Coastal Oasis Ride

Introduction
Belize Coast Peru

A spectacular coastal ride from the mountains to the sea - combined with an over flight of the Nazca Lines, where we we such renowned shapes as the Monkey, the Astronaut, the Hummingbird and the Spider, among many others.

We meet in Lima and transfer 130 miles south east to the remote region of "Refugio del Peru" in the Cordillera de los Andes at 3,190 meters. It has been almost completely untouched by the modern world, preserving the indigenous culture of the people and the natural beauty of the land. We arrive at the luxurious mountain lodge Viñak-Reichraming, situated on the crest of a ridge, offering a spectacular view of the rolling mountain landscape for as far as the eye can see. The hotel design combines the charm of classic Peruvian style with functionality of modern architecture. Intimate and comfortable, you will find the atmosphere at the hotel ideal for relaxing with friends while reflecting on your adventures on horseback of the days. The highly trained staff provides a personal and attentive service that will allow you to leave all your worries behind. In the kitchen, the expert culinary staff has assembled a menu of Andean-European fusion. From here we explore the the mountains and valleys on several unforgettable riding excursions - ranging from3 to up to 10 hours. Then we transfer you to and oasis at the coast near Ica. Here riding in the sand dunes and on the beach awaits us - a stark contrast to the last days and equally as exciting. Overnight is at the Huacachina Oasis. Huacachina is built around a small lake in the desert. Called the "oasis of America," nearby city of Ica. Legend holds that the lagoon was created when a woman whose heart was broken due to the death of her loved one, a respected Inca General. She came to the area, which at that point only contained trees, but as she wept, her tears filled the lake.

From the hacienda we ride out among the vineyards and mango and avocado plantations of Ica - an ideal opportunity to get used to our spirited horses, as the route leads mainly along flat roads or stretches of sand, ideal for long canters! The next day we hop into dune buggies for a thirty minute drive through the dunes to a secret spot where we meet our horses again for a four hour ride down the dunes to the sea. As we reach the ocean we see local fisherman at work on the waves. We then turn inland across flat plains ideal for long gallops. The next day we are taken to the Ica airport where we board a light plane and are flown over the mysterious Nazca Lines. Our adventure ends with a last night in Lima.

Accomodation

The accommodation is either in our lodge in Viñak, or in 4 and 5 star hotels. Phone calls can be made from the lodge up to 9 p.m. – you need to purchase a phone card from reception and can then use the telephone as usual.

While on the trip we include all meals except dinners in Lima. Meals at the lodge are designed to be light, because of the effect high altitude has on the digestion, and to contain the necessary nutrition for guests riding at high altitude.

Guests need to inform us at the time of booking of any dietary requirements. If any requirements should arise between the time of booking and the trip beginning, for instance, due to a change in health circumstances, ie, diagnosis of diabetes, please inform us as soon as possible and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary

Day 1: Optional pick up from the airport and transfer to the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel (or arrive on your own). No meals included today. 

Day 2: We are picked up from our Lima hotel at 7 AM and driven for about four hours to the Viñak-Reichraming Lodge south-east of Lima. We are welcomed with hot coca tea and lunch and we ride out in the afternoon along roads and mountain trails, getting used to our horses and the altitude and enjoying the Andean sunset on horseback. A short briefing is given before dinner to explain the activities of the trip to come. After our meal we are shown to our rooms where we spend the night. 

Riding Hours: Approx. 3 hours - 30% mountain trails, 70% open roads - walk, trot, canter

Day 3: We are taken to the stable to meet our horses and, after a quick briefing on the route, we begin our ride. Our American Quarter Horse and Arab crosses are bred and specially trained for high altitude riding over tough terrain. Our route is divided between mountain trails (approx. 70%) and open roads (approx. 30%). A picnic lunch awaits us near the town of La Florida and we are able to gallop along open roads during the ride home. We spend the night at the Viñak Lodge. 

Riding Hours: Approx. 4 hours - 70% mountain trails, 30% open roads - walk, trot, canter, gallop

Day 4: We meet the horses early this morning, at 7am, for a long day's riding over the mountains to the Iscaycocha Lagoon. This route is a dream for experienced riders, as the challenging terrain and long hours in the saddle enable us to really bond with our horses. Our route lies almost exclusively along mountain trails (approx. 95%) with very few open roads (approx. 5%), rising over 3200 feet to just over 14000 feet. We take a box lunch with us and eat by the side of a spectacular lagoon and return to the lodge by a similar route, arriving just in time for a quick soak in the Jacuzzi before dinner. We spend the night at the Viñak Lodge. 

Riding Hours: Approx.10 hours - 95% mountain trails, 5% open roads - walk, trot, canter, gallop
 
Day 5: Today we are driven to Ica and to the Huacachina Oasis (about a four and a half hour drive), a place abounding in myths and legends. The most famous tells of a woman whose heart was broken due to the death of her loved one, a respected Inca General. She came to the area, which at that point only contained trees, but as she wept, her tears filled the lake. Today it is said that at night you can sometimes still hear her cries. After lunch at the hotel we are driven to the hacienda and ride out for the whole afternoon among the vineyards ad mango and avocado plantations of Ica. This ride is an ideal opportunity to get used to our spirited horses, as the route leads mainly along flat roads or stretches of sand, ideal for long canters!  Apart from enjoying our horses, we can marvel at the fertility of the Ica, as the vineyards and plantations seem to be at odds with the mountainous sand dunes visible on the horizon in every direction. We end the ride at the hacienda and then return to the Huacachina Oasis and spend the night here

Riding hours: approx. 4 hours - mostly flast countryside - walk, trot, canter.

Day 6: After breakfast we hop into dune buggies for a thirty minute drive through the dunes to a secret spot where we meet our horses. We then begin our four hour ride down the dunes to the sea. As we reach the ocean we see local fisherman at work on the waves. We then turn inland across flat plains ideal for long gallops, stopping for a box lunch en route. We leave our horses with their transport and get back in our buggies for the thirty minute drive back to the oasis, where we spend the night. 

Riding Hours: Approx. 4 hours  - sand dunes and flat beach/plains - walk, trot, canter, gallop

Day 7: Today we are taken to Ica airport where we board a light plane and are flown over the mysterious Nazca Lines. During our flight we see such renowned shapes as the Monkey, the Astronaut, the Hummingbird and the Spider, among many others. After landing, we have lunch at our hotel in Ica and are then transferred back to Lima (about a four hour drive). End of services.

Shorter 4 day/ 3 night option:
Day 1: We are picked up from our Lima hotel at 7 AM and driven for about four hours to the Viñak-Reichraming Lodge south-east of Lima. We are welcomed with hot coca tea and lunch and we ride out in the afternoon along roads and mountain trails, getting used to our horses and the altitude and enjoying the Andean sunset on horseback. A short briefing is given before dinner to explain the activities of the trip to come. After our meal we are shown to our rooms where we spend the night. 

Riding Hours: Approx. 3 hours - 30% mountain trails, 70% open roads - walk, trot, canter

Day 2: We are taken to the stable to meet our horses and, after a quick briefing on the route, we begin our ride. Our American Quarter Horse and Arab crosses are bred and specially trained for high altitude riding over tough terrain. Our route is divided between mountain trails (approx. 70%) and open roads (approx. 30%). A picnic lunch awaits us near the town of La Florida and we are able to gallop along open roads during the ride home. We spend the night at the Viñak Lodge. 

Riding Hours: Approx. 4 hours - 70% mountain trails, 30% open roads - walk, trot, canter, gallop

Day 3: We meet the horses early this morning, at 7am, for a long day's riding over the mountains to the Iscaycocha Lagoon. This route is a dream for experienced riders, as the challenging terrain and long hours in the saddle enable us to really bond with our horses. Our route lies almost exclusively along mountain trails (approx. 95%) with very few open roads (approx. 5%), rising over 3200 feet to just over 14000 feet. We take a box lunch with us and eat by the side of a spectacular lagoon and return to the lodge by a similar route, arriving just in time for a quick soak in the Jacuzzi before dinner. We spend the night at the Viñak Lodge. 

Riding Hours: Approx.10 hours - 95% mountain trails, 5% open roads - walk, trot, canter, gallop
 
Day 4:  Wake up early at 4am and have a quick breakfast before we depart to Ica at 5am for our flight. We arrive at 10am to Ica and get ready for our flight of the amazing Nazca lines. After our flight, we head on to lunch before our return back to Lima  . END OF SERVICES.

    Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Coastal Oasis Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Lima
Airport: Lima
Transfer: Lima

Climate:

In the dry season it is warm in the day but cold at night. When it rains the temperature drops, but it warms up immediately afterwards, and rain is very infrequent in the dry season. During the rainy season is almost exactly the same except that it is significantly warmer at night and rains rather more often. You should bring a variety of light, natural fibre clothing (short and long-sleeved tops, thin jumpers, raincoats), that can be layered to cope with the different environments you will experience on the trip.

You should bring whatever riding equipment you feel comfortable riding in, particularly your own riding hat or helmet and footwear, breeches, half/full chaps, etc.

Also, light, natural fibre clothing that can be layered. Very strong sunblock (factor 50 or above – we have burnt right through factor 30 up here and ended up with second-degree burns) and mosquito repellent.

We also recommend a torch, as the power is provided by generators which are turned off between 11pm and 6am, and a bathing suit in order to take advantage of the Jacuzzi at the lodge and the swimming pool at the Huacachina Oasis. Binoculars, a camera and sunglasses are also recommended, as are any medications currently being taken by the guest.

Most personal hygiene products can be bought in Lima, but if you are going to be arriving late or have particular preferences you should bring your own, just in case. Basic toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel) are provided at the lodge for guests and you should feel free to take these away with you when you leave.