MACHU PICCHU ADVENTURE
THE ULTIMATE PERÚ EXPERIENCE
Our Machu Picchu Adventure is the perfect tour for riders that want to experience a highly concentrated combination of wonderful roads, unique cultural highlights and stunning sceneries without time-consuming border crossings. Experience Perú on two wheels – a country that boasts of extremes!
Ride along the Pacific coast and into the high Andes to the legacies of ancient cultures: the mysterious Nasca lines and Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca culture; come with us to the world heritage site of Machu Picchu; visit the Uros on their floating islands on Lake Titicaca and admire the soaring condors of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world!
Highlights of this Adventure include:
- Arequipa, the “White City”: this beautiful town is surrounded by spectacular mountains, the most famous of which is the volcano El Misti.
- An overnight stay in a beautiful beach resort on the Pacific Coast next to the Pan American Highway
- Spectacular pass roads across the high Andes
- Three nights in Cuzco with one free day for the visit to the archeological ruins at Machu Picchu and a free day to explore other nearby Inca ruins. Machu Picchu – the Lost City of the Incas – is South America’s best known and most popular archaeological site.
- Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, in Puno, Peru. Visit the Floating Islands of the Uros, who live on the islands fabricated entirely from local reeds. The largest of the floating islands supports buildings, including a school and post office.
- Colca Canyon: almost 14,000 feet deep (twice the depth of the Grand Canyon) it’s one of the deepest canyons in the world. Watch the giant Andean Condors (wingspans up to ten feet) circle in the rising air from the depths of the canyon.
AT A GLANCE YOUR MACHU PICCHU ADVENTURE
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN AREQUIPA, PERÚ
Welcome to Arequipa, the White City!
The tour leaders will arrange your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
If you arrive early, you can take time to explore the city surrounded by three volcanoes with its baroque buildings out of white volcanic rock. Walk through the historic city centre with its beautiful Plaza de Armas, the classicist Basilica Cathedral and the Monastery Santa Catalina. In the evening you can go for some Pisco Sour, a tasty and creamy cocktail followed by a tasty Peruvian dinner.
In the late afternoon of the official arrival day we will meet for the motorcycle handover followed by a brief kickoff meeting.
Afterwards, we will enjoy our first dinner together in a local restaurant.
DAY 2 – AREQUIPA TO PUERTO INCA RESORT, 270 MILES
Leaving Arequipa, we descend from 7600 ft down to the Pacific Coast and enjoy the sweepers of the world-famous Pan-American Highway for the next 200 miles! Our destination is Puerto Inca, a beautiful beach resort, where we can relax for the rest of the day.
DAY 3 – PUERTO INCA RESORT TO NAZCA, 110 MILES
A short riding day along the coast and turning inland will bring us to Nazca. The afternoon is dedicated to a sightseeing flight over the famous Nazca Lines, a group of geoglyphs made in the soil of the Nazca Desert They were created between 500 BC and 500 AD by people making depressions or shallow incisions in the desert floor, removing pebbles and leaving different-colored dirt exposed.
DAY 4 – NAZCA TO ABANCAY, 290 MILES
A beautiful riding day on twisty roads back into the Andean Mountains is expecting us! We enjoy the ride through stunning landscapes climbing back to higher altitudes – the city of Abancay with its beautiful Plaza de Armas is a good place to stay overnight and have a tasty dinner after a long riding day!
DAY 5 – ABANCAY TO CUZCO, 125 MILES
It’s less than half the distance of yesterday, yet you will experience a ride of your lifetime – the countless turns and twisties of the mountain roads will take your full concentration! We approach the former capital of the Incas passing by ancient ruins and as an option we can make a detour through the Urubamba Valley, the “Sacred Valley” of the Incas with the famous former fortresses of Ollantaytambo and Pisac before we arrive in Cuzco.
DAY 6 – FREE DAY IN CUZCO
The highlight of our tour, the Machu Picchu excursion awaits! An early morning start from the hotel will have us in a bus to the train station where we will enjoy a spectacular train ride to the hidden Inca city, Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions of South America. Once at the ruins we will have several hours to explore the Inca ruins that offer absolutely spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The excursion will take the entire day, arriving back in Cuzco at around 8 pm.
Please note: due to availability and logistics, the excursion to Machu Picchu can take place either on the first or on the second free day in Cuzco!
DAY 7 – FREE DAY IN CUZCO
Today is a day for exploring the city and its surroundings! Absolutely recommendable is a guided city tour of Cuzco – formerly the capital of the Inca Empire, now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. The tour will give you the best impression, show you the highlights including Sacsayhuaman in the outskirts and Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun, and take us through the central square, Plaza de Armas. In the afternoon you will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy this beautiful and historic city.
DAY 8 – CUZCO TO PUNO (LAKE TITICACA), 250 MILES
Leaving Cuzco we will ride south to the town of Puno on shore of Lake Titicaca. It’s a good day’s ride on beautiful twisty roads to get to Puno. Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake at 12,500 ft above sea level. In the afternoon, we will take a guided boat tour to the Uros, indigenous people living on floating islands.
DAY 9 – PUNO TO CHIVAY, 220 MILES
Another beautiful riding day at altitudes of over 13,000 ft will bring us to the last highlight of our tour: with a depth of over 10,000ft, the Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Once there we will stop and enjoy one of the greatest highlights of the area, watching the giant Andean Condors as they circle in the rising air from the valley below. They are most likely to be seen at sunrise and sunset – the most convenient way is an organized excursion from Chivay.
DAY 10 – CHIVAY TO AREQUIPAI, 110 MILES.
If we haven’t done the excursion to the Condors yesterday afternoon, we can do it today in the early morning. After that we backtrack the last 40 miles across the pass and turn towards our final destination Arequipa. Our last riding day will be again on very twisty roads for the entire duration of the day! In the evening we enjoy our farewell dinner reviewing the adventures of the last 10 days – what a unique experience!
DAY 11 – DEPART AREQUIPA, PERÚ
Your tour leaders will organize a transfer to the airport for you. We hope that you enjoyed the tour and look forward to riding with you again!
Total mileage: ~ 1500 MILES / 2400 KM
Road Conditions
Roads are paved and mostly in good condition. There will be one or two unavoidable unpaved gravel sections of max. 20 miles. Riders will spend almost a week at altitudes between 10,000 and 14,000 feet and should be prepared for cold temperatures. Approximately 5% of the route has potholes. Dense traffic should be expected in bigger cities like Arequipa, Cusco, Juliaca and Puno.This tour is suitable for two-up riding.
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Weather
October is sunny, warm and spring-like with rising temperatures. Peru’s coastline near Lima averages highs of 68° F (20° C) and lows of 59° F (15° C). Temperatures in Machu Picchu in October are ideal for hiking ranging from 22˚C/72˚F during the day to 12˚C/54˚F at night.
BMW F750GS
Upgrade fee (for duration of tour):
Included
Unladen weight (with fuel): 224 kg/493 lbs
Engine displacement: 853 cc
Power output: 77 hp
Fuel capacity: 15 L/4.0 gal
Standard seat height: 815 mm/32.1 inches
Low seat height: 790 mm/31.1 inches
Low frame and low seat height: 770 mm/30.3 inches
Panniers included: Yes
Top case included: Yes
Tank bag available: Yes
Damage deductible: $2,500
Honda CRF1000
Upgrade fee (for duration of tour):
$750
Unladen weight (with fuel): 232 kg/ 512 lbs
Engine displacement: 998 cc
Power output: 93.8 hp
Fuel capacity: 18.7 L/4.96 gal
Standard seat height: 850.9mm/33.5 inches
Low seat height: N/A
Low frame and low seat height: N/A
Panniers included: Yes
Top case included: Yes
Tank bag available: Yes
Damage deductible: $2,500
BMW R1250GS
Upgrade fee (for duration of tour):
$950
Unladen weight (with fuel): 249 kg/549 lbs
Engine displacement: 1254 cc
Power output: 136 hp
Fuel capacity: 20 L/5.3 gal
Standard seat height: 850 mm/33.5 inches
Low seat height: 820 mm/32.3 inches
Low frame and low seat height: 800 mm/31.5 inches
Panniers included: Yes
Top case included: Yes
Tank bag available: Yes
Damage deductible: $2,500
Personal Motorcycle
Deduct from rider tour price:
-$1,450
Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like a make or model of motorcycle that is not listed on this page for your tour and we will make every effort to secure the motorcycle of your choice.
Standard Inclusions
- Late model, low mileage motorcycle
- Upscale accommodations
- À la carte dining
- Two professional Ayres Adventures tour leaders
- Airport arrival/departure transfers
- Luggage handling
- Comfortable support vehicle with limited space for non-riding companions
- Comprehensive pre-trip planning and assistance
- Customized trip booklet with day-by-day itinerary and attractions
- Commemorative shirt
- Adventurer Club travel award credit
Meals
- All breakfasts
- 8 dinners
Special Inclusions
- Excursion to see Andean Condors at the Colca Canyon
- Guided city tour of Cuzco
- Train ride and entry to Machu Picchu
- Uros visit on Lake Titicaca
Deposit per person: $1,600
2026 Schedule
| Date | 2026 Adventures | Length | Rider Price (USD) | Co-Rider Price (USD) | Single Room Supplement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 24 - November 3 | Machu Picchu Adventure | 11 days | $10,600 | $7,450 | $1,000 |
2027 Schedule
| Date | 2027 Adventures | Length | Rider Price (USD) | Co-Rider Price (USD) | Single Room Supplement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 23 - November 2 | Machu Picchu Adventure | 11 days | $11,100 | $7,800 | $1,000 |
2028 Schedule
| Date | 2028 Adventures | Length | Rider Price (USD) | Co-Rider Price (USD) | Single Room Supplement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 21 - 31 | Machu Picchu Adventure | 11 days | $11,700 | $8,200 | $1,100 |
Cancellation fee and refunds
| FROM DATE OF SCHEDULED COMMENCEMENT | AMOUNT FORFEITED |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days | 50% of deposit |
| 60 days or fewer but more than 45 days | 100% of deposit |
| 45 days or fewer but more than 30 days | 50% of full tour payment |
| 30 days or fewer | 100% of full tour payment |
The Machu Picchu tour was great
The Machu Picchu tour was great. I enjoyed the roads and sights offered. It was the right amount of riding and touring. I waited to go on this trip many years as I was saving up my vacation time.
Micah's Adventures include:
Machu Picchu Adventure
New Zealand Top Down Adventure
Winchester, VA
Well done, Ayres Adventures!
Once again Ayres Adventures came up trumps for our Father / Daughter private tour in South America. The booking and arrangements were made with the minimum of fuss. Jason Kilian and Chris Gladstone are two of the most friendly and professional tour leaders anyone could wish to travel with. Well done, Ayres Adventures!
Richard and Paula's Adventures include:
New Zealand Top Down Adventure
Machu Picchu Excursion (Empire of the Incas)
Switchback Challenge The Alps
Private Bariloche to Ushuaia tour
Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
If I have to pick one word, it's "professionalism"!
I guess after six trips with the gang from Ayres, I should write something about why I keep coming back for yet another tour. If I have to pick one word, it's "professionalism". Although they make each day look easy in terms of getting from point A to point B, on reflection it becomes so apparent that each route is well thought out and chosen for specific reasons, whether it be the scenery, road conditions, or degree of difficulty. It all seems to work so seamlessly which allows the rider to focus on the ride and his or her surroundings. Whether it's Claus or John or Axel, you know that one of them has your back, especially when you tackle a road that a month ago was paved but is now a mess and foot deep in mud or the road is closed and the detour a real challenge. And finally, at the end of the day, they're a hell of a lot of fun to have a drink with! In the final analysis, it makes for pretty much a perfect vacation.
Geoffrey's Adventures include:
Under the Tuscan Sun
Machu Picchu Excursion
Ushuaia and Antarctica
Norwegian Midnight Sun
Munich to Istanbul
The Epic Journey Riga to Hong Kong
Iceland Adventure
North Pole Adventure
Geoffrey has written several articles/blogs about his experiences on our tours:
BMW Owners News - Antarctica
BMW Owners News - Iceland
Blog – Under the Tuscan Sun
West Hollywood, LA
Thank you again for another wonderful tour!
Thank you again for another wonderful tour! We always wanted to go to the North Cape, with all the planning you did for us, you made this trip a great experience. You found nice twisties with spectacular views, stunning landscapes and outrageous bridges from one island to another, which made our hearts beat faster.
Our tour leaders had a lot of inside information on special routes, which were not crowded at all. GREAT RIDING!
Birgit and Manfred's Adventures include:
Norwegian Midnight Sun Adventure
Japan Cherry Blossom
Call of the Wild
Machu Picchu Excursion
Hamburg, Germany
This is our first trip with Ayres & it will NOT be our last!
This is our first trip with Ayres & it will NOT be our last! It was everything we expected; great riding, great people and an experience we will always treasure. The Emprie of the Incas tour is not for the faint of heart, back or butt. It is a "rider's" tour with lots of miles in a variety of conditions. Argentina, Chile and Peru are incredible countries with open, friendly people & beautiful landscapes. Steve Phillips and Art Tarian were great, sharing their knowledge & getting us through.
Linda Jannette
Empire of the Incas is a riders trip. Lots of miles of unending curves and elevation changes. Our trip leaders, Steve Phillips and Art Tarian did a great job of leading us through crazy traffic , 16,000 foot mountain passes and the always frustrating border crossings. If you of the mind set to visit and enjoy some of South Americas tourist highlights while getting a full dose of good motorcycle riding this is the tour for you.
Dan Jannette
Dan and Linda's Adventures include:
Machu Picchu Excursion (Empire of the Incas)
Lapeer, Michigan
You can't go wrong by booking a tour with them.
"Adventures" is an essential part of the Ayres company name. The professionalism of the tour guides is a strong point for this company. You can't go wrong by booking a tour with them.
Gary's Adventures include:
Heart of Africa
Machu Picchu Excursion (Empire of the Incas)
Mission Viejo, California
What a Ride!
What a ride! The IBA (Iron Butt Association) Ushuaia trip attracted me because of the opportunity to ride with like minded individuals who like doing the miles, and I was not disappointed. Challenging conditions like the Patagonian winds and the gravel roads of Chile were taken in stride by this bunch, and we all looked forward to great accommodations and good company at the end of every day.
My personal highlights were chasing Mike Kneebone and Nuno Leotte on the twisty pavement to the Perito Moreno glacier and the 1100 km day riding from Ushuaia to Torres del Paine through some of the finest scenery in the world.
I'll be back for more.
Rick's Adventures include:
IBA (Iron Butt Association) Ushuaia Tour
African Call of the Wild
African Southern Cross
Portugal, Spain and Morocco
Machu Picchu Excursion
Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
It's the BEST TRIP we've done so far!
The hotels were excellent overall, the meals were great and had plenty of variation, and the wine! Well, say no more.
It's the BEST TRIP we've done so far. We look forward to traveling with your company again soon.
John Cameron's Adventures include:
Machu Picchu Excursion
Prudhoe Bay Excursion
Te Puke, New Zealand
So I'm already planning my next Ayres tour!
The Ayres Adventures tour to Norway last June was the trip of a lifetime! The tour was well organized and very professional. The tour guides did an awesome job from start to finish. The actual route and our accommodations were stellar. It was too bad that it all ended...I'm sure I could have gone a few more months!
So I'm already planning my next Ayres tour!
Chris's Adventures include:
Legendary Norway
Machu Picchu Excursion
Gold River, British Columbia
Overall, it was a wonderful experience!
Overall, it was a wonderful experience.
I expect to tour with Ayres again, and would highly recommend Ayres Adventures to anyone interested in motorcycle touring.
Burt's Adventures include:
South American Splendors
Call of the Wild
Machu Picchu Excursion
Richmond, Virginia
My husband loves motorcycle touring and now I must admit I have grown to love it too!
The camaraderie of our tour group, good natured people, well cared for roads, twistie turns and gorgeous scenery enhanced by beautiful silver ferns, crystal blue lakes, and of course lots of sheep!
These all describe the memories I will cherish when I think about New Zealand. My husband loves motorcycle touring and now I must admit I have grown to love it too! ...Susan"
Bob and Sue's Adventures include:
New Zealand Top Down Adventure
Call of the Wild
Escape to Antarctica (and Ushuaia)
Machu Picchu Excursion
Norwegian Midnight Sun
Lake Villa, Illinois
All of the tours that I have taken with Ayres Adventures have been excellent from start to finish
All of the tours that I have taken with Ayres Adventures have been excellent from start to finish. The itineraries, accommodations, and activities during the tours have provided many incredible experiences. Ron and his tour leaders have a way of finding the very best in each geographic area in which they travel.
John's Adventures include:
Escape to Ushuaia
Southern Cross
Call of the Wild
Namibian Splendors
Machu Picchu Excursion
Into Africa (Cape Town to Nairobi)
White Salmon, Washington
We’re already signed up for the Alps and Morocco
I’ve ridden eight Ayres Adventures tours, three of them IBA (Iron Butt Association) specific rides and haven’t been disappointed. All have been first class, unique, and full of very pleasant surprises. Ron and his staff have always been courteous, helpful, and patient. In fact, he has found some special tour leaders and guides. By the end of the tour, they become friends that we look forward to seeing again.
Each tour had it’s own highlights. The IBA tours fit our style of riding since we are interested in seeing as much as we can and not spending a lot of time at the destination hotels. If you ride one, be prepared to cover some distance in all kinds of road and weather conditions.
Ushuaia had been one of those must see places for us and the South America IBA ride was the perfect way to do it, we ended up with more than we expected. The scenery was spectacular, the food was excellent, and this group of riders made it a ride to remember.
We enjoyed this one so much, we’re already signed up for the Alps IBA ride this September and the Portugal, Spain, and Morocco tour next year.
Tom and Mona's Adventures include:
IBA Ushuaia Tour
IBA Africa Tour
IBA Extreme Alps Tour
Machu Picchu Excursion (Empire of the Incas)
Spain and Morocco
New Zealand Top Down Adventure
Namibian Splendors (Africa)
Russia - Beyond the Golden Ring
Munich to Istanbul
Japan Cherry Blossoms and Mt. Fuji
The Epic Journey - Moscow to Hong Kong
Vista, California
We have now set foot on all 7 continents, thanks in part to Ayres Adventures
Escape to Antarctica was one of the most wondeful adventures we have undertaken. If you like biking and wild life then this is the one for you. We have now set foot on all seven continents thanks in part to Ayres Adventures and the crew. The support team were professional to the last.
Thanks Ron & Barb.
Keith and Anne's Adventures include:
Escape to Antarctica (and Ushuaia)
Southern Cross (Africa)
Machu Picchu Excursion
County Offaly, Ireland
Once again, we came away thrilled...
"The Antarctica trip was our fifth tour (or 6th if you count Hyder) with Ayres Adventures and once again we came away thrilled with the experience.
The Antarctica portion was a life changing event, much the same as our three trips in Africa with Ayres forever changed our view of the world. Having now toured on all 7 continents, we can say that while the trip to Antarctica is costly and can be difficult at times, it is worth every cent if you enjoy adventure travel to new places. It will change your perspective of our planet and all it entails in a way that is impossible to explain unless you have made the voyage!
Mike and Cara's Adventures include:
Escape to Antarctica (and Ushuaia)
Call of the Wild (Africa)
Southern Cross (Africa)
Namibian Splendors (Africa)
Into Africa
New Zealand Top Down Tour
Greece and Italy - Golden Odyssey
Machu Picchu Excursion
Portugal and Spain Adventure
Portugal, Spain and Morocco Adventure
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Bikers Delight
Biker's delight. These are the words that come to my mind when I think of my Ayres Adventures tours. Great rides, sensational places, good food and great fun. A big "Thank you!" to the whole Ayres team for creating such an experience, you're doing an awesome job. I am looking forward to riding with you again.
Michael's Adventures include:
Machu Picchu Excursion
Southern Cross
Namibian Splendors
Spain and Morocco
Norwegian Midnight Sun
New Zealand Top Down Adventure
Cologne, Germany
I'm looking forward to Portugal and Spain next Spring
Thanks to everyone involved at Ayres Adventures. Shirley was great and both Malcolm and John did a great job. I'm looking forward to Portugal and Spain next Spring.
Mike's Adventures include:
Call of the Wild (Africa)
Spain and Morocco
Machu Picchu Excursion
Wellington, Florida
Namibia was unlike anything we have ever experienced
The Namibian Splendors trip was fabulous. Jan and I both had a wonderful time. We can't say enough about our guides, the hotels, the food, the route, the off-bike/excursion days, or the quality of the overall experience. The hotels and food were exceptional, and were a real treat all by themselves. Namibia was unlike anything we have ever experienced - hauntingly beautiful, beyond anything we had imagined.
The best testament we can make is that we were only home 3 days before we signed up for another Ayres trip!
Alan and Jan's Adventures include:
Southern Cross
Namibian Splendors
Machu Picchu Excursion
Portugal, Spain and Morocco
Sedona, Arizona
This trip had a little of everything and it makes me want to go back to Africa
My son and I rode the Ayres Adventures Machu Picchu trip over a year ago and we had so much fun I decided to go on my own trip to South Africa, at Ron Ayres suggestion. I'm a fair weather, slower rider, the type that likes to look at scenery, stop often, and avoid highways, so after Machu Picchu which really challenged me, I asked Ron for something more suitable to my style, and the Southern Cross trip fit my needs perfectly.
It had everything: beautiful scenery that included seascapes and inland hills and valleys, cultural offerings by the Zulus in S. Africa and the Bsuto in Swaziland, game reserves and Kruger National Park where the big animals walked in their natural habitat, and most touching to me, visiting an orphanage and school where we met some children and which offered us the opportunity to give back a little by connecting them with possible resources in the USA.
The accommodations and the food were always the best, especially Otter's Den, where we were treated like family by the hosts and where I felt like I might hear Tarzan yelling as he swung from branch to branch.
John Jesson and Chris Carey offered wonderful support as group leaders, and they made my experience work, especially since I ride slower than most and I was traveling alone. It's not easy to satisfy everyone with different needs, but they did. The planned visits included a snake reserve, elephant farm, balloon ride, and could have included the highest bungee jump in the world. This trip had a little of everything and it makes me want to go back to Africa.
Deborah's Adventures include:
Southern Cross
Machu Picchu Excursion
W. Tilsbury, Massachussets
First Class Adventures
Recently my wife Chris and I took an Ayres Adventure trip through South Africa (from Cape Town to Johannesburg). We have nothing but good things to say about the Ayres people, having done several "adventures" with them, in various parts of the world. They are first class, and go the extra mile to take good care of their customers. The Africa trip was exceptional in every respect. Ayres has a knack for picking exotic places to visit and stay. Kruger is breathtaking and Swaziland is really cool. We totally recommend anyone that wants to do an overseas adventure to strongly consider this opportunity.
Rob and Chris's Adventures include:
Machu Picchu Excursion (Twice for Chris!)
Best of Alaska and Canada
Southern Cross
Viking Run
Spain and Morocco
Dutch Treat (now named Normandy and the North Sea)
Jacksonville, FL
START CITY: Arequipa
- Nearest international airport: Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport
- Airport code: AQP
- Approximate distance from city centre: 10 miles/16 kms
END CITY: Arequipa
- Nearest international airport: Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport
- Airport code: AQP
- Approximate distance from city centre: 10 miles/16 kms
Private Tour Inquiry
We are happy to book any of our motorcycle tours as a private tour. For most tours, we require a minimum of 8 bikes or 12 participants (riders plus co-riders). We can provide a private motorcycle tour for smaller groups, but a surcharge may apply. We can also customize any of our regular tours for a private group.