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South America is a continent of breathtaking contrasts—one moment, your toes are in the sand by the ocean, the next, you're thousands of metres high in the Andes. It’s a land of deserts, salt flats, jungles, and endless mountains, bordered by the Atlantic on one side and the Pacific on the other, and secluded from North America by the wild Darian Gap. While much of its population resides in vibrant, sprawling cities, the rest remains remote, pristine, and achingly beautiful—a prime canvas for those with a heart for adventure.
This is no ordinary rally; it's a South American Motor Challenge - The Gaucho Trail, a 28-day, 11,000 km journey of discovery through six countries, beginning and ending in Uruguay. Organised by HERO-ERA, it’s part of a proud lineage of South American expeditions dating back to John Brown’s Inca Trail in 2001 and the legendary Philip Young's ERA events. This year's route, crafted by Kim Bannister—a connoisseur of the South American continent—will carry you into the soul of South America, revealing both well-loved destinations and hidden corners few travellers ever see.
The journey is one of rediscovery, tracing the path of racing legends like Juan Manuel Fangio and Oscar Galvez, who roared through these landscapes during the 11,000 km Grand Prix of South America. Though cities have grown, out on the chaco plains, deep in the valdivian forests, and high up in the Andes, time seems to stand still. Here, you’ll find landscapes that stir the soul—places so extraordinary you may have to pinch yourself to believe they’re real.
Along the way, you’ll witness the thundering Iguazu Falls, traverse Bolivia’s otherworldly Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, and drive through Chile’s dramatic landscapes that call to adventure motorists from around the globe. This route is filled with rough dirt roads, challenging tracks, and circuits that once hosted the WRC and Dakar Rally. It’s a test of both car and spirit—a pilgrimage for those who crave wild places, memories that last a lifetime, and the unique camaraderie of a month on the open road.
Each competitor will follow the same route, but each journey will be different. Whether you’re in a pre-war car or a faster machine, you’ll be creating your own story on the Gaucho Trail Motor Challenge. This is more than a rally; it’s an invitation to explore the untamed heart of South America and lose yourself in its timeless beauty. So, what will your story be as we embark on this grand adventure?
Main Sponsor
His Excellency Doctor Luis Lacalle Pou, 42nd president of Uruguay
A welcome message from His Excellency Doctor Luis Lacalle Pou, 42nd president of Uruguay
Gaucho Trail Motor Challenge 2026 Teaser
Watch the Gaucho Trail Motor Challenge 2026 Teaser here
The Route
Day-by-Day Intinerary
Event Schedule
Scrutineering & Documentation | 01 November 2026
Scrutineering and Documentation sessions will take place during Sunday before crews join together to look forward to an unforgettable month exploring South America at the welcome dinner.
Uruguay | 02 November 2026
Aiming to begin the event with a bang. The ceremonial start and first competition is planned for a circuit near Montevideo before we head north through the dirt back roads of Uruguay.
As the route passes Lago Rincon del Bonete, the largest freshwater lake in Uruguay, there should be the opportunity to get lunch and rest before the final push to the first overnight halt in Rivera on the Uruguay/Brazil border.
Tonight, we will stay in Uruguay leaving the border crossing as our first adventure on Day 2.
Brazil | 03 - 06 November 2026
Our days in Brazil will take the event through the provinces of Rio Grande do Sul, a major agriculture and livestock region, Santa Catarina, where wood products form a major part of the industry, and Parana which is one of the country’s major producers of coffee and the site of our first rest day in the subtropical rainforest at Iguazu Falls.
The planned route uses territory from a number of Brazilian rallies so you can expect some challenging sections on dirt and gravel tracks, plus some test sections on local race circuits.
We plan to stay on the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls to enjoy the National Park and then cross into Paraguay early on Day 6.
Paraguay | 07 - 09 November 2026
After enjoying the incredible beauty and power of the Iguazu Falls on our rest day, we cross the Parana River and head into new territory in Paraguay.
Our first days will take the event through the eastern side of the country as we head to the first overnight halt in the capital city of Asuncion. This area of the country hosts many rounds of the local rally championship and with Paraguay joining the WRC in 2025 we know we will get a lot of help from the local clubs to organise some superb gravel road sections to enjoy on the way.
Our second full day in Paraguay heads into a very different landscape as we drive into the Gran Chaco, a hot and semi-arid lowland area which covers parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil as well as Paraguay. Our second night in Paraguay will be spent in the town of Mariscal Estigarribia, giving us a chance to explore this amazing countryside.
Bolivia | 09 - 12 November 2026
Day 8 begins with a run to the Paraguay/Bolivia border before continuing to head west through the Gran Chaco to the town of Villamontes. From there the journey to our overnight halt in Tarija uses the amazing Ruta Nacional 11 through the mountains of south-eastern Bolivia.
From Tarija we continue to head west through the mountains of south-eastern Bolivia using roads that are part gravel and part tarmac before our second rest day on the salt flats of Uyuni.
Much has been written about the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, and the rest day will give everyone the chance to explore this amazing landscape and incredible beauty of the area.
Argentina | 12 - 16 November 2026
Leaving Uyuni, the route heads south and into Argentina, country number 4 on this amazing adventure.
After the mountains of Bolivia we follow the Humahuaca Gorge and the town of Huacalera for the first overnight halt.
Our second day in Argentina will give crews their first taste of the legendary Ruta 40 on our way to a night in Cafayate then onto La Rioja and San Juan.
Dirt roads and local race circuits will keep crews busy as we head south before turning west and heading into our fifth country, Chile.
Chile | 16 - 20 November 2026
The event will enter Chile using the Paso Los Libertadores, an amazing road which rises to 3,200 metres at the crossing point, you can also see Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the entire American continent, so don’t forget your hat and sun tan lotion while you are waiting for the border guards to inspect your paperwork!
From Los Libertadores we continue west to complete the journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the venue for our third, well earned, rest day in the coastal town of Vina del Mar.
Having enjoyed the delights of our beachside hotel, and now fully rested, we head south exploring the Pacific coastal region of Chile before heading into the province of Bio Bio and the area used by a number of local rallies and the WRC Rally Chile. The superb and challenging gravel roads in the area will give crews the chance to enjoy some excellent regularity sections and even a local race circuit to add to the competition.
Our final night in Chile will be in the holiday town of Pucon which is overlooked by the Villarrica volcano, you may even see a little smoke from the summit as the volcano is still classed as active.
Argentina | 20 - 27 November 2026
Our second visit to Argentina begins at the Paso Tromen border crossing, although this pass is much lower than our entry point at only 1,250 metres.
Having crossed back into Argentina the route will explore the lake area close to the border before an overnight halt in Villa La Angostura on the shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi.
Heading north from Villa La Angostura crews can enjoy more kilometres on the legendary Ruta 40 using relatively uncharted territory to our final rest day in Mendoza, the wine capital of Argentina. The rest day should give crews the opportunity to enjoy a glass or two of the local Malbec wine, and maybe even the chance to stock up with a few bottles to send home in the car.
From Mendoza we turn east and head into the roads around Villa Dolores, Mina Clavero and Villa Carlos Paz, made famous by Rally Argentina. These amazing roads will provide the ideal venue for a number of challenging sections as we head towards the finish of this incredible journey.
Our final day in Argentina will cross the Parana River again between Santa Fe and Parana before our final border crossing back into Uruguay at Salto. The plan is to cross the border then stay on the Uruguayan side before our final run to the finish.
Uruguay | 28 November 2026
The final day of the adventure and a last chance to catch your nearest competition over the final few sections on the dirt backroads of Uruguay.
We plan to finish at the same race circuit we started from just outside Montevideo before a final relaxed run in to the hotel where crews can get themselves ready for the gala prizegiving and dinner later that evening.
Vehicle Information
- Entry is open to cars manufactured pre-1976 or a model available pre-1976
- Special classes by invitation will be available for pre-1985 Cars and Classic 4x4 vehicles which will have separate classes and awards
- The cars will be split into classes, based on age and cc or other criteria established by the organisers
What is Included in the Entry Fee?
- Two nights pre-event accommodation in Montevideo
- Welcome Dinner in Montevideo
- On-event accommodation in a twin/double room including breakfast
- Group evening dining on most rally days where facilities allow
- Occasional on-rally lunches
- Parking arrangements
- Emergency breakdown assistance
- Medical support
- GPS waypoint coordinates supplied on microSD card
- Tulip style Route Books and Map Book for the entire route
- Metal rally plates, competition numbers, decals for the vehicle
- Identity tags for each participant
- Finishers awards
- Prize Giving Gala Dinner in Montevideo
Need a car?
The Arrive & Drive scheme allows you to compete should your car be unavailable or, if you are looking to purchase a similar model in the future it gives you the chance to get to know your prospective purchase. We have a wide and varied range of vehicles to suit everyone's taste.
