Condor's Canyon Trail Cusco Peru Ride through remote villages and rugged mountains surrounding the Apurimac canyon. Your trip starts from the village of Zurite, south of the Sacred Valley. From there, you climb up to 4,100 m above sea level, through beautiful mountain tracks rarely explored by foreigners. During this ride, you will cross rural communities and, if you are lucky, get a glimpse of the beautiful condor, flying over the Apurimac canyon. After visiting the canyon, you will ride to a surprising stone forest, ending your trip with a visit to the beautiful town of Maras. Camping Ride with vehicle support Ride with Western Tack Meeting: Zurite Airport: Cusco Transfer: Cusco or Sacred Valley Riders: Min 3 riders Max 10 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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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: Zurite to Ch’uro
The meeting point to start this wonderful experience will be the village Zurite in the province of Anta. After your transfer from the Sacred Valley (or Cusco upon request) you will meet your guide and support staff. Your luggage will be carried in our support vehicle.
After getting to know and tacking up the horses, we start riding at about 10 am. Our riding adventure starts in the Pampa de Anta. After climbing a hill through an eucalyptus forest, we enjoy a wonderful view of the Chicón snow-capped mountain. Then, we will start riding downhill until we reach the Ankawasi village (Eagle’s Nest). We will stop for lunch in Ccacahuara (around 1 pm).
During the afternoon ride, we will reach an altitude of 4,000 meters above see level. It is the highest point at this day which is located at a distance of 2 hours from Caserío de Ch’uro, where we will spend the night. We expect to arrive in Caserío de Ch’uro at about 5pm. Then it is time to set up camp and prepare dinner.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping at Ch’uro

Day 2: Caserío de Ch’uro to Chonta
After breakfast at about 8 am we hope to get back in the saddle for 9 am. Today, we intend to cross a part of the central mountain range, using very old horse paths that connect small hamlets. We will eventually arrive at the Pampa Huaylla stream, from where we will begin to ascend to a height of 4,100 meters above sea level. At this height, both us and our horses’ breathing will be accelerated by the scarcity of oxygen. Surrounded by grasslands we will observe scarce vegetation.
We stop for our midday break in the grasslands. Then, a wonderful view of the snowcapped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay will be our inseparable companions until arriving at the Chonta community, around 5pm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping at Chonta

Day 3: Condor viewpoint (no riding) 
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will meet a guide that will carefully guide us down the steep paths of the condors viewpoint. We will cover this way by foot, as the road is suitable for us to enter but not with our horses. It is narrow and right at the edge of one of the deepest canyons of Peru, the Cañón del Apurimac. This scenery is the home of the impressive and majestic condor. Sometimes condors fly over the canyon in search of food in the morning and evening hours.
Once back in Chonta, we will eat our lunch.
If the conditions were not favorable during the morning walk, the strong winds in the afternoon tempt the birds to take flight into the depths of the canyon. In order to see this we can access three different observation points (by foot).
We should be back at our camp for 5:30pm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping at Chonta

Day 4: Chonta to Ch’uro
This morning, we ride back to the heights of the grasslands at over 4,100 meters of altitude. The terrain that awaits us during the afternoon ride will allow us to move more easily until arriving at the town of Pampa Huaylla. Located in the heart of a ravine, from here, we will ride to the side of the stream which is also named Pampa Huaylla, until we reach Ch’uro village.
We expect to arrive at our campsite in Ch’uro village for 5 pm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping at Ch’uro

Day 5: Ch’uro to Compone
After an hour of riding uphill, a rocky and difficult road opens up in front of us. This one will take us to reach an indescribable beautiful forest of stones. There are rocks that resemble prehistoric animals as well as giant birds. Undoubtedly the sites of Ventanayoq, Waachayoq, Quinsa Rumi and Yuraq Qaqa are magical religious places from the beginning of our history.
After lunch, we go on a recognition walk through the lithic collection of Yuraq Qaqa. This place, due to its capricious morphological characteristics, was used by the locals to hid the cattle or horses that they stole from different towns. This natural corral camouflaged and concealed by the dense forest of Qeuñas and endemic shrubs has been used by astutely rustlers.
At about 3pm, we start our downhill ride to the town of Compone. Dinner and overnight at a lodge where it will be finally possible to take a hot shower.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lodge in Compone

Day 6: Last Ride
After a good night of rest, we take our breakfast at 8am. During the morning ride, we cross the flat Anta área from one side to the other, passing by the towns of Markjo and Huerta. After passing through an eucalyptus forest, we will arrive to the town Huaylla Qocha and its beautiful catholic chapel constructed in the XVI century. We stop for lunch here.
During our last afternoon ride, we will see different water reserves in the high communities of Chaquepay, Mahuay Pampa and Maras. Maras town draws our attention giving us the opportunity to discover different ancient little streets and its typical gates. Just after passing Maras town, we start our descent ride in the direction of the valley.
We expect to arrive at our hacienda for 5:30 pm.
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 provide everything you might need for the camping overnights (sleeping bags, tents...) so no need to bring your own camping gear.

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 spend most nights camping as well as ne night in a lodge.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Camping in Ch’uro
Night 2-3: Camping in Chonta
Night 4: Camping in Ch’uro
Night 5: Lodge in Compone



Camping
We provide everything needed for the camping overnights (tents, sleeping bags...) so no need to bring any special gear. You will sleep in a double cabin tent with 2 'rooms' and a shared entryway. We carry portable toilets. There are no showers at most camps but it is usually possible to freshen up in a nearby stream.



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. Facilities are shared.

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 3 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.