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Guided Group Tour: The Top 7 Highlights of Southern Peru

Top 7 Highlights of Southern Peru motorcycle tour, Andes Mountains

Top 7 Highlights of Southern Peru motorcycle tour, Andes Mountains

  • Motorcycle Tour Peru
  • Motorcycle Tour to Machu Picchu
  • Road to Machu Picchu Peru
  • Machu Picchu Tour
  • Motorcycle Tour Peru

Southern Peru is packed with highlights, and of course there’s no better way to enjoy the sites, scenery, people and culture than behind the bars of a motorcycle!

One of the strengths of this tour package is its amazing variety. In just 17 days, we’ll be showing you everything from the Pacific Ocean and Coastal Desert, the heart of the Andes Mountains, remains of Inca civilizations gone by, and the Amazon Jungle!

Contact us for more tour information. 

Itinerary

Day 1 – Your Arrival in Arequipa, Peru

Welcome to Peru and the city of Arequipa! The home base of Peruvian touring operations just happens to be quite a charming city to visit as well, after we picked you up from the airport, the option is yours to spend the day enjoying the city of Arequipa.

Folks might want to visit local museums, the shopping and dining opportunities, and of course the historical city center which is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. – We’ll be making sure everyone in attendance gets the chance to meet, hold a briefing, and answer any questions you have prior to departure the next day.

Day 2 – The RIDE to Puerto Inka – 410km

Pacific CoastLet’s head to the coast! Starting early, once everyone is comfortable on their rental motorcycles (that are included in the package,) we’ll make our way to the Pacific Ocean for an always pleasing sight.

Headed north then along the PanAmerican Highway, we’ll spend this long day enjoying twists and turns that might remind you of California’s Hwy 1, which is obviously the same stretch of road just thousands of miles away. With a great hotel option overlooking Puerto Inka, relax and enjoy one simple thought: “You’re riding a motorcycle in Peru!!!”

Day 3 – The RIDE to Nazca – 164 km

A shorter day by design, the idea is that the area is rich with Peruvian heritage and fascinating things to see, so why blaze through it?

Even before arriving in Nazca, the Chauchilla Cemetery awaits, and of course in the afternoon, you’ll have the option to fly over the famous Nazca Lines that were carved into the face of the earth around 1500 years ago. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in just your 3rd day in Peru? A comfortable hotel awaits and sets up the ride a bit further up the coast tomorrow.

Day 4 – The RIDE to Huacahina – 145km

Sandboarding Huacachina PeruEver done any dune buggy riding or sandboarding (like snowboarding?) The opportunity to check both experiences off your bucket list awaits today, as we’ll enjoy a leisurely ride to the “Oasis of America” known as Huacachina.

Built around an almost surreal natural lake in the northern edges of the Atacama Desert, you’ll recognize why the Dakar Rally has been held in Peru in recent years. Enjoy the aforementioned activities, the scenery in the desert, and just fact that you’re in one of the most unique settings in the world.

Day 5 – The RIDE to Paracas – 73km

There are reasons for such short riding days, and you’ll understand more today as we arrive at the Islas Ballestas, known for their wide range of wildlife and beautiful scenery.

Here you can see up close the Humboldt Penguins, sea lions, Guanay Guano birds, and Blue-Footed Boobies indigenous to the region before we head into the Paracas National Reserve and enjoy the marine habitat and tropical desert.

Day 6 – The RIDE to Ayacucho – 346km

Canyon Riding PeruAfter getting a full feeling for the Pacific Coast in Peru, it’s time for a change of scenery, so we head eastward, up into the Andes Mountains!

From sea level we gently ascend to 3,400 meters (11,000 feet) where it’s best to level-off and acclimatize a bit. A city mostly known for it’s 33 cathedrals will make for a great resting location overnight.

Day 7 – The RIDE to Abancay – 389km

Think you’ve enjoyed some twists and turns through mountainous riding before?  Today’s ride will be like anything you’ve done before, only on steroids and coffee!

As is with most of the rest of Peru’s roads, this route is in excellent condition practically begging motorcycle riders to ride it. Again with a focus of staying off the typical “tourist trail,” we’ll settle into the simple mountain town of Abancay for the night and rest up for more ahead

Day 8 – The RIDE to Ollantaytambo – 185km

Another day where the twisties seem to almost tie knots on top of themselves! This is what you came to Peru for though, right? This is the riding that should make it clear why RIDE Adventures was founded on and in the Andes Mountains, as we love hearing riders say “I can’t believe I never did this before!”

This ride puts us in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and will serve as a launching point to what might be the most famous site in all of South America.

Day 9 – The train and bus RIDE to Machu Picchu!!! – Rest Day From the Bikes

Machu_Picchu_Inca_TrailWith the stories of Hiram Bingham III hacking his way through the Peruvian jungle looking for the “Lost City of the Incas,” just imagine yourself arriving at Machu Picchu not in the comfort of the train we arranged for you, but with a machete in hand, not even sure what you’re about to see.

It wasn’t only time for a rest day off the bikes, it’s also that reaching Machu Picchu by road still isn’t an option. That’s okay. Relax on your day off, and enjoy this unforgettable site.

CONTACT US About riding the Andes Mountains & More on the "7 Highlights of Southern Peru" tour!

Day 10 – The RIDE to Cusco – 173km

Finishing your ride through the Sacred Valley, just think, your motorcycle trip is barely half over! Rich with Inca culture and history here in the Valley, we’ll enjoy everything to ruins to empty tombs that appear as “holes” in the sides of the valley walls.

In every case these graves were emptied when treasure hunters learned the Incas buried their loved ones with massive amounts of gold and jewelry. Settling into Cusco, this fun city center is excellent for shopping, photography, drinking and dining.

Days 11 thru 13 – The Amazon Experience

Amazon_Trip_MonkeyLeaving the motorcycles behind for an exciting side excursion, yet another amazing variety factor in this motorcycle trip awaits you in the Amazon Jungle! Flights are arranged for the trip to Puerto Maldonado where a full service staff assists with the “all-inclusive” aspect of the tour package.

Along the Rio Madre de Dios and there at the jungle lodge, this deep Amazon foliage setting will be a dramatic contrast from the arid desert setting you enjoyed only a week earlier, and for those making a first trip into the jungle, an experience that will never be forgotten. (February 2022 Update: Please inquire to confirm, but we may be riding instead of flying to Puerto Maldonado. Flight service temporarily shut down.) 

Day 14 – The RIDE to Puno – 322km

As if the string of highlights hasn’t been enough, leaving Cusco through the Andes Mountains will really make it clear why we love riding here so much. Headed to the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca’s sunsets simply do not disappoint, and neither does the pretty city of Puno and it’s steep streets with Spanish Colonial architecture.

At 3,830 meters (12,556 ft.) it’s not uncommon to feel the effects of altitude, and for this you’ll find the Coca Leaves readily available to enjoy in a beverage and alleviate any discomfort.

Day 15 – The RIDE to The Colca Canyon – 346km

Andes Mountains Peru MotorcyclesWant more amazing experiences? You’ve come to the right place! With Bolivia’s shores just across Lake Titicaca, you can enjoy the Floating Islands of the Uros people today and one extremely unique way of living.

As if the floating reed boats and way of the Uros wasn’t enough for the day, we’ll make our way to the edge of the Colca Canyon further west. Measuring 4,160 m (13,650 ft) deep, this amazing geological formation is actually twice as deep as the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona! With stunning scenery all around, enjoy your decent from the Andes Mountains.

Day 16 – The RIDE to Arequipa – 164km

Believe it or not, the saying “all good things come to an end” is true, even in motorcycle travel. But not before you see the Andean Condor in flight!

Along the cliff walls of the Colca Canyon, make sure to get out and see these gigantic condors with a wingspan up to 3.2 m (10.5 ft.) Descending from more high Andes riding though, we’ll twist and turn our way back to “home,” and unpack for a last night in Arequipa.

Day 17 – Departures

Enjoy the city once again, but don’t forget to start organizing all those photographs to share with us, as we know you got some good ones! Wait: You don’t really need to leave Peru if you don’t want to. Stay some extra nights and soak up more scenery and excellent cuisine a bit further. If you want to keep riding your bike some more, we can probably make it happen!

CONTACT US About riding the Andes Mountains & More on the "7 Highlights of Southern Peru" tour!

Minimum Essential Gear for RIDE Training

If you're planning to jump on a guided tour or training with RIDE Adventures, it's essential that you have the right gear. This helps to ensure your safety and the safety of others while on the road.

Not being properly prepared can lead to injuires that could have been avoided. Our guides have created a Minimum Essential Gear Guide if you plan to book a RIDE Adventures. If you don't come minimally prepared there is a chance our guides will prevent you from hopping on a bike. Make sure you're prepared for the adventure. 

Bikes Available

2019+ Honda CB500x

2019+ Honda CB500x

Another recent assertion by Honda Motorcycles into the Adventure Riding world, riders seeking a compact-sized adventure bike have been raving about the CB500X. With plenty of power emanating from the parallel-twin engine, and an agile disposition, everything from paved twisties to gravel, dirt, and sand can be conquered with this fun adventuring option. Starting in 2019 with the 19" front wheel, this bike has proven itself for us in places like Patagonia, and will be a great option for riders exploring beyond.

  • Wet Weight - 430lbs
  • Seat Height - 32.7 inches
  • Fuel Capacity - 4.6 gal

X

Seat Height:
32.7 in
Curb Weight:
430lbs
Fuel Capacity:
4.6 gal
Displacement:
471cc Parallel Twin
BMW F700GS (twin cylinder)

BMW F700GS (twin cylinder)

The new F700GS offers a larger windshield, enhanced braking system, Electronic Suspension Adjustment, Automatic Stability Control, and a handful more horsepower! As if the previous version (the F650GS) wasn't a good enough adventure bike, this mid-weight option continues to be the most versatile and popular motorcycle rental option.

X

Seat Height:
32.3 in
Curb Weight:
461.0 lb
Fuel Capacity:
4.2 gal
Displacement:
798 cc
BMW F750GS

BMW F750GS

Not everyone needs a gigantic adventure bike to have fun, and the BMW F750GS fills that niche of "big enough for the long haul, small enough to have fun." With a power-to-weight ratio similar to the bigger models, 77hp can be used to hang with any other adventure bike on the market and perhaps be even more fun when it comes to the dirt roads and tight switchbacks. 

X

Seat Height:
32.1 in
Curb Weight:
493lb / 223kg
Fuel Capacity:
4 gal / 15 L
Displacement:
853 cc
BMW F800GS

BMW F800GS

Certainly considered the “athlete” of the BMW team, the F800GS can be counted on to carry all your travel gear and still maintain the awesome feeling of a pure off-road machine when you’re in the dirt.  With over 215mm of suspension travel, the F800GS boasts 85 horsepower from its twin-cylinder engine, and is sure to give an adrenaline rush when you unleash it!

X

Seat Height:
34.6 in
Curb Weight:
472.0 lb
Fuel Capacity:
4.2 gal
Displacement:
798 cc
BMW F850GS

BMW F850GS

When it's predecessor launched in 2009, the world recognized the beauty of a "middle-weight" adventure bike, perhaps most appropriately built to handle it all. The new BMW F850GS builds on a decade of riders trotting the globe on a machine with all the power you could ever need, and agility to go have almost dirt-bike-like fun when the luggage and passenger aren't along for the ride.

X

Seat Height:
33.9 in
Curb Weight:
504lb / 229kg
Fuel Capacity:
4 gal / 15 L
Displacement:
853 cc
BMW R1200GS - Liquid Cooled

BMW R1200GS - Liquid Cooled

Revised back in 2013, BMW it seems has done it once again in the world of adventure motorcycles. The new liquid-cooled version of the famous R1200GS comes with a more "upright" stance and off-road friendly positioning.  Now with a wet clutch, a higher air intake perfect for river crossings, and a 10% horsepower increase over the previous model, BMW has clearly made improvements on what was already a great adventure bike.

X

Seat Height:
33.5.0 in
Curb Weight:
538 lbs
Fuel Capacity:
5.3 gal
Displacement:
1170 cc
BMW R1250GS

BMW R1250GS

Freshly updated after multiple generations of industry-leading design, BMW's R1250GS is yet another masterpiece coming from the company that many will claim pioneered the thought of adventure riding. Boasting 136hp now, yet still maintaining the "flickability" many of us feel in the GS line, load up the bike or head out solo, and you're sure to have a blast from this high performance machine. 

X

Seat Height:
33.5/34.3 in
Curb Weight:
549lb/249kg
Fuel Capacity:
5.3gal / 20 L
Displacement:
1254 cc
Honda Africa Twin

Honda Africa Twin

Finally, the return of a legend! The long awaited, and thoroughly updated Africa Twin by Honda has been talked about for years, finally making itself available in various markets around the world in 2015. With a four-valve Unicam® cylinder head 998cc parallel twin engine, more power than an adventure rider could ever need is available along with suspension travel and ground clearance to handle the most remote and rugged terrains and pathways. 

X

Seat Height:
33.5/34.3 in
Curb Weight:
511 lb
Fuel Capacity:
4.96 gal
Displacement:
998 cc
Kawasaki KLR 650

Kawasaki KLR 650

Another famous bike for adventure travelers, the KLR has been tested and proven by riders everywhere.  Kawasaki made changes in recent years, making this bike now even more comfortable for the “open road” aspects of travel while not losing any of its off-road ability.

X

Seat Height:
35.0 in
Curb Weight:
432.0 lb
Fuel Capacity:
6.1 gal
Displacement:
651 cc