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MOTORCYCLE-TRIPS · PERU
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.
The Journey
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 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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Questions about the tour itinerary?
Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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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):
* Not recommended for this tour. Damage reduction insurance is not available for these models.
Further options:
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.
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