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Exploring the Andes on Horseback.
A magical journey
back through time. An Introduction to the best of
Inca Peru… a quality alternative to the abused,
overused Inca Trail with focus on Andean culture,
history and Inca archaeology studies.
"This unique adventure follows a series of forgotten Inca trails through
some of the wildest country in the world. During
event filled days, we travel back in time, traveling
through medieval villages, past cascading
waterfalls, over high passes and explore remote
ancient ruins.
Our route traverses the Andes at altitudes between
7,000 and 15,000 feet, taking us well above
timberline before finally descending into the high
cloud forest.
We observe varieties of delicate orchids, rare
birds, plants and seldom visited Inca ruins. Ample
time is programmed to experience Cusco, key Inca
sites and modern Andean culture.
As backpacking hoards crowd the guidebook trails, we
plan our route along little known, seldom traveled
routes that once were the main arteries of the
highland Inca homeland. By utilizing sturdy mountain
horses, we are able to climb over high passes on
steep trails that take us beyond the capabilities of
most backpackers and trekking groups.
IT-PERT01
Rates include meals (except in Cusco) and all lodging, 5 riding days
11 days/ 10 nights $
2,995
Single+ $375
riding portion only $ 1,600
2008
Dates:
03/30-04/09
05/18-05/28 07/06-07/16
08/03-08/13 09/14-09/24
10/19-10/29
11/02-11/12
2009
Dates:
03/29-04/08
05/17-05/27 07/05-07/15
08/02-08/14 09/13-09/23
10/18-10/28
11/01-11/11
check availability
Single
travelers: no extra charge if willing to share
Airport: Lima/Cuzco
Meeting: Cuzco
Tack: South American
Horses: Criollo / Paso&Barb mix
Pace: Slow with some canters where
the terrain allows.
Steep riding
country.
Level: Novice+,
but
in good physical condition
Min/Max: 4-15 riders
Weight limit: 200 lbs.
Note: We also offer add on packages to the Amazon, Lake Titicaca and to
the Nazca Lines, as well as hotel overnights in Lima, etc.
INCLUSIONS: The price includes
accommodations in very comfortable safari style camps, tourist class or better
hotels and inns (double occupancy), land travel, meals except in Cusco, all trip
gear, horses, tack, bilingual guide and local support staff, entrance fees.
EXCLUSIONS: Not included are airport taxes, air travel, alcoholic and bottled
drinks, gratuities, optional activities, personal expenditures, meals in Cusco,
costs resulting from illness or injury and emergency evacuation, program changes
and delays beyond our control.
Itinerary
- In Search of Machu Picchu
Day 1 Sun.) Arrival in Cusco, the ancient
capital of the Incas. We greet you at the airport.
(plan to arrive on one of the early flights if
possible). Following brief orientation and a cup of
traditional coca tea, we organize an afternoon
introductory walk around town with a visit to the
archeology museum and the Coricancha, temple of the
Sun, the most important of Inca ceremonial sites.
Most will need the morning to rest and recover from
yesterday's travel. Refreshed and eager, we meet for
dinner at a favorite restaurant. Our guide may tell
the story of legendary Manco Inca and the lost
cities of Vilcabamba or perhaps we just get to know
each other. There are many days ahead to hear the
story of the Incas. We lodge in a comfortable quiet
hotel near the main plaza. D
Day 2 Mon.) Leaving Cusco in the rear view
mirror, we travel by van over a low pass then down
into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. The
scenery is unsurpassable, close and distant snow
peaks glistening in the sun. The Sacred Valley is
the location of the major Inca temple/fortress of
Ollantaytambo. Probably built by the great Inca
ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of
Hernando Pizzaro’s defeat by Manco Inca in 1536.
Constructed of finely cut polygonal stones and
rhyolite blocks, the fortress and nearby town
represent the best of Inca architecture and
construction. Large worked blocks, some weighting as
much as 100 tons were quarried from a site more than
a thousand vertical feet above the valley floor
using a technique of pecking with hammer stones,
then skidded down and across the Urubamba river
several kilometers to the temple site. Inclined
ramps were built to raise the blocks several hundred
feet up hill to the construction area. We have ample
time to examine the complex and ponder its many
mysteries. We will also undertake a hiking tour of
the extensive Inca hill top complex of Pisac. We
overnight at a comfortable inn in the valley at an
altitude of 2600 meters. Clean sheets, traditional
Peruvian dinner and chilled, Cusqueña beer complete
the day. B L D
Day 3 Tues): Wakeup call…coffee, breakfast…we
are soon bouncing along the back roads in a tough
overland bus, eager to start the trek.
A colorful band of desperados, our crew of Quechua
speaking wranglers as it turns out, are busily
saddling horses while assorted local kids and
elderly spectators look on. Our guide gives a short
riding lesson concerning our sturdy Andean horses
and day trail hiking instructions as duffels and
gear are expertly sorted and matched to mule loads
Leaving tents and baggage to follow, we set off up a
winding trail into the remote Cordillera Vilcabamba
range. This is not just any old trail. Gaining
altitude we soon realize that we are on a well
constructed Inca highway, carefully planned to make
the climb as easy as possible. If weather permits,
spectacular views of geometric Inca fields dominate
the valley below. Crossing Edychayoq pass at 3800
meters, we descend for a picnic lunch at Wilkaracay.
After lunch a steady climb takes us over over
Vicuñitas Pass, 3,900 Mts. where there is a breeding
station for Vicunas, a rare Andean Camelid closely
related to the Llama and world renowned for the
quality of its wool. Later, descending to a place
called Chaqui, we reach our first campsite camp at
3700 meters. Travel time is 6 to 8 hours with an
estimated distance of 12 miles. The staff sets up a
large dining tent with tables and chairs. One or two
persons are assigned a four person sleeping tent.
Meals are prepared from fresh meats, grains and
vegetables. Our seasoned (no pun intended) cooks are
well experienced in catering to vegetarian diets for
those of that calling. Before the evening meal, we
enjoy happy hour with popcorn, assorted hot
beverages and for those who imbibe, our famous
expedition vodka martini or a glass of select
Chilean wine. B L D
Day 4 Weds). After tea and coffee served in
bed along with a tub of warm washing water, we
breakfast in the large tent then head out (usually
around 8:30 or so). This may be our longest and most
physically exerting day. Travel time will be 7-8
hours. Following an ancient Inca custom still
practiced to-day, we join our wranglers in offering
coca leaves to the Apu's or mountain gods who allow
us a safe passage. Our journey takes us over
Milpucasa pass at 4650 meters/15,250 ft. We pass
through several Quechua villages where home-woven
ponchos and clothing present opportunity for photos
and a view of mountain life. A lunch of Hot soup and
broiled chicken follows the hump over the pass.
Finally, we climb down again to arrive at the
traditional village of Pampacahuana, 3900 meters.
Camp is pitched beside an ingeniously designed Inca
canal. B L D
Day 5 Thurs): Wow…it's all downhill today.
Departing camp, we soon reach tree line below. The
abundance of wild flowers and small songbirds
indicates a warmer climate and changing eco zone.
Lunch is set beside the interesting Inca site of
Paucarkanca. Reflecting the Inca genius for
enhancing natural topography and blending design
with in-site stone, Paucarkanca is a classic example
of early `Frank Lloyd Wright' architecture. The site
dominates a ridge dividing two major valleys at the
junction of two Inca roads. Large U shaped terraces
andenes surround two walled compounds kanchas
inclosing a number of well made field and worked
stone houses. The construction appears to replicate
the shape of the ridge and mountain rising above.
The site probably served as a control point and way
station Tambo but also may have been an estate or
residence for someone important. We have ample time
to explore, speculate and share observations.
Turning up the Quequa valley, the route steadily
climbs on an ancient Inca road connecting Cusco with
Machu Picchu, to our next campsite at 3,700 meters.
B L D
Day 6 Fri): After a hearty breakfast a steady
climb from camp brings us to Puerto Huayanay pass at
4550 meters/14,950 ft. Climbing a switch backing
trail, we follow the old stone paved Inca road to
the ruins of Incarakay, a tambo or way station on
the royal highway. Descending from the pass, we
enter a broad glaciated valley below the massive ice
walls of Nevado Huayanay. Lunch is set beside deep
green Ancascocha lake. Continuing down the Silque
valley, our route follows a small, active glacier
fed river to a campsite at Saylla, 3500 meters. We
arrive at camp in time for an Andean traditional
feast, Pachamanca. (potatoes, lamb and spices cooked
in a pit covered hot stones). B L D
Day 7 Sat): Last day of the ride…a leisurely
day with extra coffee and late start. We continue
along the Silque Valley passing a beautiful canyon
full of native plants, shrubs, multicolored
Hummingbirds and Orchids.
Ride finishes here. We arrive at
our comfortable hotel – Nustayoc Lodge Announcing
day's end, deep shadows bring on a peacefully cool
Andean night. Sadly we bid our horses, mules, cooks
and wranglers goodbye Glasses filled with a good
wine; we toast our staff and the successful
completion of a magical journey back through time .B
L D
Day 8 Sun) We hop aboard the morning narrow
gauge train heading down valley. An interesting hour
of click, clack and sway with all of the
accompanying sounds and smells of rural Peru takes
us to our overnight stop at the bustling backpacker
town of Aguas Calientes. Some may opt to stay here
relaxing at our comfortable hotel while we bus up to
the journeys final famous destination. (not to
worry…if you stay behind, you will have ample time
to see all tomorrow…it's your call)
MACHU PICCHU, one of the
most magical and mysterious places on Earth!
Situated on the spine of a jungle cloaked granite
peak towering some 2,000 ft. above an entrenched
meander of the roaring river below, the site is
frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the
powerful equatorial sun. Constructed from precisely
sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the
projecting exposed stone of the surrounding
mountain, the site may well be the finest
architectural achievement of the new world.
Machu Picchu.
Otherwise romantically known to the tourist world as
"The lost city of the Incas". Gary Ziegler's
description of the site is a bit more academic but
that’s another story if you read his papers and
reports. We bus back down with the setting sun to
Aguas Calientes, joining those who have stayed
behind at the hotel. Dinner follows at the local
gourmet French bistro or perhaps simpler beer and
pizza at one of the track side cafes. Some
undoubtedly opt for after dinner Pisco Sours and
dancing on the hill. B:L:D
Day 9 Mon.) Early visit to MACHU PICCHU long
before the tourist hoards arrive… A moderate hike
baxl along a finely constructed Inca trail takes us
to INTIPUNKU at 2950 meters/9000 ft., the impressive
Gate of the Sun overlooking Machu Picchu, otherwise
romantically known to the tourist world as "The lost
city of the Incas". Our guide concludes the story of
the raise and fall of the ancient civilizations of
the Andes with the tragic end of the Inca and the
enigma that this remarkable site remains. We bus
back down to Aguas Calientes.
In view, down the great
canyon of the Urubamba below is the long cloud
forested ridge of Llactapata. The steep slope
conceals a large complex of Inca ruins rediscovered
and investigated by our Inca Research expeditions
led by Gary Ziegler and noted British explorer, Hugh
Thomson in 2003.
Boarding the Cusco bound afternoon train, we arrive
back in the Capital of the Inca and comfortable
rooms at our selected hotel, Andes de America, near
the central plaza. We gather later for a final
celebration dinner at the Hotel's fine restaurant.
B:L:
Day 10 Tues). This is the day to rest, shop
and wander around Cusco. The city abounds with small
shops and street side vendors selling their wares.
Colorful weavings and hand made alpaca sweaters are
popular gifts for friends at home. Most migrate to
the Cross Keys, Cusco's only authentic English Pub,
for drinks and lively conversation with the resident
congregation of guides, expatriates, adventurers,
treasure hunters and smugglers from far corners of
the universe. B.
Day 11 Weds) Breakfast at the hotel then we
help you onto the morning flight to Lima. Adios
amigos… buen viaje. (See Lima below) B
THE 4 DAY MANU TRIP LEAVES EVERY FRIDAY. Ask about joining this rain forest
biosphere adventure which leaves and returns to Cusco.
Horses:
We own special mountain bred horses descended from
noble Spanish Barbs brought from Spain in the
1500s...Crossed with the comfortable but less
sure-footed Paso breed our mountain horses give a
strong, comfortable ride with greater endurance,
stability and reliability needed for steep Inca
trails. We raise and train horses at our ranch in
the Sacred Valley. The horses are no nonsense,
experienced, sure-footed, non gaited mountain trail
horses affording a secure, comfortable ride on steep
pathways. |
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Trip Report 1
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Trip Report 2
Cusco
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