Aerial view of Lima coastline with cliffside park and Pacific Ocean waves

MOTORCYCLE-TRIPS · PERU 

Peru DeLuxe Offroad Motorcycle Tour from Arequipa

100% adventure. 40% gravel. 0% basic hotels.Who says offroad riding has to come with basic accommodation? Not everyone wants to ride on tarmac only, and in southern Peru exciting unpaved routes are becoming harder and harder to find.


How long? 14 Days
When? Jul 10, 2027
Price € 5,900 / Person

The Journey

40% gravel, 100% adventure: Colca, Cotahuasi & Machu Picchu

From Arequipa, the white colonial city in southern Peru, this DeLuxe offroad motorcycle tour sets off. You soon dive into the world of deep canyons: the Colca Canyon and the Cotahuasi Canyon both rank among the deepest gorges on earth. A hike to a waterfall, natural hot springs and the Andean condor are part of it, just like Cusco, Lake Titicaca and the absolute highlight of the tour: Machu Picchu. You ride the CFmoto 450MT or the Honda NX500.

Peru DeLuxe Offroad Motorcycle Tour from Arequipa
Key Highlights of the Trip

Key Highlights of the Trip

01 Colonial City of Arequipa
01
Colonial City of Arequipa
Start and finish of the tour is Arequipa, the white colonial city in southern Peru whose old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
02 High Andes up to 5,000 m
02
High Andes up to 5,000 m
On the crossing of the Andes from east to west you ride up to an altitude of 5,000 metres, with spectacular views of the mighty Andes.
03 Valley of the Volcanoes
03
Valley of the Volcanoes
A spectacular valley in southern Peru with breathtaking views across the volcanic landscape.
04 Inca Capital Cusco
04
Inca Capital Cusco
You discover the ancient capital of the Inca Empire on a guided walking tour and afterwards on your own.
05 Lost City of Machu Picchu
05
Lost City of Machu Picchu
The absolute highlight of the tour: by train to Aguas Calientes and by bus up to the lost city of the Inca.
06 Lake Titicaca at 3,800 m
06
Lake Titicaca at 3,800 m
The highest navigable lake in the world, half in Peru and half in Bolivia, with a rest day on its shore.
07 Driest Coastal Desert
07
Driest Coastal Desert
On the last riding day you cross the driest coastal desert in the world and briefly touch the Pacific coast.
Motorcycle Tours

Peru

DeLuxe offroad motorcycle tour through southern Peru: from Arequipa via the Colca Canyon, Cotahuasi Canyon, Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lake Titicaca back to Arequipa. Around 40% gravel on the CFmoto 450MT or Honda NX500.

Days 1-14

Arrival in Arequipa

Welcome to Peru! In Arequipa, the lively city in the south of the country, we pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel. In the briefing for the whole group your guide goes through the upcoming tour and handles the necessary paperwork and the deposit for the motorcycle with you. The rest of the day is yours.

Altitude: 2,300 m

Arequipa → Cabanaconde

Finally the engines are started! Getting out of the city is the first challenge. After around 80 kilometres we are already at 4,000 metres, time for a coca tea. We are on our way to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world and the natural habitat of the Andean condor. We spend the night in a small, non touristy town.

Distance: 200 km | Road: tarmac and some gravel | Altitude: 2,300 m → 3,300 m

Cabanaconde → Cotahuasi

If we did not see any condors yesterday, we first head to the Cruz del Condor to watch these majestic birds in flight. Then we set course for the Cotahuasi Canyon, also one of the deepest canyons in the world. Fantastic gravel, bends and hairpins, what more could you want?

Distance: 200 km | Road: mainly gravel | Altitude: 3,300 m → 2,700 m

Cotahuasi

The little town of Cotahuasi lies at the deepest canyon in the world. Today a relatively short ride and a small hike to a spectacular waterfall in the canyon are on the programme. In the afternoon we wash off the dust in the local natural hot springs. Very relaxing!

Distance: 60 km | Road: gravel | Altitude: approx. 2,700 m

Cotahuasi → Chalhuanca

Early breakfast, because a real offroad challenge awaits us today: more than 200 kilometres of gravel, only the last 40 kilometres are paved. After plenty of climbing and descending we reach the small town of Chalhuanca with a nice hotel and an inviting swimming pool.

Distance: 260 km | Road: lots of gravel, a little tarmac | Altitude: 2,700 m → 2,900 m

Chalhuanca → Ollantaytambo

For the first 100 kilometres we follow the Apurímac river downstream. After chaotic Abancay the climb to 4,300 metres begins. After lunch in Curahuasi we descend to below 2,000 metres and climb again to 3,500 metres onto the Cusco plateau. The last 60 kilometres lead along rural gravel tracks to the authentic Inca town of Ollantaytambo.

Distance: 320 km | Road: lots of tarmac, some gravel | Altitude: approx. 2,900 m

Machu Picchu

The absolute highlight of the tour: Machu Picchu. There is still no road to this magical place. Early in the morning you take the train to the little town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and from there a half hour bus ride to the entrance of the citadel. After visiting the ruins you return to Ollantaytambo by train.

Altitude: 2,430 m

Tour expert

Questions about the tour itinerary?

Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.

Ollantaytambo → Cusco

A relatively short stage to the ancient capital of the Inca Empire: Cusco. After lunch your guide takes you on a two and a half hour walking tour through the centre. For the rest of the day you explore the city and its surroundings: steep lanes, the Plaza de Armas, markets, the cathedral, museums, the ruins of Sacsayhuamán and much more.

Distance: 100 km | Road: half tarmac, half gravel | Altitude: 2,900 m → 3,500 m

Cusco → Sicuani

On rural gravel tracks away from the main roads we ride to the midsize town of Sicuani. Lots of fun guaranteed!

Distance: 200 km | Road: half tarmac, half gravel | Altitude: approx. 3,500 m

Sicuani → Lake Titicaca

Across the Altiplano we ride to the largest lake in South America: Lake Titicaca, which lies half in Bolivia and half in Peru. For the last 100 kilometres we seek out the gravel tracks along the shores of the lake.

Distance: 350 km | Road: tarmac and gravel | Altitude: 3,500 m → 3,800 m

Rest Day at Lake Titicaca

Today the motorcycles stay parked. This is probably the best rest day you have ever had on a motorcycle tour, and you know you need it! We stay in a very nice hotel near the Bolivian border. The hotel offers various interesting activities in the area. Whether you join in or simply relax is entirely up to you.

Altitude: 3,800 m

Lake Titicaca → Moquegua

Back on the motorcycles! The longest riding day of the whole tour lies ahead, now you understand why we took a rest day yesterday. We cross the Andes from east to west. The reward is spectacular views of the mighty Andes and, at the end, a magnificent descent into the subtropical oasis town of Moquegua, famous for pisco, avocados and copper.

Distance: 460 km | Road: mainly tarmac | Altitude: 3,800 m → 5,000 m → 1,400 m

Moquegua → Arequipa

The last riding day. We cross the driest coastal desert in the world and briefly touch the Pacific coast before rolling into the heart of the White City of Arequipa in the afternoon. In the evening we celebrate our farewell dinner in one of the good restaurants in town.

Distance: 330 km | Road: mainly tarmac | Altitude: 1,400 m → 2,300 m

Departure from Arequipa

Today we take you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels, and see you next time on the trail!

Altitude: 2,300 m

Want a detailed description of all tour days?

Our expert will walk you through the full itinerary and answer all your questions.

PRICE

from

€ 5,900 / person

Price Options

Driver in rental motorcycle CFmoto 450MT or Honda NX500 In Shared Double Room € 5,900

Additional Options

Single room surcharge € 650
Upgrade CFmoto 700MT € 290
Upgrade BMW F 750 GS € 780
Upgrade Honda Africa Twin € 1,240
Upgrade to BMW R 1250 GS € 1,750

Trip includes

  • 13 nights in tourist class hotels with private shower and toilet, including standard breakfast (shared double room)
  • Motorcycle rental for the whole tour, unlimited kilometres *
  • Fuel and tolls
  • Multilingual guide on a motorcycle **
  • Support vehicle with driver/mechanic **
  • Guided walking tour of Cusco
  • Day trip to Machu Picchu (train, bus and entrance tickets + guide)
  • Entrance Colca Canyon
  • All airport transfers
  • * On rest days the motorcycles are not available for riding.
  • ** With fewer than 5 riders there is only 1 tour guide, in the support vehicle.
  • Travel security certificate (insolvency protection under BGB §651r), mandatory on all OVERCROSS tours.

Service

Entrance fees that are not listed are not included in the services. The entrance tickets for Machu Picchu and the Colca Canyon are included in the tour price.

All prices are per person based on a shared double room.

Standard motorcycle: CFmoto 450MT or Honda NX500, included in the tour price.

Upgrade to a premium motorcycle (surcharge for the whole tour):

  • CFmoto 700MT: 257 €
  • BMW F 750 GS: 771 € *
  • CFmoto 800MT or 800MT-X: 771 €
  • Suzuki V-Strom 800DE: 964 €
  • Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE: 1,221 €
  • Honda CRF1000 Africa Twin: 1,221 €
  • BMW R 1250 GS: 1,736 € *

* Not recommended for this tour. Damage reduction insurance is not available for these models.

Further options:

  • Single room supplement: 643 €
  • Garmin GPS with up to date maps: 107 €
  • Side cases: 193 €
  • Top case: on request

Insurance and deposit:

All motorcycles are insured according to the minimum requirements of the Peruvian authorities (SOAT). This means the rider, the passenger and third parties are only covered for medical costs to a limited extent. We therefore strongly recommend health insurance with maximum coverage in Peru for the entire trip.

Damage to the rental motorcycle and third party property damage are not insured as standard. The optional damage reduction insurance covers this kind of damage. The premium is US$ 240 per motorcycle and the excess is at most US$ 700. This amount is also the security deposit for the motorcycle and your maximum risk.

Without this insurance you as the rider are fully liable for all damage to the rental motorcycle and to third party property. The deposit is then US$ 2,500, but your risk is not limited to this amount. You leave the deposit in cash or by major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex or Diners Club).

Group kitty:

So that not everyone has to pay separately for a coffee or an ice cream during stops, we usually set up a shared group kitty for small expenses like these. It makes life easier for everyone, but only works if everyone takes part. We suggest a starting amount of US$ 40 or S/ 150 (Peruvian soles) per person.

  • How big is the offroad share?
    Around 40 percent of the total distance runs on gravel and natural tracks, the rest is paved. Experience on gravel and dirt plus good physical fitness are required.
  • Who is the tour suitable for?
    For riders with experience on gravel and dirt who are in good physical shape. It is not an enduro tour, but you should not underestimate the tracks or the high altitudes.
  • Where do we start and finish?
    Start and finish is Arequipa in southern Peru. All airport transfers are included in the tour price.
  • What are the highlights?
    The colonial city of Arequipa, the High Andes up to 5,000 metres, the Valley of the Volcanoes, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the driest coastal desert in the world. On top of that come the Colca Canyon and the Cotahuasi Canyon.
  • What are the entry requirements for tourists from the EU and Switzerland?
    Travellers from the EU and Switzerland need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure. You do not need a visa 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 recommended for Peru. For personal advice it is best to talk to your GP or a travel medicine specialist.
  • Will I be picked up at the airport?
    Yes. We pick you up at Arequipa airport and take you to the hotel. At the end of the tour we take you back to the airport. All airport transfers are included in the tour price.
  • What health insurance do I need?
    The motorcycles are insured according to the Peruvian minimum requirements (SOAT). This means the rider, the passenger and third parties are only covered for medical costs to a limited extent. We therefore strongly recommend health insurance with maximum coverage in Peru for the entire trip.
  • How do insurance and deposit for the motorcycle work?
    Damage to the rental motorcycle and third party property damage are not insured as standard. With the optional damage reduction insurance (premium US$ 240 per motorcycle) your excess is at most US$ 700, which is also the deposit. Without insurance the deposit is US$ 2,500 and your liability is not limited to this amount. You leave the deposit on the first day in cash or by credit card.
  • What is the accommodation like?
    We stay in good tourist class hotels with private shower and toilet, including standard breakfast, in a shared double room. A single room is available for a supplement.
  • What condition are the roads in?
    Around 40 percent of the route is gravel and natural tracks, the rest is paved. The gravel sections are demanding and should not be underestimated.
  • How will the altitude affect me?
    A large part of the route runs through the highlands, at 3,800 metres at Lake Titicaca and up to 5,000 metres on the crossing of the Andes. Do not underestimate the altitude and talk to your doctor before the trip if you have any health concerns.
  • Is fuel included in the tour price?
    Yes. Fuel and tolls are included in the tour price. So you do not need to budget for fuel.
  • Which motorcycle do we ride?
    As standard you ride a CFmoto 450MT (449 cc, 43 hp) or a Honda NX500 (471 cc, 47 hp). For a surcharge you can upgrade to a premium motorcycle such as the CFmoto 700MT, CFmoto 800MT, Suzuki V-Strom or Honda Africa Twin.
  • Is there a support vehicle?
    Yes. A support vehicle with driver and mechanic accompanies the group, and a multilingual guide rides along on a motorcycle. With fewer than five riders there is only one guide, who travels in the support vehicle.
  • What is the group kitty?
    For small expenses along the way, such as a coffee or an ice cream, we set up a shared group kitty. We suggest a starting amount of US$ 40 or S/ 150 per person.

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