Peru Motorcycle Tour - Land of the Andes and the Incas

Today our motorcycle journey through Peru begins. Leaving Arequipa behind, we first ride through the foothills of the Andes before reaching the Pan-American Highway. The landscape changes quickly. The mountains gradually disappear behind us as the dry coastal region of Peru takes over. In the afternoon we reach the Pacific Ocean and follow the coastline to Puerto Inka. Our hotel is located directly by the sea. This small settlement was once an important port of the Inca Empire. Next to the hotel are the remains of a former Inca settlement, which can be visited.

We follow the Pan-American Highway through Peru’s coastal desert. The route passes through a dry and sparsely populated region that ranks among the driest places on earth. In the afternoon we arrive in Nazca. The town is famous for the Nazca Lines, enormous geoglyphs drawn into the desert floor more than 1,500 years ago. Those interested can book an optional scenic flight. From the air, the lines and animal figures can be seen particularly well.

Today we leave the Nazca Desert behind and head directly into the Peruvian Andes. Within a short time we reach altitudes of over 4,200 metres. The dry coastal desert gradually gives way to green valleys before we enter the barren high Andes with their vast plains and rugged mountain peaks. On the high plateaus we encounter llamas, alpacas and vicuñas roaming freely. The route offers countless bends, little traffic and constantly changing views. Along the way we pass small Andean villages such as Puquio before reaching our destination for the day, Chalhuanca.

After breakfast we leave Chalhuanca and continue our ride through the Andes. The route passes through Abancay and offers varied mountain scenery, high passes and countless bends throughout the day. The road winds through deep valleys, along steep mountain slopes and past small Andean villages. In the afternoon we arrive in Cusco at an altitude of 3,500 metres. The former capital of the Inca Empire is one of the most important historic cities in South America and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, Inca architecture and colonial buildings stand side by side. We spend the next two nights in a centrally located hotel in Cusco’s historic centre.

Today the motorcycles remain parked. In the morning we join the tour leader for a guided city walk of approximately two and a half hours through Cusco. During the tour we visit the main sights of the former Inca capital. In many places the original Inca stone walls are still visible. The Spanish later built churches, monasteries and houses on these foundations. This combination of Inca and colonial architecture continues to define the city today. After the tour there is plenty of time to explore Cusco independently. Visit the Plaza de Armas, one of the local markets or the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán above the city, which offers fine views over Cusco and the surrounding mountains.

Unser Weg führt durch das Heilige Tal der Inkas, eine der geschichtsträchtigsten Regionen Perus. Unterwegs besteht die Möglichkeit, die Salzterrassen von Maras zu besuchen, die bereits seit Jahrhunderten genutzt werden. Die Strecke führt über einen Pass auf rund 4.750 Metern Höhe. Anschließend geht es bergab in Richtung Urubamba, wo wir unsere Mittagspause einlegen. Am Nachmittag erreichen wir Ollantaytambo, eine der am besten erhaltenen Inkastädte Perus. Die Stadt war ein wichtiger Stützpunkt des Inkareichs und ist bekannt für ihre große Inka-Festung, an der die Inkas den Spaniern eine ihrer wenigen Niederlagen zufügten. Wir übernachten in Ollantaytambo und bereiten uns auf den Besuch von Machu Picchu am nächsten Tag vor.

Early in the morning we board the train and travel through the Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes. This small town at the foot of Machu Picchu can still only be reached by train or on foot. From here, a shuttle bus takes us up to the famous Inca citadel in around 30 minutes. Machu Picchu is one of South America's most important archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was never discovered by the Spanish conquistadors and remained hidden for centuries before gaining international recognition in the early 20th century. After visiting Machu Picchu, we return by train to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon.

In the morning we get back on our motorcycles. Today's route takes us from the Andes down into the Amazon lowlands. Over many kilometres we gradually lose altitude and experience a noticeable change in climate and vegetation. The mountain landscapes slowly give way to tropical rainforest and the air becomes warmer and more humid with every hour. Our destination is Quincemil, a small town on the edge of the Amazon region. We spend the night in a family-run hotel and experience a completely different side of Peru from the Andes or the Pacific coast.

Today is the longest riding day of the tour. From the foothills of the Amazon we climb back into the Andes. The road rises steadily through remote mountain regions with wide views of the surrounding peaks. After a lunch stop in Macusani, we continue towards Lake Titicaca. Along the way we pass through Juliaca, a busy Andean city, before reaching Puno in the late afternoon. Located directly on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, Puno will be our base for the next two nights.

Today is free to spend as you wish. Those interested can join a boat excursion on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Situated at an altitude of around 3,800 metres on the border between Peru and Bolivia, the lake is one of the most important cultural regions of the Andes. During the excursion you can visit the floating islands of the Uros people. The Uros have lived for centuries on artificial islands made from totora reeds and still maintain many of their traditional customs. In the afternoon there is time to explore Puno at your own pace.

From Puno we cross the Andes once more, travelling from east to west. The route follows the Altiplano through remote highland landscapes with wide views of the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon we arrive in a small village near Chivay. Those who wish can visit the natural hot springs and enjoy a relaxing end to the day.

Early in the morning we ride to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint in the Colca Canyon. With a bit of luck, we may spot the Andean condor in its natural habitat. These impressive birds use the rising thermal currents to soar high above the canyon. Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world and more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States. As we continue towards Arequipa, we pass traditional Andean villages, ancient Inca terraces and the vast landscapes of the Peruvian highlands. In the afternoon we arrive in Arequipa, where our Peru motorcycle tour comes to an end. During our farewell dinner we look back on the experiences of the past two weeks.

Our motorcycle tour through Peru ends today. After saying goodbye to the group, you will be transferred to Arequipa Airport. From there you fly via Lima for your onward journey home.