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Two riders resting with a dirt bike on a high rocky mountain slope dusted with snow

MOTORCYCLE-TRIPS · SOUTH AMERICA 

Inca Trail Motorcycle Tour: Machu Picchu & the Andes

This Inca Trail motorcycle tour takes you through the mountain landscapes of Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia in 20 days. Between Salta and Cusco you will find white salt flats, mighty volcanoes, the Atacama Desert and the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

How long? 20 Days
When? Autumn
Price € 13,400 / Person

The Journey

By motorcycle through the Andes to Machu Picchu

A motorcycle journey into the time of the Incas: this motorcycle trip to Machu Picchu takes you through the picturesque mountain landscapes of northern Argentina, northern Chile, southern Peru and western Bolivia. Let yourself be dazzled by the seemingly endless white salt flats, gaze up at mighty volcanoes and discover the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, remote mountain villages and much more. Get to know Cusco, La Paz and Lake Titicaca with the island of Isla del Sol, and enjoy the rides through the lonely Andes. The total distance is around 5,000 km, of which about 300 km are on gravel roads. The tour is also run in a 4x4 off-road vehicle.
A line of four motorcyclists crossing a vast white salt flat toward distant hills A calm lake surrounded by golden grassland with snow capped Andean peaks behind Machu Picchus terraced stone ruins seen from a distant hazy viewpoint, forested peaks around Two riders on a loaded motorcycle pausing above a green forested valley on a cliffside road A motorcyclist riding a dirt road through a rugged, reddish brown canyon Inca Trail Motorcycle Tour: Machu Picchu & the Andes
Key Highlights of the Trip

Key Highlights of the Trip

01 Machu Picchu on two wheels
01
Machu Picchu on two wheels
Reach the religious centre of the former Inca empire and explore the famous ruins high above the Urubamba valley.
02 Uyuni - largest salt flat
02
Uyuni - largest salt flat
Ride across the endless white expanses of the Salar de Uyuni and spend the night in a hotel built entirely of salt.
03 Atacama Desert and volcanoes
03
Atacama Desert and volcanoes
Cross passes up to 4,800 m, pass lagoons with flamingos and immerse yourself in the driest desert in the world.
04 Cusco, La Paz & Titicaca
04
Cusco, La Paz & Titicaca
Discover the old Inca capital of Cusco, the highland metropolis of La Paz and the floating islands of the Uru on Lake Titicaca.
05 Colca Canyon and the Andes
05
Colca Canyon and the Andes
Watch condors in the Colca Canyon and enjoy winding Andean roads through four countries of South America.
Motorcycle Tours

Argentina

Your Inca Trail motorcycle tour begins in Salta in northern Argentina. From here you set off through the colourful Quebrada de Humahuaca and up into the Andes.

Days 1-2
Ancient adobe and stone temple ruins with tall walls, visitors gathered in the foreground
Salta - arrival in Argentina

Salta - arrival in Argentina

You are picked up at Salta airport and taken to the hotel from which your Inca Trail motorcycle tour starts the next day. After a short introduction to the itinerary and important information about Salta, the rest of the day is yours to explore the colonial old town and get used to the altitude.

BMW enduro motorcycle parked at a desert overlook above an arid valley
Quebrada de Humahuaca - World Heritage

Quebrada de Humahuaca - World Heritage

The ride first leads along a winding asphalt road through wooded mountains to Jujuy. There the picturesque Quebrada de Humahuaca opens up, a gorge declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its landscapes and cultural wealth. On this stage of your South America motorcycle tour you visit the village of Purmamarca, the painter's palette of Maimara and the pre-Inca ruins of Tilcara, where you spend the night. Around 200 km.

Chile

In Chile the South America motorcycle tour takes you across the Andes into the Atacama, the driest desert in the world, and down to the Pacific.

Days 3-4
A line of four motorcyclists crossing a vast white salt flat toward distant hills
San Pedro de Atacama - border to Chile

San Pedro de Atacama - border to Chile

First you climb the winding Cuesta de Lipan pass at 4,200 metres and reach the high plateau of the Puna. After the Salinas Grandes salt flat you continue towards the Atacama Desert and the border with Chile. On this Andes motorcycle tour you cross several passes up to 4,800 metres and pass lagoons with flamingos, vicuñas and ñandus. In San Pedro de Atacama at the foot of the Licancabur volcano you complete the border formalities and explore the Valley of the Moon. Around 350 km.

A wind rippled sand dune ridge curving through a hazy desert valley
Iquique - to the Pacific coast

Iquique - to the Pacific coast

Through the driest desert in the world you first pass Chuquicamata, the largest copper mine in the world, and then descend to the Pacific and the town of Tocopilla. Afterwards the South America motorcycle tour takes you along a winding asphalt road along the coast to the beach town of Iquique, where you spend the night right by the sea. Around 380 km.

Peru

Peru is the heart of this Machu Picchu motorcycle journey: from the White City of Arequipa via the Colca Canyon to Cusco and the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

Days 5-12

Tacna - across the border into Peru

Continuing through the Atacama Desert, you cross three deeply cut canyons on the way north before reaching Arica. After lunch in Arica, the northernmost city of Chile, the Peruvian part of your Peru motorcycle trip begins: you cross the border and spend the first night in Tacna. Around 360 km.

Arequipa - the White City

Through the Peruvian Clemesi Desert this stage of the Peru motorcycle trip takes you to Arequipa, known as the White City because of its buildings of pale volcanic stone. Set at the foot of several volcanoes, the colonial city invites you to stroll through its historic lanes and across the Plaza de Armas. Around 370 km.

Colca Canyon - up into the Andes

From Arequipa you first pass the Misti volcano and then continue up into the Andes to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest gorges on earth. On this Andes motorcycle tour you ride winding mountain roads, around 50 km of them unpaved, and spend the night in a pleasant mountain village high above the canyon. Around 150 km.

Colca Canyon - condors and highlands

Early in the morning you ride to the deepest point of the Colca Canyon to watch the condors at close range as they glide along the steep walls on the morning updraft. After this natural spectacle the Peru motorcycle trip leads you through wide mountain landscapes into the higher regions of the Andes to Sicuani. Around 300 km, of which 50 km unpaved.

A calm lake surrounded by golden grassland with snow capped Andean peaks behind
Cusco - temples and Inca ruins

Cusco - temples and Inca ruins

On the way to Cusco lie several temples and Inca ruins: the most important are the Viracocha temple of Raqchi, the ruins of Pikillaqta and Tipón as well as the man-made irrigation systems and gardens of Tión. This stage of the Machu Picchu motorcycle tour brings you to the old capital of the Inca empire. Around 200 km.

Cusco - navel of the Inca empire

Today is devoted entirely to Cusco. You explore the ancient centre, the Spanish churches and the surroundings with their impressive Inca temples such as Sacsayhuamán. As the cultural capital of the Inca Trail motorcycle tour, Cusco offers museums, lively markets and lanes that invite you to linger before heading to Machu Picchu the next day.

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.

Machu Picchus terraced stone ruins seen from a distant hazy viewpoint, forested peaks around
Machu Picchu - the goal of the Inca

Machu Picchu - the goal of the Inca

Today brings the highlight of your Machu Picchu motorcycle journey. A train ride over several zigzags takes you out of the Cusco valley to Ollantaytambo and along the Urubamba river to Aguas Calientes. From there the bus brings you up to the spectacularly situated ruins of Machu Picchu, the religious centre of the former Inca empire. In the evening you return to Cusco by train.

A terraced rocky peninsula reaching into the blue waters of Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca - Puno and the Uru

Lake Titicaca - Puno and the Uru

After Machu Picchu you head towards Bolivia, across the valleys and plains of the Vilcanota mountains and over the La Raya pass to Juliaca and Puno on Lake Titicaca, where you spend the night. Very close by the Uru live on their floating reed islands, which you can visit on this Peru motorcycle trip if you arrive in Puno in good time. Around 400 km.

Bolivia

In Bolivia the Bolivia motorcycle journey takes you from Copacabana via La Paz and the Death Road to the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world.

Days 13-17
The lakeside town of Copacabana on Lake Titicaca, with a rocky hill behind the rooftops
Copacabana - border to Bolivia

Copacabana - border to Bolivia

Along Lake Titicaca the Bolivia motorcycle journey takes you to the border and into the idyllic little town of Copacabana on the shore of the lake. After the border formalities the rest of the day is yours: you can walk up to the pilgrimage church or simply enjoy the view over the deep blue Lake Titicaca. Around 150 km.

Two riders posing with a dirt bike on a rocky, snow dusted mountain slope
La Paz - capital in the Andes

La Paz - capital in the Andes

Over winding asphalt roads you reach an adventurous boat crossing over a narrows of Lake Titicaca and then continue to La Paz, the spectacularly situated seat of government of Bolivia. On this Andes motorcycle tour you dive into the sea of houses of the highest metropolis in the world. The rest of the day is free for sightseeing.

A loaded dirt bike parked on a vast white salt flat, a rider far in the distance
Death Road - adventure in the Yungas

Death Road - adventure in the Yungas

The adventurous ride the notorious Death Road into the Yungas today. First you cross a pass of almost 5,000 metres, then dive down into the wooded plains at the foot of the Andes at around 1,000 metres. On the way back you ride the narrow gravel road along a deep gorge - a highlight of the Bolivia motorcycle journey. Around 200 km, of which 80 km gravel.

Two riders on a loaded motorcycle pausing above a green forested valley on a cliffside road
Uyuni - largest salt flat on earth

Uyuni - largest salt flat on earth

Through the Bolivian highlands you cross the Altiplano to the town of Oruro, pass Lake Poopó and continue on excellent asphalt through spectacular mountain landscapes to the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. The highlight of this Bolivia motorcycle journey is the ride across the endless white expanses and to the cactus-covered island of Isla del Pescador. You spend the night in a hotel built of salt. Around 450 km.

Potosí - silver mines of Cerro Rico

You ride back to Potosí to visit the silver mines of the Cerro Rico or the Casa de la Moneda museum in the afternoon. On this stage of the South America motorcycle tour, the once richest city in the Americas tells the eventful colonial history of the silver mountain. Around 200 km, of which 30 km unpaved.

Argentina

Back in Argentina the Argentina motorcycle journey takes you through the valley of Tupiza and the Humahuaca gorge to Salta once more.

Days 18-20
A motorcyclist riding a dirt road through a rugged, reddish brown canyon
La Quiaca - through the valley of Tupiza

La Quiaca - through the valley of Tupiza

On good roads you travel through colourful mountain landscapes first into the fertile valley of Tupiza, before climbing back up to the high plateau and the border with Argentina. On this stage of the Argentina motorcycle journey you cross the border and spend the night in the border town of La Quiaca. Around 400 km.

A baroque cathedral facade on a plaza in Cusco, with mountains rising behind
Salta - back through the Humahuaca

Salta - back through the Humahuaca

After a short ride across the high plains you descend into the valley of Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. You visit the little town of Humahuaca and the church of Uquía, cross the Tropic of Capricorn and reach Tilcara. From there the Inca Trail motorcycle tour takes you via Hornillos, Jujuy and a winding forest road back to Salta. Around 400 km.

Arequipas cathedral and plaza lit by a colorful sunset sky, palm trees in the foreground
Salta - return flight home

Salta - return flight home

On the last day of your Inca Trail motorcycle journey you are taken to Salta airport. You take home many good memories of salt flats, volcanoes and Inca sites, along with a farewell gift. This brings to an end a South America motorcycle tour across four countries and around 5,000 kilometres.

Want a detailed description of all tour days?

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

Verified Reviews

What riders say about Motorcycle-trips in South America

5.0

3 reviews

Uwe L.

The South America Inka Trail motorcycle tour offers clear, well-structured organization. The tour takes you over impressive routes like the Quebrada de Humahuac...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Südamerika Inka Trail Motorradtour bietet eine klare und gut strukturierte Organisation. Die Tour führt über beeindruckende Strecken wie die Quebrada de Humahuaca und die Salinas Grandes und startet mit einem informativen Briefing direkt bei der Ankunft in Salta, Argentinien. Gruppen von maximal 10 Personen ermöglichen eine persönliche Betreuung durch mehrsprachige Reiseleiter. Der Verlauf ist durchdacht, und die Organisation des Leihmotorrads sowie die umfassenden Zollpapiere für Grenzübertritte sind effektiv umgesetzt, was zu einer reibungslosen Reise beiträgt.

Guest

Frank S.

The South America Inka Trail motorcycle tour in Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia posed a significant challenge due to the high-mountain terrain and changing s...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Südamerika Inka Trail Motorradtour in Argentinien, Chile, Peru und Bolivien stellte durch den Hochgebirgscharakter und wechselnde Untergründe eine erhebliche Herausforderung dar. Besonders die Überquerung des Abra del Acay erforderte fortgeschrittene Fahrtechniken, während die gravierenden Höhenunterschiede sowohl körperlich als auch mental belastend waren. Diese Tour verdeutlichte mir die Notwendigkeit technischer Fähigkeiten und guter Vorbereitung in extremen Bedingungen.

Guest

Robert S.

The South America Inca Trail motorcycle tour through Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia offers, with a maximum group size of ten people, an interesting group dy...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Südamerika Inka Trail Motorradtour durch Argentinien, Chile, Peru und Bolivien bietet mit einer maximalen Gruppengröße von zehn Personen eine interessante Gruppendynamik. Besonders auffällig war das Tempo der Tour, das aufgrund des hohen Schwierigkeitsgrads besonders in der Passage über den Abra del Acay herausfordernd war. Die gemeinsamen Erfahrungen und das kollegiale Miteinander während der Fahrten durch die beeindruckende Quebrada de Humahuaca schufen eine gute Balance zwischen individueller Verantwortung und Teamarbeit, was die Gesamtatmosphäre der Tour unterstützte.

Guest
See all reviews for this tour
Offroad adventure

PRICE

from

€ 13,400 / person

Price Options

Self-driver with rental motorcycle BMW F800GS € 13,400
Self-driver with rental motorcycle in BMW F900GS € 13,600
Self-driver with rental motorcycle BMW R1200GS € 13,999
Self-rider with rental motorcycle BMW R1300GS € 14,599
Per person in the accompanying vehicle € 6,720

Additional Options

Surcharge for single room / Person € 1,960

Trip includes

  • Rental motorcycle including fuel
  • Liability insurance
  • Customs documents for the border crossings
  • Multilingual tour guide
  • 4x4 support vehicle
  • Satellite phone
  • Mechanic on site
  • Toll and ferry fees
  • Maps
  • All overnight stays in double rooms in typical local hotels of the best category
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • Snacks and water during the ride
  • Luggage storage
  • Airport transfer
  • Comprehensive insurance with US$4,000 deductible
  • Travel security certificate (insolvency protection under BGB §651r), mandatory on all OVERCROSS trips

FAQS

  • Is the luggage transported?
    Yes, your luggage is transported in the 4x4 support vehicle during the stages.
OVERCROSS note on itinerary
The above travel description is a non-binding online proposal and does not represent a binding travel itinerary. We expressly reserve the right to make changes to the route, schedule, and accommodations (§ 651d BGB in conjunction with Art. 250 EGBGB). The terms and conditions of OVERCROSS apply.
Terms and Conditions of OVERCROSS

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