Facts and Stats Gaucho Trail Motor Challenge 2026

The name - Gaucho Trail, the culture expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries to cover much of Argentina, all Uruguay, and state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. The gauchos, a group of horsemen who herded livestock in the grasslands of these regions.

Their values - solidarity, loyalty, hospitality, and courage
Their lifestyle - a simple life in the campo, working with livestock
Their clothing - loose trousers (BOMBACHAS), a poncho, and a wide-brimmed hat
Their food - Asado, a national dish of Argentina

Length - 28 days
Distance - 11,000 km
Countries visited – 6

Countries – Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile
Rest days- 4

Competition – mix of Regularities. Tests, Time Control Sections

Racetracks – 7

From - the Atlantic to the Pacific
From - Caipirinha to Pisco

• Montevideo – start and finish venue, on the Rio de La Plata,the widest river in the world, 220km
• Montevideo - the birthplace of Carlos Gardel, the most famous Tango singer in history
• Beverage - Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay share the same national beverage, called the Mate. Each country has a very different and proud way of serving and drinking
• The pampas - world famous fertile plains of South America (its cattle fed the whole of Europe during the world wars) extends from central Argentina through Uruguay into southern Brazil
• Iguazú Falls - the largest waterfall system in the world, stretching over 2.7km
• Iguazú Falls - 275 different cascades - 82m is the highest drop at the Devil's Throat
• Paraguay - renowned for its Harp players
• Paraguay - one of the few countries in the world where most of the population is bilingual (Spanish and Guaraní - an indigenous language)
• Western Paraguay - El Gran Chaco, home to large Menonite communities of German descent
• Bolivia - Uyuni Salt Flats, world’s largest covering 10,000 square kms, altitude of 3,656m
• Bolivia - Ayala, will reach event’s highest elevation at approximately 4,200 m
• Argentina, Salta - rally will pass Colomé, the highest vineyard in world 3,100m (10,200ft)
• La Puna Argentina – The Second-Highest Plateau On Earth After Tibet
• Salta – second largest city in Argentina. Quebrada de Humahuaca, Unesco World Heritage site
• Salta – in foothills of Eastern Andes. Purmamarca, the Hill of Seven Colours, one of most iconic natural landmarks in Argentina. colour range; pink, red, green, yellow, white and purple
• Molinos - Calchaquí Valley of Salta, is famous for its traditional Ponchos
• Mendoza - world famous Wine region
• Chile, Mendoza - Chile, Paso Internacional Los Libertadores, also called Cristo Redentor, is a mountain pass in the Andes between Argentina and Chile at 3,200m
• Wildlife to spot - Alpaca, Vicuña, Puma, Condor, Huemul, Armadillo, Chinchilla