Photo: Filippo Salvioni ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Desert, cactus and two seas.
The 1,700 km peninsula from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas along Federal Highway 1 with dirt detours: the Valle de los Cirios desert of endless cactus, Bahía de los Ángeles, the San Ignacio oasis and the Loreto missions. Pacific on the left, Sea of Cortez on the right, fish tacos at every fuel stop. A route for anyone wanting a gentle introduction to adventure touring.
- Valle de los Cirios and the Cataviña boulders
- The dirt run out to Bahía de los Ángeles
- Grey whales in the San Ignacio lagoon
- Bahía Concepción and the San Javier mission
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 150 km, the border
San Diego and the border
We meet in San Diego, collect the bikes, complete the import paperwork and cross at Tecate, the quietest border point. Then through the wine country of Valle de Guadalupe to Ensenada. About 150 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Ensenada - DAY 2 · 300 km, the coast
San Quintín and the first dirt
South on Highway 1 through Santo Tomás and San Vicente, with a dirt detour to the San Quintín beach. Then El Rosario, the last fuel before the desert. About 300 km.
Overnight: Hotel in El Rosario - DAY 3 · 260 km, desert
Cataviña and Bahía de los Ángeles
Valle de los Cirios: cirio and cardón cactus among the granite boulders of Cataviña. Then the 65 km spur to Bahía de los Ángeles and the island-studded Sea of Cortez. About 260 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Bahía de los Ángeles - DAY 4 · 230 km, 160 km of dirt
Dirt to San Ignacio
The main off-road day: the gravel coast road south to San Francisquito and El Arco, sandy stretches, and a crossing of the peninsula to the San Ignacio oasis. About 230 km, 160 of them on dirt.
Overnight: Hotel in San Ignacio - DAY 5 · 120 km, whales
Whales and the Tres Vírgenes volcano
A morning boat to the grey whales in the San Ignacio lagoon (January — March) or the rock art of the Sierra de San Francisco. In the afternoon past the Tres Vírgenes volcano at 1,940 m to Santa Rosalía on the Sea of Cortez. About 120 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Santa Rosalía - DAY 6 · 200 km, Bahía Concepción
Bahía Concepción and Loreto
Mulegé with its date palms, then 40 km of the peninsula’s most beautiful road above Bahía Concepción and a desert stretch to Loreto, first capital of the Californias. About 200 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Loreto - DAY 7 · 330 km, the mission
San Javier mission and La Paz
A morning ride up the mountain road to the 1699 San Javier mission in the Sierra de la Giganta, then Highway 1 via Ciudad Insurgentes and Ciudad Constitución to La Paz. About 330 km.
Overnight: Hotel in La Paz - DAY 8 · 240 km, bikes returned
The East Cape and Cabo
From La Paz via El Triunfo to Los Barriles and along the East Cape dirt road beside the sea to Cabo Pulmo and San José del Cabo. Finish in Cabo San Lucas and bikes returned. About 240 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Cabo San Lucas - DAY 9 · Departure
Departure from Cabo
Breakfast by the ocean and a transfer to San José del Cabo airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
One-way Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin or KTM 890 Adventure hire
8 nights in hotels and ranchos with breakfast
A support truck with water, fuel and luggage
Mexican bike insurance and temporary import paperwork
Lead rider and local guides
Whale boat trip in the San Ignacio lagoon (in season)
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Fuel
Lunches and dinners
Return flight from San José del Cabo
The Mexican FMM tourist card
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
A category A licence and at least 8,000 km; the dirt sections are easy but sandy. Ivan runs a sand and loose-surface session and explains how to manage heat and water in the desert.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.