Itinerary

Peru Tour 2008

Itinerary

Monday, May 19, 2008
Day One:
Arrive in Arica, Chile.
Welcome to the Atacama Desert, one of the driest inhabited places on Earth. The tour begins in Arica, located in northern Chile and is known as “The Town of Eternal Spring”. This port city, with its tropical latitute, mild climate, miles of seashore, golden sand dunes, duty-free shopping, and lively nightlife has become a popular tourist destination. Welcome dinner in the evening.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Day Two:
Bike pick-up and day ride in Arica, Chile.
Get ready for the adventure! Imagine climbing 11,000 feet in 70 miles! We’ll pick up the bikes, go through orientation, convert money, check out the town, and take a half-day ride into the Andes.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Day Three:
(135 miles)
Arica, Chile, to Moquegua, Peru.
Leaving Arica, we’ll head to the border of Peru. Here we’ll discover the many intricacies of border crossings in South America. You’ll also get a chance to sample “pisco,” the national grape drink coveted by locals. Our route follows the Pan-American Highway on magnificently manicured roads through the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth (100 times more arid than Death Valley), to the lush oasis valley town of Moquegua. Surreal riding.

Thursday, May 22, 2008
Day Four:
(135 miles)
Moquegua to Arequipa.
Enjoy world-class twisties all day as we climb into the Andes to Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city. Affectionately called “The White City”, and nestled between two glaciated volcanoes, Arequipa is distinguished by a unique architectural style of Spanish colonial-era mansions, temples, convents, and churches built of sillar, a white volcanic rock. It also home to some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.

Friday, May 23, 2008
Day Five:
Free Day in Arequipa/Day Ride to Colca Canyon.
Walk the streets of Arequipa, and explore the colonial city center’s plazas, cathedrals, shops, and museums or ride to Colca Canyon, the world’s second deepest canyon — almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon — where you’ll discover beautiful, unspoiled Andean villages with many traditional pre-Incan agricultural stepped terraces.

Saturday, May 24, 2008
Day Six:
(116 miles)
Arequipa to La Central.
Ride spectacular, sweeping curves out of the Andes where we’ll drop almost 2,000 feet into one of the deepest canyons in the world. We’ll settle to the bottom of the canyon to crystal clear waters to dine on the local delicacy, crawdads!

Sunday, May 25, 2008
Day Seven:
(215 miles)
La Central to Puerto Inca.
Ride to Puerto Inca on the PanAmerican Highway along the rugged Pacific Coast. This day is truly a riders’ dream come true: no traffic, epic ocean views, and great winding roads! We’ll have the road to ourselves, with no motorcyclists and very few cars. The scenery along this stretch is amazing. We might even get a glimpse of some sea lions!

Monday, May 26, 2008
Day Eight:
(105 miles)
Puero Inca to Nazca.
Continue along the Pacific Coast to Nazca, a dusty outpost in the San José desert. Nazca is home to one of the most mysterious archeological sites in the world, the Nazca Lines. Hundreds of huge figures – ranging in complexity from hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, and lizards – are etched into the dry desert. If enough are interested, we’ll do a fly-over or walk up man-made scaffoldings to get a better view.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Day Nine:
(223 miles)
Nazca to Chalhuanca.
Climb into the Andes on incredibly twisty roads and ascend and descend over 20,000 feet before lunch. Witness superb mountain views. We’ll also ride by tiny indigenous towns and see herds of llamas on bright green pastures. One of the best days of riding – anywhere. We’ll stay overnight near a pristine trout river.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Day Ten:
(210 miles)
Chalhuanca to Ollantaytambo.
“Amazing” doesn’t do this area justice. Today we’ll ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas to a town rich in Incan history. Ollantaytambo is the location where the Incas retreated after the Spanish took Cuzco, and much of the town is a showcase of Incan architecture. We’ll also be riding on a brand new road, freshly paved by order of the Peru’s president.

Thursday, May 29, 2008
Day Eleven:
Machu Pichu.
No visit to Peru would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. We’ll ride the train from Ollantytambo to Aguas Calientes, and explore the ruins of this ancient Incan city. Recently named one of the Seven Wonders of the World and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, these remarkable ruins, hidden high up in the mountains of Peru, were missed by the Spanish conquistadors and rediscovered in 1911. (Entrance fees are included in the price of the tour.)

Friday, May 30, 2008
Day Twelve:
(37 miles)
Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
We’ll continue back through the Sacred Valley of the Incas on a short ride to the historic capital of the Incan empire, Cusco. This lively town is very motorcycle friendly. Much to do and see. We’ll visit the famous Norton Rat’s Tavern, a must-stop-in for motorcyclists, where a steady stream of world travellers and locals hang out. Best burgers in town!

Saturday, May 31, 2008
Day Thirteen:
Free Day in Cusco/Day Ride.
We’ll explore Cusco with its up and down streets, beautiful stonework, and discover the juxtaposition of Incan architecture, both ancient and modern: the fabled “wall of many angles”, colonial red roofs, whitewashed walls and blue doors and windows. Take the time to see and explore the many ruins, churches and museums or ride the surrounding area through the Andes mountains past ancient Incan ceremonial sites.

Sunday, June 1, 2008
Day Fourteen:
(240 miles)
Cusco to Puno.
We’ll ride all day through the Andes, ending at the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Puno rests at the edge of the lake and is surrounded by over 40 floating islands.

Monday, June 2, 2008
Day Fifteen:
(275 miles)
Puno to Moquegua.
Ride on winding roads along the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable body of water. We’ll climb to 15,600 feet, and descend into the Atacama Desert to the welcoming oasis town of Moquegua.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Day Sixteen:
(135 miles)
Moquegua, Peru, to Arica, Chile.
Ride back across the Peruvian border to the outerworldy landscape of Arica, Chile. Farewell Dinner and a chance to reflect on our journey and say our goodbyes.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Day Seventeen:
Departure Day.