Find and book motorcycle tours to Peru

Motorcycle Tours in Peru

Riding motorcycles in South America is the ultimate adventure, and when it comes to the best destinations on the continent, Peru has little competition. This vast, diverse, and awe-inspiring country offers so much it‘s hard to cover it all in one trip. Motorcycle tours in Peru will take you across the majestic Andes Mountains, along the Pacific Coast, through the otherworldly Atacama Desert, and into Machu Picchu, one of the modern world’s seven wonders. Riding in Peru, expect wide open spaces, the dizzying altitude of the Andean passes, mysterious sites of ancient cultures, Inca heritage, authentic local lifestyle, and so many mind-blowing motorcycling roads you’re guaranteed to get a lifetime’s worth of adventures. Guided motorcycle tours in Peru are all about those mountain twisties, Andean landscapes, spectacular colonial towns and remote indigenous villages, and the allure of the wild, unspoiled South American nature. Here, you can explore on and off the road as much as you like, cover hundreds of miles through awe-inspiring scenery, and discover the New World in the best way imaginable: aboard your motorcycle.

If you’re considering motorcycle shipping to Peru, it’s usually a little more complicated than shipping to Chile or Argentina. Your best bet, especially if you don’t have much time, is to rent a bike locally or go on a guided motorcycle tour in Peru. This way, you’ll have your itinerary created for you, the route pre-planned, and the stays pre-booked, so all you’ll have to do will be to fly in and ride. Motorcycle tours in Peru cover a lot of ground and traverse some of the most incredibly scenic routes in the country, all while offering the confidence and comfort of organized travel.

When riding motorcycles in Peru, expect to see diversity around every corner. Starting in the capital Lima with its lofty Old Town and hip Miraflores district with plenty of pubs, restaurants, and cafes situated around the beautiful Kennedy Park and ending in Arequipa, Peru’s southern jewel known as The White City, you’ll travel through some of the most breath-taking passes of the Andes Mountains, see condors soaring above the mountain peaks, visit Cusco and the ancient Inca citadels, and experience Peruvian hospitality, culture, and cuisine.

Whether you’re gearing up for a solo adventure or a guided motorcycle tour in Peru, here are some of the highlights along the way:

Peru Motorcycle Tours Highlights

Cusco
While Lima is a magnificent city to explore upon arrival, Cusco is where the true adventure begins. Located in the southeastern part of the country, Cuzco is the old Inca capital and seat of the emperors. Here, the stunning colonial town gives way to the mysterious Inca ruins at Saqsaywaman, and even the thoroughly Spanish Cusco Cathedral Basilica has a touch of the indigenous heritage: the cathedral‘s centerpiece is the famous painting of the Last Supper, except in this version, Jesus and his disciples are dining on a roasted guinea pig. Guinea pigs are a local Andean delicacy, so be sure to sample one when you’re exploring downtown Cusco!

Architecture, culture, and cuisine aside, Cuzco boasts some jaw-dropping scenery and excellent motorcycle roads coming in and out of the city. There are plenty of generous curves and sharp hairpins on the routes coming in from the West, and you‘ll have your fill of twists and turns riding into the heart of Peru.

Machu Picchu
Situated just 200km North of Cuzco, Machu Picchu is the number one attraction for travelers and probably the number one reason you‘ve heard of Peru in the first place. Perched high atop a green mountain, Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city with perfectly preserved ruins revealing the mind-boggling skill of the ancient stonemasons and the might of the Inca Empire. Although you cannot ride your bike all the way to the Machu Picchu site, there is a dirt trail leading across the mountains that gets you close enough. Alternatively, you can leave your motorcycle in Cusco or Ollantaytambo and take the scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, from where Machu Picchu is a long hike – or a short bus ride. Most motorcycle tours in Peru will include sightseeing in Machu Picchu as part of their itinerary.

Arequipa
Arequipa gets less press than Cusco, but when riding motorcycles in Peru, this is a must-see. Arequipa is known as The White City for its exquisite Old Town and the main square surrounded by white buildings and elegant Spanish galleries, but more importantly, Arequipa is on the crossroads of some of the most scenic routes in the country. Situated against the stunning backdrop of Volcano Chachani, Arequipa is the gateway into the Colca Valley, a remote and wild area of rugged mountain terrain, one of the deepest canyons in the world, and some of the most beautiful Andean roads in Peru. Arequipa is also a spectacular place for off-road riding: Rally Dakar hosted its marathon stage here in 2019, and there’s no shortage of insane mountain trails and riverbed tracks to explore.

Arequipa also offers a unique glimpse into the life of the indigenous cultures of Peru. From here, you can visit some of the local indigenous communities and towns like Chivay to see the colourful local market and the annual horse festival or head towards the coast stopping at small villages and towns to truly immerse yourself in the local ways of life.

Colca Canyon
Located East of Arequipa, Colca Canyon is one of the most jaw-dropping sites in Peru. One of the deepest canyons in the world, Colca remains so remote and isolated that most locals in the area speak Quechua better than Spanish, and access to the canyon is limited. However, motorcycle tours in Peru pass Colca Valley using the local road network, and some of those routes are truly awe inspiring. On your way to Colca Canyon, you’ll see the famous Condor Cross – a high altitude mountain pass with a viewing platform jutting out above the cliffs where condors are often spotted floating upwards on the warm air currents rising from the canyon.

Nazca Lines
Another mysterious wonder of Peru, Nazca lines are situated just off the Pan American highway near the little town of Nazca. Visible from an airplane only, Nazca lines continue to puzzle archeologists today as there are no clear explanations on how the lines were constructed, or why. Depicting people, animals, and other symbols, Nazca Lines are a collection of strange streaks of white etched into the desert, and it’s a sight to behold when flying over them with local planes available for tourists. Nazca Lines are a must-see highlight on your motorcycle tour, and if you have the time, be sure to visit the nearby Chauchilla Necropolis and the desert oases.

Practical Information for Touring Peru

Peru is a massive country with varying climate zones, and the weather here will differ depending on the region you‘re traveling However, you can generally ride motorcycles in Peru year-round, as the Pacific Coast and the Amazon Basin will see hot weather throughout, and the Andean regions will always be chillier because of high altitude. We recommend riding in four-season gear and packing some warm layers and rain gear, as the weather will change with distances and altitude.

Peru uses the Peruvian sol as its official currency, and it‘s a very economical country to travel. Cards are accepted in most cities and towns, but to carry some cash if you know you‘ll be traveling through more remote areas and small villages. Generally, $60-$70 will be enough to cover your daily food, fuel, and accommodation expenses.

Peru is a safe country to travel, and locals are usually very friendly and curious towards foreigners. Learning a few basic phrases in Spanish will come in handy, however, as few people speak English outside of Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa. Traffic conditions may feel a little chaotic at first, but Peruvians are amicable and courteous drivers, and you‘ll figure out the flow of traffic in no time. Share the road, smile, and wave, and you‘ll soon be riding like a local!

If you‘re not sure which bike will work best for Peru, choose a dual sport or an adventure motorcycle; here, both on and off-road riding is spectacular, and you‘ll want a bike capable of both.