Peruvian Odyssey ride, Peru

Wild and Exotic itinerary for the Peruvian Odyssey 10 day ride

Join us on our adventurous ride firstly through unexplored and merciless desert terrain to reach a secluded beach haven on the Pacific shoreline. After a short flight to Cusco, transfer to the Sacred Valley for the second part of this adventure. This is a trip suited to pioneering souls - an equestrian journey filled with stark contrasts. Hot days, cool nights, barren deserts and comfortable hotels, the towering peaks of the Andes and the wild shores of the Pacific Ocean. The itinerary also includes time to visit the beautiful town of Arequipa, an afternoon in Cusco and a day trip to see the wonders of Machu Picchu.

Day 1: On arrival into Lima you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel Ariosto, which is centrally located in the Miraflores District. 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 return to Lima airport for a 1 hour and 20-minutes flight to Arequipa. Arequipa has been awarded UNESCO's Cultural Heritage of Mankind classification. It is located at 2,325 m in the Desert Mountains of the Andes. The weather in Arequipa is dry and sunny all year long. Day temperatures reach between 20 and 25 ºC (about 70-75 Fahrenheit). The wet season (December to March) is characterized by the presence of clouds in the afternoon and some scarce precipitation. In winter (June, July), temperatures are somewhat lower and can go down to 5ºC (40 ºF) at night. With about 4,000 hours per year of sun exposure, Arequipa truly deserves its title of "city of the eternal spring".

After you have settled in your hotel, you have time to 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 realisation 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 then buried by the Inca priests atop Mount Ampato (20,700 feet). Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant; overnight in a comfortable hotel (***/****) in Arequipa.

Day 3: Today you will depart from the hotel at around 8:30am for a 1¼ hour's drive to the stables in La Joya. On arrival at the ranch see a display of Peruvian equitation by your host Eduard, and also by his Peruvian Chalan (horseman). There are around 120 horses at the stables in La Joya. The herd is comprised of Peruvian Pasos, Arabs, Quarter horses, Andalucians and Pintos, but the horses used on this ride will usually be the Peruvian Paso.

After the demonstration you have the opportunity to have a go yourself - and it's only natural to feel a little nervous prior to mounting these magnificent and highly responsive horses!! We will take our time to teach you the basics of the Peruvian Equitation: the handling of rains, the deep seat, the aids, etc. We have a barbeque-lunch at the ranch. Once you have been matched with your mount we set off at around 13:00pm for a ride in La Joya and arrive around 17:00/17:30pm at the Hacienda Samambaya. Dinner and overnight at the Hacienda Samambaya in La Joya.

Day 4: After breakfast mount your horse for another day of riding through the unforgiving terrain of the desert. The scenery will change from wide-open desert plains to high dune ranges and sandy pass ways. Although most of the ride is over flat surfaces, some dunes with very loose sand must be climbed. As a safety measure it is important to carry as much water as possible, so there is limited space in the saddlebags. Please understand that lunch will therefore be fairly simple. The 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, there will be a break for lunch.

At around 5pm you arrive at the campsite, which offers basic accommodation and facilities due to its isolated location. The back-up 4x4 vehicles will carry plenty of water for the horses and for personal consumption for the evening, but there will be no showers. After dinner you should sleep well, exhausted but content with the knowledge that you have been crossing one of Peru's most isolated deserts, surrounded by a lunar landscape that few have set eyes on.

Day 5: Today's ride starts early at about 8.00am, to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures. Cross the last of the ever-rising sand dunes ahead, riding for around 5-6 hours (distance 40km) through the Quebrada San Jose, a narrow gorge, until reaching the pacific coast. There will be a few challenging obstacles and in some instances you may have to lead the horses for a short distance. Some parts of the sandy trail is covered with some very soft white volcanic ash and you will need a bandana or mask to cover your nose and face, as there will be times that we will ride in a cloud of silver dust.

In the afternoon arrive at your 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 and all essentials are transferred by boat. Tonight you will be guests of Don Gonzalo, who has constructed very picturesque cabaña-style accommodation, in the style of Robinson Crusoe (very basic shared accommodation). 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. In the evening experience a roaring campfire as you recount the stories of your adventure across the desert.

Day 6: Today the horses will need to rest, and so will you! For those who still have the energy, the morning is easily filled with activities such as snorkeling, fishing, canoeing or hiking. Others might opt for a few hours of relaxation on the beach. After lunch you embark for a 2/3-hour boat trip along the Pacific Ocean. You will visit the Caleta Honorado and other coves along the coast to explore the amazing landscapes of the Peruvian coast with its massive cliffs and unpopulated desert beaches. You will encounter a fascinating richness and diversity of marine wildlife like sea lions, dolphins, penguins and other marine birds. Late in the afternoon you will return to the Caleta San Jose and have dinner around a campfire. Overnight at the Caleta San Jose

Day 7: After breakfast you will ride along trails parallel to the coastline to the Valley of Victor. Here you will have to cross the River of Victor on horseback before you arrive at the Caleta de Quilca, our final destination. There are no long beaches along this part of the route so you will have to ride across some small trails high up on the coastal plateaus and cross several sandy gorges along the way. The ocean sounds will be heard the whole day and sometimes you have some incredible views of the ocean from high above the plateaus. At the Caleta de Quilca you will camp on the beach. Your cook will make a delicious dinner. After a great deal of food, merriment and stories shared around the camfire, nothing beats falling asleep to the sounds of horses and the waves of the ocean.

Day 8: After breakfast and a refreshing jump in the Ocean your will ride along the wide and open beach to the village of Camana. Here you will have lunch and leave the horses to be transferred home. A private car will transfer you to Arequipa (1,5 hour drive) where you arrive around 15:30/16:00pm. You will have dinner in one of Arequipa's famous restaurants and you will spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Arequipa. If you still have energy you can explore Arequipa's exciting night live.

Day 9: Today you will be transferred to Arequipa airport after breakfast for the spectacular one hour flight over the Andes which arrives mid-morning in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco. For the rest of the day you have the opportunity to explore this historical town on your own. Visit Cusco's Cathedral or some of its churches; go shopping or visit some museums. There are many places to have lunch or a coffee. In the late afternoon we will pick you up and leave Cusco for a one-hour drive arriving to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Dinner is at the Perol Chico ranch or at a local restaurant.

Day 10: Today, your day starts early, as you catch the 7:00am 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 Ollantaytambo 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 take the train back to Ollantaytambo, arriving at about 6:30pm. Dinner is at the ranch or at a local restaurant and you have a last chance to sample Pisco Sours. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Day 11: After breakfast you will be transferred to Cusco airport for the 1-hour flight to Lima. The driving time is one hour, followed by a one-hour flight. The earliest possible departure time from Lima is 17:00pm.

Notes:

The price for each ride is based on shared occupancy. If you are travelling 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.

The price of the trip includes transfers to and from the airport in Lima, Arequipa and Cusco, all meals and soft drinks, guides, horses, tack, all trip gear and camping equipment (except sleeping bags), land travel, entrance fees to the ruins, train tickets, bus and entrance fee to Machu Picchu and all accommodation including 5 nights in comfortable hotels.

Not included are: internal flight Lima-Arequipa-Cusco-Lima, airport taxes, dinner in Lima on day 1, lunch in Cusco on Day 7 and lunch at Machu Picchu on Day 9, alcoholic beverages, sleeping bags, gratuities, optional activities, personal expenditures and travel insurance.

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

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.

Wild and Exotic fact sheet and clothing list for the Peruvian Odyssey

Accommodation: The ride combines 5 nights in quaint hotels with private bathrooms, 2 nights of basic camping and 2 nights in rustic beach cabanas. 

Clothing list: Since you will be riding through the desert, temperatures are hot during the day and cool at night.  Lightweight clothing worn in layers is therefore recommended.  Dinners are very informal; there is no need to bring special attire.  In addition to casual, comfortable clothing, the following specific items are recommended:

Riding trousers / jeans
Riding boots (due to the nature of our stirrups it is also safe to ride in hiking boots)
Riding gloves
Riding helmet (recommended) and wide-brimmed sun hat
Light, long-sleeved shirts for sun protection (three)
Scarf/bandana - useful for protection against the sun and dust.
Warm Jacket
Lightweight Rain Jacket 
Comfortable boots for walking and light shoes for wearing at the end of the day
Swimwear
Sunglasses (essential in the desert - good quality, wrap-around type recommended)
Lip balm
Sunscreen (30-50 spf)
Insect repellent
Toiletries (including wet-wipes, facial wipes etc)
Waist pouch
Camera
Torch
Sleeping bag
Towel
Additional passport photos
Copy of passport

Currency: The currency used most often in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (plural soles). The easiest currency to exchange is US dollars. Other currencies are only exchangeable in major cities and at a high commission. Money can be changed in banks, casas de cambio, first-class hotels or with street changers. Casas de cambio are usually the easiest places to change money. Street changers, who loiter 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. 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 withdraw money in Peru. Either dollars or soles can be withdrawn from most ATM's, and your bank will often offer the best possible exchange rate on soles withdrawn on a US dollar account.

Expenses: The price of the trip includes transfers to and from the airports in Lima, Arequipa and Cusco, all meals and soft drinks, 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 and all accommodation.

Not included are: internal flight Lima- Arequipa- Cusco- Lima, airport taxes, alcoholic beverages, sleeping bags, gratuities, optional activities, personal expenditures and travel insurance.

There is a US$ 31 airport tax for international departures from Lima, and a US$ 7 airport tax for domestic departures.

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 breeds that typically move diagonal limbs at the same time.

During the ride you will experience the Paso llano gait. 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 guarnicion, or tailpiece, are unique elements of the Peruvian tack. The saddle is a box saddle and has a deep seat.

Meals: While on the Peruvian Odyssey, guests are treated to wonderful meals representing tasty regional cuisine.  Dishes are made from fresh vegetables, dairy products, and fresh fish. Most meals are included in the trip price, with the exception of dinner in Lima on day 1 and lunch on day 7 (Cusco) and 9 (Machu Picchu).  Vegetarian or other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.  Please contact Perol Chico with requests.

Medical: Immunizations are not currently required for entry. However, we recommend that clients consult a physician for their own personal needs

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. Due to the transfer back to Arequipa's or Cusco's airport and the flight to Lima on the last day of the itinerary, do not schedule a departure flight prior to 3 pm on the final day.

Rider Requirements: You 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.

Responsibilities: 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.

Visas: Currently, only a passport and round-trip ticket are required for entry into Peru if the stay is for 90 days or less.

Weight limit: 200 pounds / 90 kg

Please contact Wild and Exotic Ltd for more information including itinerary, prices and latest availability Tel: +44 (0)1439 748401 Email info@wildandexotic.co.uk