Colombian Daniel Cabrera traveled from Colombia to Paris, France, in an epic six-years journey.
What began as a simple curiosity to explore the world turned into an epic journey that has inspired thousands. Daniel Cabrera, from Villavicencio, Colombia, set off in 2018 on a motorcycle trip that would take him across 48 countries, three continents, and tens of thousands of kilometers, until he reached his final destination: Paris, France.
Riding a Yamaha YBR 125 a simple, budget-friendly model that many would not consider suitable for a round-the-world trip Cabrera defied expectations and turned his journey into a story of perseverance, discovery, and human connection.
Today, Cabrera is not only viral on social media, but also a symbol of determination, courage, and purposeful travel.
How did Daniel Cabrera make it from Colombia to France on a motorcycle?
Without major sponsors or a backing agency, Cabrera relied on his digital community on Instagram, Daniel Cabrera, alias @estaesmivuelta, and his ability to adapt. Along the way, he worked remotely, sold handicrafts, gave talks, and documented his adventures. His goal was never to escape, but to build an alternative lifestyle.
“I left with a backpack, a lot of desire, and zero experience. I learned along the way. I picked up skills in mechanics, photography, social media, survival. The road was my university,” he said in an interview.
His journey began in Colombia, from where he rode down to Ushuaia, Argentina — the southernmost point of the continent. He then traveled to Brazil, where he shipped his motorcycle by air to South Africa. From there, he embarked on a journey across Africa, riding through 14 countries until he reached North Africa. At the Strait of Gibraltar, he took a ferry to Spain and continued through several European countries until he finally arrived in France in May 2025.
Africa, the continent that marked his journey
One of the most intense parts of his trip was crossing Africa, where he lived with rural communities, learned to adapt to extreme conditions, and overcame bureaucratic and logistical challenges. “Africa changed me. I went through some really hard things, but I also received so much love. I stayed in Angola for almost a year. I learned Portuguese, worked, made friends. It was incredibly enriching,” he explained.
On his Instagram account, Cabrera has shared images from Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa, and many other places. Each post is filled with messages that inspire adventure, but also reflection on inequality, resilience, and cultural diversity.
During his travels through Asia and Europe, Cabrera faced culture shock, extreme cold, closed borders, and even the pandemic, which forced him to stop more than once. Still, he never lost sight of his goal.
“The bike taught me to slow down and see more. It made me observe, ask questions, understand. It also showed me how strong I can be,” he shared on his social media.
Cabrera reached his goal in May 2025
In May 2025, Cabrera fulfilled his dream: reaching Paris. The Colombian shared a reel on Instagram where he expressed his joy at successfully completing the journey: “From Colombia to Paris, parceritos,” he said, and shared some reflections on his six-year-long adventure.