Peru - Luxury Sacred Valley

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from RK of Minneapolis on 16/10/2019

Updated Itinerary for 2024

Day 1
Guests are met on arrival at Cusco airport and transferred to the hotel near the centre of this historical city. Today it is important to rest and relax to help acclimatize to the altitude. There is no riding scheduled for today, but guests can walk around the city a little. Lunch and dinner are not included today. Overnight Hotel Costa del Sol (or similar)

Day 2
After breakfast, guests will be collected at 9:00am from the hotel and transferred to the accommodation in the Sacred Valley (1.5hr), where riders spend the next eight nights. After unpacking and freshening up, transfer to meet the horses. After a barbecue lunch there is a demonstration of classical Peruvian equitation to introduce the tack and style of riding. After evaluation, riders are matched with a horse according to their ability, weight, preference etc. Head out on a short ride in the Sacred Valley through the indigenous flora. Dinner is either at the ranch or at a local restaurant. Overnight Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca (or similar). Riding time +/-4 hours. Altitude 2,800m / 9,190 ft

Day 3
After breakfast, guests are transported to the ranch where the ride will set off. Cross the Urubamba River via a bridge and pass Pichingote before climbing to Salinas up a narrow track. Pass the salt pans from Inca times that are still being used to extract salt from the mountain spring water. The route climbs approx. 800 meters, to reach the Andean altiplano (2hrs). It is advisable to ride at a slow pace because the change of altitude. At 3,550 m riders can take in the stunning scenery and the snow-capped mountains of Chicon, Veronica and Pitusuray. Continue the ride to Maras, a typical Andean village with a beautiful 400-year-old colonial church, where a picnic lunch will be waiting. From Maras, visit the ruins of Cheqoq to see the original Incan cold storage system, built using wind tunnels to keep the area's produce fresh. The ride finishes late afternoon and the horses stay with the grooms at a campsite, while the group and transferred to the hotel by private car to freshen up before dinner at one of Urubamba's local restaurants ,or the ranch. Overnight at the Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca in the Sacred Valley (or similar). Riding time: 4 to 4,5 hours. Altitude: 2,800 - 3,550 m/9,190 - 11,650 ft.

Day 4
After breakfast, transfer to the horses. Today's route follows primitive trails across the altiplano, with snow-capped mountains, wildflowers and mountain lakes. Meet the locals along the way carrying out their daily tasks in the same way as their ancestors. A picnic lunch awaits riders just before reaching Chinchero. On a clear day, the views include the west and northwest stretches of rolling altiplano, and the distant snow-capped peaks of the Cordilleras Vilcabamba and Urubamba. After lunch, ride to Lake Piuray and continue north in the direction of Cusco along beautiful trails and the chance to meet a local family. Leave the horses with grooms at a campsite for the next two nights. If time allows, visit Chinchero's textile workshops for a demonstration of the ancient techniques of spinning, dying and weaving wool. These unique fabrics are still made in the traditional way. Items will be on sale for those looking for souvenirs. as they would have been in Inca times. Bring some money as you may want to purchase souvenirs. Enjoy dinner at the hotel (own account). Riding time: 4,5 to 5 hours. Altitude: 3,550-3,800 m / 11,650-12,470 ft.

Day 5
Today is a rest day for the horses and riders. Explore the Sacred Valley at one's own pace and convenience. Stroll through the local market and experience the colour, smell and sounds. Visit the legendary town of Ollantaytambo, a masterpiece of Inca architecture, with its amazing fortress. There are plenty of options of things to and spend an unforgettable day in the Sacred Valley is ensured. The driver is at the group's disposition and will take care of all needs, safety and transfers. All meals, except breakfast, are to riders own account. Overnight at the Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca in the Sacred Valley (or similar)

Day 6
After breakfast, transfer to the horses. Today’s route reaches the highest point of the ride and the weather can be unpredictable, so dress warmly. Ascend a steep and narrow valley to reach a pass at 4,150 m (13,600ft) with a view of Lake Q’oricocha. Herds of Llamas and Alpacas dot the landscape. Explore the area around the lake before heading eastward to meet the back-up team for lunch at Quellacocha lake. After lunch the ride heads northeast in the direction of the Sacred Valley. Descend from the altiplano into the valley of Umaspampa on a zig-zag trail for about two hours. Leave the horses with the grooms close to the village of Umasbamba and transfer back to the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant or at the ranch. Riding time: 5 to 6 hours. Altitude: between 3,800 – 4,290 m / 12,470 – 14,000 ft.

Day 7

Today's route allows for plenty of breaks and photo-stops while travelling through pristine scenery. From the village of Umaspampa, ride to the villages of Cuper Alto and Cuper Bajo, arriving in the early afternoon at a small lake near the village of Chinchero for lunch. Much of the riding today is along trails that that form part the Capac Ñan, the great Incan road system. This was one the greatest engineering feats ever undertaken in the New World, rivalling the Roman road system in the Old World. The 25,000 km network linked Cusco, the capital, to the empire’s far-flung domains. The road system reached almost all of the Andean territories, including Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. After lunch. ride to a small village not far from Maras where the horses will stay with the grooms. Transfer to the hotel for dinner. Riding time: approx. 5 to 6 hours. Altitude: 3,800 – 3,600 m/12,470 – 11,850 ft.

Day 8
Meet the horses after breakfast for the last riding day. On the way stop for a visit to the local market. Continue the ride along the old Inca road, past farmland and the small village of Santana before returning to Maras. Lunch is in the courtyard of an old abandoned house, compliments of the back-up team. Afterward, follow a scenic trail along the Urquillos Valley, arriving back at Pisco Sour. Riding time: 4 hours approx.. Altitude: 3,600 – 2,850 m /11,850 – 9,350 ft. Dinner at the ranch or at a local restaurant.

Day 9
Today the group visit Machu Picchu by train. Early pick-up from your hotel (6-6.30 am). 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. Before it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1983, the existence of the Inca citadel was almost unknown to the world. Since the 80s, visits to Machu Picchu have increased so much that it is now one of the favourite destinations for travellers. As of July 2017, the Peruvian government has established new regulations to preserve the facilities of this Wonder of the World. There are different entrance times: morning from 6 am to 12 am and afternoon from 12 pm to 5 am. The capacity of the Citadel is limited to 2,500 visitors per day, distributed in the two shifts mentioned. Because of the increase in tourism in Peru, tickets to Machu Picchu must be booked and reserved in advance. Tickets are booked for the afternoon shift and with the most convenient train schedule. Depending on availability at the time of booking, the group will travel on the luxurious Vistadome train service leaving from the Ollantaytambo train station in in the morning (a 30-minute drive from the hotel) and returning to the same station around 7 or 8 pm where the group will be picked up again by the driver. Stop at the ranch for dinner on the way to the hotel. Lunch is at own expense.

Day 10
After breakfast, morning transfer to Cusco airport for the flight to Lima. The driving time to the airport is around 1.5hr. Flights from Cusco to Lima takes approx 1hr 10min. Book return flight from Lima from 5pm onward.

The itinerary is flexible. Changes may occur due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

Please Note: Due to the popularity of Machu Picchu and the restricted access, late bookings cannot be guaranteed a ticket. We recommend booking this ride at least 3 months before departure for the best chance of getting tickets.

Additional Information
It rains through the winter until 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 night, making 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.

Please note we can arrange international flights with an overnight in Lima and internal flight to Cusco on request.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The horses are locally bred Peruvian Pasos. This breed dates back to the colonial era of Peru and originates from the Spanish Andalusians. A symbol of their historic and noble past, Peruvian Paso horses are bred for their grace, spirit, and intelligence. These horses like to amble, moving fore and hind limbs on the same side at the same time, unlike other equine races that typically move diagonal limbs at the same time.

During the ride you will experience travelling on horseback at the Paso Llano gait (4-beat lateral gait, between 8 to 10 Km. per hour). The horses are well cared for, strong, and even-tempered. The tack utilised is very traditional and demonstrates refined Peruvian craftsmanship. The hardwood hex stirrup and the guarnicion, or tailpiece, are unique elements of the Peruvian tack. The saddle is a box saddle and has a deep seat.

Due to the very high altitude and rough, rocky terrain, this is not a fast-paced ride. The horses are asked to work at altitudes of between 2,800m and 4,350m, and we should remember that with the altitude and reduced oxygen this high up makes their job of carrying us much more difficult!! On this ride you will experience the fabulous 'Paso Llano' where the terrain allows, but this is not a fast paced ride by definition.

Riders must: Be comfortable in the saddle for five to six hours at a walk, trot and short canters. Be able to ride up and down steep hills. Be physically able to hike at high altitudes (9,000 - 13,000 ft). Age limit - 16 years old. To ensure the welfare of the horses there is a strict rider weight limit of 85 kgs / 13.5st / 190 pounds (including riding gear). There are scales at the stables and the ride reserves the right to weigh riders prior to the ride setting off. Riders exceeding the weight limit may be excluded from the ride and no refund will be made.

The weight limit for this ride is 187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Depending on availability at the time the final reservations are made for the group, the following hotels are used:

SACRED VALLEY: The Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca in Yucay is only 5 miles from the stables, has comfortable heated rooms with private bathrooms and plenty of 'local colour'. The Sonesta Yucay Posada is a former 18th century colonial-style monastery and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The 69-room hotel is like a little village with plazas, gardens and a small chapel. The rooms, with tile floors, wood ceilings, and hand-carved headboards, have balconies that overlook the gardens or the terraced hillsides.

CUSCO: Hotel Costa del Sol Hotel Costa del Sol, The Hotel Costa del Sol (former Hotel Picoaga, was originally the old mansion of the Spanish noble, the Marquis of Picoaga (century XVII). It has now been converted into a comfortable hotel. The intimate and public areas are beautifully decorated in colonial style, framed by fine stone archways on two levels and the beautiful columns and Spanish patio complete an authentic sample of 17th Century architecture.

Meals represent tasty regional cuisine with dishes made from fresh vegetables, dairy products, and fresh trout. Vegetarian or other dietary requirements will be accommodated with advanced notice.

 

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip.

NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures

If you are visiting Peru, your passport should be valid for six months from the date you arrive. Check visa requirements with your travel authority.

You can enter Peru with one laptop and two mobiles phones maximum per passenger without paying taxes.

Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country.

Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa.

In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru

In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Peru.html

In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/peru

Peru's climate varies widely, ranging from tropical in the montaña to arctic in the highest mountains of the Andes. In the Sierra area of Cusco and Machu Picchu the temperature ranges seasonally from about 40 to 70 ºF. Rainfall is usually scanty, but in the mountains and in the jungle heavy rains last from December to April. In Cusco, in the south-eastern Sierra, annual rainfall averages about 81.5 mm (32 in).

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.

Altitude sickness is a potential problem and rabies is endemic. A yellow fever vaccination is essential if you plan to visit the eastern slopes of the Andes or the Amazonian Basin.

There is a high risk of dengue fever in some parts of Peru - take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
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Health authorities have classified Peru as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.
Yellow fever is endemic in certain areas.
Diarrhoea caused by contaminated food or water is common and is potentially serious. Make sure that you practice food and water hygiene.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial one of the following numbers: 225 4040 (Lima - Alerta Med); 467 4861 (Lima - Clave 5); 241 1911(Lima - Plan Vital) and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Peru and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

As with all countries where the bacteria present in water and around food are not those to which we are accustomed you are advised to exercise a degree of care. Avoid all tap water. Bottled water is widely available, but check that bottle seals are intact and water levels reach the top.

Fruit and raw vegetables which can be peeled are fine. Avoid ice cubes, diluted fruit juices and any unpasturised/unboiled milk.

For peace of mind it is recommended that should you require any tampons/sanitary items you take this with you. A toilet roll with inner cardboard tube removed will take up little space and may be an invaluable item

For peace of mind it is recommended that should you require any tampons/sanitary items you take this with you. A toilet roll with inner cardboard tube removed will take up little space and may be an invaluable item

In Peru the supply voltage is 220V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 220V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

Take along plenty of film and batteries for the magnificent photo opportunities! Cameras can be charged at the hotels every night.

Since you will be riding at elevations between 2.800 and 4.290 meters (9,185 and 14,000 ft), lightweight, warm clothing worn in layers is highly recommended.

- Hat. We recommend a hard hat for riding and something with a wide brim is advisable as protection against the sun (baseball caps work well). Your hard hat must be secure on your head.
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers and chaps (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Riding gloves
- Riding boots with rubber sole, also suitable for walking (around Inca ruins)
- Protection for the lower leg, preferably half-chaps. for après-riding (espadrilles are great)
- Light pair of shoes. Polo boots with front zip are wonderful as they are easy to put on and off.
- T- shirts
- Long sleeved cotton shirts. These are without doubt the best things to ride in. Sleeves can be rolled up or down for protection from the sun and the collar helps to protect your neck too.
- Thick socks
- Wind-bloc Fleece or warm jacket for cold evenings especially at these high altitudes.
- Casual clothes - for when you are not riding.
- Scarf/bandana, useful for protection against the sun.
- Waterproofs. Ideally a Gore-Tex or similar wind and rain proof jacket. Waterproof leggings are also a good idea. You will be provided with warm wool/alpaca ponchos, but it is often useful to have another waterproof jacket underneath your poncho for added protection. It may not rain, but better to be prepared.
- Good sunglasses with a neck cord. Your eyes will become bloodshot if you do not wear sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and Lip Balm are essential because of the altitude and dry air. We suggest at least Factor 30, if not total block.
- Insect repellent (Machu Picchu and the surrounding area can be prone to mosquitos).
- Small medical kit with antiseptic cream, good supply of ibuprofen, aspirin and plasters, antihistamine tablets, any medication you regularly take.
- Additional passport photos
- Copy of passport/visa and debit cards
- Wash bag. A supply of baby wipes will be invaluable. We also recommend biodegradable personal washing products. Hair-dryers are available at all hotels on the trail.
- Ziplock bags/supply of plastic carrier bags - always useful for wet/dry kit.
- Recommendation: when riding wear clothes in neutral/earthy colours that blend in well with the natural landscape. It looks better on photos.
- Leather saddlebags are provided for you. Each person has a set of saddlebags and carries what they need for the day. Jackets can be tied behind the saddle so it is easy to put them on and take them off. To keep your saddlebag contents clean, a good idea is to put all your things in a plastic carrier bag/Ziplock bag first and then into the saddlebags.

This is a 10 day / 9 night programme with 7 riding days available on set dates throughout the year.

2024: 7, 28 April; 19 May; 9 June; 14 July; 4, 25 August; 15 September; 6 October.

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Lonely Planet Guide to Peru, Edward P Lanning's Peru Before the Incas, James Lockhart's The Men of Cajamarca, Inca-kola: a traveller's tale of Peru by Matthew Parris and John Hemming's (out-of-print) Conquest of the Incas. For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Optional trip extension - extra day in Lima

One-day sightseeing tour of Lima. Includes private transport during the day, English-speaking guide, lunch, entrance fees to the Museo de Oro and one more museum, 1 night hotel accommodation at the Hotel Ariosto in Miraflores.
Please contact Unicorn Trails for further information.

The fauna includes a great variety of animals such as deer, the Vizcacha or Viscacha, a rodent of the chinchilla family (Lagidum peruanum, Lagidium viscacia ) similar to a rabbit, the Raposa Andina or Andean slender mouse opossum (Marmosops impavidus), minks, skunks, Andean foxes, llamas and alpacas, pumas (rare).
Snakes are rare. The mountain lakes are rich in salmon trout and rainbow fish.

There is a huge variety of birdlife and flora too!

For the outfitter to be able to make the hotel reservations, we will need your passport number, your name as it appears on the passport and your nationality.

Riding takes place between 2600 and 4350 metres (8,530 and 14,275 feet). Riders may need to take advantage of the time to adjust to the altitude, which can adversely affect blood pressure, digestion, and energy levels. Please consult your health care provider before undertaking this high altitude trip. If you have heart or lung problems you could develop serious health complications at high altitudes.

Peru is located in Western South America. The whole of the western coast is desert with little rain. From this coastal shelf, the Andes rise steeply to a high Sierra, which is studded with groups of mountains and deep canyons. East of these mountains lies the vast jungle of the Amazon basin. The capital, Lima, to the west is the sprawling hub of the country.

At the time of the first Spanish landings in 1531, an advanced indigenous Inca civilisation flourished. With its capital in Cuzco, the Inca Empire stretched from northern Ecuador to central Chile. Led by gold-hungry explorer Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish captured Cuzco in 1533. Pizarro founded the capital city of Lima in 1535 and by 1542 consolidated control throughout the country. Gold and silver from Peru became the foundation of colonial Spanish wealth and power in South America.

It's these multiple layers of great civilisations that make Peru so intriguing, colonial cities that have preserved the legacy of the Spanish conquistadors and the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco, the lost city of Machu Picchu, only discovered in 1911, and the enigma of the Nazca Lines.
It also has some of the most spectacular and varied scenery in South America. The Peruvian Andes are arguably the most beautiful on the continent and the mountains are home to millions of highland Indians, who still speak the ancient tongue of Quechua and maintain a traditional way of life.

Peru is five hours behind GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram.

The international dialling code is +51.

All visitors to Peru have to fill in a form (registro de immigration) at customs to enter the country as a tourist. Each tourist receives a small part of this form, stamped, which they have to keep in their passport until they leave the country. It has been known to be very easy to lose this important piece of paper! All hotels in Peru need to make a copy of each passport and the paper in order to apply for certain tax reductions so Mrs Soledad, the host at Hotel Ariosto on Day 1 will make extra copies of client’s passport and immigration paper upon arrival in Lima.

Please check that you have been given your part of the immigration form and that it is kept inside your passport.