and one of the most diverse landscapes in the world as they crossed the Andes, the fertile plains of Los Llanos, the longest Caribbean coastline of any one country and the Amazonian basin before emerging at the other end as a glorious fully fledged adventurer.
On route, the team met some interesting locals, tried bizarre foods, and visited charities and community projects and partied in the capitals.
“Since all this fun will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention from envious friends back home, we want to use this attention to raise the profile of some amazing local charities. So we will give you the option of stopping off at them along the way and we will be there to film it. This way, the resulting international exposure will enhance their fundraising efforts beyond our adventure. Obviously you do not have to stop if you do not want to, but the opportunity will be there for the taking,” Juan outlined.
Purpose-driven
- Onlookers amused by the Inca Rally team relaxing on the pavement after completing their adventure
