Here are some photos from our April Compass Expeditions – Atacama to Machu Picchu Motorbike tour, courtesy of Rob and Lynda Hargreaves. There are some fantastic shots in here taken as the tour rode through some of the most spectacular scenery on earth for a motorbike ride.

The journey started with the gateway to the highest and driest desert in the world, San Pedro de Atacama and passed through this dreamy moonscape up to the amazing Bolivian Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) where you are able to see the curvature of the planet. From there we explore the Bolivian Altiplano weaving our way through history to La Paz and then onwards across the border to Peru.

Lake Titicaca is a feature that is a key part of the geology of the high Andean plateau and the people that live up here are colourful and friendly descendants of the Aymara and Quechuan cultures. The floating islands of Uros are constructed over many years and form a part of the life of the lake as do the boats which are again constructed using this fast growing resource. It is said that the Inca civilization began in the Andes when a leader from the Isla del Sol in Bolivia left to find a new home for his people. He carried a staff and occasionally stopped to push the staff into the ground to check how far it would sink. When he arrived in Cuzco he was able to sink his staff in a fair distance so decided that it was a good place to locate his new city and empire.

Today the buildings, history and legacy of the Inca Civilisation is evident and able to be explored. One of the most fantastic ways to do this is from the back of a motorcycle. Whilst others explore the area as part of a large group in a bus, the option of riding a motorcycle gives you the freedom to get away from the main areas, stop and speak with the locals, take photos and explore the way you want. This land was designed for long distance motorcycle adventure.

What better way to end this motorbike tour than a visit to Machu Picchu!! The citadel hidden in the mountains and one of the new seven wonders of the world!! Let us know what you think and check our other South American Motorcycle Tours at the link below…..and remember now is the best time of year to explore the Andes due to it being the dry season!!! Click to go to our Atacama to Machu Picchu tour