Maybe you've done water crossings before, or your luck as an adventure rider has yet to produce the opportunity. Whatever the case, there are at least 7 important points to consider before you go riding through any river, stream, puddle, or whatever you come across! Please take advantage of the notes below, or the video review on this link.
If you've booked your motorcycle rental or some kind of adventure ride with us and need to figure out the best way to transport all your clothes, riding gear, and travel items, this short version of our "How to Pack" video series sums it all up nicely for you! It's a low-cost, reliable way to make sure you're not stuck figuring out a plan for your excess luggage.
In case you hadn't noticed, the 14 Day Self-Guided "Fly & Ride Peru" tour is now available!
When it comes to traveling to Peru, most tourists list visiting the ancient Machu Picchu on the top of their list. And while this awe-inspiring city is certainly worth your time, the country has much more to offer, especially for travelers venturing her roads by motorcycle. Here is a list of our top reasons why you should visit Peru by motorcycle.
Wild Mountain Roads. When it comes to twisting mountain roads, few places on earth can beat Peru's paved roads leading through the Andes. Ascending from Nazca, there is a throughway called the road of a 1,000 curves, and it is not exaggerating. On one long winding stretch you can climb to over 15,000 feet along a variety of exciting switchbacks and tight turns. Your view is complete with wild, virtually untouched mountain landscapes and distant glacial mountains overshadowing lush valleys.
The People. When booking a standard tour in a bus, you are often shuttled from one tourist sightseeing spot to the next. Never having a chance to take a break and speak to the people who call this country home. Many Peruvians still live very traditional lives. While biking in the countryside you will pass patchworked farm plots where farmers and sheepherders still dress in traditional indigenous clothing. Consider making a trip to the market town of Pisac. Here, the streets come alive on market days as Peruvian artisans travel from every corner of the country to peddle their wares. Enjoy time spent immersed in the country's local culture.
The South Coast. Cuzco and its surrounding wonders often overshadow the uniqueness of Peru's southern coast. This is an ideal place to let your wanderlust run wild down desert roads that border the country's rugged Pacific coastline. For those interested in exploring some of Peru's interesting wildlife, make a stop at the Paracas National Reserve. This unique ecological zone is home to various marine life including whales, dolphins, shark, marlin, and much more.
The Many Ancient Ruins. For history buffs and culture enthusiasts, Peru is a magnificent place to explore the ruins and mysterious sites of ancient civilizations. On a motorcycle adventure of your design, you have the opportunity to visit both the most famed and the more hidden at your leisure. Visit of course the Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, but then journey to the northern highlands to discover the city of Chan Chan. Afterwards, point your bike south, and head to the mysterious Nazca Lines and the city of Puno.
Wild Mountain Roads. When it comes to twisting mountain roads, few places on earth can beat Peru's paved roads leading through the Andes. Ascending from Nazca, there is a throughway called the road of a 1,000 curves, and it is not exaggerating. On one long winding stretch you can climb to over 15,000 feet along a variety of exciting switchbacks and tight turns. Your view is complete with wild, virtually untouched mountain landscapes and distant glacial mountains overshadowing lush valleys.
The People. When booking a standard tour in a bus, you are often shuttled from one tourist sightseeing spot to the next. Never having a chance to take a break and speak to the people who call this country home. Many Peruvians still live very traditional lives. While biking in the countryside you will pass patchworked farm plots where farmers and sheepherders still dress in traditional indigenous clothing. Consider making a trip to the market town of Pisac. Here, the streets come alive on market days as Peruvian artisans travel from every corner of the country to peddle their wares. Enjoy time spent immersed in the country's local culture.
The South Coast. Cuzco and its surrounding wonders often overshadow the uniqueness of Peru's southern coast. This is an ideal place to let your wanderlust run wild down desert roads that border the country's rugged Pacific coastline. For those interested in exploring some of Peru's interesting wildlife, make a stop at the Paracas National Reserve. This unique ecological zone is home to various marine life including whales, dolphins, shark, marlin, and much more.
The Many Ancient Ruins. For history buffs and culture enthusiasts, Peru is a magnificent place to explore the ruins and mysterious sites of ancient civilizations. On a motorcycle adventure of your design, you have the opportunity to visit both the most famed and the more hidden at your leisure. Visit of course the Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, but then journey to the northern highlands to discover the city of Chan Chan. Afterwards, point your bike south, and head to the mysterious Nazca Lines and the city of Puno.
As you've noticed by now, we at RIDE Adventures also support the individual riders, the "Lone Wolves" if you will, who head out and Ride the World on their own motorcycles. While we hope to bring more of you into our service offering, we're not just supporting those who purchase our guided tours & motorcycle rentals.
I managed to pin down Nic Sims, head of Media Relations at Alpinstars USA and ask some questions about the motorcycle industry and where he sees the future of motorcycle protective gear going:
Tourists from around the world travel to Cusco for the sole purpose of visiting the famed Machu Picchu, a renowned architectural site recently designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. While a visit to these Incan ruins is great, the region around Cusco offers a great variety of geography that is ideal for any adventurer wanting a more unique and memorable
Peru motorcycle trip that goes beyond the more traditional tourism opportunities.
Cusco, a name that translates to "navel of the earth," was once the ancient capital of the Incas. Today, the city is considered Peru's leading tourist hub. Many people believe the city's ancient planners designed Cusco's layout to resemble the puma, one of their culture's most sacred animals. If so, head north from Cucso to visit what would be the city's ferocious head: the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. This walled complex once served as a military fortress and is lauded for having been the command center for ancient royalty and military elite.
From Sacsayhuaman, it is an exciting descent ride, you will be dropping about 600 meters in elevation, to the colorful village of Pisac. Along the way, consider stopping by Puca Pucara, another walled ruin, and Tombomacahy, an ancient bath that was once used as a purifying location for Inca royalty. Pisac boasts of the country's most diversified open air markets. Here, merchants come from across the country to sell their local food, handicrafts, and regional Alpaca wool clothing. On market days, it is as if every block opens and the whole city transforms into one massive, bustling market. Once you have stocked up for your travels, take the northeast road through the eastern portion of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and make way for the Lares Hot Springs.
In South America, it can be easy to underestimate distances and the expectations of what each day's sights might be. However, every inch made on a map correlates to an unforgettable ride done by man. The Andes tower above you while the valley stretching before you radiates with a dozen different shades of green, the expansive landscape dotted with ancient ruins.
Cusco, a name that translates to "navel of the earth," was once the ancient capital of the Incas. Today, the city is considered Peru's leading tourist hub. Many people believe the city's ancient planners designed Cusco's layout to resemble the puma, one of their culture's most sacred animals. If so, head north from Cucso to visit what would be the city's ferocious head: the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. This walled complex once served as a military fortress and is lauded for having been the command center for ancient royalty and military elite.
From Sacsayhuaman, it is an exciting descent ride, you will be dropping about 600 meters in elevation, to the colorful village of Pisac. Along the way, consider stopping by Puca Pucara, another walled ruin, and Tombomacahy, an ancient bath that was once used as a purifying location for Inca royalty. Pisac boasts of the country's most diversified open air markets. Here, merchants come from across the country to sell their local food, handicrafts, and regional Alpaca wool clothing. On market days, it is as if every block opens and the whole city transforms into one massive, bustling market. Once you have stocked up for your travels, take the northeast road through the eastern portion of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and make way for the Lares Hot Springs.
In South America, it can be easy to underestimate distances and the expectations of what each day's sights might be. However, every inch made on a map correlates to an unforgettable ride done by man. The Andes tower above you while the valley stretching before you radiates with a dozen different shades of green, the expansive landscape dotted with ancient ruins.
