Sacred Valley Ride, Peru

Wild and Exotic sample itinerary for the Sacred Valley Ride in Peru 

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:

The cost of this itinerary is 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 of this itinerary 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 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 will be enclosed with your booking form.

Wild and Exotic fact sheet for the Sacred Valley Ride in Peru 

Accommodation: The accommodation used on the ride, like the scenery, is varied and interesting. Eight nights are spent in small hotels with private bathrooms and two nights are spent under canvas (except during the months June and July). The hotels are very comfortable and unique, but not always five star.

The camping is made as bearable as possible too and there is a good-sized 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. Camping may sound blissfully quiet, but be warned that there is usually a chorus of dogs barking at night, which may cause initial irritation, but rest assured it does die down.

The dedicated chef from the ranch also has a separate tent in which to produce his wonderful meals. The icing on the cake is the hot water bottle which you are presented with when you decide to retire to your tent for the night!

All the hotel accommodation (apart from when in Cusco)  is a short drive away from the ranch, as there is no guest accommodation onsite, but you are always picked up from your hotel and taken to the ranch/restaurants/Inca sites promptly and at the allotted times.

Activities: There is really not much time for other activities, apart from during the free day in Cusco, when you may opt to do a one-day rafting adventure on the Urubamba river. If rafting sounds very un-relaxing, then don't worry as Cusco is full of exciting day and nightlife with plenty to see and do with interesting museums, churches, cathedrals, bars, restaurants and night clubs.

Please note that while this ride is a truly wonderful way to learn about the Peruvian culture, there is not too much quiet time. If you want to have some more time to yourself then you may like to consider having a few extra days in Cusco after the ride perhaps. Do let us know if you would like us to help with any extra arrangements.

Culture: There is a warm, friendly atmosphere and riders are welcomed as part of the family. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Peruvian culture, but may not be right for those needing a great deal of privacy and time alone.

Children: Competent teenagers (16 yrs old plus) are accepted on the ride.

Extension option: Extra day in Lima. Lima is usually the starting point of your visit to Peru. Most flights from the USA and Europe arrive late afternoon or in the evening. If you want to spend an extra day in Lima, before or after the ride, we can offer you a full day sightseeing tour of Lima. Our program includes transfers to and from the airport, private transport during the day, English-speaking guide, lunch at one of Lima's famous restaurants, a visit to the Museo de Oro and/or Museo Rafael Larco Herrera, and the historical center of Lima. Overnight at the Hotel Ariosto in Miraflores or hotel of your choice. Price available on request.

Horses: 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, between 8 to 10 Km. per hour). The horses are well cared for, strong, and even-tempered.

Peruvian Paso Horse: Due to its isolation for over 400 years, the Peruvian Paso horse has evolved as one of the purest breeds in the world and as a unique entity in the horse kingdom. The existence of this breed has been called "the greatest triumph of genetic selection ever achieved by a group of breeders." Thanks to its unique, inbred, four beat lateral gait, the Peruvian Paso horse is (as mentioned earlier) undoubtedly the smoothest riding horse in the world. The trademark of this breed is a special, inherited, and completely natural four beat lateral gait called paso llano. The paso llano is a broken gait. It consists of a permanent, harmonic and rhythmic tapping in which the animal makes a gentle and pleasant alternating movement. It is a quick advance in which the center of the horse's gravity stays almost immobile, producing the smooth ride.

The paso llano is executed with a distinctive action in the front legs, called termino, a graceful, flowing movement in which the forelegs are rolled towards the outside as the horse strides forward, much like the arm motion of a swimmer. Termino is a spectacular and beautiful natural action. It is not a wing or paddle and originates in the shoulder giving the horse the ability to swing the leg forward with minimum vertical force back. Both the gait and the flashy leg action are naturally passed on to the offspring.

Until the seventeenth century, the majority of the world's horses were naturally gaited. Nearly all travelling was done on horseback. Horses with natural gaits were considerably more comfortable to ride than trotters, which were called "bonebreakers." Trotters were better suited for pulling carts and carriages for long distances, as well for horseracing. As these uses for horses eclipsed travel riding, the numbers of trotters grew. The Peruvian Paso remained one of the very few breeds that not only retained its natural gait, but was celebrated for it.

The modern Peruvian horse descends from the horses introduced into Peru by the Spanish in the sixteenth-century. The Spanish Conquistadors brought with them both Hacks (amblers) and Chargers (trotters) of the same breed to the New World, and as recorded in the Archives of the Indios, the Spanish horse, the classic Andalusian, was a breed consisting of Galician (Celtic) horses of the North, Sorraia, and Barb of Morocco.

In Peru, the classic Andalusian horse became the foundation for the Peruvian horse, which has kept most of the characteristics that made the Andalusian so valuable during the conquest of South America. It is interesting to note here that the Andalusian horse in Spain has since changed through the influence of other European breeds introduced by foreign Royal Houses that ruled Spain for two centuries.

The Peruvian Horse is a "hot blood," a purebred Spanish horse that was selectively bred for the amble after reaching the shores of Peru. No outside blood has been introduced into the Peruvian breed, as there was no need to cross with other breeds to produce taller, heavier or faster horses, as was the case in other countries such as Mexico, Argentina or the United States. The Peruvian horse was mainly developed to satisfy the need for a smooth and comfortable ride when overseeing plantations and travelling from one settlement to another. Selective breeding coupled with such factors as climate and forage, served to modify succeeding generations and create a new breed, which possess characteristics different from those of any other horse in the world. Peruvian Paso horses come in all basic, solid colors as well as greys and roans. The average height of the Peruvian is between 14 and 15.3 hands and their weight is about the same as for Morgans and Arabians. A major principle with Peruvian breeders is that great Peruvian horses are born - not trained. Training is designed to bring out the animal's inherent ability but not modify it artificially. The breed is said to combine qualities which may be considered "contradictory." He is very high-spirited - though easy to handle while loose and relaxed in his movements. He has sparkling, brilliant action in the forelegs - yet he is extremely smooth and sure-footed. He has a refined appearance - yet he is powerful. This has been accomplished due to the intelligence, love, and devotion of innumerable breeders (many anonymous). Their arduous and silent work has made the Peruvian Paso horse one of the country's greatest treasures and a unifying source for its people.

Health: Immunisations are also not currently required for entry. If you are visiting the jungle before or after the trip then yellow fever and malaria are usually necessary. You should consult your GP for further advice. 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.

Insurance: 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. Guests should be in a suitable condition to partake in a riding tour, are not riding against any medical advice and that guests 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.

Itinerary information: You will enjoy six and a half days of unforgettable riding in and around the Sacred Valley. The riding group sizes are kept small with a maximum group size of eight, plus your guide and back up rider. You will ride through villages, towns, across farmland and everyone you meet will have a smile on their face and usually a chorus of, "hola", will follow the ride wherever it goes. The children are especially excited by the horses and it is great fun to see the delight on their faces. You will see the locals working their fields and a wealth of animals in the form of donkeys, dogs, chickens, pigs, goats, llamas and cows!

In amongst the riding you will enjoy a free day to explore Cusco with its wealth of colonial churches and museums (although you may prefer to just sit in a café or bar above the main plaza and just soak it all in over a bottle of the local Cusqueña beer). You will also visit Ollantaytambo's impressive Inca ruins and the trip ends with a visit to the extraordinary Machu Picchu, which words cannot sufficiently describe.

Even on the riding days you will also be treated to visits to Chinchero (further impressive Inca ruins), plus a visit to a textile workshop where you will be able to enjoy a demonstration of ancient spinning, dying and weaving techniques.

On this ride it is fair to say that you will be constantly learning and your eyes will be opened. For the attractions which you visit whilst on the ride, your entry fee is included and you will be issued with a ‘Boleto Turistico'. This piece of paper should be kept on you at all times when riding, as you will need it to enter Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Machu Picchu. Depending upon your flight arrival time in Lima, you may like to have a city tour. This is something which can either be arranged ahead of travel or can also be booked once in Lima. The tour last for about 3 hours.

Laundry: Laundry services are available in Cusco and Urubamba. See separate recommended clothing list

Location: Your ride takes place in ‘El Valle Sagrado de los Incas' or ‘The Sacred Valley' as it is more commonly known. It is the portion of the Urubamba river valley from Pisac to Ollantaytambo and is about an hour's drive from Cusco (itself is an hour and a quarter's flight from Peru's capital, Lima). The beautiful city of Cusco (3,338 m), which you will have the opportunity to visit, was once the foremost city of the Inca Empire, as well as the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city.

The Sacred Valley was home to several cultures prior to the rise of the Inca Empire. These pre-Inca cultures include the Chanapata (800-300 BC), the Qotacalla (500-900 AD), and the Killke (900-1420 AD). The Inca actually only controlled the valley for little over a century. The Urubamba River feeds this fertile valley which enjoys a pleasant and sheltered climate. The majority of its inhabitants live a life little changed since the arrival of the Spanish. Farming is done largely with the help of wooden ploughs pulled by oxen, travel is largely by foot, and the native population speaks Quechua, which bares no resemblance to Spanish at all! All of this and much more is what you will see and enjoy on this superior trail ride.

Meals: You will eat like an Inca king! Breakfast, unless camping, is always enjoyed at your small hotel. It typically will consist of coffee/coca tea (normal tea is also available), fruit juice - usually more exotic than just orange or apple, bread rolls and jam and then you are usually also invited to order eggs, scrambled or fried. Chunks of melon, pineapple and papaya are normally also available. Lunch on the first couple of days is served at the ranch house at an enormous wooden table. You will always have three courses, all delicious and the servings are very generous. Once on the trail either a support vehicle meets you for lunch and you are issued with a tupper-ware full of goodies, maybe a succulent chicken breast or a cold pork chop with sweet potato and salad, or on a few days you take lunch with you in your saddle bags. Saddle bag lunches usually consist of two enormous and tasty rolls with different fillings. Fruit, cookies, wine and coffee/tea also usually available.  Except on a couple of occasions, proper cutlery and crockery is always used. Hand wipes/ wash are available before each meal on the ride. Full water bottles are also packed in your saddle bags everyday, so there is no need to bring your own. Dinner is also three courses and you will be eating tasty regional cuisine. Dishes are made from fresh vegetables, local dairy products and good meat/ fresh trout etc. On some nights you will also eat out at some of Urubamba's excellent restaurants. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements will be accommodated with prior notice. At the end of each day's ride you are always offered a little something to tide you over until supper. You will also be offered the traditional and national cocktail, the Pisco Sour, which is truly delicious. It is made from Pisco, a locally produced white-grape brandy, blended with lemon juice, ice, egg white, sugar syrup and topped with bitters. If you don't like it, then beer or wine is also available.

Meeting point: Clients will be met upon arrival at the Lima International Airport on day 1. You will be transferred to the Hotel Ariosto. Due to the transfer back to Cusco and the flight to Lima, do not schedule a departure flight prior to 3pm on the final day.

Money and tipping: The best currency for exchange into Peruvian soles is the US dollar. 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. Travellers cheques are charged at a slightly lower rate than cash. Lima and Cusco will both have ATM machines (Visa, Mastercard or Cirrus) and they should accept your debit card. Try and avoid using credit card where you can for you are usually charged a 8% fee for using them. 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 6 to 10 per guest per day is offered. Though please note that this is just a guideline and you should give what you feel you want and also what you can afford. Tips can be made in either US Dollars or Peruvian soles. The exchange rate is usually somewhere in the region of 3.17 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. Departure tax is payable in both currencies as well. At the time of writing, domestic flights command a c. USD 6 departure tax and international departure tax is USD 30.

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 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. 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.

Passports and visas: You do not need a visa to enter Peru, but your passport should have at least six months validity beyond your departure date. Customs requirements are subject to change, however, so please contact your nearest Peruvian for current information. Upon entering the country you are permitted to a 30 day stay (90 day stays are also possible) which is stamped into your passport and you are also given an embarkation card that you keep and return upon leaving the country. It is essential to reconfirm all your return flights about 72 hrs in advance of travel.

Riding: To enjoy the journey you should be a competent and experienced rider and above all happy to ride a forward-going horse and try out a new way of riding, Peruvian style. Upon first arrival at the ranch you will be given a fantastic display of Peruvian Equitation by your half-Peruvian/half Dutch host, Eduard (you will soon get to know him as Eddy), and also by his Peruvian chalan (horseman), Jose. After the demonstration you will then have the opportunity to have a go yourself and you will be forgiven for feeling a little nervous prior to mounting these magnificent animals. You will walk and also do the ‘paso llano' - read on for an explanation of this special gait.

The riding is built up gradually over the duration of the 11 night trail ride to enable you to acclimatise to the high altitudes. The riding takes place between 2600 and 4350 metres (8,530 and 14,275 ft). This is therefore a high altitude trip and some people can take longer to adjust to these heights than others. Adverse effects on blood pressure, digestion and energy levels are all possible and you should consult your doctor before undertaking this trip if you think the altitude could cause you a problem. Most people will just feel a little breathless when climbing stairs for example or when bending over to pick up something off the floor. As long as you take things easy on the first few days, then you should have no problems at all.

On average you will be riding for five hours a day, though initially it will be less and on some days nearer the end of the ride you will be riding for the best part of seven hours a day. You will soon realise why the Peruvian Paso horse has earned itself the reputation of being the ‘cadillac' of horses. You will enjoy a very smooth ride. Rising trot goes out the window as you cruise along the stunning Peruvian countryside either at walk or at the ‘paso llano gait' (four-beat lateral gait). The horses are exceptionally well cared for, strong, and even-tempered. They are treated like athletes, eat very well and are rugged up at night whilst on the trail. You won't do much, if any canter work, but you will understand that the ‘paso llano' is the preferred gait of these beautiful horses and it is something which they can do for hours on end and you will be amazed at how quickly you cover the ground. You will soon get a feel for the gait and understand what the fuss is all about. Be warned, it is highly likely that you won't want to ever go back to riding a ‘normal' horse again! The ride is also not for though who dislike heights. Some days you will be riding along some very steep little tracks/Inca paths. The horses are remarkably careful and sure-footed over the tricky terrain. There are also some steep uphill climbs (on horseback) which the horses also tackle magnificently.

Riding experience: 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)

Safety: A four-wheel-drive jeep will act as a back up vehicle to the tour.

Season: April to November (Pacific Ride possible November to March)

Smoking: Please note that many parts of South America are not smoke free.

Tack: The tack utilized demonstrates refined Peruvian craftsmanship the result of over 400 years of tradition. 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.

It was shaped by the need for comfortable rides over long distances and difficult terrain. Owners of large estates often needed to cover more than 40 miles per day to manage their property.

The bridles, which can take up to a year to make, are made from a double layer of hand-woven rawhide. They have matching halters, which allow the horse to be dismounted and tied quickly. They also have the distinctive eye patches, or tapa ojos, which allow the horse to stand, waiting for its rider's return, when nothing is available to tie it to. This is often the case in the high plains, where most shrubs are less than a foot high. The saddles, also handmade, are built to easily distribute the body weight across a large portion of the horse's back, thus minimizing strain on both the horse and rider. These saddles feel like a comfortable cross between a dressage and Western saddle. The saddles also have the guarnicion, or tailpiece, a remnant of the Conquistadores traditional tack. The saddles are cleaned every morning prior to the morning ride and the crupper is greased each morning as well to ensure the horse's comfort. The saddles you will be riding on have detachable saddlebags which easily hold your picnic lunch and water bottle. The final distinctive element of Peruvian tack is the wooden box stirrups, or estribos. When the Spaniards arrived in Peru, they could find no local source of iron for making stirrups. As a replacement, they designed the box stirrup from wood, and began to adorn the stirrups with silver. Reins and bridles are also often ornately adorned with handmade silver decorations. The box stirrups may feel strange at first to those used to smaller English irons, but you will soon come to appreciate them for their comfort. At lunch times when the horses are tied up to trees, the box stirrups are removed so that they do not bang unnecessarily against the horse's sides.

Weather: 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 40 to 80 ºF (5 to 25º C). In Cusco, in the southeastern Sierra, annual rainfall averages about 81.5 mm (32 in). Rainfall is usually scanty, but in the mountains and in the jungle heavy rains last from December to April.

During daytime the temperature is usually the same the whole year round (average around 70 ºF / 20 ºC), but can drop considerably in the late afternoon and at night. Especially during the months of June and July the temperature at night can drop to freezing point at high altitudes. During the months in which the ride runs, you should experience good weather. The daytime temperatures can be very hot, in the high 30s, but at night the temperature may drop considerably. There may also be some rain, but this would usually apply more to the rides at either end of the season in April or October. In any event, you should dress in layers and be prepared for every eventuality. See our separate ‘recommended packing list'.

Weight limit: 200 pounds / 90 kg