Motorcycle road trip Peru

We set off late in the morning for a leg that covers fewer miles but is packed with amazing things to see as we head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Plenty of tracks in store today, some even as smooth as a motorway: a fantastic action-packed leg. We end the day and stay over in Ollantaytambo, whose archaeological site and old town are also worth visiting.

To avoid the tourist crowds on the approach to Machu Picchu, we take the back entrance to the famous site. We don't miss out by opting for the less beaten track -quite the contrary- as the road to Santa Teresa and the one through the Sacred Valley are both superb. We head up towards the Abra Malaga pass (4,320 m) on an incredible, trafficless dual carriageway with over sixty hairpin bends.

And we couldn't come this far and not take a peek at the most famous and most visited place in South America! From Santa Teresa, there are two options: a pleasant (easy) 2.5-3 hour hike along the railway line or the little train. At the top, there are fewer crowds and you can enjoy getting lost among the ruins and marvelling at the amazing natural backdrop.

We head back towards the small Inca city and Sacred Valley along three beautiful rivers before tackling another magnificent pass (4,430 m). We head on an enjoyable, smooth track and need to keep up good pace to make sure we get across Urubamba mountain range and back down to the Inca valley on time. One thing is for certain: not many people have enjoyed the same Machu Picchu experience as you!

We leave the Andean heights and delve deep into the Amazon's ocean of greenery. Then, we follow the Urubamba river for a moment, take an easy off-road detour with beautiful views and cruise along the Interoceanic Highway. We cross two passes (4,185 m and 4,725 m) then push on into the green. A fantastic descent awaits, 4,000 m difference in altitude over 62 miles of sublime curves!

After a quiet night in the Amazon basin, we set off to tackle the Andean highlands, offering us another difference in altitude (3,700 m this time). A plain-sailing leg on wonderfully smooth roads. We use Macusani as nothing but a stopover, as once we are high up on the vast pampas between the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca, the accommodation on offer is scarce.

Not long after we leave the small town of Macusani, we find ourselves surrounded by pampas, reminiscent of the Himalayan highlands. Teeming with little mountain ranges, beautiful landscapes and snow-covered ledges, we cross never-ending meadows. Today serves up a good mix of tracks and well-tarmacked main roads, which lead us to the shores of the largest lake in South America: Lake Titicaca.

We don't tackle many miles today so that we can really make the most of the lake's surroundings. On our way, we visit impeccable reconstructions of astonishing small Aymara farms. We enjoy a well-deserved, fine lunch in Puno, a lakeside city, and end of the day in Chucuito, a quiet village. For the hard-core bikers among us, there's an optional bonus ride towards the volcanic landscapes to the south.

We take long main roads to gain some time with a handful of off-road detours surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Long before we reach the large southern city, the imposing volcanoes appear on the horizon. We arrive in Arequipa and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to spend a few hours in Arequipa. You're transferred to the international airport.