Peru Motorcycle Tour: In the Footsteps of the Incas

Arrival in Lima, the capital of Peru with nearly 12 million inhabitants, and transfer to the hotel in Miraflores. Your Peru motorcycle tour begins with a first night to settle in and acclimatise before the city is explored the next day.

Exploration of the historic Lima old town with the Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace. This Andes motorcycle tour begins with a relaxed city day before the first riding stage south starts on day three.

Start of the guided Peru motorcycle tour: heading south along the Panamericana to Ica, past the Pacific coast, endless sand dunes and green oases. The German-speaking guide accompanies the group on this first riding stage.

Continuing along the Panamericana through Peru's wine-growing regions to Nasca, with wide views over the coastal plain. The Peru rental motorcycle journey today includes winding back roads that give a foretaste of the mountain stages ahead.

Scenic flight over the famous Nasca Lines: monkey, fish, spider, hummingbird and numerous geometric shapes seen from above. A high point of any South America motorcycle tour with sweeping views over the desert below.

Onward to the scenic bay of Puerto Inka, where penguins, pelicans and sea lions can be observed. This stage of the Peru combined on-road and off-road tour reveals the diverse coastal landscape before the climb into the highlands.

Ride to Arequipa, the "White City", known for its bright sillar stonework and the snow-capped Misti volcano. This Arequipa motorcycle stage crosses varied terrain to reach the second-largest city in Peru.

Visit to the Santa Catalina Monastery, an architectural jewel from the 16th century in the heart of Arequipa. The rest of the day is free – an opportunity to explore Inca history and everyday life in this storied city.

Ride to Puno on Lake Titicaca through the highlands, where the first vicuñas, alpacas and llamas come into view. This high-altitude Andes motorcycle stage brings the group above 4,000 metres and reveals the Peruvian altiplano.

Boat tour to the floating Uros Islands and the island of Taquile on the world's highest navigable lake. This Lake Titicaca motorcycle stage pauses here for two days before the journey continues to Cusco, the Inca capital.

Onward to Cusco, the historic Inca capital at 3,326 metres and one of South America's most visited destinations. This Cusco motorcycle stage follows winding mountain passes with views of Andean peaks.

Bus to Ollantaytambo and then train to Aguas Calientes, the base for Machu Picchu. Before the train the route passes through parts of the Sacred Valley, which is explored more thoroughly the following day.

Early start to be among the first visitors to the Inca citadel, followed by a guided tour of the impressive ancient city. This Peru motorcycle tour stage at 2,360 metres is the centrepiece of the entire journey.

Motorcycle excursion into the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a visit to the salt pans of Maras and lunch in Pisac. This Sacred Valley motorcycle excursion reveals historically significant Inca sites away from the main tourist routes.

A free day in Cusco with time for museums, churches and local cuisine. Those who wish can explore further Inca culture with a walk through the narrow lanes of the historic old town.

Ride to Abancay through winding scenery, with an overnight stay in Chalhuanca. This section of the Peru combined motorcycle tour demands focus but rewards with wide views across the southern Peruvian Andes.

The queen stage of the South America motorcycle tour: many bends and passes over 4,000 metres lead from Chalhuanca back to Nasca. A demanding but rewarding day for experienced riders on this tour.

Continuing to Paracas along the Panamericana, past Peru's coastal wine and cotton-growing regions. Those who experienced the Nasca Lines flight at the start of the tour will recall the desert views from above.

Boat tour to the Ballestas Islands and into the Paracas National Reserve, with sea lions, penguins and numerous seabirds. This Ballestas Islands excursion is one of the top experiences of the final days of the tour.

Return to Lima with a shared review of the guided Peru motorcycle tour in the evening. The group looks back on the past weeks on motorcycle and Andean roads before returning to Europe.

A free day in Lima to explore the capital on your own, whether by the sea in Miraflores or in one of the museums. The Peru rental motorcycle tour ends officially here before the return flight the following day.

Return flight to Europe and the end of the guided Peru motorcycle tour. The impressions of the Andes and Inca culture – from the Nasca Lines to the citadel of Machu Picchu – will last long after the journey ends.

Arrival in Europe – the close of this Peru motorcycle tour in the footsteps of the Incas, after 22 eventful days between the Pacific coast, the high Andes and the most significant sites of Inca culture, from Nasca to Lake Titicaca.