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PERU : ADVENTURE TRAIL IN PERU INTO THE SACRED VALLEY...

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Cusco - Sacred Valley
Arrive in Cusco. Meeting at the airport with our guide and the other riders. Then we go to Cusco to discover the city, its cathedral and Sun temple remains: Qorikancha. Lunch in a restaurant included. In the afternoon, we leave the city to reach the Sacred Valley. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 2 - Discovery of the Sacred Valley: Pachar and Naupa Iglesia

After to take a nice breakfast at the hotel, we will be brought to the ranch. You will have an opportunity to become familiar with our beautiful Peruvian Paso horses. There will be a demonstration of classic Peruvian equitation, followed by an introductory Peruvian riding course. After to take our lunch, we mount our horses and set off in the direction of ancestral village of “Pachar”, we cross the Urubamba River by a suspended bridge of “Paucarbamba” to see some original Inka granaries located in the middle of the Rocky Mountains like stone balconies. Then everyone will feel the Andeans history in your hearts, because we will have a short trek to the” Naupa Iglesia” Inka Temple, located 150 meters up from the rail roads. There will be possible to expect a marvelous altar with the “Chakana”  icon in high and low level did on the stone (Tiwanaco pre -  Inka culture influence). Dinner and first night under tents.

Riding time: 3-4 hours. Altitude: 2.850 – 3.000 m.

Day 3 - Discovery of the Sacred Valley : Huarocondo and Ancahuasi

After breakafst, we cross part of the oriental mountain range to “Huarocondo” Village, with our horses. This place was billed by the spaniels, actually is possible to see there a really nice and big catholic church located on the main square, but is more popular because they are famous pork cookers on the ovens, and serves this food with traditional barley breads, and here will be our lunch. At the afternoon, will be possible to see many lambs and cows herds, they will be going back home from the natural pastures of the Andes; the way will change a bit and won´t be too wide but will be close to a really long Inka grow terraces complex called “Zurite”. Finally, we arrive to a massing and enigmatic place “Ankawasi” means the eagles home in Quechua. Dinner and night under tents.

Riding time: 6 to 7 hours.

Day 4 - Horseback ride in the Sacred Valley : Ancahuasi and Chacan

This morning we continue riding across the oriental mountain range to reach “Ankawasi”, and visit more mysterious places along the complex like “Quillarumiyoq”, adoratories, temples, and much more. Today’s ride will take us through open country with spectacular views providing another memorable riding day in the Andes, with many  farms with big grass lands, where some Andean children pastor has to go to the open areas with their lambs, cows and horses. After the lunch we continue riding to “Chacán” community. Dinner and night under tents.

Riding time: 7 hours.

Day 5 - Horseback ride in the Sacred Valley : Chinchero

Our horses wait for us to follow primitive trails across the Andean mountains, where the scenery is spectacular with snowcapped mountains, wildflowers and a beautiful mountain lake” Huaypo”. We will meet smiling Quechua children with their herds of sheep or cattle and see some peasants plowing their fields in the traditional way, oxen hitched to a wooden plow. Here our staff is awaiting us with our picnic lunch.  We will follow the trail to “Chinchero” one of the last really conserved “mestiso” town, there from the panoramic views are tremendous; to the west and northwest stretches a vista of rolling high mountains, ringed in the distance by the dramatic snowcapped peaks of the “Vilcabamba´s” Cordilleras. Dinner and night under tents.

Riding time: 6-7 hours. Altitude: 3500 - 3800 m.

Day 6 - Horseback ride in the Sacred Valley : Chinchero and Maras

After Breakfast we visit the main square of this village that is really famous for its massive Inka 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 InKa” that once overlooked the square. In “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 times of the Incas. The Catholic Church there is a clear prove of religious syncretism from that period. After our visit to “Chinchero” we have the Lunch at the Hostel, then we continue riding to the” Raqchi” view point, there we will have an in descriptive experience because will be possible to see the best part of the Sacred Valley. Dinner and night under tents.

Riding time: 3-4 hours.

Day 7 - Horseback ride in the Sacred Valley : Moray and Salinas

After our breakfast to get back into saddle to descend from “Raqchi” through the rough and sturdy Andean landscape. This day is one of the most beautiful riding days because we will visit the “Moray” Inka growing crop. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, with impressive views of the many snowcapped mountains. We have our lunch with the snow picks scenery. In afternoon we pass by impressive salt pans from Inka times, where actually the locals continue extracting salt from the mountain spring water. We continue during one hour our ride to our last point: the ranch. We say goodbye to our horses and guide. Transfer to the hotel where we have a dinner and stay for the night.

Day 8 - Machu Picchu

On morning, transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station for a route by train to Aguascalientes. This journey by train is one of the most spectacular of the world. The day is dedicated to the visit of this exceptional site, classified the fourth modern wonder of the world. Machu Picchu was discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. It had remained buried in the jungle during centuries by escaping the plunders of Spanish. You will discover its houses, temples and places... Lunch. In the afternoon, return to Cusco. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight at the hotel
Note: according to availabilities, the return way could be by train to Ollantaytambo and then by car to Cusco.

Day 9 - Cusco - Lima - Back to Europe
Early in the morning, transfer to the airport in Cusco for your return flight to Lima....

IMPORTANT: The itinerary is flexible. Changes may occur due to weather and other unforeseeable circumstances. In June and July, temperatures are very low.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

If you want to stay longer and discover more this country, we propose some itineraries to extend your trip.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses The horses are locally bred Peruvian Pasos. During the ride you will experience traveling on horseback at the Paso Gait. The horses are well cared for, strong, and even-tempered. Saddles The tack utilized is very traditional and demonstrates refined Peruvian craftsmanship. The wood hex stirrup and the guarnicion, or tail piece, are unique elements of the Peruvian tack. Recommended riding level Riders must be comfortable in the saddle for five to six hours and confident at all gaits. Useful information According to high altitude, you have to be in good health with good physical condition. Weight limit: 90 kg // Age limit: minimum 15 years with an adult.

YOUR GUIDES

The rides are supervised by experienced local guides, who perfectly know the ground, in the desert as well as in the Sacred valley, and the horses.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation
During the trail It's bivouac for 5 nights (in rustic camps without hot water to have a shower for 3 nights). During the months of June and July, temperatures are very low. Others 3 nights are spend in 3 star hotel. During the months of June and July, temperatures are very low.
If you travel alone and agree for sharing your room, we will refund the single room supplement if we finally find another person for sharing your accomodation.

Food
While on the Sacred Valley of the Incas Ride, guests are treated to wonderful meals representing tasty regional cuisine. Dishes are made from fresh vegetables, dairy products, and sometines meat or fish!

DATES AND RATES

Cause of a rain period very importante this year,

departures could be planed from June 20th to November 20th for safety.

Next depature planned :

- September 19 au 27 ~ 2 riders booked

Supplements:
- Single supplement : 180 € (charged if you're travelling alone)
- High season supplement: + 140 € (from June to August)

- the trail as described in full board basis except meals not mentionned
- transfers from and to Cusco airport,
- guide, horse, tack, trip gear, camping equipment, land travel,
- entrance fees, train, bus,
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.

- flights to Lima and Cusco
- meals not mentionned
- drinks,
- sleeping bags are not provided,
- airport tax : 100 soles (can be paid in USD = app. 36 USD)
- any other service,
- tips,
- insurrance : repatriation aid or multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage, repatriation). You can subscribe to these insurrances only if you are an european resident. If you live outside European Union, please check with your local insurrance company.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Laurie for any enquiry !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Peru's climate varies widely, ranging from tropical in the Montana to Arctic in the highest mountains of the Andes. In the Sierra area of Cusco and Machu Picchu the temperature ranges seasonally from about 4 to 21°C (40 to 70°F). 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 81mm (32 in.).

Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
A treatment against Malaria is also recommended. Please contact a doctor before departure.