Photo: Jan Kronies ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Passes above four thousand metres.
Cusco sits at 3,400 m and from here the roads only go up: the Sacred Valley, the Abra Málaga pass at 4,316 m, the descent into cloud forest to Santa Teresa and the back-door approach to Machu Picchu via Hidroeléctrica. Then the salt terraces of Maras, Moray and the southern valley. Light single-cylinder bikes, short distances and two days of acclimatisation before the first pass.
- Abra Málaga at 4,316 m and a one-hour drop into the jungle
- Machu Picchu via Hidroeléctrica, away from the train crowds
- The Maras salt pans and the Moray terraces
- Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Acclimatisation at 3,400 m
Cusco, 3,400 metres
Arrival in Cusco, check-in and a slow day: the Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha and coca tea. No riding, only acclimatisation.
Overnight: Hotel in Cusco - DAY 2 · 60 km, up to 3,700 m
Bikes and Sacsayhuamán
Bike collection and setup. A short loop to Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo and Tambomachay at 3,700 m, a first taste of Peruvian traffic. About 60 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Cusco - DAY 3 · 110 km, the valley
The Sacred Valley
Over the pass near Q’enqo to Pisac and its terraces, then along the Urubamba river to Ollantaytambo, whose fortress the Incas never finished. About 110 km of tarmac with a gentle descent to 2,800 m.
Overnight: Hotel in Ollantaytambo - DAY 4 · 160 km, pass at 4,316 m
Abra Málaga and Santa Teresa
Switchbacks up to Abra Málaga at 4,316 m, then a 3,000 m descent into cloud forest to Santa María. The final 25 km to Santa Teresa are dirt along the river. About 160 km.
Overnight: Lodge in Santa Teresa - DAY 5 · 20 km and a 10 km walk
Hidroeléctrica and Aguas Calientes
A short dirt ride to Hidroeléctrica station, then the train or a 10 km walk along the tracks to Aguas Calientes. The bikes stay behind under guard. Hot springs in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes - DAY 6 · Machu Picchu, 2,430 m
Machu Picchu
An early bus to the citadel at 2,430 m and a morning circuit of the ruins with a local guide. Back to Santa Teresa after lunch the same way.
Overnight: Lodge in Santa Teresa - DAY 7 · 170 km, pass at 4,316 m
Back over the pass to Urubamba
Abra Málaga again, this time 3,000 m of climbing in two hours, and down the valley to Urubamba. A stop at the viewpoint on the Verónica glacier at 5,893 m. About 170 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Urubamba - DAY 8 · 100 km, plateau dirt roads
Maras, Moray and Chinchero
The dirt roads of the plateau above the valley: the Maras salt pans, the circular terraces of Moray and the weavers of Chinchero at 3,760 m. Back to Cusco. About 100 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Cusco - DAY 9 · 200 km, bikes returned
The South Valley
A loop south: Tipón, Pikillaqta, the painted church of Andahuaylillas and, time permitting, the Q’eswachaka rope bridge, returning via Cusipata. About 200 km. Bikes returned in the evening and a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Hotel in Cusco - DAY 10 · Departure
Departure from Cusco
Breakfast and airport transfer. Flights to Lima leave every hour.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Honda XR 250 Tornado or Kawasaki KLR 650 hire
9 nights in hotels and lodges with breakfast
Local motorcycle guides and a support vehicle
Machu Picchu entry and the Hidroeléctrica — Aguas Calientes train
The Cusco tourist ticket for Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Moray
Oxygen in the support vehicle
Four group dinners
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Fuel
Lunches and remaining dinners
The Huayna Picchu climb
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
A category A licence and at least 8,000 km, preferably with some dirt-road experience. Altitude matters more than technique: Ivan issues an acclimatisation plan a week before departure and monitors the group each morning.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.