Twelve-day riding tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas 2010

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. During the ride, we stay two nights (days 8 & 9) 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.

Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival at Lima International Airport (Jorges Chavez) make you way to the Hotel Costa del Sol, which is located just outside of the exit hall of arrivals. Upon check in you will receive a reservation code (electronic ticket) for your early morning flight to Cusco on day 2.

Day 2

Make your way back to the airport to check-in (without assistance) for your internal flight to Cusco. The spectacular one-hour flight over the Andes arrives mid-morning in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco (altitude 3,338 m/10,952 ft.). From here it is a one-hour drive to your accommodation in the Sacred Valley. For the next four nights you will be staying at the Hotel Posada del Inca in Yucay. Once you have settled into your hotel room you will be collected and brought to our ranch. You will have an opportunity to become familiar with the beautiful Peruvian Paso horses and the traditional Peruvian riding gear. This is a time for relaxing, as it can take a while to become acclimatized 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.

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 9:15 AM we take the short drive to Ollantaytambo where we visit the ruins and village. According to legend, Ollantaytambo is named after 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 is at the ranch around 1 PM. After lunch we continue our riding course in classic Peruvian equitation 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.

We have dinner at the ranch or at a local restaurant, and overnight at the Hotel Posada del Inca in Yucay.

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 hotel. 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 hotel.

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.

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

Price 2010

Trip price: US$ 4,500 per person (group size: min. 4- max. 8 pers.)
Single supplement: US$ 575

• Prices may vary due to changing exchange rates in Peru. Please contact us for actual pricing information
• Price does not include the domestic airfares LIMA-CUSCO and CUSCO-LIMA (total: $ 280).
• For more detail about what is included in the price, please see the Expenses in Trip Details

Single supplement: The price for each ride is based on shared occupancy. If you are traveling solo and wish to share accommodation, we will make every effort to find a roommate (always of the same gender). If you are willing to share and no roommate materializes, then the customary single supplement will apply. A single supplement is always applicable for participants who specifically request single accommodation.

Departure Dates 2010

• April 19 - 30
• May 28 – June 08
• July 08 - 19
• August 06 - 17
• Sept. 02 – 13
• Sept. 23 - Oct. 04

Trip details

MEETING POINT

Clients will be met upon arrival at the Lima International Airport on day 1. You will be taken to the Hotel Ariosto by the hotel shuttle bus.

Optionally, clients arriving late in Lima on day 1 can be booked at the Hotel Costa del Sol located at Lima’s airport, just 2 minutes walk from the exit of custom clearance. The extra charge for bookings at the Hotel Costa del Sol instead of the Hotel Ariosto on day 1 of the itinerary is: $ 145 for a single room and $ 160 for a double room.

Due to the transfer back to Cusco and the flight to Lima, do not schedule a departure flight prior to 3 pm on the final day.

RIDER REQUIREMENTS

Riders must
Be comfortable in the saddle for five to seven hours
Be comfortable at the 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)

Weight limit: 200 pounds / 90 kg
Age limit: 16

HORSES AND TACK

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 traveling on horseback at the paso llano gait (4-beat lateral gait, speed between 8 to 10 Km. per hour). The horses are well cared for, strong, and even-tempered.

The tack utilized is very traditional and demonstrates refined Peruvian craftsmanship. The hardwood hex stirrup and the guarnición, or tailpiece, are unique elements of the Peruvian tack. The saddle is a box saddle and has a deep seat.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS

The ride combines 9 nights in quaint hotels with private bathrooms and 2 nights in rustic camps. The hotels in the Sacred Valley are very comfortable and unique, but not always five star. In Cusco you will stay two nights at the luxury Hotel Libertador (5 star) or the Hotel Novotel (5 star). The camping is made as bearable as possible too and there is a sizeable mess tent which also houses a portable wood-burning stove - a very welcome addition when the temperature drops at night. Weather permitting a camp fire is also lit outside and if the skies are clear you will enjoy some wonderful star-gazing.

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 fresh trout. Most meals are included in the trip price, with the exception of dinner in Lima on day 1, lunch on day 11 (Machu Picchu) and meals on Day 7, the free day in the city of Cusco. Vegetarian or other dietary requirements will be accommodated with advanced notice. Please contact Perol Chico with requests.

EXPENSES

The price of the trip includes 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 accommodation (including 9 nights in hotels).

Not included are: internal flight Lima-Cusco-Lima (US$ 280), 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. There is a US$ 30 airport tax for international departures from Lima, and a US$ 7 airport tax for domestic departures (at the time of writing this itinerary).

Clients who chose to rather be booked into the Hotel Costa del Sol on day 1 of the itinerary will be charged an extra $145 for a SWB and $ 160 for a DWB per night.

documents and currency

Currently, only a passport and round-trip ticket are required for entry into Peru if the stay is for 90 days or less. Customs requirements are subject to change, however, so please contact the Peruvian Embassy in Washington, DC for current information. Immunizations are also not currently required for entry, though if you are from Africa, a Yellow Fever Certificate may be required, so please check with a travel doctor. We also recommend that clients consult a physician for their own personal needs (you may require altitude sickness medication). In order for us to make the hotel and internal flight reservations, we will need your passport number, your name as it appears on the passport, as well as your nationality.

The currency used most often in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (plural soles). The best and easiest currency for exchange into Peruvian soles is the US dollar. Other currencies are only exchangeable in major cities and at a high commission. You can easily change your dollars at the Hotel Ariosto, where you will be staying in Lima on the first night of the ride. The dollar bills must be in excellent condition: worn, torn or damaged bills are not accepted. When receiving local currency ask for small denominations as these will be more useful to you when making most purchases. Twenty soles notes will be of most use.

Money can be changed in banks, casas de cambio, and first-class hotels or with street changers. Casas de cambio are usually the easiest places to change money. Street changers, who hang out near banks, never offer better rates than the best bank rate and have been known to cheat travelers so are best avoided. Rates vary from place to place but not significantly, unless you try to change money at a hotel, which charges high commission. Travelers' checks are changed at a slightly lower rate than cash (about 3%). Visa is the most widely accepted credit card, but credit cards attract an 8% commission unless you are using it for a cash withdrawal (in Peruvian currency) from a bank. ATMs (Visa and Plus system are most widely recognized) are now the best way to extract money in Peru. Either dollars or soles can be withdrawn from most ATMs, and your bank will often offer the best possible exchange rate on soles withdrawn on a US dollar account.

tipping

Tipping is discretionary. If you have been happy with the ride and would like to leave a tip then you should pass this on to Eduard at the end of the ride and he will distribute this to the rest of the staff. We suggest as a guideline that USD 60 to 100 per guest is offered, but this is only a guideline – please give what you feel comfortable with and what you can afford. Tips can be made in either US Dollars or Peruvian soles. The exchange rate is usually in the region of 3 soles to the dollar.

It is always useful to have a few one-dollar notes handy, so that you can tip baggage handlers etc.

Note that if you have run out of soles, then US Dollars are rarely turned down in Peru (at restaurants etc), but of course it is better to have Peruvian currency where possible.

CLIMATE

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 45 to 75 ºF. Rainfall is usually scanty, but in the mountains and in the jungle heavy rains last from December to April. In Cusco, in the southeastern Sierra, annual rainfall averages about 81.5 mm (32 in).

RESPONSIBILITy

Guests are responsible for having an adequate, valid insurance policy including cover for all the sporting activities that they are likely to participate in. Appropriate medical insurance is obligatory.

It is understood by Perol Chico that guests are in a suitable condition to partake in a riding tour, are not riding against any medical advice and know of no reason why they should not be participating in such a tour. Guests will be required to sign a waiver of liability at the start of the tour.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Perol Chico offers a warm, friendly atmosphere and riders are welcomed as part of the family. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Peruvian culture.

	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.

HELPFUL TRAVEL HINTS

Riding takes place between 2600 and 4350 meters (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.

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

Since you will be riding at elevations between 2600 and 4350 meters (8,530 and 14,275 feet), lightweight, warm clothing worn in layers is highly recommended. Dinners are very casual; there is no need to bring special attire.

Comfortable riding trousers (two pairs)

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.

Waterproofs - Ideally a Gore-Tex or similar wind and rain proof jacket. Waterproof leggings are also a good idea. You will be provided with woolen and waterproof ponchos, but it is often useful to have another waterproof jacket underneath your waterproof poncho for added protection. It may not rain, but better to be prepared.

Riding boots with rubber sole, also suitable for walking (around Inca ruins etc) - the best would be a pair of the dual purpose Ariat or Mountain Horse riding/leisure boots.

Protection for the lower leg - either full or half-chaps.

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.

Woolly or fleece hat to wear at night around the camp fire (or in bed!)

Riding gloves

Light pair of shoes - for après-riding and for wearing around the campsite.

Set of Thermal Underwear - a light way of carrying extra warmth.

Good sunglasses - with a neck cord. Your eyes will become bloodshot if you do not wear sunglasses.

Sunscreen and Lip Balm - 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 mosquito’s).

Leather saddle bags are provided for you. Each person has a set of saddlebags and carries what they need for the day. Jackets and ponchos 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/Ziploc bag first and then into the saddlebags.

Spanish Phrasebook/dictionary

Casual clothes - for when you are not riding, e.g. tracksuit bottoms – you can also sleep in these.

Small Torch/head torch

Small towel

Small medical kit with antiseptic cream, good supply of ibuprofen, aspirin and plasters (Compeed blister plasters work well on sore patches – acting as a second skin), antihistamine tablets, any medication you regularly take.

Scarf/bandana – useful for protection against the sun.

Sleeping bag for the two nights of camping. Good quality sleeping mats are provided.

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 some, although not all hotels on the trail.

Ziploc bags/supply of plastic carrier bags - always useful for wet/dry kit.

Camera

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The Monasterio Ride - Three-Day Ride
The Pancho Fierro Ride - Six-Day Ride
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