Our fashion-icon tour leader has two long-standing passions: photography and The Bullet. But above all, heâs in love with India.
Aboard a Royal Enfield, you embark on a quest to explore the sacred Inca sites. At 2,300 m altitude, Arequipa is the perfect introduction to Peru and great preparation for the Ande's high altitudes. The first part of the trip takes us to Colca Canyon, wonderful Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Crossing the Sacred Inca Valley and mountain passes, we push into Quincemil and the warmth of the Amazon rainforest. Deep in the Andean highlands, our purring single-cylinder beasts accompany us to the almighty Lake Titicaca. We finish our Peruvian adventure between the Altiplano and the desert amidst the pampas lowlands and llama herds.
You arrive in Arequipa. Perched at 2,300 m altitude, on the edge of the Peruvian Altiplano, this colonial city will give you a warm welcome. The old town's architectural charm and the locals' culinary culture are the perfect combination for you to recover from your long journey.
We ride along a main road that quickly pushes us up to a higher altitude (more than 4,000 m) and into the Zona de Vicuñas. Once we reach Pampa de Toccra, we are right in the heart of the rough, vast Andean highlands, where we cross the highest pass of the tour: Abra Patapampa (4,910 m). After lunch, we criss-cross a wooded valley that gradually gives way to Colca Canyon, the second deepest in the world.
After one last stretch of asphalt road, we cover more than 60 miles of tracks through Andean meadows. We get back on the road and make a detour towards the beautiful pre-Columbian ruins of Kanamarka.
We get up early and take a superb winding dual carriageway -still at around 4,000 m altitude- then on to a beautiful track etched into the mountain, passing alpaca farms and a string of mountain lakes. Once we're back down in the Vilcanota river valley, the road takes us towards Cusco, but we make time for breakfast at the market in the small town Urcos and recharge our batteries for the last stretch before the Inca capital.
After three daysâ riding, we have a much-needed break from the road today. We recommend an early start for a morning walk through Cusco. Get lost in the maze-like narrow streets of San Blas neighbourhood and be sure not to miss Qorikancha (sun temple) or the beautiful Plaza de Armas. You are free to visit the Inca capital and/or if you really canât live without riding for a day, you can opt to take the bikes for a 25-mile spin.
This morning, we head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This region has so much to offer, especially the Maras salt mines and the mysterious Moray Inca ruins, believed to have been agricultural terraces. Plenty of tracks in store today, some even as smooth as a motorway: a fantastic action-packed leg.
And we couldn't come this far and not take a peek at the most famous and most visited place in South America! We are first transferred in Ollantaytambo to visit its ruins and from there we take a train to Aguas Calientes ⊠Machu Picchu is getting closer ! What imagination and toil it must have taken to build a city at such height! At the top, there are fewer crowds and you can enjoy getting lost among the ruins and marvelling at the amazing natural backdrop.
A long leg today, which is easily done on superb roads, which are tarmacked for most of the way. We leave the Andean heights and delve deep into the Amazon's ocean of greenery. We say farewell to the Sacred Valley with a visit to Pisac, another picturesque village. We follow the Urubamba River for a moment, before cruising along the Interoceanic Highway, a newly built road that goes as far as Brazil and the Atlantic coast.
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.
A well-deserved rest from riding is on the books today, but nonetheless, we propose an optional half-day ride. The more foolhardy riders can head off to discover the Sillustani ruins, found on the shores of Lake Umayo. The rest can walk around Lake Titicaca or take a trip to its surrounding islands, including the most authentic one: Taquile Island.
The grand finale! Our last day is by far one of the most spectacular of the trip as we make our way back to Arequipa. 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: a real feast for the eyes! We also cross some sections of the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, an extraordinary, extremely wild natural area, and ride through its white sand desert where groups of vicuñas frolic!
Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to spend a few hours in Arequipa. You're transferred to the international airport.
âIf you're going to do something different, then do it differently; properly. Do it the Vintage way. We traveled, We wined and dined; We laughed and swore: We lived. Traveling the highways(literally) and byways of Peru was a super experience. In fantastic company, understood and overawed by all and sundry. From the altiplano to the Amazon basin, it was glorious. In one trip we had excitement, culture, variety, archaeology and friendship under a mantle of superb stewardship. Through the efforts of Josh (our leader) and Florian; everyone was made to feel Welcome, valued and subsequently missed. Great job guys/gals who integrated all the pieces to produce the whole. Thank you. From a rightly tired traveler Martin Davysâ
âVintage Rides, are a great outfit, providing great bikes,fabulous itinerary, accommodation and crew, could not do enough to ensure we were all happy.This was my third trip, and not my last.â
âThe best vacation with a great guide and groupâ
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