Peru Motorcycle Tour: Arequipa, Machu Picchu and Colca Canyon

Peru Motorcycle Tour: 7 Wonders of Peru from Arequipa

This motorcycle tour through Peru shows you the full cultural and natural diversity of the country: coastal desert, the Pacific, the Andean highlands, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Amazon jungle, Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon. Start and finish is the colonial UNESCO city of Arequipa.

How long? 17 Days

When? May 15, 2027

Price € 7,460 / Person

Peru motorcycle loop with Machu Picchu, Amazon and Colca Canyon

Starting from the colonial city of Arequipa, this loop links the great wonders of Peru. The Panamericana takes you to the Pacific coast, through the desert to Nasca, to the oasis of Huacachina and to Paracas with the boat trip to the Islas Ballestas. Then you climb into the Andes, into the Sacred Valley of the Incas and on to Machu Picchu, the biggest highlight of the journey. Two nights at a jungle lodge in the Amazon, the boat trip on Lake Titicaca and the condors of the Colca Canyon round off the programme. A multilingual guide shows you the famous sites as well as lesser known corners.

Wooden boats moored along a muddy river bank beside a thatched-roof jetty with a boarding sign

Stone mountain refuge hut in a glacial valley below snow covered peaks, wildflowers in the foreground

Peru Motorcycle Tour: 7 Wonders of Peru from Arequipa

Key Highlights of the Trip

01 Colonial Arequipa

Colonial Arequipa

The loop starts and ends in Arequipa, the UNESCO listed colonial city in southern Peru. White facades of volcanic stone, lively squares and a backdrop of volcanoes set the mood for the journey.

02 Nasca Lines and Desert

Nasca Lines and Desert

You ride through one of the driest deserts in the world to Nasca, famous for its geoglyphs that only reveal themselves from the air. In the afternoon you can take an optional half hour flight over the pampa, it is not included in the tour price.

03 Inca Citadel Machu Picchu

Inca Citadel Machu Picchu

The biggest highlight of the tour: by train to Aguas Calientes and by bus up to the citadel. Train and bus tickets as well as the entrance fee are included in the tour price.

04 Amazon Jungle Lodge

Amazon Jungle Lodge

The motorcycles stay in Cusco, you fly to Puerto Maldonado and spend two nights at a lodge deep in the Amazon rainforest. Flight, all meals and the excursions are included.

05 Colca Canyon and Condors

Colca Canyon and Condors

At Cruz del Condor in the heart of the Colca Canyon you watch Andean condors in free flight. Before that you cross the Andes at up to 4,910 metres. The Colca Canyon entrance fee is included.

Dirk S.

The Peru motorcycle tour from Lima to Cusco offers a clear group dynamic for a group of up to 10 people. The route planning ensures that the pace during the twi...

reviews.translated_from_en · Show original

The Peru motorcycle tour from Lima to Cusco offers a clear group dynamic for a group of up to 10 people. The route planning ensures that the pace during the twisty sections and while crossing the Abra Apacheta Pass is aligned with the advanced skills of the participants, which promotes the shared riding enjoyment.

Tim W.

The Peru motorcycle tour to Cusco offers a clear routing along the Pacific coast and the Andes, which is challenging for experienced riders. The technical brief...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Peru Motorradtour nach Cusco bietet eine klare Routenführung durch die Pazifik-Küste und die Anden, was für erfahrene Fahrer herausfordernd ist. Die technischen Briefings und der Support durch das Begleitfahrzeug stellen sicher, dass alle Teilnehmer während der Fahrt über den Abra Apacheta Pass optimal betreut werden. Diese strukturierte Vorgehensweise ermöglicht es, sich auf die beeindruckenden Highlights wie die Nasca-Linien zu konzentrieren. Nach der Tour wurde mir die Bedeutung einer soliden technischen Vorbereitung bewusst.

Dirk S.

The Peru motorcycle tour from Lima to Cusco offers a clear group dynamic for a group of up to 10 people. The route planning ensures that the pace during the twi...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Peru Motorradtour von Lima nach Cusco bietet in der Gruppe von bis zu 10 Personen eine klare Gruppendynamik. Die Routenplanung stellt sicher, dass das Tempo während der kurvenreichen Strecken und beim Überqueren des Abra Apacheta Pass auf die fortgeschrittenen Fähigkeiten der Teilnehmer abgestimmt ist, was den gemeinsamen Fahrspaß fördert.

FAQS

Where do we start and finish?

Start and finish is Arequipa. All airport transfers are included in the tour price, you book your flights to and from Arequipa yourself.

What are the highlights?

The colonial UNESCO city of Arequipa, the coastal desert, Nasca, the oasis of Huacachina, the boat trip to the Islas Ballestas, the Andean highlands, the Sacred Valley, Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Amazon jungle, the boat trip on Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon.

Is the flight over the Nasca Lines included?

No. The roughly half hour flight over the pampa on the afternoon of day 3 is optional and not included in the tour price. The same applies to dune buggy rides and sandboarding in Huacachina on day 4.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast is included at the hotels, and lunch on all riding days. At the Amazon jungle lodge all meals are included. You pay for all other meals yourself.

What is the accommodation like?

You stay 14 nights in good tourist class hotels with private bathroom and breakfast, plus two nights at a jungle lodge near Puerto Maldonado. The tour price is based on a shared double room, a single room costs a 911 € supplement.

Which motorcycle do we ride?

A CFmoto 450MT or a Honda NX500 is included in the tour price. For a surcharge you can upgrade to larger models up to the BMW R 1300 GS, you find the prices under additional services. On rest days the motorcycle is not available for riding.

What are the roads like?

The tour runs mostly on asphalt. In the Paracas National Park you ride on well maintained unpaved roads, unpaved stretches are possible between Ayacucho and Andahuaylas, and there may be some gravel in the Sacred Valley. Fuel and tolls are included in the tour price.

Who accompanies the group?

A multilingual tour guide rides along on a motorcycle, plus a support vehicle with driver and mechanic. With fewer than five riders only one tour guide comes along, travelling in the support vehicle.

How is the motorcycle insured?

All motorcycles carry SOAT, the compulsory Peruvian insurance, which covers medical costs only to a limited extent. Damage to the motorcycle and to third party property is only covered with the optional insurance: premium US$ 300, maximum deductible US$ 700. The deposit is US$ 700 with or US$ 2,500 without this insurance. Without insurance you are liable for all damage in full.

How will the altitude affect me?

Headaches, fatigue or shortness of breath can occur at altitude. The highest point of the journey is 4,910 metres on day 15 between Puno and Chivay. Drinking plenty and coca tea help you acclimatise.

Do I need to budget for fuel?

No. Fuel and tolls are included in the tour price for the whole tour. For shared costs along the way we recommend a group kitty of about US$ 50 or 190 soles per person.

What are the entry requirements for tourists from the EU and Switzerland?

Travellers from the EU and Switzerland need a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Which vaccinations are recommended?

Check your standard vaccinations and refresh them if needed. A hepatitis A vaccination is also recommended for Peru. For personal advice, best talk to your family doctor or a travel medicine specialist.

What do you recommend regarding travel insurance?

The compulsory Peruvian insurance covers medical costs only to a limited extent. So be sure to take out health insurance with the highest possible cover for Peru and add trip cancellation and repatriation cover if needed.

Do I need an international driving licence?

Yes. You need both your national and your international driving licence. Be sure to check the validity of both documents before you leave.

Can I be reached by mobile phone on the road?

You have reception in larger towns and mostly along the route as well. Affordable travel plans are worth it, check this with your provider in advance. Most hotels have Wi-Fi.

What traffic risks should I expect?

Traffic in larger cities such as Juliaca is chaotic, and in the countryside animals roam freely. We recommend defensive riding, full protective gear and zero alcohol. You bring your own motorcycle gear.

When is the best time to travel?

In the Andean highlands the dry season from about April to October is ideal because there is little rain. That is why this tour starts in May.