Adventure motorcycle crossing western Argentina

Mendoza to La Rioja

Giants of the West

Motorcycle tour through Mendoza, San Juan, and La Rioja. Riding the cordillera, Laguna Brava, Mina La Mejicana, and mountain roads between pavement and gravel.

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Duration
8 days
Distance
2,400 km
Gravel
30%
Max altitude
4,600 masl

Route

Day by day

Every day adds kilometers, gravel, and altitude. You keep the count in your body.

  1. Motorcycle crossing mountain roads between Mendoza and La Rioja
    Day 1

    80% pavement · 218 km

    Mendoza Capital → Potrerillos → Villavicencio → Uspallata

    We start the motorcycle tour from Mendoza Capital toward Potrerillos through tunnels, curves, and reservoirs. Then we enter Reserva Natural Villavicencio: gravel, 365 curves, and the historic hotel before sleeping in Uspallata.

    Motorcycle tour highlights

    • Embalse Potrerillos
    • Reserva Natural Villavicencio
    • 365 curves
  2. Cordillera road on Giants of the West
    Day 2

    90% pavement · 313 km · 3,854 masl

    Uspallata → Paso Los Libertadores → Uspallata

    We cross the cordillera through Paso Internacional Los Libertadores. Aconcagua, high-mountain tunnels, and the descent through Los Caracoles make a full Andes day, returning to Uspallata by Cristo Redentor.

    Motorcycle tour highlights

    • Puente del Inca
    • Aconcagua
    • Cristo Redentor
    • Cuesta Caracoles
  3. Motorcycles moving across open plains on Giants of the West
    Day 3

    80% pavement · 290 km

    Pampa del Leoncito → Laguna Blanca → Calingasta

    We leave the Mendoza valley and enter open plains and solitary roads. The motorcycle tour continues through Pampa del Leoncito, Barreal, and Laguna Blanca: a day of long horizons and earned sunsets.

    Motorcycle tour highlights

    • Pampa Leoncito
    • Barreal
    • Laguna Blanca
  4. Rider moving along Cuyo gravel
    Day 4

    100% pavement · 437 km

    Barreal → Rodeo → Jáchal → Huaco → Villa Unión

    A scenic stage linking valleys, dams, quebradas, and dry La Rioja terrain. Rodeo, Jáchal, and Huaco change the rhythm with tight curves and open lookouts.

    Motorcycle tour highlights

    • Rodeo
    • Quebrada de Jáchal
    • Cuesta de Huaco
  5. Open road between western mountains
    Day 5

    40% pavement · 370 km · 4,300 masl

    Villa Unión → Laguna Brava → Volcancito de Troya → Villa Unión

    We climb to Laguna Brava by motorcycle, a high-mountain lagoon guarded by silence, flamingos, and stone refuges. The gravel of Quebrada de la Troya and La Herradura adds color and demand to the day.

    Motorcycle tour highlights

    • Laguna Brava
    • Volcancito de Troya
    • Quebrada de la Troya
    • La Herradura
  6. High-mountain road ridden by motorcycle
    Day 6

    90% pavement · 386 km

    Villa Unión → Talampaya → Valle de la Luna → Chilecito

    Talampaya opens red walls and canyons millions of years old. Then Valle de la Luna and Cuesta de Miranda complete a day of hard color before reaching Chilecito.

    Motorcycle tour highlights

    • Talampaya
    • Valle de la Luna
    • Cuesta de Miranda
  7. Loaded motorcycle ready to cross western Argentina
    Day 7

    20% pavement · 240 km · 4,600 masl

    Chilecito → Cañón del Ocre → Mina La Mejicana → Chilecito

    The climb to Mina La Mejicana by motorcycle is short in kilometers and intense in history, altitude, and landscape. Cañón del Ocre, orange rivers, abandoned structures, and absolute silence close the highest section of the tour.

    Motorcycle tour highlights

    • Cañón del Ocre
    • Mina La Mejicana
    • Los Pesebres
  8. Rider on a long mountain day
    Day 8

    100% pavement · 311 km

    Chilecito → Termas de Santa Teresita → La Rioja

    We close on Ruta 40 toward Termas de Santa Teresita. A return and rest day before completing the arrival in La Rioja.

    Motorcycle tour highlights

    • Ruta 40
    • Termas de Santa Teresita
    • La Rioja

Route map

Giants of the West on the map

Mendoza, Villavicencio, Uspallata, Paso Los Libertadores, Laguna Brava, Talampaya, Chilecito, Mina La Mejicana, and La Rioja. Move the map, get close to the cordillera, and see where each day is earned.

Route photos

Motorcycle crossing mountain roads between Mendoza and La Rioja
Motorcycle crossing mountain roads between Mendoza and La Rioja
Cordillera road on Giants of the West
Cordillera road on Giants of the West
Motorcycles moving across open plains on Giants of the West
Motorcycles moving across open plains on Giants of the West
Rider moving along Cuyo gravel
Rider moving along Cuyo gravel
Open road between western mountains
Open road between western mountains
High-mountain road ridden by motorcycle
High-mountain road ridden by motorcycle
Loaded motorcycle ready to cross western Argentina
Loaded motorcycle ready to cross western Argentina
Rider on a long mountain day
Rider on a long mountain day
Motorcycle stopped on a gravel road
Motorcycle stopped on a gravel road
Road conquered on the Giants of the West route
Road conquered on the Giants of the West route
Gravel line between sierras and cordillera
Gravel line between sierras and cordillera
Rider and motorcycle in western Argentina
Rider and motorcycle in western Argentina
Mountain road tested by the route
Mountain road tested by the route
Cordillera landscape crossed by motorcycle
Cordillera landscape crossed by motorcycle
High-mountain road during day two of Giants of the West
High-mountain road during day two of Giants of the West
Riders moving across gravel plains on Giants of the West
Riders moving across gravel plains on Giants of the West
Motorcycle on open road toward Laguna Brava
Motorcycle on open road toward Laguna Brava
Mining structure on the route to Mina La Mejicana
Mining structure on the route to Mina La Mejicana
Group of motorcycles stopped on a mountain road in western Argentina
Group of motorcycles stopped on a mountain road in western Argentina

Testimonials

What the route left behind

Paso Los Libertadores was incredible. Crossing the Andes from the motorcycle was a unique moment.
— Agustin Sahovaler
The Laguna Brava day was surreal.
— Agustin Lago
Mina La Mejicana was the biggest challenge I have done by motorcycle. The group always had great energy. Everything was very good.
— Diego Bianco

Trip details

Practical information

What is included

  • Round-trip motorcycle transport to the destination
  • Motorcycle cargo insurance
  • Snacks and refreshments
  • Spare motorcycle
  • Starlink
  • Seven nights in selected lodging
  • Support vehicle throughout the route
  • Emergency fuel for the full route
  • Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
  • Guide with proven experience in western Argentina

What is not included

  • Flights to Mendoza and from La Rioja
  • Alcoholic drinks and meals outside the itinerary
  • Travel insurance with motorcycle coverage
  • Motorcycle rental if you do not bring your own

Good to know

  • Limited capacity per tour.
  • The tour crosses the Argentina-Chile border twice. You need a valid ID or passport and authorization to ride if the motorcycle is not in your name. We guide you before the trip.
  • Previous gravel experience is required.

Departures

Upcoming dates

No confirmed dates for now. Tell us when you want to ride and we will build a window.

Approximate priceUSD 1,673

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