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Riding Tours in Peru Exploring the Andes on horseback and foot, a magical journey back in time; an introduction to the best of Inca Peru - a great alternative to the abused, overused Inca Trail. This unique adventure follows a series of forgotten Inca roadways through some of the wildest country in the world. We carefully avoid “The Inca Trail” that every tour group and backpacker travels. During event filled days, you travel back in time, 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 you well above timberline before finally descending into the high cloud forest. You 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 and mules, you are able to climb over high passes that take you beyond the capabilities of most backpackers and trekking groups. This adventure is safari style using packstock to carry all gear and expedition amenities. A staff of bilingual naturalist guides and local packers accompany a small group of guests. Comfortable camps offer delicious meals in a cozy dining tent. Some hiking is necessary. We travel up to eight hours on the longest day. Weight limit: 200 lbs.
Also: Machu Picchu Pony Express INCLUSIONS: The price includes accommodations in 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. | 
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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 spend the night at the newly opened IncaLand Hotel. Our hosts are British explorer, journalist Nicholas Asheshov and his Salvadorian wife, Maria del Carmen. We meet for happy hour in Nick's `Explorer Bar'. Dinner and good conversation follows...we slip off to our rooms to ponder the mystery of the last Incas before drifting into undisturbed slumber. Day 3 Tues> A short bus ride delivers us to the remains of an old Inca bridge crossing the Urubamba river where we meet our horses and expedition support crew. Our guide gives a riding lesson and trail instructions for the day as duffels and gear are expertly sorted and matched to mule loads by a colorful group of quechua speaking wranglers. Leaving tents and baggage to follow on the mule train, we set off up a winding trail into the remote Cordillera Vilcabamba range accompanied by a wrangler who brings the saddle mounts behind as we climb. If weather permits, spectacular views of geometric Inca fields dominate the valley below. This is our most difficult day. Starting at 9,700 ft., we climb more than 4000 ft. over Wawayoq Orqo pass (14,200 ft.) to camp near an abandoned Inca canal overlooking a vast gorge or quebrada. Travel time is about six hours with an estimated distance of 10 miles. Day 4 Wed) Crossing a high grassy ridge, we follow primitive trails into a broad glaciated valley below the massive ice walls of Nevado Huayanay where we make an early camp. A small herderıs village down valley presents opportunity for photos and a view of mountain life. Huayanay, a group of glacier covered peaks offers exciting climbing. In October of 1996, Gary Ziegler led a group from the Colorado Mountain Club to make a 13 hour long ascent of an 18,000 ft. Ice summit which they believe to be a first ascent. But that's a whole different trip...not our cup of tea. The staff sets up a large dining tent with table and stools. One or two persons are assigned a four person sleeping tent. Meals are prepared from fresh meats, grains and vegetables. The day begins with coffee or tea served at your tent. Before the evening meal, we enjoy happy hour with popcorn, assorted hot beverages and for those who imbibe, Gary and Barryıs famous expedition vodka martini (shaken, not stirred). This is a short day. Day 5 Thurs> Climbing a switch backing trail over a 15,000 ft. pass, we follow an old stone paved Inca road to the ruins of Incarakay, a tambo or way station on the royal highway. Our guide explains that this is classic tambo design with several houses, wasi and storehouses, qollqa inclosed by an outside wall or kancha. Gary believes that this route was the original `Inca Trailı that connected Machu Picchu with Cusco. A traditional lunch of coca tea, boiled potatoes, roasted corn and avocado salad served inside the ancient walls fuels us for the afternoon journey. We climb, steadily up again to cross another pass, Milupkasa, then drop down to camp in a broad high valley. This high pampa was probably a place for breeding and raising of llamas used for carrying supplies along the royal road and meat (the English jerky comes from the Quechua word charki meaning dried llama meat). Day 6 Fri> We travel up to the top of another spectacular pass, greeted by the imposing view of 20,000 ft. high Nevado Salkantay, sacred Apu (spirit) of to the Inca, towering above us. Entering the major Pampakahuana Valley, we camp near a traditional Andean village of stone huts and potato fields. Day 7 Sat) The day breaks bright and sunny (we hope). After several cups of coffee and breakfast of fruit, yogurt and hot cakes, we pack our duffle for the waiting mules and set off down valley. As we descend in altitude, herder's huts and small farms chakras become numerous. We pass grazing cows, barking dogs and children coming and going along the trail. Lunch is set along side of 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 valley at the junction of two Inca roads. Large U shaped terraces andenes surround two kancas inclosing a number of well made field and worked stone houses. The construction appears to reflect the shape of the ridge and mountain rising above. The site probably served as a control point and tambo but also may have served as residence for someone important. We have ample time to explore, speculate and share observations. We continue down a well traveled trail to the start of the infamous backpacker mochilero`Inca Trail near kilometer 88 and the Urubamba river. Camp is set in a eucalyptus grove near another extensive Inca site, llactapata.Today, we have travelled about 12 miles, mostly downhill. Day 8 Sun) Bidding horses, mules, cooks and wranglers goodbye, we cross the roaring Urubamba River on the new government suspension bridge in time to catch 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 final destination, Machu Picchu. and the bustling backpacker town of located some 2,000 ft, below Hiram Binghamıs great 1910 discovery. Jumping off the train, leaving river and forest behind, we climb steeply 1,500 ft. up a winding zig-zag trail. Although steep, the pace is slow and the distance short. Views of towering WAKAYWILCA and the ice crested Urubamba range leave us more breathless than the steady climb. Discovered by the Fejos/ Viking fund expedition in the 1940s, WINAY-WAYNA, one of Peru's most impressive archeological sites is today's destination at 2700 meters/8620 ft. Situated on the ridge of a hanging, hillside valley , two groups of finely made building are connected by a series of 19 baths or fountains, more than any other Inca site. Inca scholar Johan Reinhard describes the site as a ritual stopping place along the route to MACHU PICCHU associated with the worship of sacred water. We have ample time over lunch to explore and photograph, awed by the silent beauty of our imposing surroundings and the enigmatic mystery that its abandonment represents. Two hours travel along a finely constructed Inca trail takes us to INTIPUNKU at 2950 meters/9000 ft - famous GATE OF THE SUN overlooking the mysterious `Lost city'. Although we have time to explore the site, the comforts of Aguascaliente and awaiting hot showers motivates early departure for the town. We plan to visit Machu Picchu early the next morning before the Cusco tourist trains disgorge their camera carrying hoards. Avoiding the tour groups and the overpriced, noisy Hotel Machu Picchu, we locate at a small comfortable inn (yes there is plenty of hot water). Dinner is pizza and beer at a local night spot or perhaps something fancier at Patriciosı gourmet French restaurant. Some of us may opt for after dinner pisco sours and dancing at the Wasita bar on the hill. Day 9 Mon> MACHU PICCHU! The famous lost city of the Inca is 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 through 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. The morning is yours to explore and photograph. We meet on the highest point, Huayna Picchu, 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 unresolved mystery that this "lost city" remains. We hop aboard the afternoon train back to the Sacred Valley for another quiet night prior to our return to civilization in Cusco the following morning. Day 10 Tues> This is the day to shop and explore Cusco. The city abounds with small shops and street side vendors selling their wares. Colorful weaving and handmade alpaca sweaters are popular gifts for friends at home. You may decide to visit the city's famous archaeological sites such as the Corichancha or Sacsayhuaman. We meet again for a final dinner then perhaps migrate to Barry's Cross Keys, Cuscoıs only authentic English Pub, for drinks and lively conversation with the resident congregation of ex patriots, treasure hunters and adventurers from far corners of the universe. Day 12 Wed> Depart Cusco for Lima and your flight home. Additional services can be arranged in Lima if your schedule does not connect directly to your international flight.
DAVID ESPEJO: Age 38, Peruvian. David is as close to a living Inca as one can get. A Cusco native, his family history goes back to before the Conquest. An avid student of Andean history and culture, he is a veteran of many explorations and expeditions in remote areas seeking to unravel the mysteries of lost civilizations. He holds a degree in anthropology and Inca studies. *Some departures may occasionally be led by a guest guide who will be equally qualified PLEASE REMEMBER THAT PERU IS SUBJECT TO STRIKES, LANDSLIDES, ETC, BE PREPARED FOR EVENTS BEYOND OUR CONTROL WHICH MAY CAUSE DELAYS AND UNAVOIDABLE CHANGES IN OUR PROGRAM. See Add on days in Cusco: Ride on Paso Finos Other Add Ons: Nazca Lines and Lake Titicaca - ask for quotes.
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