Trail Ride in PERU : THE COLCA VALLEY AND CANYON

INDICATIVE ITINERARY *:

Day 1: Reception at the International Airport of Arequipa (elevation 7,660 ft) and transfer to our 4 stars hotel (Casona Plaza Hotel Arequipa). Welcome Meal included – lunch or dinner in a typical restaurant according to your arrival time. City Tour in the afternoon to visit the colonial downtown, the unique convent of “Santa Catalina” and the beautiful church of “La Compania”. Overnight stay in Arequipa (Casona Plaza Hotel).

Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, departure in our vehicle towards Colca (3-hour trip). On the way, we will cross the "Salinas y Aguada Blanca" reserve and see South American “camels” (Alpacas, Llamas and Vicuñas) and later the volcanoes Belvedere (16,108 feet above sea level) with its splendid vantage point. Then, we will descend into the valley to an elevation of approximately 10,826 feet, and arrive to Chivay where we will have lunch at a restaurant called “Balcon of Zacarias”. Afterwards transfer to our 3 stars hotel (Eco Inn) located in the Village of Yanque. That afternoon, depart on our first horseback ride to the Virgin of Chapi Chapel (the Virgin of Chapi is the patron saint of Arequipa city and her day is celebrated on May 1st) and to the belvedere of Achoma Village with its splendid view of the villages of the valley (4-hour ride). During this ride of “adaptation”, we will enjoy the grandiosity of the landscape and the impressive mountains of Colca. Return to the hotel to have some rest. In the evening, dinner at our hotel then overnight stay.

Day 3: Breakfast at the hotel and afterwards depart for our second ride to Coporaque Village and the archaeological site of Uyo-Uyo (6-hour ride – picnic lunch on the way). We will leave our stable and pass by the “Plaza de armas” of Yanque Village with its Colonial Church built by the Spanish during the XVIIth century. We will cross the stone bridge over Colca River, where we will see the “Collagua way” (Pre-Inca Culture) to store corn: in holes carved in the mountain, so high that the only way to reach them is using a rope. We will keep following the way to the lost City of Uyo-Uyo climbing a big stone ladder. Finally, we will find the Archaeological site of Uyo-Uyo, the ancient capital of the “Collagua” culture, with old houses, ancient irrigation ducts and a lot of other evidences which prove the coexistence between the “Collaguas” and Incas. At this point, we will enjoy our first outdoor lunch - International Gastronomy (glass of wine included). From there, we will keep the way to reach Coporaque Village, passing in front of the “amphitheater”, amazing Pre-Inca terraces carved in the mountain in circular form. Finally, we will reach Coporaque Village, where we can see the “plaza de armas”, which besides of the singular church, had a fountain dedicated to the Inca (Evidence of the Inca conquer). We will keep riding until reach the “Collagua” cemetery, made with stones at the bottom of the mountain, full of skulls and bones descendant of the “Collagua” culture (approximately from the XIIIth century). Return to have some rest. In the afternoon, we will visit, in our transportation, the hot springs bath of Chivay Village – the best natural pools of hot water in the entire Valley. Dinner and overnight stay at Eco Inn.

Day 4: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Later, beginning of the progressive ride (6-hour), to the right side of the Colca River, to experience the magnificence of the landscape. We will enjoy the Pre-Inca “Terrazas”, wonderful crops carved in the mountains (Inca way of plantation) and cross the Villages of Ichupampa, Lari and Madrigal, where our staff will set up our comfortable camp, on a natural belvedere close to the copper mine of Madrigal. Picnic lunch at the camp. In the afternoon, we will climb the Mountain in front of the camp, to reach the “Chimpa” fortress, located at the top (1-hour ride until the top). During this part, we are going to experience some great attractions such as models carved in the rock, thrones of emperors and an amazing panorama of the Valley. From the Chimpa Fortress, we will enjoy a unique view of the canyon. The “Chimpa fortress” is a strategically military facility, made with stones by the “Collagua” culture (Pre-Inca). Return to the camp to have some rest in our comfortable tents. In the evening, we will have a nice appetizer (glass of wine included) close to the camp fire, hearing local tales and legends. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.

Day 5: Enjoy a nice outdoor breakfast at the camp and later departure in a 5-hour ride to Pinchollo Village. We will cross Colca River again, but by a different point, coming back this time to the left side. On the way up, we will have time to watch the subtlety of hundreds of beautiful Pre-Inca “Terrazas”. Outdoor lunch (glass of wine included) on a magnificent belvedere, with a view of the entire valley. We will arrive at Pinchollo Village around 3:00 p.m. We will leave the horses there and then, we will visit, in our transportation, the two most famous belvederes of the Valley (the Cross of Condor and the Cross of Cura), but without any tourist crowd. These belvederes are located at the edge of the second deepest canyon in the world (10,725 feet deep). On these belvederes, we will enjoy the view of the canyon and at the same time, experience the flight of the Peruvian condor, one of the biggest birds around the globe, with a singular sunset background. Afterwards, we will continue to the last village of the Canyon, Cabanaconde, where we’ll have dinner and an overnight stay at a 3 stars hotel (Kuntur Wassi).

Day 6: Breakfast and quick transfer to Pinchollo. Then, departure in a 6-hour ride to the Geyser of Pinchollo. On the way, we will pass through amazing landscapes composed by high volcanoes with snowed picks, waterfalls and huge mountains, following the river and climbing the mountain to finally reach the geyser “Hatun Infiernillo” (15,748 feet above the sea level). It is in permanent activity 24 hours per day, the entire year and very impressive, due to the huge water vapor projections. We will rest a moment there. Picnic on the way down to Pinchollo in another lane with nice overviews. In Pinchollo, our transportation will be waiting to bring us back to our hotel in Yanque Village. Have a nice dinner and a nice overnight stay at the 3 stars hotel (Eco Inn).

Day 7: Breakfast at the hotel and return to Arequipa in our transportation (3-hour trip). End of the services.

EXTENSION OF 3 DAYS FOR THE SACRED VALLEY OF INCAS (MEALS NOT INCLUDED):

DAY 7: Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Arequipa airport to take your flight to Cusco. Arrival in the morning in Cusco. Meet at the airport and transfer to your 3-star hotel. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the historical center of the Inca capital and the ruins close to the city, such as the impressive Sacsayhuaman site. Night in Cusco.

DAY 8: After breakfast, departure by private vehicle through the splendid Sacred Valley. In the first place, you will discover the Inca village of Chinchero. Then you will go to Moray to admire these circles dug in the mountain for the purpose of agricultural experiments. You will continue to the salines of Maras where you always harvest the salt by hand. You will finally arrive at the village of Ollantaytambo, which is particularly well preserved and you will visit its impressive fortress built on the mountainside. Then you will take the train to Aguas Calientes, the village at the foot of Machu Picchu. Overnight in Aguas Calientes in your hotel, the B & B Panorama. Independent visit of Inca sites, the guide is optional (thank you for informing us at the time of booking if you wish to be accompanied by a guide).

DAY 9: Breakfast very early. Then transfer by bus to the mysterious Citadel of Machu Picchu. This incredible archaeological site surprises all travelers with its beauty, its architecture and its impressive natural setting. You can take your time and enjoy this New Wonder of the World, rediscovered only a century ago! Entrance to Huayna Picchu or the Mountain included if you like to walk, then you will have a nice view overlooking the citadel Inca (thank you for indicating your preference when booking). Then transfer to the village of Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, return by train to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel and overnight on site. Self-guided tour of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu or the Mountain, a guide can be booked in advance for a two-hour tour of Machu Picchu. The legislation is in a transitional phase with respect to the requirement for a guide to visit Machu Picchu. Currently, its presence is not imperative but it could become so at the time of your reservation. We will inform you at that time. Thank you for your understanding about this.

DAY 10: Breakfast at the hotel and private transfer to Cusco International Airport depending on the time of your flight. End of the stay.

* Indicative pritinerary that may be subject to change if necessary.