Sacred Valley Explorer Cusco Peru Ride to some of the most beautiful sites of the Sacred Valley on well-mannered Peruvian Paso horses. Start by a tour of the Salino complex of Maras, followed by a visit to the impressive site of Moray, before making your way to lesser known sites such as the Zurite Inca agricultural complex and an importatnt pre-Inca cemetery surrounded by mountains. Nature lovers will also be delighted to visit a splendid rock forest and the charming Huaypo lagoon. Camping Ride with vehicle support Ride with Western Tack Meeting: Urubamba Airport: Cusco Transfer: Cusco or Sacred Valley Riders: Min 2 riders Max 10 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is available from Cusco or the Sacred Valley (Urubamba / Ollantaytambo). Transfers from/to the Sacred Valley are included in your package while transfers from Cusco can be arranged for an extra fee.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Ride to Misminay
After your transfer from the Sacred Valley (or Cusco upon request) you will meet your guide and support staff at the hacienda (around 10am). An experienced Chalán will provide you with information and recommendations for your ride.
We expect to start the ride at about 10:30 am. We start our ride on the valley floor and after crossing the suspension bridge of Paucarbamba, we will take an old bridle path surrounded by Eucalyptus, Pine and Cypress trees. We will eventually arrive at a local cemetery that dates back from the Incas (facing the Vilcanota River). Then, we will arrive at the town of Yanahuara where we will see farmers. Many leafy Willow and Retama trees adorn the road that will lead us to the Tarabamba suspension bridge, the entry point to the Salinas de Maras.
We expect to arrive at the Salino complex around 1pm. After enjoying a quick tour, we get back in the saddle and ride towards the town of Maras, a town famous for its peculiar sculpted rock portals, a heritage of Spanish architecture. This is here that we will enjoy our first lunch (at about 2pm).
This afternoon, we ride on a steep path to reach the rural community of “Misminay” around 5pm. From here, you will see an incredible sunset and much of the Sacred Valley. At the end of the day, a commission of local farmers will give us a colorful welcome in the ancestral style and we will learn a little about their way of life. We will proceed to settle in our rooms and have a hot drink with some snacks
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Misminay

Day 2: Misminay to Zurite
After breakfast at about 9 am we start our ride. Today, we will have the privilege to visit the Moray viewpoint (Inka Plant Air Conditioning Center). This day we intend to cross part of the eastern mountain range, using very old bridle paths that connect small hamlets to arrive to the “Chaquepay” ravine.
We will stop for our midday break at about 1pm in a dense eucalyptus forest.
After enjoying lunch and a refreshing rest, we will ride towards “Huarocondo”, a very important town center with an enormous church located in the Plaza de Armas. An hour beyond Huarocondo, another very important populated center is “Zurite”, where we will observe an Inka agricultural complex composed of a number of Cultivation Terraces (Andenes). This is the location of the most extensive potato cultivation complex in the area.
We should arrive in Zurite at about 5pm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Zurite

Day 3: Zurite to Compone
This morning, we will ride through a hill covered by eucalyptus trees, until we reach the Ankawasi town center. Then, we will go to the other end of the valley, passing through the K’ak’awara town center and another eucalyptus forest. We will have our picnic lunch around noon.
After our break, we will begin ride uphill, enjoying an impressive panoramic view of the southern area of ​​Pampa de Anta. We should arrive in Compone for 5pm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lodge in Compone

Day 4: Mountain Ride
We start the day by an uphill ride to the summit of one of the Apus (mountain deity) in the area. At the top, we will see the most important pre-Inka cemetery of the region, where Killke pottery remains scattered throughout. The panoramic view from this place is indescribable since we enjoy a panoramic view over the entire Pampa de Anta. After visiting this funerary area, we will go to the Yuraq Qaqa rocks. These rock formations have a volcanic origin.
After lunch, we go for a small walk in the mountain. Then, it is time to get back to the saddle and ride back to Compone, where we spend a second night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lodge in Compone

Day 5: Compone to Huaypo lagoon
After enjoying a restful night, we will once again cross the Anta pampa esplanade from end to end, enjoying the artichoke fields and their irrigation channels arranged throughout the plain. Today's lunch stop will be taken in one of the most lush eucalyptus forests with a view of the town of Izcuchaca (elevation of 3500 meters above sea level).
This afternoon’s ride will be uphill, crossing the forest, until you get to enjoy a wonderful view of the imposing Huaypo lagoon. We will arrive at a luxury dome lodge overlooking the lagoon and settle there for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lodge in Huaypo lagoon

Day 6: Last Ride
We start our last day of riding at about 10am. Today, we ride back to the Sacred Valley. We will ride along a steep path, until we pass the side of a monumental Catholic infrastructure that dates back to the 16th century (Church of Ttiobamba). We will stop for lunch in the city of Maras.
Along the last section of the ride, we will move through fields, before descending towards the valley floor. We expect to arrive back at the hacienda for 5:30pm.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Note: If you wish to extend your stay in Peru, we suggest to sign up for the Machu Picchu Mountain Lodges Ride.

                                                Cusco area 

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	68	68	69	70	70	69	69	70	71	72	72	70
Average Low Temperature (°F)	47	47	46	44	39	35	35	37	41	44	46	46
Average High Temperature (°C)	20	20	21	21	21	21	21	21	22	22	22	21
Average Low Temperature (°C)	8	8	8	6	4	2	1	3	5	7	8	8
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	16	13	13	7	1	1	0	1	3	7	9	13

Source: NOAA


Seasons:
Cusco is a year-round destination. This is a land of great contrasts. In the high altitude, it can get very chilly.
Although the dry season normally persists April through November, it can rain or snow at high altitudes at any time of the year, so please, come prepared.

Annual average temperatures hover around 11°C (52°F), dipping below 0°C (32°F) in July and hitting 20°C (68°F) in summer. Cusco’s peak tourist season coincides with the northern hemisphere’s summer (July and August) when hordes of tourists descend.

The rainy months represent around 80% of the annual rainfall average, which ranges from 1,600 to 2,300 mm. The average humidity is 77% during dry months and 91% during rainy months. Frequent downpours are commonly followed by a blue and clear sky and bright sun. However, as its location is on the brow of the Amazon forest, rains can come in any month of the year, even during the dry season.


Special Notes – High altitude
The body dehydrates quickly in high altitudes. It is recommended you drink lots of water before and during your trip. Also, avoid heavy meals since your stomach takes longer to digest food at high altitudes. A diet of low proteins and high carbs is advisable.

We recommend that you bring the following items for your trip:
• Warm clothes for the nights
• Waterproof clothing (December – April).
• Hat or cap to protect yourself from the sun
• Comfortable clothes for riding & trekking shoes
• Small backpack with objects for personal use
• Flashlight, sunscreen & windbreaker
• Bottle of water and snacks.
• Camera / camcorder (spare batteries)
• Sunglasses

** No trip reports found with the tour ID you provided.

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride where nights are spent in different locations.

Description
You will be accommodated in small hotels and lodges. Please, note that facilities are usually shared.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Guesthouse in Misminay
Night 2: Hacienda in Zurite
Night 3 & 4: Lodge in Compone
Night 5: Lodge in Huaypo lagoon



Guesthouse in Misminay
You will be accommodated in a simple but comfortable private rooms.

Hacienda in Zurite
You spend the night in an old hacienda dating back to the 16th century. It has been renovated in order to welcome guests in double rooms.



Lodge in Compone
You will sleep in wooden cabins close to a forest, at the border of the village. Rooms are usually private but might have to be shared.

Lodge in Huaypo lagoon
These charming domes have great views over the lagoon. Usually, each dome has one bedroom and one bathroom.

Casa Andina Hotel in Cusco (optional extra night)
This charming hotel is ideally located in the heart of Cusco. It offers 93 comfortable and elegantly decorated rooms, each equipped with a safety box, heating, coffee kit, TV, free Wi-Fi access and a private bathroom with hairdryer. Check-in starts at noon.

Casa Andina Hotel in Urubamba (optional extra night)
This beautiful hotel located in the Sacred Valley provides rooms that feature cable TV, heating, ensuite bathroom and free Wi-Fi access. The hotel has a small garden where guest can relax in the evening.

Room Occupancy
In case we are unable to find you a roommate, a single supplement fee might apply. Please, note that accommodation for single travelers are not guaranteed at all locations.



Meals
All meals are included in your package from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on the last day.

All your meals are prepared by our cook who follows along the tour with our support vehicle (transporting suitcases).
The food served features Peruvian and international cuisine.

The meals are served buffet style so everyone can choose what they want to eat.

Plenty of drinking water will be provided during the rides.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with advanced notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		modified McClellan saddles with saddlebags
Horses:		Peruvian Paso Horses
Pace:		Slow on mountain paths with opportunities to go faster in the valley (no canter) About 5-7 hours in the saddle per riding day | Walk | Trot |
Level:		(3 to 5 out of 5)    Intermediate and above
Age:		Min 8	Max 70
Weight:		Max 200 lbs / 90 kg
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 10 riders

For the protection of all participants, the ride leader reserves the right to prevent anyone from riding who displays insufficient ability, or whose behavior endangers the safety of other riders, themselves, or the horses. No refund will be made to a participant who is rejected for any such reason, or who is unwilling or unable to complete a tour.

Horses
We have 20 Peruvian Paso horses which are known for their smooth gait and elegance. We have horses with different temperaments that can cater to all levels of rider.
The Peruvian Paso Horse transmits its unique smooth gait to its purebred foals. No artificial devices or special training aids are necessary to enable the horse to perform the “Paso llano”, that provides a ride of incomparable smoothness.

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.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	No/2
Australian	No/2
Canadian	No/2
USA	No/2
Other EU	No/1/2
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.