Transfer Option:

DAY 1. Ica 1 to 2 hour ride
An optional transfer will pick you up in Lima at 7 AM. You will meet your guide in Ica (400 km south of Lima) and head to the hacienda. You spend the day at the Criadero where you have the opportunity to become familiar with the horses. The whole day, which includes a Pachamanca (traditional Inca meal) and a Marinera (Peruvian Paso horse dance), is dedicated to the Peruvian Paso horse and its tradition. You learn how to harness your horses according to ancestral custom. You can ride stallions, mares and geldings in order for you to find the horse that best fits your level and personality. Professional ¨chalanes¨ (trainers) will have the pleasure to introduce you to the Peruvian horsemanship.  Your first night is spent in a hotel.

DAY 2. Callango - Chiquerillo 5 to 6 hour ride
After breakfast we leave for our first day ride following the Ica valley southwards. After crossing the Chiquerillo Canyon and its amazing array of colorful sand, we arrive at La Bruja Hill to discover Miocene - gigantic vertebrate fossils that are over 12 million years old. Off the beaten path of typical tours, these paleontological treasures stand out on the remote hills of the pampa.  After the visit, we spend the night camping.

DAY 3. Callango – Samaca Chico 5 to 6 hour ride
After breakfast, we spend the day riding down to Ullujaya/Samaca Chico along the Ica River, through wonderful pampas and majestic mountains. We spend the night camping in a oasis near Samaca Chico.

DAY 4. Samaca Chico - Boca del Río 3 to 4 hour ride
We ride from Samaca Chico to Boca del Río, where the Ica River, coming from the Andes Cordillera, empties into the Pacific Ocean. After riding through huarangos, espinos and other coastal trees, we reach a long, wide beach which is an ecological nest to thousands of sea birds. Spend the afternoon enjoying the beach and its diversified fauna before heading to camp for the night.  

DAY 5. Boca del Rio - Montegrande 5 to 6 hour ride
After breakfast, we ride along 10 km of golden dune beach until Puerto Caballa, a fishermen village and old harbor.  Once we leave the ocean behind and pass over high pampas, we arrive at a stunning cliff lookout, overhanging the lush valley of the Rio Grande where we spend the night.

DAY 6. Montegrande - Coyungo 4 to 5 hour ride
We travel northeast of the Rio Grande Valley to enter the depths of a huge canyon, surrounded by multicolor rocks. After lunch, we follow the river along old Inca, Paracas, and Nazca cemeteries until we reach Coyungo, where the camp will be settled.

DAY 7. Coyungo - Cahuachi - Nazca 6 to 7 hour ride
In the morning, we reach the Rio Nazca Valley, one of the Rio Grande basin’s ten tributaries. This is also the territory of ancient Nazca civilization. We follow an ancient Incan path that crosses the mountains, linking the valley to the sea. This historic path was used by the chaskis (Inca empire messengers). We ride along Nazca Valley, amongst its chacras, pampas, huarango forests (coastal tree) and notorious lines until we get to Cahuachi.  Cahuachi is Nazca´s great ceremonial site, the biggest in the Southern Coast built entirely with mud bricks.

Thanks to the ongoing excavation project, you can enjoy the restored Great Pyramid and if the timing is right, you may have the chance to see archeologists at work. After the visit, we join the camp where we leave the horses. You are then transferred to Nazca where we spend the night in the hotel.

DAY 8.  Nazca
After breakfast, you fly over the notorious Nazca lines, which UNESCO named a World Heritage site. Here we have our last lunch before ending the trip.

Optional transfer back to Lima.

Subject to change

The climate of the South Coast is desert sub tropical: hot and dry with temperatures between 18C and 33C from December to March, and between 10C and 26C with mist and light rains from April to November, mainly in the Ica Valley and the littoral. Because of the distance to the ocean, Rio Grande, Nasca and Palpa valleys are hotter. Generally speaking, mornings and nights are quite cool (from 8 to 15C) and afternoons rather hot (from 20 to 30C). Each valley has its own climate; the humidity being higher closer to the ocean and the heat more intense inland. Because of the difference between day and night temperatures, we recommend you take: - an anorak, a warm jacket for the evening and one or two polar jumpers; - a good sleeping bag, those indicating -10C resistant are fine; - a hat with a thin cord, sunglasses and sun screen; - a pair of jeans with small stitches and leather boots or half-chaps to ride; - Cotton made clothes and underwear; - walking shoes; To be avoided: clothes made out of lycra or any kind of material that makes you sweat, tight jeans, city shoes and classic horse riding shoes or boots. In Peru, it is not usual or mandatory to wear a helmet. If you want to wear a helmet, please bring your own. To protect your photographic material or any other electrical device from the sand, we recommend you to use plastic bags (the ones used to keep food in the freezer are fine).

* No vaccination is mandatory in Peru. For this particular region though, DT Polio, Hepatitis B and Tetanus are recommended.

First and last night in hotel and 5 nights camping. All meals are prepared by the guides and support crew. Alcoholic beverages and drinks at the hotel are not included.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

You will be riding stallions, mares and/or gelding Peruvian Pasos from the best lineage and breeders of the South Coast. We only use traditional tack.
A whole team is at your service during the ride with one or more professional Chalan (Peruvian Paso horse trainers) and bilingual guide specialized in the history of the region.
In Peru, it is not mandatory to wear a helmet. If you want to wear a helmet, please bring your own and note that well ventilated ones will help you avoid headaches in the heat.

Your hosts:

Vanessa Tinteroff Gil

Vanessa Tinteroff, Co-Manager of Tambopampa, archaeologist Vanessa is a French archaeologist PhD in Peruvian Archeology, specialized in the Paracas and Nasca cultures of the South coast. Since 2001, she has returned various times to Peru. Vanessa is an experienced French rider and passionately fond of horses ; she had the idea of creating an alternative form of tourism, based on the Peruvian Paso horse ; a form of tourism more ecological emphasizing the respect of Peruvian traditions, and with a more specific attention to the archeological heritage of the region. The project : “On Horseback in the Peruvian Desert” was then founded and was awarded in June 2006 the prize “Challenge for Youth” by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Rafaél Castro Barreda

Rafael Castro Barreda, Co-Manager of Tambopampa, farmer and breeder of Peruvian Paso horses Peruvian, Rafael is the owner of “Santa Cecilia Horse Breeding Ranch”, located in the S.W. valley of Ica, in the Callango zone, on the lands belonging to the Castro family since 1925. He has been registered since 1979 with the National Association for Owners and Breeders of Peruvian Paso Horses (ANPCCP), in Lima. His Santa Cecilia Horse Breeding Ranch is famous for its hardy horses, champions for strength and endurance, like their horses VCP Manatalia, VCB Oscar and VCB Armando. Farmer, breeder, passionate about Peruvian horses since his childhood, Rafael Castro Barreda was able to convey his motivation and necessary support to the realization of the project “On Horseback in the Peruvian Desert”. Thanks to his knowledge of the desert, his abilities in farming and his great professionalism in the breeding of the wonderful race of Peruvian Paso horses, he can offer a solid and reliable presence on our tours.

Marcos Nieto

Marcos Nieto, Co-Manager of Tambopampa, breeder and trainer of Peruvian Paso horses Son of Don Huego Nieto Suarez, a famous breeder in the Ica area, Marcos is today in charge with his father of the Santa Vicente Del Propiedad Horse Breeding Ranch, located on the lands of the Hacienda Cantoral in the Ica valley. Registered at the ANPCCP (National Association for Owners and Breeders of Peruvian Paso Horses), Lima, since 1946, the Nieto Family is famous for its stallions, like HNS Iqueno,HNS Aurio, HNS Oroviejo, HNS Incitados, HNS Conquistador and HNS Domingo, a breeding horse famous in the United States. Breeder and trainer, Marcos Nieto shares with Tambopampa his magnificent horses, his knowledge of the Peruvian Paso Horse's breed, the teaching of the traditional mounting of the horses and the necessary knowledge for the security of the riders and the horses. Thanks to Marcos, we can hope to be able to conserve and impart the ancestral tradition of the Peruvian Paso horse.

Tack:		Peruvian Paso Tack
Horses:		Pure bred Peruvian Paso
Pace:		Paso, Paso Llano, Sobreandando - a few canters are possible. Average of 5 hours of riding on 6.5 riding days. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 18
Weight:		Max 200 lb
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 12 riders

You will be riding stallions, mares and/or gelding Peruvian Pasos from the best lineage and breeders of the South Coast. We only use traditional tack.
A whole team is at your service during the ride with one or more professional Chalan (Peruvian Paso horse trainers) and bilingual guide specialized in the history of the region.
In Peru, it is not mandatory to wear a helmet. If you want to wear a helmet, please bring your own and note that well ventilated ones will help you avoid headaches in the heat.

Your hosts:

Vanessa Tinteroff Gil

Vanessa Tinteroff, Co-Manager of Tambopampa, archaeologist Vanessa is a French archaeologist PhD in Peruvian Archeology, specialized in the Paracas and Nasca cultures of the South coast. Since 2001, she has returned various times to Peru. Vanessa is an experienced French rider and passionately fond of horses ; she had the idea of creating an alternative form of tourism, based on the Peruvian Paso horse ; a form of tourism more ecological emphasizing the respect of Peruvian traditions, and with a more specific attention to the archeological heritage of the region. The project : “On Horseback in the Peruvian Desert” was then founded and was awarded in June 2006 the prize “Challenge for Youth” by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Rafaél Castro Barreda

Rafael Castro Barreda, Co-Manager of Tambopampa, farmer and breeder of Peruvian Paso horses Peruvian, Rafael is the owner of “Santa Cecilia Horse Breeding Ranch”, located in the S.W. valley of Ica, in the Callango zone, on the lands belonging to the Castro family since 1925. He has been registered since 1979 with the National Association for Owners and Breeders of Peruvian Paso Horses (ANPCCP), in Lima. His Santa Cecilia Horse Breeding Ranch is famous for its hardy horses, champions for strength and endurance, like their horses VCP Manatalia, VCB Oscar and VCB Armando. Farmer, breeder, passionate about Peruvian horses since his childhood, Rafael Castro Barreda was able to convey his motivation and necessary support to the realization of the project “On Horseback in the Peruvian Desert”. Thanks to his knowledge of the desert, his abilities in farming and his great professionalism in the breeding of the wonderful race of Peruvian Paso horses, he can offer a solid and reliable presence on our tours.

Marcos Nieto

Marcos Nieto, Co-Manager of Tambopampa, breeder and trainer of Peruvian Paso horses Son of Don Huego Nieto Suarez, a famous breeder in the Ica area, Marcos is today in charge with his father of the Santa Vicente Del Propiedad Horse Breeding Ranch, located on the lands of the Hacienda Cantoral in the Ica valley. Registered at the ANPCCP (National Association for Owners and Breeders of Peruvian Paso Horses), Lima, since 1946, the Nieto Family is famous for its stallions, like HNS Iqueno,HNS Aurio, HNS Oroviejo, HNS Incitados, HNS Conquistador and HNS Domingo, a breeding horse famous in the United States. Breeder and trainer, Marcos Nieto shares with Tambopampa his magnificent horses, his knowledge of the Peruvian Paso Horse's breed, the teaching of the traditional mounting of the horses and the necessary knowledge for the security of the riders and the horses. Thanks to Marcos, we can hope to be able to conserve and impart the ancestral tradition of the Peruvian Paso horse.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, travelling as tourists for stays of up to 90 days, except:
1. nationals of Latvia and Romania who do require a visa.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
2. A business visa is required for all nationals if the purpose of the visit is business. Any business-related unpaid work can be made on a tourist visa. Upon arrival in Peru, the business visa holder must register at the Dirección General de Contribuciones for taxation purposes. Business visa holders can remain in Peru for 90 days. If wishing to extend the visit, an application must be lodged with the Dirección General de Migraciones.

Nationals applying for a tourist visa require a bank statement showing a minimum balance of £1,000 and a mini statement taken from a cash machine on the date of application. Nationals applying for a business visa require a bank statement showing a minimum balance of £1,200 and a mini statement taken from a cash machine on the date of application.

All nationals are advised to check with the Peruvian Consulate prior to departure to obtain current details of any documentation which might be required. Postal visa applications are not accepted unless submitted through a travel agency.
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist and Business: £19.20. Costs are subject to change according to exchange rates.
Validity
Up to 90 days.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses for details.
Working Days Required
At least 24 hours; longer if authorisation from the immigration office in Lima is required.