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A non-camping excursion to
Cusco, the Sacred Valley and to Machu Picchu. A city tour of Cusco starts this
educational trip in the highlands of Peru. Then you ride for 3 days in the
Sacred Valley visiting many ancient ruins while enjoying the smooth gaited
Peruvian Paso horses. Overnights are at a charming local inn. Then take the
train up to Machu Picchu and explore the lost city of the Inca empire. Stay the
night if you like or return to Cusco for your last night.
IT-PERT05
Rates: including accommodations at small inns and hotels (no camping),
meals as per itinerary, 3 riding days on Peruvian Pasos, visit to Machu Picchu
and narrated tour, entrance fees, Cusco city tour
8 day/ 7 nights $
2,245
Single
room on request
Dates 2008:
Any time with a minimum of
2
Airport: Lima/Cusco
Meeting: Cusco
Tack: South American
Horses: Peruvian Pasos
Pace : Moderate with some canters
where the terrain allows. Some steep
riding country.
Level:
Low
intermediate+
Min/Max Riders: 2-6
Note: Possible add on tours are Rafting the Tambopata, Jungle tour, bike
tour, Excursion to Lake Titicaca or Arequipa
INCLUSIONS:
Hotel in Cuzco *3 nights + Continental Breakfast
(Double Room)
Hotel in the Sacred Valley *3 night + Dinner +
Continental Breakfast (Double Room)
Machu Picchu Inn - 1 night with breakfast
Private Transfers Airport-Hotel-Airport in Cusco
Prviate Transport in the Sacred Valley (3 day):
Horse Guide; Horses; Entrance Fees; Lunches and
Dinners as listed
Vistadome Train - Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo
Bus: Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes 2
days
One Guided Tour of Machu Picchu: Guide; Lunch 1 day
2 Days Entrance Fee to Machu Picchu
Private Transfer Train Station Ollantaytambo - Hotel
in Cusco
Private Tour of Cusco (˝ day): Guide; Transport;
Entrance Fees
EXCLUSIONS:
Not included
are airport taxes, 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:
Day One: CUSCO
Reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel,
rest of the morning at leisure. You will need a bit
of time to acclimatise to the altitude. In the
afternoon you have a guided tour of Cusco. This tour
includes the Spanish built Cathedral, the temple of
the sun - Koricancha, and the four ruins above the
city - Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko, Puca Pucara & Tambo
Machay. This tour takes between 4 and 5 hours.
Return to your hotel near the main Plaza. Meals on
your own.
Day Two: CUSCO
– SACRED VALLEY
Transfer to the Sacred Valley. Along the way we
visit the Chinchero ruins and colonial church (about
an hour journey), and afterwards are taken to our
accommodation in the hotel. After lunch we have a
demonstration by our chalan (Peruvian horse trainer)
which will give you better insight into the Peruvian
riding traditions. We then have a nice excursion to
the Salt mines of Maras to get a first feel for the
smooth gaited Paso. After crossing the Urubamba
River we will climb with the horses almost 1000 m
(3.281 ft.) to reach the Andean altiplano. The climb
takes about 2 hours, and will be at an easy pace
through beautiful countryside. You will have a
unique view of the Valley and the surrounding area
as you ride. All meals included today.
Day Three:
SACRED VALLEY
After breakfast in the hotel, we will transport you
to the point of departure (about 1 hour). We start
from the church of Tiobamba, which is a church
located in the middle of many fields and from there
we follow primitive trails across the altiplano. We
will visit the ruins of Cheqoq, a short hour ride
away. At Cheqoq, the Incas constructed fascinating
cold-storage depots (pre-Hispanic refrigerators) to
conserve the agricultural products of the region.
Cooling of the products was achieved by using a
genius system of underground air-circulation. From
Cheqoq, we continue our ride to Lake Huaypo where we
will have lunch (about 2 hours). The scenery is
spectacular; with snow-capped mountains, wildflowers
and beautiful mountain lakes. We will meet smiling
Quechua children with their herds of sheep or cattle
and see campesinos ploughing their fields in the
traditional way, oxen hitched to a wooden plough.
From Lake Huaypo, we continue our ride to the
village of Mahuaypampa, and then make our way back
down to the Valley floor to return to the ranch
(about 4 hours). You return to your hotel in the
Valley to relax for the evening. All meals included.
Day Four: SACRED VALLEY
We have another full day of horse riding visiting
the Patacancha Valley with awesome scenery. You will
visit the community of Huilloc to see the
traditional weaving methods of the locals, and then
on to the unique ruins of Pumamarca. This is an
amazingly beautiful ride in a valley that runs
behind the Sacred Valley – with many things to see,
including the locals dressed in the bright colors of
the area. You travel alongside a tumbling river, as
the mountains surround you. Great Incan terraces and
other ruins are seen along the route. All meals
included.
Day Five: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU
Transfer to the Train Station at Ollantaytambo to
take the train to Aguas Calientes. From the town of
Aguas Calientes we take the bus (30 minutes) up to
Machu Picchu for a guided visit. You will have a two
to three hour tour before having the rest of the day
on your own to explore this wonderful site. You
return to Aguas Calientes by bus late in the day.
Overnight at Machu Picchu Inn. Breakfast and lunch
included.
Day Six: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
Morning bus again to Machu Picchu for another day of
exploring the ancient city. You will have the
opportunity to climb to the Sun Gate (where the Inca
Trail ends) to have a view of the ruins, or maybe
climb Wanay Picchu (little mountain) to see the
ruins there and have a birds eye view of the ruins
and the surrounding area. You can have a late lunch
in Aguas Calientes before we take the train back to
Cusco. You will arrive into Cusco at about 8 pm and
be transferred to your hotel near the center of the
city. Breakfast included.
Day Seven: CUSCO
A free day to relax and enjoy the city and the
artisan markets. There are many interesting sites to
see within the city, including the Inca Museum, the
local markets, the San Blas area and many more.
Breakfast included.
Day Eight: DEPARTURE
Transfer from the Hotel to the Airport for your
flight to Lima (1 hour). Breakfast.
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