Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman embark on their journey again in ‘Long Way Up’

Riding a prototype electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire through Argentina’s Calchaquí Valley, actor and motorcycle enthusiast Ewan McGregor reflects on his surroundings into a microphone built into his helmet.

“I love witnessing nature in this way, seeing the landscape shift as we move. It’s really touching, and it’s exactly what I was hoping for – a sense of connection to the Earth, appreciating its beauty as we ride,” he shares.

Charley Boorman, McGregor’s close friend and travel companion, is equally moved by the stunning views. The two have been inseparable since they met on the set of the 1997 film, 'The Serpent’s Kiss' – which is definitely worth watching, if only for the wigs.

In ‘Long Way Up,’ which premieres globally on Apple TV+ on September 18 with its first three episodes, McGregor and Boorman reunite for a 13,000-mile adventure from Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, to Los Angeles, California.

They journey through 13 countries, crossing back and forth between Argentina and Chile, before heading north through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, continuing through Central America (Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala), and finally reaching Mexico, concluding their trip in Los Angeles, California.

And they’re off!

Previous seasons of the documentary series included “Long Way Round,” a 2004 eastward journey from London to New York City, and “Long Way Down,” a 2007 southward adventure from John o’ Groats in Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa.

“Long Way Up” sees the two longtime friends and their trusted crew embarking on a somewhat shorter journey north, following the iconic Pan-American Highway.

In the first three episodes of the series, the pair make stops in:

– Parque Pingüino Rey in Tierra del Fuego, Chile, located at the southernmost tip of South America.

– The Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, towering above crystal-clear glacial waters.

– Salta in northwest Argentina, where they ride the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds), one of the highest railways in the world, reaching nearly 14,000 feet.

The stunning visuals quench a growing sense of wanderlust, which has intensified during this year of COVID-19 lockdowns.

The passage of time

What prompted the duo to reunite after a 12-year break for a third epic ride?

In a video interview with Dinogo Travel, McGregor revealed, “We drifted apart for a while. Charley had a terrible accident and was severely injured. I came to realize that we share something special that I don’t have with anyone else. Letting that bond fade was a mistake. So, we reconnected and decided to take on this journey together.”

The first episode of “Long Way Down” includes segments of Boorman’s recovery from his severe accident, showcasing his dedication to getting back on the bike and the importance of this third trip for him.

“As I started feeling better, and Ewan came to stay with me in London… we began talking about that third trip we had always dreamed of. It's a rare gift to have time to spend with your best friend and ride motorcycles together. It was exactly what I needed,” Boorman recalls.

Electric journey

After completing two major motorcycle adventures, the pair felt the need for a new challenge. They chose the “Long Way Up” as an electric expedition – a way to explore the world without contributing to its environmental decline.

This meant riding electric bikes (Harley-Davidson provided prototypes) built to endure extreme conditions – snow, ice, high altitudes, wind, rain – and a lack of charging stations along the way.

For the “Long Way Up” journey, the production team partnered with the electric vehicle startup Rivian, which supplied prototype pickup trucks designed to handle all kinds of terrain. Rivian also set up charging stations along the more remote stretches of the route.

The first episode of “Long Way Up” focuses on preparation and planning, which is surprisingly enjoyable to watch. Just seeing Ewan and Charley spread out a map and plan their route triggered some serious travel envy in this viewer – so much so that I ended up buying an actual map myself.

Despite careful planning, the trip starts off with some challenges, thanks to unusually cold weather (it was the worst winter since 1994) and the difficulty of testing unproven vehicles in harsh conditions. But as they start putting miles behind them and distance themselves from Ushuaia, the journey finds a steadier rhythm with fewer obstacles and worries.

And that's when the real magic unfolds. The landscapes are jaw-dropping, and while the bond between McGregor and Boorman is at the heart of the story, it’s equally moving to see how the entire crew navigates the journey—both as a team and individually.

Landscapes and isolation

Enduring the extreme cold meant bringing the bikes indoors overnight and layering up in every available piece of clothing. As a side note, I could watch Charley Boorman pile on the layers (someone please post this on TikTok) all day long.

When a crew member succumbs to severe altitude sickness near Salta, Argentina, on their way to ride the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds), McGregor’s worry is palpable. You can’t help but feel the strong bond they’ve formed under such tough circumstances, and you sense just how much they mean to each other.

And then there’s the matter of charging. The never-ending quest for power. If there’s one true antagonist in this grand adventure, it’s the relentless search for places to charge the e-bikes and vehicles between stops.

“Simply plugging the bike in at the end of each day became a small victory. Every time we found a place to charge the bike, it felt like a mini-celebration,” McGregor shared.

Recalling the uncertainty of keeping the bikes powered in remote areas, Boorman tells a story about getting a surprisingly good charge from a sketchy plug in a youth hostel. (The accommodations in the first few episodes are far from luxurious.)

“We kind of glanced at each other, walked away, and hoped that if we stayed quiet, they’d just keep charging.” This type of thing happens often on ‘Long Way Up.’

What an incredible journey it has been.

Reflecting on the remarkable sights of the journey, McGregor mentions that the Atacama Desert in Chile left an indelible impression, describing the landscape as 'breathtaking.' He also fondly recalls the experience of visiting Machu Picchu.

“Back in one of my school classrooms, there was a poster of Machu Picchu. I wasn’t great in school, but I excelled at daydreaming, so I spent countless hours imagining Machu Picchu as this mystical place I would never visit. And then, we actually went there,” McGregor reflects.

Upon arriving at the UNESCO World Heritage site, McGregor recalls, “it was completely enveloped in clouds.” He felt a wave of disappointment, thinking, “We’ve come on a day when we’re not going to see anything.” But after exploring in separate directions for a while, the two friends reunited, and “suddenly the clouds parted to reveal Machu Picchu,” says McGregor. “It felt like a dream realized.”

Boorman remembers passing a solar farm in Costa Rica and impulsively knocking on the gate to see if they could take a look. “They welcomed us in, let us plug in our bikes, and gave us a tour while explaining how everything worked. Our bikes were charged directly by the sun,” Boorman says.

The journey comes to an end.

After three months on the road, both riders were ready for the trip to conclude. However, Boorman notes, “You always talk about the possibility of another one, so that idea lingers in your mind, making it easier to accept that this adventure is over.”

“There’s a natural progression to these journeys,” McGregor observes. “You reach a point where you’re ready for it to finish. It just has its own conclusion,” he adds.

Since the 'Long Way Up' route ends in Los Angeles, where McGregor calls home, his 13,000-mile adventure wrapped up right at his doorstep.

“I rode all the way from Ushuaia to my front door – and I have to say, it was a true joy,”