Sacred Valley Explorer

Introduction
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.

Accomodation

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 includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


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.

Itinerary


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.

Rates and Dates for Sacred Valley Explorer

Dates Note: It is possible to arrange tours for private groups on request (private group fee applies)

Other Info
Meeting: Urubamba
Airport: Cusco
Transfer: Cusco or Sacred Valley

Climate:
                                                Cusco area