Wild and Exotic itinerary for the 10 day Ride to the Pacific

Join us on our adventurous ride through unexplored and merciless desert terrain to reach a secluded beach haven on the Pacific shoreline. Visit the convent of Santa Catalina and see the famous mummy of Juanita in Arequipa, the City of Eternal Spring. This is a trip suited to pioneering souls – an equestrian journey filled with stark contrasts. Hot days, cool nights, barren deserts and the abundant wilderness of the coastline, the opulence of a 5 star hotel versus the pure simplicity of rustic beach cabanas that will have you feeling like Robinson Crusoe himself. These rides are offered between November and March, including a special New Years Ride.

Day 1: Lima. On arrival into Lima airport you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Ariosto, which is centrally located in Miraflores. If time allows you can visit museums, shop in Miraflores or visit Barranco, a romantic and Bohemian district in Lima with a variety of nightclubs.

Day 2: Lima –Arequipa. After breakfast you will be transferred to the Lima airport for the 40 minute flight to Arequipa.

After we have settled in our hotel, we explore some of the highlights of Arequipa: the famous convent of Santa Catalina and the Museum Santuarios Andinos UCSM to see the mummy of Juanita, a 500 year old Inca mummy of a 12 to 14 year old girl. Juanita the Ice Maiden was discovered in 1995 by anthropologist Johan Reinhard and his Peruvian climbing partner Miguel Zarate. She was remarkably preserved throughout the five centuries. According to Reinhard, the mummy weighed approximately 80lbs when found, and they came to the realization that due to the heavy body mass, the flesh must have been frozen. This is an extraordinary discovery because it allows biological tests to be run on the lung, liver, and muscle tissue, revealing new insights on Inca health and nutrition. It is believed that the Ice Maiden was in fact a sacrifice to the mountain gods, and was After we have settled in our hotel, we explore some of the highlights of Arequipa: the famous convent of Santa Catalina and the then buried by the Inca priests atop Mount Ampato (20,700 feet). We have lunch and dinner in Arequipa. Overnight Hotel: Libertador (5 star hotel)

Day 3: Ride through the desert. We leave our hotel at 8 am this morning for a 1¼ hour’s drive to the stables in La Joya. On arrival at the ranch you will be given instruction and a display of Peruvian equitation by your host Eduard, and also by his Peruvian Chalan (horseman), José. After the demonstration you’ll have the opportunity to have a go yourself. Once riders are matched with mounts, we set off for our adventurous riding expedition through the unforgiving and unexplored terrain of the desert.

Today you will ride approx. 5 hours at a slow pace, as at midday especially the intense heat of the sun requires stamina from both riders and horses. Although most of the ride is over flat surfaces, some dunes with very loose sand must be climbed. As our safety priority is to carry as much water as possible, there is limited space in the saddlebags, so please understand that lunch will be fairly simple. At around 5pm we arrive at our campsite, which offers basic accommodation and facilities due to its isolated location. Our back-up 4x4 vehicles will carry plenty of water for the horses and for personal consumption.

Day 4: Ride through the desert. After breakfast we mount our horses for another riding day through the desert. Meanwhile, our vehicles and staff will transfer and set up camp at our next destination. The scenery will change from wide open desert plains to high dune ranges and sandy passways.

Our horses cover an impressive amount of ground when ridden at the Paso Llano gait, and you cannot fail to be amazed by their stamina and above all, the comfortable ride they offer. At midday when the sun is at its most fierce, we will take a long break for lunch. Today we will ride another 5 to 6 hours and will cover about 40 km’s before we arrive at our next campsite.

After dinner you will sleep like a baby, exhausted but content with the knowledge that you have been riding the smoothest riding horse in the world - the Cadillac of all horses - and crossing one of Peru’s most isolated deserts, surrounded by a lunar landscape that few have set eyes on.

Day 5: Arrival at the Pacific Ocean. We will start our ride at about 7.30 am, to take advantage of the milder morning temperatures. Today we will have to cross the last of the ever-rising sand dunes ahead. There will be a few challenging climbs and in some instances we may have to lead our horses for a short distance, but they are tough, intelligent animals and will do most of the job for us.

In the afternoon we arrive at our final destination: Caleta San José, a small, privately-owned cove at the shores of the Pacific. No land vehicle is able to reach this secluded beach, so all essentials are transferred by boat. We are the guests of Don Gonzalo, who has constructed very picturesque cabaña-style accommodation, in the style of Robinson Crusoe (very basic private rooms). The cool ocean will beckon you for an invigorating swim to celebrate your arrival, and afterwards you can relax in a gently swaying hammock while dinner is prepared for you.

Day 6: Relax at the beach. Today the horses will need to rest, and so do we! For those who still have the energy, the day is easily filled with activities such as snorkeling, fishing, canoeing or hiking. Others might opt for a day of relaxation on the beach. In the evening we will enjoy a roaring campfire, good company, and dine on fresh seafood as we recount the stories of our adventure across the desert.

Day 7: Ride and boat trip along the Pacific coast. After a satisfying breakfast there is an optional morning ride of 3-4 hours to explore some nearby beaches and spot marine life. After lunch we bid our horses a fond farewell and leave the beach for an exciting 3 hour boat trip to the port of Matarani. From here it is an hour’s drive to Arequipa, where we settle in our hotel and later go out for dinner. Overnight Hotel Libertador (5 star hotel) in Arequipa.

Day 8: Arequipa – Cusco. After breakfast you are transferred to the airport. The awesome one hour flight over the Andes arrives mid-morning in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco (altitude 3338 m/10,952 ft.). For the rest of the day you will have the opportunity to explore this charming and historical village. In the late afternoon we leave Cusco and after a one hour drive arrive at the Lodge K’uychi Rumi in the Sacred Valley. Dinner is at the restaurant Huacatay in Urubamba.

Day 9: Machu Picchu. Our day starts early, as we catch the 6 AM train from Urubamba 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 Urubamba train brings us to Machu 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, as this is every bit as magnificent as you have imagined. In the afternoon we take the train back to Urubamba, arriving at about 7 pm. Dinner is at one of Urubamba’s famous restaurants, and we have a last chance to sample Pisco Sours. We overnight in one of the private cottages at the K’uychi Rumi Lodge.

Day 10: Cusco – Lima. After breakfast transfer to the Cusco airport for the 40 minute flight to Lima.

Notes:

Set departure dates for 2008-09:

10 – 19 December 2008

27 December 2008 – 5 January 2009 (New Year’s Ride)

20 – 29 January 2009

10 – 19 February 2009

02 – 11 March 2009

The cost of this itinerary is £1640 per person for the 10 day / 9 night itinerary based on a minimum of 6 persons and a maximum of 9 guests on the ride. The itinerary is suitable for intermediate / advanced riders.

The cost of the itinerary on the New Year dates (27 December 2008 – 5 January 2009) is £1750 per person.

The price of the trip includes transfers to and from the airports in Lima, Arequipa and Cusco, all meals and soft drinks (except in Lima, Machu Picchu as explained above), guides, horses, tack, all trip gear and camping equipment (except sleeping bags), activities such as snorkeling, fishing, canoeing or hiking on day 6, land travel, train, bus and entrance fee to Machu Picchu (trip extension) and all accommodation.

The cost does not include flights (international or internal flight Lima – Arequipa – Cusco – Lima), airport taxes, alcoholic beverages, sleeping bags, gratuities, optional activities, personal expenditures and travel insurance. There is a US$ 28 airport tax for international departures from Lima, and a US$ 6 airport tax for domestic departures.

There is a single supplement of £130 charged for those not willing or able to share. 

Machu Picchu

Wild and Exotic itinerary for the 12 day riding tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru

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 four nights 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. Llamas, herded by local Quechuas and laden with our lunch and beverages, will accompany us on the trail. 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.

Day 1: Arrive in Lima. Our representative in Lima will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. The hotel is centrally located in Miraflores. If time allows you can visit museums, shop in Miraflores or visit Barranco, a romantic and Bohemian district in Lima with a variety of nightclubs.

Day 2: After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for the spectacular one-hour flight over the Andes arrives mid-morning in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco (altitude 3338 m/10,952 ft.). From here it is a one-hour drive to the hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The charming hotel is perfectly located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, between Cusco and Machu Picchu, and only 1 mile from the stables.

Once you have settled at the hotel you will be transferred to the riding stables. 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. Lunchtime barbeque at the ranch. In the afternoon, there will be a demonstration of classic Peruvian equitation by Perol Chico's chalan, followed by an introductory Peruvian riding course. Before dinner we will get together for an informal briefing about the ride, safety instructions and the horses. Dinner is at the ranch. Overnight in one of the cottages at Kuychi Rumi.

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 9:30hrs we take the short drive to Ollantaytambo where we visit the ruins and village. According to legend, Ollantaytambo is named for 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 at the ranch around 1 PM. After lunch we continue our riding course in classic Peruvian equitation in the safety of our round pen 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. Dinner tonight is at the ranch. Overnight in one of the cottages at Kuychi Rumi.

Day 4: Our ride begins around 10:00hrs, after a leisurely breakfast. We mount our horses and set off in the direction of Ollantaytambo. We cross the Urubamba River and pass Pichingote, an old Andean village where the houses are partially built into caves. Then on to Salinas. Here we see salt pans from Inca times still being used 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 will climb with the horses almost 1000 m (3,281 ft.) to the reach the Andean altiplano. This climb takes about two hours, and will be at an easy pace because the change of altitude does not only affect the horses. Once at 3700 m (12,140 ft.), we will be surrounded by stunning scenery and the snowcapped mountains of Chicon, Veronica and Salcantay. 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. From Maras we will continue our ride following an interesting trail 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 many 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.

From Moray we continue our ride to Tiobamba, where we arrive at around 17:00 pm. Our back-up van will bring you back to your cottage at Kuychi Rumi in the Sacred Valley. After some rest and a warm shower we’ll have dinner at one of Urubamba’s famous local restaurant. Riding time: 5-6 hours. Altitude: 2700 - 3700 m/8,860-12,140 ft.

Day 5: After a filling breakfast at your hotel, you will be collected and transferred back to Tiobamba, where the horses will be 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 will have plenty of 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 times of the Incas. In the afternoon we continue our ride and arrive around 5 PM at Lake Piuray.

Our back-up van will bring you back to your cottage at Kuychi Rumi in the Sacred Valley. After some rest and a warm shower we’ll have dinner at one of Urubamba’s famous local restaurant or at the ranch. Riding time: 5 hours. Altitude: 3000 - 3800 m/9,840 - 12,470 ft.

Day 6: 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 snowcapped mountains and the altiplano. We will pass many impressive Inca ruins, like 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 16:30hrs 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 is in Cusco. We will stay at a comfortable hotel located near the Plaza de Armas, the heart of Cusco's archaeological center. If you still have energy you can explore Cusco's legendary nightlife. Riding time: 6 hours. Altitude: 3400 - 4000 m/11,155 - 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 of 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 snowcapped 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 see 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 toothbrushes, toothpaste, sweaters, and school supplies. You will have the opportunity to buy some fine weavings made locally. Riding time: 5-6 hours. Altitude: 3600 - 4350 m/11,810 - 14,275 ft. Dinner and overnight at our campsite near Lake Qoricocha.

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 from the altiplano into the valley. We descend 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 Huyapo, where we will find our last campsite. Riding time: 6-7 hours. Altitude: 4300 - 2800 m/14,110 - 9,190 ft. Dinner and overnight at our campsite at Lake Huyapo.

Day 10: After breakfast we leave for our last day with the horses. We will follow an

interesting trail towards Huarocondo. After about 3 hours riding we arrive again at the village of Maras.  After lunch we complete our descent into the Sacred Valley, arriving at the ranch around 14:00hrs. We will celebrate our return with a traditional Pisco Sour at the ranch.  Riding time: 4 hours. Altitude: 2800 - 2600 m/9,190 - 8,530 ft. Dinner at Huayocari Hacienda, a private residence with an impressive collection of Incan and colonial art and artifacts, hosted by its owner. Overnight at the comfortable Hotel la Casona or Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca in Yucay.

Day 11: Our day starts early, as we catch the 6:00hrs train from Urubamba 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 Urubamba 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 lots of film, this is every bit as magnificent as you have imagined. In the afternoon we take the train back to Urubamba, arriving around 19:00hrs. Dinner at one of Urubamba’s famous restaurants, and a last chance to sample Pisco Sours. Overnight at the comfortable Hotel la Casona or 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 13:00hrs. The earliest possible departure time from Lima is 15:00hrs.

Notes:

Departure dates in 2008:

April 17-28 May 06-17
May 22-June 02
June 12-June 23 - no camping*
July 03-July 14 - no camping*
July 24-August 04
August 21-Sept. 01
Sept 11- Sept. 22
Sept 30- Oct. 11
Oct. 16- Oct.27

* Due to low temperatures at night at high altitudes during the months of June and July, there will be no camping. Instead you will be transferred at the end of each riding day to a comfortable hotel in Cusco (day 8) or in the Sacred Valley (day 9). You will also enjoy dinner on both days at a local restaurant. The next day you will be transferred again to where we left the horses in order to continue our progressive ride.

The cost of this itinerary is £2385 per person based on two people sharing accommodation and providing there are a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 guests on the ride.

The cost 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 accommodations (including 9 nights in hotels).

The cost does not include flights (international and internal flight Lima-Cusco-Lima) 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$ 6 airport tax for domestic departures.

The ride combines 9 nights in quaint hotels with private bathrooms with 2 nights in rustic camps (no camping during the months of June and July due to low temperatures at night at high altitudes). 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.

The single supplement of £275 per person is waived if guests are willing to share accommodation and provided there is someone suitable to share with.

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic’s terms and conditions, a copy of which is enclosed with your booking form.