Our Tours.
Machu Picchu: Time Warp to the Inca Empire - Chile, Peru, Bolivia
This adventurous 3 week motorbike tour takes you across the picturesque Andes of Northern Argentina and Chile, Southern Peru and Western Bolivia and is packed with places of interest:
be dazzled by the seemingly infinite white and glistening salt flats, admire the majestic volcanoes and the famous inca ruins of Machu Picchu, discover pre-inca ruins, isolated towns and much more. A chance to visit the cities of Cuzco, La Paz and Lake Titicaca as well.
An enjoyable journey across the solitary Andes!
This trip can be done in a 4 x 4 off road vehicle, too!
Day 1
You will be picked up at the airport in Salta and brought in the Hotel from where the tour starts next day. After an introduction to the bikes and the tour and some general information about Salta, you have the rest of the day at your free disposal.
Day 2
A winding road across a woody landscape takes us to the city of Jujuy. From here, the road leads into the picturesque valley of Quebrada de Humahuaca, which has been declared a natural and cultural heritage site by UNESCO thanks to is impressive landscapes and rich culture.
We will have lunch in the traditional town of Purmamarca before continuing to climb La Cuesta de Lipán, a pass which takes us to 4180m above sea level where we'll find the plains of La Puna and the salt flats of Salinas Grandes. We will spend our first night in Susques.
Day 3
After crossing the Argentinean Puna which is more than 4500m above sea level, we arrive in Chile and the town of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis at the foot of Licanbur Volcano (5930m above sea-level) situated in the driest desert on earth: the Atacama desert.
We'll watch the sunset in the Valle de la Luna.
Day 4
We will leave early to start the journey across the desert, passing Chuquicamata, the biggest copper mine in the world, before dropping to sea level and arriving at the city of Tocopilla on the Pacific Coast. On a winding motorway, we will border the coast until we reach the beach town of Iquique.
Day 5
We move away from the coast to head up into the desert and continue our journey towards the north crossing 3 deep valleys. In the northernmost city of Chile, Arica, we will have lunch before crossing the border into Peru. We will spend the night in Tacna.
Tour details
Duration:
20 days / 19 nights
Distance:
about. 5000km, 5% gravel roads
Route:
Participants:
4 - 10 riders
Dates:
please see our tour calender
Level of experience:
The trip is suitable for any experienced motor-biker with some basic off-road experience. People having lung, heart or blood circulation problems should consult their doctor for the altitude.
Prices
| on BMW F650 GS: | 8400 US$ |
| on BMW F800 GS: | 8800 US$ |
| on BMW R1200GS: | 9200 US$ |
| on BMW R1200 Adv.: | 9600 US$ |
| pillion/passenger: | 4600 US$ |
| single room surcharge: | 1000 US$ |
Climate & Season
The Atacama desert is the driest region in the world. The climate of the Bolivian and Peruvian Altiplano is know for having a prolonged dry season but also periods of rain. We try and plan our trips for during the dry period but rain is always possible. The dry season in this región is in northern winter, and so low temperatures can be expected, especially at night.
Day 6
Now in the zone of the Clemesi desert in Peruvian territory, we will continue in the direction of the beautiful city of Arequipa, also known as the White City.
Day 7
Leaving Arequipa in the afternoon, we will skirt the Misti Volcano and Nevado Chachani and reach the impressive Colca Canyon.
Day 8
Early in the morning we co to the deepest part of the Colca Canyon to watch the Condor families from close up. They leave with the winds in the morning and pass the lookout points at a distance of only several tens of meters, it's a stunning experience to watch these huge birds sail along. We then carry on through the mountains to get to the main road that leads to Cuzco. Overnight stay in Juliaca.
Day 9
On the way to Cuzco the center of the ancient Inca Kingdom, there are various temples and ruins to visit, of which the most interesting is probably the Viracocha Temple Raqchi, the Incan Ruins of Pikillagta and Tipón and the irrigation systems and Gardens of O'engo.
Day 10
This day will be at leisure for visting the centre of Cuzco and the surrounding area, with its Spanish churches and Inca temples.
Day 11
Today is the awaited visit to Machu Picchu, the spiritual centre of the ancient Inca reign. We will start the trip by train, zig-zagging upwards to gain height and then continuing the journey through the ruins of Ollantaytambo and alongside the River Urubamba until reaching the town of Aguas Calientes. From there we will take a bus up to the impressive ruins of Machu Picchu, elegantly situated on a hill and in between majestic mountains. After visiting the ruins, we will return to Cuzco by train.
Day 12
We leave behind the furthest point of our trip and head in the direction of Bolivia. We head through the valleys and planes of La Cordillera de Vilcanota, passing Sicuani, crossing the Abra La Raya, before reaching Juliaca and finally the city of Puno where we spend the night. Near here live the Uru in their floating islands which we can visit if we get there on time.
Day 13
Skirting Lake Titicaca, we travel towards the border with Bolivia and stay in the town of Copacabana on the shores of lake Titicaca. The afternoon is at leisure to stroll around and visit the town.
Day 14
The winding road takes us to an adventurous ferry crossing over lake Titicaca, then we head towards La Paz and descend from El Alto into the centre of the highest capital city in the world.
Day 15
Over the plains and through colourful mountains ride takes us on a twisting tarmac road to Potosí, a mining town famous throughout Spanish colonial times, for its legendary mountain Cerro Rico "The Rich Mountain".
Day 16
We take the morning to ride to the Saltflats through the stunning Bolivian mountains. The rest of the day is the big salt-lake experience, as we drive across the seemingly endless Salar de Uyuni. Be dazzled by the unearthly lights and bizarre salt formations, and enjoy the easy ride on the almost endless plains of this white sea of salt! Take a break on the Isla del Pescador, a rocky island overgrown with cactuses which rises from the middle of the massive whiteness. We ride back to the salt procuding town of Colchani, where we stay in a stunningly beautiful hotel built entirely of salt.
Day 17
We ride back to Potosí to visit the "Cerro Rico" silver mines or the "Casa de la Moneda" museum in the afternoon.
Day 18
After journeying through mountainous landscapes, we arrive at Tupiza and we continue the trip towards La Quiaca where we cross the border with Argentina and spend the night.
Day 19
We leave behind the plains of the Argentinean Puna and travelling though la Quebrada de Humahuaca we pass the charming town of Humahuaca, the Tropic of Capricorn and the historic site of Hornillos. The winding cornice route finally brings us back to Salta where we end the journey with a well deserved asado on courtesy of Horizonte Tours.
Day 20
We will bring you to the airport to catch your flight. You will take awesome impressions, great memories and a Horizonte present with you on your way back home.
Note: The tour operator reserves himself to make changes or adjustments to the itinerary at any time.
Adventure Northwest Argentina