Here at the Inca Rally we are all about embracing our inner geek. Who says that you can’t have a ridiculous adventure, do your bit for the world and learn some interesting facts to enrich your already witty repertoire of discussion topics for your dates? So, with that in mind, let us delve headfirst into the murky waters of the mythical El Dorado and learn a bit more about its colourful history.

A Great Myth Is Born

In the 16th and 17th Centuries, amidst the Golden Age of Discovery, many notable Europeans believed that somewhere deep in the New World there was a hidden city of unimaginable wealth and riches. This mysterious undiscovered gem provoked many power-hungry explorers and to lead numerous expeditions in search of fame, glory and treasure. With mixed outcomes...

As they fearlessly pushed further into the jungles, heading straight for their maps' blind spots, they discovered countless wonders including the ever-popular Machu Picchu, lost Mayan cities and the Amazon river in its entirety. It also wasted countless lives, drove at least one man to suicide and put another one under the executioner’s axe. Heavy stuff...

Although El Dorado very kindly shifted geographical locations across its 200 year history in order to allow us to organise our glorious rally, this golden city of immeasurable treasure has still not been found (cue dramatic music). However, like all enduring legends, the tale of El Dorado began from historical truths (as recent satellite imagery shows). So let us embrace our inner geek and learn a little bit about the different expeditions in each country that we have now linked together into our unique race.