Explore the South Peruvian coast from Ica to Nasca in a way few are privilleged to experience on this riding holiday. Discover on a 7 day trail the diverse landscape and archaeological treasures including the famous Nasca lines.
You will ride smooth Peruvian Paso horses from the best ranches in the region on a route from Ocucaje to Cahuachi, which is the biggest mud brick site from the South coast. Completely off the beaten track you are immersed in the authentic Peru and its traditions. On the route to the cradle of Paracas and Nasca ancient civilizations you are surrounded by desert pampas, riding from one oasis to the next fertile valley and to the Pacific Ocean. Our accommodation comprises comfortable hotels and five nights camping in remote locations.
Day 1
Arrive in Lima. Private transport Lima airport-Lima hotel. Dinner with the guide. Visit of Las Fuentes. 1 night in hotel, in double room***
Day 2 Private transport then public bus Lima-Ica (from 5 to 6 hours). Departure at 6.30 a.m. from Lima.
When we arrive in Ica 400km south of Lima our guide is waiting for us. We then head to the hacienda and spend the day at the Criadero where you have the opportunity to become familiar with the horses. The whole day which includes a Pachamanca (traditional Inca meal) and a Marinera (Peruvian Paso horse dance) is dedicated to the Peruvian Paso horse and its traditions. You learn how to harness your horses according to ancestral custom. You ride stallions, mares and geldings in order for you to find the horse that best fits your level and personality. Professional ¨chalanes¨ (trainers) will have the pleasure to introduce you to the Peruvian horsemanship. Night in hotel.
Day 3 Callango - Chiquerillo 5 to 6 hour ride
After breakfast, we leave for our first day of ride following the Ica valley southwards. After crossing the Chiquerillo Canyon and its amazing pinkinsh, bluish and gold yellow sandy areas, we arrive at La Bruja Hill to discover Miocene (12 million years old) gigantic vertebrate fossils. These paleontological treasures stand up on the hills in the middle of the pampa and there are usually out of reach for travellers due to their special location. After the visit, night in camp.
Day 4 Callango – Samaca Chico 5 to 6 hour ride
After breakfast, we ride down to Ullujaya/Samaca Chico along the Ica river, through wonderful pampas and precipitous mountain lined sandy areas. We spend the night in camp in a oasis near Samaca Chico.
Day 5 Samaca Chico - Boca del Río 3 to 4 hour ride
We ride from Samaca Chico to Boca del Río, located near the Pacific Ocean where the Ica River discharges its waters coming from the Andes Cordillera. After having ridden across huarangos, espinos and other coastal trees, we reach a long and wide wild beach, ecological nest to thousands of sea birds. The afternoon allows you to enjoy the beach and its diversified fauna. Night in camp.
Day 6 Boca del Rio - Montegrande 5 to 6 hour ride
After breakfast, we ride 10 kms of yellow dune beach until Puerto Caballa, a fishermen village and old harbour. Once we leave the ocean behind and pass over high pampas, we get to a cliff overhanging the verdant valley of the Rio Grande where we spend the night.
Day 7 Montegrande - Coyungo 4 to 5 hour ride
We go up north east of the Rio Grande Valley to enter the depths of a huge canyon, surrounded by multicolour rocks. After lunch, we follow the river along old Inca, Paracas and Nasca cemeteries until Coyungo where the camp will have been settled.
Day 8 Coyungo - Cahuachi - Nasca 6 to 7 hour ride
In the morning, we reach the Rio Nasca Valley, one of the Rio Grande basin’s 10 tributaries. This is also the territory of ancient Nasca civilization. We cross the mountains that part both valleys following an old Inca path that links the ocean to the land. This path was used in the past by the chaskis (Inca empire messengers). We ride along Nasca Valley, its chacras, its pampas, its huarango forests (coastal tree) and its famous lines until we get to Cahuachi, Nasca´s great ceremonial site, the biggest in the Southern coast entirely built with mud bricks.
Thanks to the ongoing excavation project, you enjoy the restored Great Pyramid and, depending on the moment, you may have the chance to see archeologists at work. After the visit, we join the camp where we leave the horses.
You are then transferred to Nasca where we spend the night in your hotel .
Day 9 Nasca
After breakfast, you fly over the mysterious Nasca lines, which belong to Unesco´ s worldwide patrimony. We have our last lunch before taking private transport then public bus Nasca-Lima (from 7 to 8 hours). Arrive at 10/11 p.m. in Lima. Dinner with guide. 1 night in hotel in Lima in double room***
Day 10 After breakfast transfer to airport.
All itineraries are for guidance only and may be altered due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All transfers, accommodation (4 nights hotel and 5 nights camping), food and drinks from Ica to Nasca, multi lingual guide specialsed in the region, all horses and tack, camp team and flight over the Nasca Lines.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flight from UK to Lima, meals in Lima, tips and items of a personal nature.
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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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