Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Arequipa, Peru (AQP airport)
Welcome to Peru, and the start of your adventure! Friendly faces will be at the airport in Arequipa to greet you and take you to the hotel which is situated perfectly in the downtown area of the historical city of Arequipa.
Hopefully, your flight allows you some time to explore the city before a Welcome Dinner and briefing helps everyone focus on the safe, and fun journey ahead.
Day 2 - Arequipa to Puerto Inka
Finally, your RIDE in Peru begins! Out of Arequipa and to the Pacific Coast, we spend the day on twisties and turns on the Panamerican Highway headed north toward Nazca.
Some riders liken this to California's Pacific Coast Highway, but this time you'll probably be shouting with excitement in your helmet ... "I'm riding a motorcycle ... in PERU!" The exhilaration can bring all sorts of emotions, so be sure to keep adrenaline in check and arrive with the group in Puerto Inka for a night listening to the Pacific waves crash and sleep well.
Day 3 - Puerto Inka to Nazca
The day's ride starts with a chance to enjoy the fascinating and well-preserved Chauchilla Cemetery along the coast and on the way to the city of Nazca.
Once there in Nazca, riders can either opt for a flight over the ancient remnants or utilize a nearby lookout tower that helps your viewing angle. Either way, say goodbye to the Pacific Ocean, and hello to the Andes Mountains starting tomorrow.
Day 4 - Nazca to Chalhuanca
Up, up, and away! Climbing the Andes Mountains begins today, at a gradual pace to help everyone acclimate to the the elevation change. The overnight stop in the small town of Chalhuanca only happens after this incredible day of twists and turns similar to those of the famous "Tail of the Dragon" in the U.S.
This RIDE is much longer and higher in elevation though, with magnificent cliff walls all around you. Settling down in such a remote village for a night in the Andes Mountains of Peru, get ready for more ahead (and just say that to yourself out loud a few times, thinking about where you are!)
Day 5 -Chalhuanca to Cuzco
Continuing deeper into the Andes, more twists and turns, and tiny villages in remote locations will be enjoyed during the ride. Targeting the "gateway city" of Cuzco, this charming city high in the mountains is a popular pathway to arguably South America's most famous site: Machu Picchu!
For now, enjoy this charming city with plenty of shops and restaurants, and the historic Plaza de Armas which the city centers around.
Day 6 - Rest Day in Cuzco
It's important to rest with all the action going on, so a proper "walking tour" of the city is offered so you can learn more about the history of Cuzco. Or perhaps you'll want to visit the nearby ruins of Saksaywaman for a deeper historical experience. Your Guides will explain the many options for your time in Cuzco.
Day 7 - Cuzco to Ollantaytambo
Riding a motorcycle through the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru on the way to Machu Picchu: Could there be a more sought-after motorcycle travel experience?
Shrouded in ruins and mountains and a valley setting the whole way, Ollantaytambo lies ahead and will serve as a launching point to this highly anticipated site.
Day 8 - Finally...Machu Picchu!
With a multi-day hike or a train ride remaining as the only options to arrive in Aguascalientes, we'll have the train passes arranged for your day trip to the Lost City of the Incas.
"All aboard!" the comfortable train ride through the Sacred Valley might have your mind wandering to the days of Hiram Bingham, the explorer who slashed his way through this terrain in search of this legendary site. Your Guides will help you with the bus ride from Aguascalientes up to Machu Picchu, for a day of exploring. Make sure your camera's batteries are charged for this one!
Day 9 - Ollantaytambo to Quince Mil
Back in the charming town of Ollantaytambo, the RIDE continues further south toward Lake Titicaca, twisting and turning down into more of an Amazon jungle setting in the town of Quince Mil.
As we strive for with all our tour offerings, the amazing variety that comes with this route is just part of what makes it such an adventure.
Day 10 - Quince Mil to Juliaca
Now ascending again to the Altiplano (High Plains) heights of the Andes Mountains, more great riding and sweeping turns make for motorcycle heaven!
With the mountain peaks omnipresent in the distance, and Bolivia to the east, the atmosphere in this very remote stretch of road is perfect for motorcycle travel. It's days like this that will remind you just how vast the country of Peru is!
Day 11 - Juliaca to Puno
A short ride on the way to Lake Titicaca, the fun and vibrant city of Puno sits on its shores. Before arriving at the lake, we'll stop to see the Incan remains of Sillustani. Later in the day, a boat tour is scheduled to visit the Floating Islands of the Uros people, another cultural experience not to be forgotten before a night out on the town in Puno is enjoyed with great dining options and old-world architecture.
Day 12 - Puno to Chivay & the Colca Canyon
Actually deeper than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, the Colca Canyon boasts 4,160 meters (13,650 feet) and is yet another highlight day of riding on this trip. It's also the only off-pavement riding that we'll encounter, but the simple hard-packed gravel shouldn't bother many riders, as your time in the Canyon allows for seeing the gigantic Andean Condor in flight. With agricultural activities lining the valley walls of the Canyon all around, wow what a setting!
Day 13 - Colca Canyon to Arequipa
Descending now from the altitude of the Andes, more sweeping turns and twisties bring us home on this last day of riding. With cameras full of memories and plenty of bragging rights as an adventure rider, this means you've now completed your RIDE in Peru!
Settle down back into the city, and rejoice with your fellow riders about the accomplishments, memories, and experiences you just shared together.
Day 14 - Departure Day
Only if you must! Hopefully, you can enjoy Arequipa a bit more before we take you to the airport. It's not uncommon to feel like you need some time off after such a "rich" motorcycle riding experience! (Extra hotel nights can be included with your package.)
"It was the trip of a lifetime! I had to pinch myself several times to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I think the highlight was the Uyuni Salt Flats, surreal landscape. My favorite place we stayed had no electricity or hot water in La Higuera Bolivia but I give it a five star! Just riding through the small villages of Peru and Bolivia was great. Looking forward to another trip."
-That's the Adventure Riding spirit we love and hope to bring out of more Riders! Karl Arceneaux's Andes & Altiplano Guided Group Tour was clearly a success, and a real Adventure Rider understands that sometimes "things don't work" in places like Bolivia. We make the best of each situation, and have fun with the memories on all of these trips. So glad you enjoyed, Karl!
| "Just to let you know that we had a fabulous time in Peru! Excellent people, excellent route and excellent hotels!
I guess I didn't really know what to expect from Peru - but it surpassed any expectations I had many times over. It really is a sensational trip and both Helen and I loved the riding and the few bits of 'adventure' that we had!"
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-Michael Potter and his wife, Helen must have enjoyed themselves, as so many of us do when riding and exploring the incredible land of Peru. They were part of our Guided Group "Machu Picchu Express" tour, and we look forward to riding with them again in the Andes, soon.
"Just finished the Machu Picchu express tour. The tour was absolutely brilliant! It was very well organised, driving was fantastic. Food and accommodation great ! I will be recommending to my friends when I get home! Thanks very much! - Patrick Fives"
-Patrick and another group of Riders all enjoyed what the Andes Mountains of Peru had in store for them on the Machu Picchu Express Guided Group Motorcycle Tour. Patrick, if this just razzled up some curiosity about what the rest of the Andes may be like, please keep us in mind!
"My dad and I had the best time of our lives! Diederik and Edi were excellent, really help made it a great tour. - If anyone would like to contact me to ask questions about the or tour around Peru, please feel free to pass them my email and Cc; yourself."
-Alexandra Carroll from Australia, having given us exactly what we're after in this business: Great feedback about motorcycle trips! Alexandra and her father joined one of our "7 Highlights of Southern Peru" tours in early 2015.
"Javier was a great guide and a very fun and good person. We are making a movie of the trip (Javier was the main cameras man) and will share that with you. Here are a couple of photos from the trip. Thank you very much for an incredible journey in a wonderful country. Next year we are off to Russia for our annual cruise. We had an AWESOME trip. A big special thanks to Javier...he was extremely special."
-Charles Davidson, Brandon Batagol, and Bruce Syme from Australia after their private motorcycle tour of Peru. Glad you guys enjoyed so much, let's do those "hot springs" tours!
"Fantastic tour on the Machu Picchu Express. Good route with a mix of desert, mountains and rainforest. Some excellent riding and a good crew. Top marks to Geert and eddy who kept us entertained in the evenings and informed during the tour plus on the road whatever the problems that came up."
-David Kellaway from the U.K. after what was a successful first experience riding a motorcycle in the Andes Mountains of Peru on theMachu Picchu Express tour package
-Gustavo Priyoltensky from Massachusetts after what was clearly a great self-guided motorcycle trip in Peru with his father in early 2015. Come back again, guys!
- Mark Larson from Arizona in the U.S. after he and his wife, Melanie enjoyed exploring Peru on one of our BMW R1200GS rentals. Mark had done Patagonia a few years ago with us, and appears to be "conquering Lost Andes!"
"Guys had a great time, despite Phil almost being arrested LOL. He left his ID and money etc. under a mattress at one of the hotels a maid found it and turned it in but not before they were stopped at a checkpoint along the route. Phil had no idea he had forgotten it.
Your staff was wonderful in assisting them. Phil took like 1600 photo’s. Next time they want another motorcycle trip, I will definitely keep you guys in mind. Thank you so much for all your assistance."
-Written by Brandi who assisted in setting up a self-guided Peru motorcycle trip package for the Nelson brothers from the U.S. Worth noting here is that, while we don't recommend leaving things behind in hotels, there are definitely good people all over the world, including beautiful Peru!
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"Wow! Wow! WOW!!! The three principal environments in Peru are coastal desert, high mountains (and here I mean HIGH, as in really, really HUGE!), and jungle. But there is also everything in between from pine forests at 2000m to the incredible expanses of golden Pampas grasses on the "Altiplano", way above the tree line, starting at 3,000m and up for there. Our highest point was 4,900m, and still we were dwarfed by the giant peaks all around. Amazing is too weak a word for it. AWESOME is often a word that is over-used. This was truly that. |
- Rory Aitken from the U.K. after clearly enjoying his exploration of Peru on one of our BMW R1200GS rentals. With sentiments like this, perhaps more people will finally venture into the Andes Mountains of Peru on one of our motorcycle rentals!
"Just got back from a great ride in Peru...RIDE Adventures helped nine of us to build and ride a personalized tour of Peru...the ninth person was a Peruvian that lives here in the States. Having a Spanish speaking guy with you really makes the trip
-Ted Beck - Montana - If you want more particulars - email me! (Ted and his group did a self-guided motorcycle trip of Peru with motorcycles we provided, and hotels and maps we arranged for them.)
"All around, a great trip. Your entire organization is totally professional. Your email responses were always prompt and accurate. Like I said, Lars was very honest in his assessment of my trip and he was right. It's obvious that all of you actually ride and you know the routes.
-Terry Banen from the U.S, after what was clearly a great self-guided motorcyle trip in Peru, including Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu.
- Valérie Julie Brousseau from Canada sent another smile across our faces when we saw this note about her motorcycle trip experience in Peru. We are so glad you enjoyed, Val!
- Todd Thorsell and his buddy Roger clearly enjoyed themselves in Peru, taking this photo near the Colca Canyon on our Guided Group "Machu Picchu Express" motorcycle tour. Glad you enjoyed, guys!
BMW F750GS
X
32.1 in
493lb / 223kg
4 gal / 15 L
853 cc
BMW R1250GS
X
33.5/34.3 in
549lb/249kg
5.3gal / 20 L
1254 cc
CF Moto MT800
- Wet Weight - 509 lbs
- Seat Height - 32.5 inches
- Fuel Capacity - 5 gal
X
32.5 in
509 lbs
5 gal
800cc
CFMOTO 450MT
The CFMOTO 450MT is built extra tough to take you beyond where the road ends. This adventure bike brings multi-terrain capability and versatility to CFMOTO's adventure touring category. Now lighter in weight, it boasts responsive power and torque from its acclaimed engine, making it perfect for the adventurous rider.
Smartly equipped for dirt, the 450MT is designed to handle a variety of terrains with ease. Whether you're exploring rugged trails or enjoying long-distance touring, the 450MT is perfectly crafted to meet the needs of those who seek adventure.
X
31.4 in/32.2 in | 800 mm/820 mm
386 lbs | 175 kg
4.6 gal | 17.6 liter
449.5 cc
Honda Africa Twin CRF1100 (2020+)
X
33.5/34.3 in
505 lb
5.0 gal
1084 cc
Honda NX500
The 2024 NX500 is a versatile adventure motorcycle, designed with a focus on power and agility.
It features a DOHC twin-cylinder 471cc engine, providing a perfect balance between strength and maneuverability. The inverted fork design enhances rigidity, offering precise steering input and feedback.
The NX500's adventure styling, tall windscreen, and sturdy passenger handholds add to its rugged look and functionality. Equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and a digital instrumentation TFT screen, this motorcycle ensures safe and informed riding.
The NX500 is ready to inspire both seasoned adventurers and those new to the thrill of off-road exploration.
X
32.8 in
432 lbs
4.7 gal
471cc
Kawasaki KLR 650
X
35.0 in
432.0 lb
6.1 gal
651 cc
Moto Morini X-Cape 650 | Adventure Motorcycle
The Moto Morini X-Cape 650 is a capable adventure bike built for both asphalt and off-road exploration.
Its sturdy steel trellis frame, paired with a 649cc parallel-twin engine producing 60 horsepower, delivers a smooth and responsive ride. Premium Marzocchi suspension and Brembo brakes with Bosch ABS ensure confident handling on any terrain.
Advanced safety and comfort features include a 7-inch TFT display, full LED lighting, an adjustable windscreen, and backlit controls for an enhanced riding experience.
With its blend of performance, versatility, and rider-focused design, the X-Cape 650 is ready for any adventure.
- Wet Weight - 514 lbs
-
Seat Height - 33.26 inches
- Fuel Capacity - 4.8 gal
X
33.26 in
514 lbs
4.8 gal
649 cc