Road trips in Peru

Explore Peru’s diversity with a road trip adventure tour !

Machu Picchu and mountains are what many people think of when it comes to Peru, especially for Peru tours, but there is much more to see and do while in this South American nation. A large portion of the country is dominated by the Andes Mountains, but Peru’s western border is the Pacific Ocean, which strongly influences the climate, cuisine, and culture. Peru’s culture is built on a complex mixture of indigenous peoples and Spanish colonialism. This diversity results in a wide array of options for Peru adventure tours. There will be no lack of excitement during your Peruvian road trip.

Peru vacation packages might include wildlife viewing, adventure sports like rafting and zip lining, gastronomy, trekking, or any number of other options. Obviously, the ancient Incan mountaintop city of Machu Picchu is a very trendy destination, and some choose to do the multi-day hike along the Inca Trail to reach it. A few major destinations are Lima, which is Peru’s capital and a major metropolitan city; Cusco, home to a large indigenous population; Chiclayo, the lively coastal city; and Iquitos which sits well off the beaten path and cannot be reached by road. Whether you want to explore rugged backroads in a 4×4 or on a motorbike, or simply see the sights on a more relaxed road trip, Planet Ride offers something for everyone.

Among several aspects of its culture, Peru is quite renowned for its cuisine and fine dining! It has been influenced over time by various nations and indigenous peoples and ranges from hearty traditional fare to upscale, world-renowned, fine dining. You’ll find the potato featured in many dishes, seeing as it is a traditional Andean staple and there are several thousand different species of them grown in Peru! Papa rellena and aji de gallina are a few typical dishes that incorporate potatoes. If you’re a little more adventurous while in the Andes, consider trying “cuy” which is guinea pig. Peru is stocked with several ultra-sweet desserts, from arroz con leche to picarones with chancaca, that you need to try at least once.

Arriving in Peru won’t require a visa for most North American and European visitors, who can stay for up to 180 days. Upon entering the country and passing through immigration, you will receive an official document that MUST be kept with your passport and displayed upon your departure; do not lose it! Unless you are traveling overland from a neighboring country, your Peru adventure tours will begin in Lima at the Jorge Chavez International Airport, which receives frequent flights from all over the world. There isn’t necessarily a single best time of the year to visit Peru, as it will depend on where you plan to travel within the country. The geographic diversity leads to numerous different climates that fluctuate with altitude and time of year. Generally, the coastal areas remain more moderate throughout the year. Regardless of when and where you visit, remember Peru resides in the southern hemisphere!

There are a few essential things to know when visiting Peru. First, ensure you have all of the necessary vaccinations. Depending on your current medical status and intended destinations, you may need vaccines for everything from Hepatitis to Yellow Fever. Malaria medication is also strongly recommended. Next, be sure to have some means of purifying water, as Peru’s tap water is not always safe to drink, especially in rural areas. Make sure to bring some antibiotics in case you do ingest some unclean water and get sick. Coca tea, which is made from the leaves of the coca plant is perfectly legal in Peru, but the possession of the leaves is illegal in several neighboring countries since cocaine is a refined product of the coca plant. Beyond these items, use common sense, travel in groups, and avoid the bad parts of town.

What Planet Ride offers for Peru adventure tours

Planet Ride currently offers a variety of Peru tours. Whether you want an adrenaline-filled 4×4 or motorcycle tour, or a more relaxed road trip, we have Peru vacation packages for every vehicle interest and level of experience. We also feature a variety of trip durations to fit different holiday schedules. You can ride as little as five days or as many as 21! These trips are offered on fixed dates where you’ll join a group, or sometimes as custom trips where you can choose your trip dates and travel partners.

Regardless of which tour you choose, we’ll connect you with one of our expert local guides. We work with only the best guides to ensure you have a top-notch experience. These guides specialize in the culture of the country and the vehicles which you’ll ride. They’ll help you with everything from navigating the local customs and traffic laws to basic maintenance on your vehicle and everything in between.

One example of a current tour is our 5-day motorbike trek through the Valley of Condors in the Andes mountains. You’ll ride 900+ kilometers through spectacular high-altitude Andean landscapes. These include the nature reserve of Pampas Galeras, Mayobamba and its historic central square, pink flamingos at the Parinacocha Lagoon, and the shores of Puerto Inca. A longer motorbike option would be a 3-week tour that includes 3,200 kilometers of riding and allows you a more profound experience of Peruvian culture. The itinerary for this adventure includes visits to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the cities of Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco. You’ll mount up on a Kawasaki KLR650 to carve mountain turns, explore rutted dirt backroads, and even a little paved city riding. Along the way, you’ll get to view the UNESCO World Heritage geoglyphs of the Nasca Lines, stand on the shores of the world’s highest altitude lake, learn about indigenous cultures with a visit to the floating islands of Puno, stand atop the dizzying heights of Machu Picchu, and much more.

Another one of our Peru adventure tours is a 13-day road trip by 4×4. You’ll spend those days traversing an incredible route through the ancient Incan world, either with our adept local guide or entirely on your own. After arriving in Arequipa, which is home to several buildings designed by the famed Gustave Eiffel, you’ll pick up your Toyota Hilux truck and prepare to set out! Destinations include Lake Titicaca, the Uros floating islands, Aquas Calientes, Machu Picchu, the unique salt pools of the Salinas de Maras, and many more amazing sights. From here, you have the option to head home or add an extension to your trip with an excursion into the Amazon during which you’ll experience plentiful wildlife, a rubber harvest, and a visit with the Machiguenga indigenous group.