Planning a motorcycle trip in South America? Here’s five quick reasons why biking in Peru should be at the top of your list!
Why You’ll Love Riding in Peru
By Andy Davidson
Mad or Nomad: Round the World Motorcycle Traveller
Riding a motorcycle in Peru is special – very special. We spent three months and over 10,000kms riding the length of the country and it blew us away. Peru quickly cemented itself as one of our favourite countries to ride in the world – it’s perfect for adventure bike riders and travellers and you’re going to love it. This article explains why…
Have a read of our Peru blog to see why we personally loved it so much and what we got up to there during our round the world trip.
READ MORE: Peru and the Ultimate High
The Peruvian Andes
The Andes is the longest mountain range in the world, stretching over 4,000 miles along the entire western edge of South America.
Peru’s section alone is home to a quarter of the range and some of its highest peaks. And we reckon the best the Andes has to offer lies in Peru. The routes are incredible, remote, isolated, long, fun to ride and it’s just you and the mountains with a few Andean villages peppered throughout. This makes it an adventure bike playground.
Have a read of our dedicated guide on the best rides in the country.
READ MORE: The Best Motorcycle Routes in Peru
It’s an adventure bike challenge
Peru has a huge mix of challenging roads that are perfect for adventure bike riders and off-roaders. The winding mountain roads like those in the Andes are just jaw-dropping. Be warned though, they’ll test your skills no matter how experienced you are off-road.
One of the great things about riding Peru though, is that you can make your ride as easy or as difficult as you like. You can find a huge range of routes, roads, trails and tracks for all skill levels.
Peruvian culture
Peru is steeped in history and culture. The mountain towns throughout the Andes especially are fascinating. The villages are very rural and basic, but the indigenous people, their culture and spirituality with nature and strong ties to their past make them very interesting places to stay.
Every village is different. Even the languages, where people speak Quechua and Aymara in honour of the days of the Inca Empire, and still revere the same gods including Pachamama (Mother Earth), Inti (the Sun God) and Apus (Mountain Spirits).
Their culture is on full display as you stroll through villages. Men and women wear different types of fancy hats dependent on the region as an expression of their cultural identity. Women’s hats are usually covered in colourful fabrics, embroidery and flowers. They can symbolise different things from marital status to where they’re from and social standings. Peru is an explosion of colour, tradition and culture that constantly changes as we roll through its different regions.
Ancient history
Peru is home to the earliest known civilization in South America (Norte Chico civilization) around 3,500BCE. One of the earliest in the world in line with ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. The Chico built pyramids and plazas and laid the foundations for the Inca Empire.
No doubt you’ve heard of Machu Picchu – one of the seven wonders of the modern world. High in the mountains, it’s an absolute must for riders exploring Peru.
But it’s not just Machu Picchu, have you heard of the Smurf Houses hidden away in the Pampachiri Stone Forest? What about the Uros People living on floating islands on Lake Titicaca?
How about the Nazca Lines? Don’t miss the aerial view of the enigmatic Nazca Lines – geoglyphs made in the soil of the Nazca Desert between 500 BC and 500 AD.
And the best way to get to and explore all of these ancient wonders is by using a motorcycle. Plan your trip with these pins and join the dots using two wheels.
READ MORE:
It’s easy
Peru makes it easy to ride. You can buy or rent a motorcycle in Peru, or join an organsied tour, or ride your own bike through the country. It’s budget friendly, accommodation, food, petrol and water are cheap. People are kind and welcoming and there are excellent cities to start from or base yourself. If you’re riding in it will most likely be from Ecuador, Chile or Bolivia. The borders between these countries are straight forward and easy to navigate. If you’re buying, renting or joining a tour we recommend starting in Cusco or Lima.
No matter whichever way you want to ride in Peru, we recommend having a read of our packed motorcycle travel guide. It explains everything you need to know about riding a motorcycle in Peru.
READ MORE: Motorcycle Travel Guide: Peru
Cusco
Cusco is the ancient Incan capital. From here, we’d suggest you need around two-weeks to cover just under 2,000 miles. This will show you the very best Peru has to offer including Incan ruins, Valle Sagrado, the legendary Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Ollantaytambo.
Plotting and following a route through these locations will take you through jungles, canyons and picturesque cities like Arequipa and Puno.
Don’t miss exploring the lesser-known gems like San Pedro Pillcopata and Atalaya, offering unique cultural experiences off the beaten path. You’ll find some of the best Peruvian food in Arequipa too.
Lima
Lima is also an incredible place to start a Peru motorcycle tour. You’ll explore fascinating city spots before heading to the stunning southern coast, offering breath-taking views of the Pacific Ocean. There are loads of musts when starting a ride from Lima, like Paracas, the famous Huacachina Oasis for sandboarding, and the mysterious Nazca Lines, captivating archaeologists and travellers for generations. You’re also close to one of our favourite rides through the country on the 120 (you’ll find more info on that in our Best Routes in Peru Guide).
Read more on motorcycle travel in Peru and South America
Thanks for checking these five reasons why you’ll love riding in Peru. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycle travel in Peru and South America that we recommend you read next.
Try these next…
Are you planning a motorcycle trip in Peru? Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions? Let us know in the comments below.