See Peru in a way few are privileged to experience. By day, explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas on horses descended from the steeds of the Conquistadors. By night, enjoy the luxury and comfort of the finest hotels in Peru. On this riding holiday, we stay four nights camping at comfortable mountain camps near Inca sites. You will ride on our spirited Peruvian Paso horses, famous for their velvet smooth gait. You will pass through mountain villages where all the residents will watch in awe as you ride by on these beautiful animals, the sounds of their hooves echoing on the cobblestone roads. This exclusive ride is more than an unforgettable riding experience in the Andes. It combines culture, history and adventure with fine Peruvian cuisine, comfortable mountain camps, and charming hotels.
No supplement if rider is willing to share and a sharer can be found.
2010 horse show extension: £48
2010: £365/€409/$559
SAMPLE ITINERARY - LUXURY SACRED VALLEY
Day 1 Arrive in Lima. Upon arrival at Lima International Airport (Jorges Chavez) make your way to the Hotel Costa del Sol which is located just outside of the exit hall of arrivals. Upon check in riders will receive a reservation code (electronic ticket) for their early morning flight to Cusco on day 2.
Day 2
Make your way back to the airport to check-in (without assisstance) for your internal flight to Cusco.
The spectacular one-hour flight over the Andes arrives midmorning in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco (altitude 3338 m / 10,952 ft). From here it is a one-hour drive to the hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The charming hotel is perfectly located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, between Cusco and Machu Picchu, and only 5 km from the stables. We will have the opportunity to stop for a cup of coffee or coca tea, which helps to combat altitude sickness.
Once you have settled at the hotel we will bring you to our stables where your horse riding holiday really gets underway. You will have an opportunity to become familiar with our beautiful Peruvian Paso horses and the traditional Peruvian riding gear. This is a time for relaxing, as it can take a while to become acclimatised to the altitude. During a lunchtime barbecue at the ranch, we will introduce our staff. In the afternoon, there will be a demonstration of the classic Peruvian equitation by the owner, followed by basic riding instructions. Before dinner we will get together for an informal briefing about the ride, safety instructions and the horses. Dinner is at the ranch. You overnight in one of the private cottages at the Kuychi Rumi Lodge in the Sacred Valley
Day 3
Today is a day to relax and enjoy being on holiday, while you acclimatize to the altitude before the ride begins in earnest. Around 9:30 AM we take the short drive to Ollantaytambo where we visit the ruins and village. According to legend, Ollantaytambo is named for a rebellious chieftain, Ollantay, who took up arms against his sovereign, the Inca Pachacuti, in pursuit of his forbidden love for the Inca's daughter, Nusta Cosi Collyu. Historical records tell us the site was actually a royal estate of Pachacuti, the Inca responsible for the Empire's most expansive growth. This would account for the fine stonework throughout the site, and the quality, abundance and scale of the ceremonial architecture. Although not designed as a citadel when it was built in the 1460s, Manco Inca successfully defended Ollantaytambo against Hernando Pizarro in 1537.
The village of Ollantaytambo is the only inhabited settlement that has survived much as the Incas laid it out. Its streets form a grid pattern, with many people still living in the original Inca canchas, blocks of multi-family homes sharing a large courtyard. Lunch at the ranch around 1 PM. After lunch we continue our riding course in classic Peruvian equitation in the safety of our round pen and match riders to their mounts. If time allows we will do a short ride in the valley to make you more confident with your horse.Dinner at the ranch. Overnight in one of the cottages at Kuychi Rumi.
Day 4
Our ride begins around 9:30 AM, after a leisurely breakfast. We mount our horses and set off in the direction of Yanahuara. We cross the Urubamba River and pass Pichingote, an old Andean village where the houses are partially built into caves; then on to the Salinas. Here we see salt pans from the Inca period still in use by the locals to extract salt from the mountain spring water. The salt pans consist of a series of platforms where the salty water is channeled through an impressive irrigation system and left to evaporate in the sun. Take plenty of film to capture this unique sight.
We climb with the horses almost 1000 m (3,281 ft.) to reach the Andean altiplano. This climb takes about two hours, and will be at an easy pace because the change of altitude affects riders and horses alike. Once at 3700 m (12,140 ft.), we will be surrounded by stunning scenery and the snowcapped mountains of Chicon, Veronica and Pitusuray. We continue our ride to Maras, a typical Andean village with a beautiful 400-year-old colonial church, where we meet the llamas and Quechua porters with our picnic lunch. After lunch we will visit the church of Maras, one of the ten oldest churches in South America and built just after the Conquest. From Maras we follow primitive trails across the altiplano to visit the ruins of Cheqoq. At Cheqoq, the Incas constructed fascinating cold-storage depots (pre-Hispanic refrigerators) to conserve the agricultural products of the region. Cooling of the products was achieved by using a genius system of underground air-circulation.
From Cheqoq we continue our ride to the beautiful churchyard of Tiobamba, arriving at around 3:00 pm, where we leave our horses with our grooms. Our back-up van will bring you back to your cottage at the Kuychi Rumi Lodge. In the late afternoon we visit the ceramic workshop of Pablo Seminario, a famous local artist.
After a welcome shower and some rest we’ll have dinner at one of Urubamba’s famous local restaurants or at the ranch.
Riding time: 4 hours. Altitude: 2800 - 3700 m/9,180 - 12,140 ft.
Day 5
After a filling breakfast, our van will pick you up to transfer you back to Tiobamba, where our horses are waiting. We follow primitive trails across the altiplano. The scenery is spectacular with snowcapped mountains, wildflowers and beautiful mountain lakes. We will meet smiling Quechua children with their herds of sheep or cattle and see campesinos plowing their fields in the traditional way, oxen hitched to a wooden plow. We may even share a chicha (their traditional maize drink) with them. We will follow the trail to Chinchero where our Quechua porters and llamas are awaiting us with our picnic lunch.
On a clear day the views from Chinchero are tremendous; to the west and northwest stretches a vista of rolling altiplano, ringed in the distance by the dramatic snowcapped peaks of the Cordilleras Vilcabamba and Urubamba. After lunch we take some time to visit the ruins of Chinchero. The main square of the town is famous for its massive Inca wall, set with ten of the largest trapezoidal niches known among Inca structures. This was probably the base wall of a palace - perhaps that of Topa Inca - that once overlooked the square. At Chinchero we will also visit a textile workshop where we will see an impressive demonstration of ancient techniques of spinning, dying and weaving. The beautiful weavings are still made as in the time of the Incas. In the afternoon we continue our ride and arrive around 4:30 PM at Lake Piuray where we leave our horses with our grooms. Our back-up van will bring you back to your cottage at the Kuychi Rumi Lodge in the Sacred Valley.
We dine again at one of Urubamba’s famous local restaurant or at the ranch.
Riding time: 5 hours. Altitude: 3700 - 3800 m/12,140 - 12,470 ft.
Day 6
After breakfast, our van will pick you up to transfer you back to the horses at Lake Piuray. From Lago Piuray we crisscross through the rough and sturdy Andean landscape, passing remote Quechua communities, herder's huts and small farms called chacras. Today is one of the most beautiful riding days. We will travel a cobblestone-paved section of the network of Inca roads called the Capac Ñan, and enjoy beautiful vistas as we climb to an altitude of 4000 m/13,125 ft. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, with impressive views of the many mountains and the altiplano. We will pass many Inca ruins, such as an ancient Inca aqueduct and Inca irrigation channels.
Today some technical riding is required as we will cross some difficult gorges along the trail. It is not a dangerous ride, but some uphill canters are necessary. Our hardy, sure-footed mounts will be well up to the task. After a hard day's ride following old Inca trails, we arrive around 4:30 PM at the historic city of Cusco, the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America and the former capital of the great Inca Empire. The Incas called their empire Tahuantinsuyu, "The Four Quarters of the Earth." Cusco, meaning "the Navel of the World," was the center of Tahuantinsuyu; its main square, the Huacapata (today's Plaza de Armas), marked the heart of Cusco and of the Inca Empire.
Dinner in Cusco. We will stay at the comfortable Hotel Libertador (5-star), or at the Hotel Novotel (5-star), both located just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. If you still have energy you can explore Cusco's legendary nightlife.
Riding time: 6 hours. Altitude: 3800 - 4000 m/12,470 - 13,125 ft
Day 7
Relax; today is yours to spend as you wish. You can visit the numerous ruins, churches, cathedrals and museums of Cusco, do some shopping, or just relax in one of the many coffee shops, restaurants, or bars. Some may opt for a one-day rafting adventure on the Urubamba River. The evenings in Cusco are full of exciting nightlife.
According to Inca legend, Cusco was founded around 1200 AD by Manco Capac and Mama Occlo. Manco Capac selected the site when the golden staff given to him by his father, the Sun, sank into the earth and disappeared. Each Inca emperor built his own palace and compound during his reign. The Spanish initially tried to raze the Inca buildings to the ground, but soon realized that because of their quality construction, it was easier to reuse the Inca foundations for their own buildings. For this reason, you can still see many of the original Inca walls throughout Cusco.
Cusco today is a vibrant city of some three hundred thousand, the vast majority of whom are native Quechua Indians. Despite being a major tourist destination, both for its own treasures and as a staging point for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, Cusco has managed to hold on to its own distinct flavor. It retains a natural charm that is irresistible.
Day 8
After breakfast we will continue our expedition, visiting more mysterious places along old Inca trails. Today's ride will take us through open country with spectacular views providing another memorable riding day in the Andes. The horses are waiting for us just outside Cusco at Sacsayhuamán. We start by following a footpath leading north. After climbing gently for about 450 m (1,480 ft.) we see a stone-lined Inca irrigation channel which parallels the trail for about 800 m (2,625 ft.). Ascending a steep and narrow valley, we reach a pass at 4350 m (14,275 ft.), and enjoy the view of the small, shallow Lake Quellacocha. This is the highest point of our ride. A group of stone corrals lies beyond the lake and in clear weather the peak of Sawasiray is visible. We descend the high trail around the north end of the lake and ascend eastward to Lake Qoricocha, where we arrive at our campsite around 4 PM. Herds of llamas and alpacas can be seen grazing around us.
The people of Q'enco will be waiting to welcome us at our campsite with traditional folk dances, music and a meal of Guinea pigs. They are very friendly, hardworking farmers who grow potatoes. They seldom see tourists here. Q'enco is one of the communities we support. Our projects here included building a greenhouse, installing playground equipment, and distributing school supplies. You will have the opportunity to buy some fine weavings made locally.
Dinner and overnight at our campsite near Lake Qoricocha.
Riding time: 5-6 hours.
Altitude: 3400 - 4350 m/11,150 - 14,270 ft.
Day 9
From Lago Qoricocha we ride northeast in the direction of the Sacred Valley. The scenery en route is absolutely spectacular and we will have plenty of breaks to soak up the atmosphere before the descent into the valley.
We ride down to the village of Umaspampa and from there to the village of Cuper Alto and Cuper Bajo, arriving in the early afternoon at Chinchero, where we have lunch. From Chinchero we ride across the altiplano, another 3-4 hours along spectacular trails to Lake Huaypo, where we will find our last campsite.
Dinner and overnight at our campsite near Lake Huaypo.
Riding time: 6-7 hours.
Altitude: 4300 - 3600 m/14,110 - 11,800 ft.
Day 10
After breakfast we leave for our last day with the horses, and follow an interesting trail towards Huarocondo. After about 3 hours riding we arrive again at the village of Maras. From Maras we will continue our ride to the agricultural terraces of Moray. Hundreds of years ago, people in this region took four huge natural depressions in the landscape and sculpted them into multilevel agricultural terraces that served as an experimental agricultural station for the development of different crop strains. This was possible due to a remarkable phenomenon: the climates of several different ecological zones were present at a single site. In the thirty or so meters of altitude between the bottom and top levels of Moray's main depression, scientist John Earls has recorded a full 15 degrees Celsius (59 deg. F) difference in temperature. That is equal to the difference between the mean annual temperatures of London and Bombay. It is possible that Moray played a key role in the original transformation of maize into a high-altitude crop. There are no great ruined structures in Moray to impress; it is more for the contemplative traveler with an affinity for such phenomena as the Nazca Lines, the stone rings of Avebury and the menhirs of Brittany.
After lunch we complete our descent into the Sacred Valley, arriving at the ranch at around 4:30 PM where we celebrate our return with a traditional Pisco Sour. We have dinner at the ranch and take the last opportunity to say good-bye to the staff and horses. Overnight at the comfortable Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection or the Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca in Yucay
Riding time: 6-7 hours.
Altitude: 3600 - 2800 m/11,800 - 9,180 ft.
Day 11 Our day starts early, as we catch the 7 AM train from Ollantaytambo to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The experience of visiting Machu Picchu is not limited to the ruins themselves; the train journey is one of the most spectacular in the world. The Vistadome train brings us to Macchu Picchu an hour before the main tourist train arrives from Cusco. Since its discovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu has captivated the hearts and minds of the modern world. Take plenty of film, this is every bit as magnificent as you have imagined.
In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo, arriving around 6:30 PM. Dinner at one of Urubamba’s famous restaurants, and a last chance to sample Pisco Sours. Overnight at the comfortable Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection or the Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca in Yucay.
Day 12
Early in the morning, transfer to the airport in Cusco for your flight to Lima. The driving time is one hour, followed by a one-hour flight, arriving in Lima at around 1 PM. The earliest possible departure time from Lima is 3 PM.
During the months of June, July and August we reserve the right to change the itinerary due to weather conditions and change 1 or 2 nights camping into hotel accommodation (no extra charge).
Additional Information It rains through the winter till March and the roads are too dangerous to ride on. In April there is still a chance of some rain but it is shorter and more refreshing. From then until June the mountains are all green and the weather is mild and not too cold at nightmaking it the perfect time for your riding holiday in the mountains. Starting in July but especially in August, it gets colder at night. The mountains turn to beautiful beige, brown and red autumn colours June to September is peak season noticeable mostly by the number of tourists in Cusco. October and November are also perfect for riding and dry. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Peruvian culture, but may not be right for those needing a great deal of privacy and time alone. Please note that many parts of South America are not smoke free. Laundry services are available in Cusco and Urubamba. A four-wheel-drive jeep will act as a back up vehicle to the tour.
All itineraries are for guidance only and may be altered due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
NOTES - LUXURY SACRED VALLEY
2010 Itinerary changes/extensions
Trail 19th-30th April
We offer an optional two-day trip extension starting on April 17th, which include a visit to the National Peruvian Horse show on Sunday 18th of April and a full-day guided tour of Lima’s main attractions on April 19th.
The National Peruvian Horse show:
Every year in April, the A.N.C.P.C.P.P. holds the National Peruvian Paso Horse Show that gathers breeders from all over Peru and diverse parts of the world. More than 1000 Peruvian Paso horses compete during this weeklong event. On April 18th, the final day of the competition, we will see the Grand parade of all the Champion horses. There will also be a contest of the ‘Marinera’, the "National Dance of Peru”, on horseback. The Marinera dance is an elegant, graceful and stylised reenactment of a courtship that uses handkerchiefs as props. The dance itself has gained a lot of recognition and is one of the most popular traditional dances of Peru.
During today’s competition the Marinera is danced with a Chalan (horseman) mounted on a Peruvian Paso (The horse dancing, and the Chalan directing it) and the female dancer dancing barefoot as well as both dancers mounted.
Itinerary of the two-day trip extension starting on 17th April:
Day 1 (April 17):
Arrive in Lima from your international flight. You will be met by our representative and transferred to the Hotel Ariosto in Miraflores. O/night at the Hotel Ariosto in Miraflores.
Day 2 (April 18): Visit to the National Horse show in Mamacona. Lunch and dinner on your own. O/night at the hotel Ariosto.
Day 3 (July 19): Full day city tour Lima with a lunch at one of Lima’s top restaurants, visit to the museum Larco Herrera & other highlights of Lima. Dinner on your own. o/night at the Hotel Ariosto.
Day 4. As day 2 of the regular itinerary.
See above for price. Included: transfer from your hotel to the show grounds of Mamacona and return on April 18, entrance fee. Full-day sightseeing tour of Lima on April 19 with private transport, English speaking guide and lunch at one of Lima’s famous restaurants. Two o/nights at the Hotel Ariosto.
Trail 28th May - 8th June During this ride you will witness some very special festivals and events Included in itinerary):
On June 3, your free day in Cuzco, you will enjoy the celebration of Corpus Christi.
In the afternoon of June 5 and/or 6, we will visit the festival of El Señor de Torrechayoc in Urubamba. We will make small adjustments on the regular riding itinerary on June 5 and/or 6 in order to have more time to visit the festival in the afternoon(s).
Due to the festival of El Señor de Torrechayoc there will be only one night of camping during this ride (day 8 of the itinerary)
El Señor de Torrechayoc: During the first week of June the town swells with dancers and visitors from local towns who perform through the streets. The festivities do not seem to stop as the local towns people celebrate well into the early hours).
Corpus Christi: Sixty days after the Sunday of Resurrection, Cuzco celebrates the Catholic festival of the Eucharist, the body of Christ. From the early hours of the morning, on the Thursday of Corpus Christi, tens of thousands of Cuzco residents gather in the main square to wait for the procession. Around mid-day the silver carriage bearing the image of the Holy Sacrament leaves the Cathedral to be carried around the Plaza de Armas in a colorful procession. On returning to the Cathedral it will again be the turn of the saints and virgins, decorated in all their finery, including finely embroidered robes and gold and silver jewelry.
Images include San Jeronimo, San Sebastian, and San Christopher. Legend has it that the teeth of the burly image of San Christopher are made from the teeth of Seri Topaz, one of the last Inca descendants.
Recommendation: due to the celebration of Corpus Christi in Cuzco on day 7 of our itinerary (our free day in Cuzco), we recommend our guests to add an extra day in Cuzco before or after the ride.
Trail 6th – 17th August
Includes a visit to the celebration of the ‘Mamacha Asunta’ (‘Virgen de La Asunción’ or ‘The Assumption of Mary’) in the village of Qoya (approx 10 miles from our ranch) on August 15 (included in itienrary).
The Celebration of “Mamacha Asunta”:
The Roman Catholic Church teaches as dogma that the Virgin Mary, "having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory." The Assumption is a major festival, celebrated on August 15. The Assumption is important to many Catholic and Orthodox Christians as the Virgin Mary's heavenly birthday (the day that Mary was received into Heaven).
See images of the festival of Mamacha Asunta in Qoya:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnzerm1dQmg&feature=related
Note: we will make small adjustments on the regular riding itinerary on August 15 (day 10 of the itinerary) in order to have more time to visit the festival in the afternoon.
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
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WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transfers to and from the airport in Lima, all meals and soft drinks (except in Lima, Machu Picchu and the free day in Cusco), guides, horses, tack, all trip gear and camping equipment (except sleeping bags), land travel, entrance fees to the ruins, train, bus and entrance fee to Machu Picchu and all accommodations (including 9 nights in hotels).
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
internal flight Lima-Cusco-Lima (About £160 at present), airport taxes, dinner in Lima on day 1, meals in Cusco on Day 7 and lunch at Machu Picchu on Day 11, alcoholic beverages, sleeping bags, gratuities, optional activities, personal expenditures and travel insurance.
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What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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