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Where the Andes meet the ocean
A motorcycle tour in Peru takes you from Pacific desert roads to Andean passes above 4700 metres, past Inca ruins and volcanic canyons. Arequipa forms the starting point of a route that winds through Nasca, Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Titicaca lake before returning through the Colca Canyon. Few rides pack this much altitude, culture and landscape into a single loop, making Peru a destination that rewards riders looking for variety as much as adventure.
Riding past condors and Inca ruins
Motorcycle tours in Peru cross deserts, mountains and jungle edges
Riding through Peru means switching landscapes almost daily. You leave Arequipa, a colonial UNESCO World Heritage city, and head along the Pacific coast toward Puerto Inka before climbing into the desert lines of the Nasca plateau. From there the road rises into the Andes, past herds of llamas and alpacas on high plains above 4200 metres, toward Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Further along, motorcycle tours in Peru lead to Machu Picchu, the edge of the Amazon lowland near Quince Mil, and the shores of Lake Titicaca, where the floating reed islands of the Uros sit against the Altiplano. The route closes through Colca Canyon, home to the Cruz del Condor lookout, where Andean condors can sometimes be spotted riding the thermals. Almost the entire route runs on tarmac, so the challenge lies more in altitude and distance than in technical terrain.
Discover our motorbike tours in Peru
Peru asks to be explored on two wheels, and the motorcycle tours Peru offers below take you through exactly the landscapes described above. Each trip follows a version of this route between Arequipa, Cusco, Machu Picchu and Colca Canyon, with its own pace and focus. Browse the options below to find the one that matches your riding style and travel dates.
What sets us apart
With Motor2Travel, you’re choosing adventures on two wheels all over the world
Unique motorbike tours worldwide
Off the beaten track
Authentic experiences and accommodation
Suitable hire motorbikes for all types of terrain
FAQ
Any questions about your motorbike tour of Peru?
Whether it’s the best time to travel, the right country, your experience as a rider or the local arrangements – here you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our motorbike tours in Peru.
Peru combines coastal desert, high Andean passes and jungle edges within a single route. You ride past the Nasca Lines, through Cusco toward Machu Picchu, and along Lake Titicaca before finishing at Colca Canyon. Motor2Travel describes this route as one of the most varied in South America, since it crosses several distinct landscapes and climate zones within a relatively compact loop starting and ending in Arequipa.
Not necessarily. The Peru route runs almost entirely on asphalt, around 98 percent according to Motor2Travel, so technical offroad skills are less important here than on some other Latin American routes. Riders should still be comfortable with mountain roads, long distances and altitude, since several passes climb above 4700 metres. Confidence on a motorcycle at altitude matters more than offroad technique on this particular trip.
The route crosses the Andes at significant altitude, with passes reaching around 4750 metres near the Sacred Valley and stretches above 4200 metres on the high plains near Cusco and Puno. These heights bring thinner air and colder temperatures, even when the terrain itself stays paved. Riders usually notice the altitude more than the road surface, so a gradual build up during the trip helps with acclimatisation.
A typical loop starts and ends in Arequipa and passes through Puerto Inka, Nasca, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu, Puno on Lake Titicaca, and the Colca Canyon. Along the way you pass the Nasca Lines, the Sacred Valley, the floating islands of the Uros, and the Cruz del Condor viewpoint. The route links coast, desert, mountains and altiplano within one continuous ride.
Motor2Travel does not specify a single fixed model for the Peru route in its general destination information. Given the largely paved character of this trip, the motorcycles used are suited to long tarmac distances and high altitude riding rather than heavy offroad work. Riders can expect a machine matched to comfortable long days in the saddle across mountain passes and coastal roads.
Yes, Machu Picchu is part of the route, reached via Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This stretch also passes the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and the salt terraces of Maras, adding historical depth to the ride. Visiting Machu Picchu on a motorcycle trip combines the region's Inca heritage with the mountain scenery surrounding Cusco.
Ready for your motorbike trip through Peru?
Our tours are born out of a genuine passion for the continent and years of experience on its slopes. Whether you’d like to know which route suits your skiing style, which time of year is ideal, or what a group trip might look like for you, simply give us a call, message us on WhatsApp or request a personalised quote. We’ll take the time your trip deserves.
