Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

PERU : TRAIL INTO COLCA CANYON...

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arequipa
Arrive in Arequipa. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure (meals not included). Overnight at the hotel.

Optional and according to your arrival our guide will propose you numerous visits (thanks for booking this visit before your arrival).

Day 2 - Arequipa - Colca Valley

Departure in private car to Colca Valley. We pass by " Salinas and Agua da Blanca " reserve where we can see vicunas, lamas and alpagas. The road follows by the Mirador of Volcanoes, the heightest on this road with 4900 meters, before coming down again in the valley at 3500 meters for having lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, we meet horses and equestrian guides in the village. Return to the hotel for a relaxing massage (sauna and spa baths allowed between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm). Dinner closed to a good fire and overnight.

Riding time: 3 hours. Altitude: 3500 – 4900 m.

Day 3 - Colca Valley

Early on the morning, we begin our first ride to Coporaque and Uyo-Uyo, the ancient capital of Collagua ethnic group. Leaving stables, we go through the main place of the village and the stony bridge upper Colca river. On the way, we see old houses with their systems of irrigation, a pre-inca amphitheater and the numerous proofs of coexistence between the cultures Inca and Collagua... At Coporaque for example, there is a fountain dedicated to the Incas. The ride continues up to the cemetery Collagua situated at the feet of the mountain and which presents cranes and bones of the ancestors of this ethnic group (6th century after J.C.). Return at the hotel for the lunch. Then afternoon, we are drived to the village of Chivay to take advantage of thermal baths. At the end of the day, massage in the hotel before dinner. At night in the hotel
Riding time: 6 hours.

Day 4 - Madrigal and Chimpa

The itinerancy trail begins today. Early departure with horses by the right bank of Colca river. The crossed landscapes are beautiful: terraces pre-Inca sculptured in the mountain, the villages of Ichupampa and Lari... In the middle of the day, we arrive at Madrigal where we settle our camp. Picnic lunch. End of afternoon free at the camp. Dinner and bivouac.

Riding time: 5 hours.

Day 5 - Chimpa and Pinchollo

After breakfast, we go up to the mountain Chimpa to reach the fortress located in its summit. Since the fortress, the view) on the canyon and on the valley are amazing. It is indeed the only place where we can see both hillsides of the canyon. This fortress was originally a strategic military building of the Collaguas to protect them. You will enjoy landscapes and traditional dresses of inhabitants. Dinner and night in a cottage.
Riding time: 6 hours (which 1 hour for the ascent to the fortress with a part on foot).

Day 6 - Pinchollo Geyser

Today, we go on horseback to the geyser of Pinchollo. By following the river, we discover new landscapes of snowy volcanoes, waterfalls and mountains. Finally we arrive at the geyser HatunInfiernillo which is in activity all year long. Picnic along the way. The ride ends at the village of Mara. Before going back to stables by car, we have a last walk to see the canyon and its changing colours. We spend the last night in the hotel in which we stayed at the beginning of this trail. Once again, the sauna and the spa baths are allowed between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Goodbye dinner and night.

Riding time: 5 hours.

Day 7 - Arequipa
Early in the morning, transfer to the airport.

OPTION : Longer trail, then 4 days more

11 days / 10 nights / 7, 5 days on horseback

According to your availabities for this trip and wishes, we propose you to extend your ride into the Canyon with 4 days more to discover Colca Canyon more deeply the deepest canyon in the world.

See our programme for a longer trail into Colca area

IMPORTANT: The itineraries are flexible. Changes may occur due to weather and other unforeseeable circumstances.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

If you want to stay longer and discover more this country, we propose 3 to 5 days itineraries to extend your trip : Nazca, Amazonia or Sipan kingdom.... All this proposal are available separatly or combined according to you choice.   Please, contact us if you have a request for any other plan after or before the trail.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses: The horses are bred Peruvian Paso horses or crossed horses. 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 Like the main gait is the pace, we accept all riders. Useful inforamtion According to high altitude and walk leading horses by hand, you have to be in good health with good physical condition. Weight limit: 90 kg. Age limit: 9 years old if child is with a parent or minimum 14 years. Non riders are welcomed.

YOUR GUIDES

The rides are supervised by experienced guides, who perfectly know the ground and horses.

We use mules for the transport of luggage. It will be necessary to plan a small bag to be able to take the necessities for the itinerancy part (approximately 5 kg a person).

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation at the stables, it's a 3* hotel with massages, sauna and spa baths services allowed between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm. During the trail accodomation is more simple with bungalows (shared facilities). We also camp under tents into the canyon (tone tent for toilets and one for kitchen). But it's possible there is not bathroom for 2 days at worst. A Crusoé life! Sleeping bags are available to rent for the 5 nights camping, 10 USD to be paid on site. Thanks to request it on booking. For people travelling alone, single supplement is mandatory if you are not willing to share your room/tent with another person of the same gender.

DATES AND RATES

- Discount for children between 09 to 17 years : -250 €
- Sleeping bag : you can rent a sleeping bag for 10$ / night (during camping). You have to book it before your depature and pay directlyit if you don't want to bring yours.

- the trail as described in full board basis with drinks less meals at Arequipa
- transfers from and to Arequipa airport,
- massages as mentionned and entrance at spa bath and sauna in the hotel
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.

- meals not mentionned at Arequipa
- alcoholic drinks,
- sleeping bags if you want,
- exit tax : 100 soles (can be paid in USD = app. 32 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.

Optional visits at Arequipa (booked before your depature and paid directly) :

- Santa Catalina convent and guided historical city tour - 45$ / person
- Lunch or dinner in a traditional restaurant - 15 $ / person
- Visit of a Peruvian ranch with typical "Marinera" show (dance with couple and horses) - 40 $ / personne

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Laurie for any enquiry !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Because of its contrasted geography, the climate of Peru is complicated. There are two seasons: the one wet, the other dry. In Colca area, the rainy season is from January to March, that is why we do not propose the ride at this period. The most beautiful season extends from March to June which is the most green season with flowers...

Plan to adapt you as well to warm or soft temperatures as cold nights in height.

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 if you travel near the coast or in Amazonia.
This ride takes place between 2600 and 4350 meters in height, the risk of malaria is useless. This route was chosen to acclimatize you gradually to the height. We recommend you to consult a doctor for any question and preventive treatment in particular if you have cardiac or respiratory problems.