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5 Day Ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Horseback Riding Trek Peru
Chillipahua, Peru
Horse Riding Holiday Peru
This listing has the most popular offer available in in Peru
Discover Peru and join Wari Adventures on their unique horseback riding holiday! Imagine horseback riding in the Andean highlands and inhospitable lands, through the spectacular Incan construction and the outstanding views of the snow-capped Veronica mountain. See the magnificent red mountains and animals such as llamas, alpacas, condors, and the wild horses which surround the areas. Visiting the Inca land you can feel free to gallop across the never-ending pampas (the Qenqo Mayu valley). This Machu Picchu horse riding trek is a trip off the beaten path, allowing an exceptional interaction with the villagers that live in the small communities that cross the route. Enjoy unique horse riding to Machu Picchu!
Key Information
- Rider Weight Limit: 176 pounds / 80 kg
- Horse Height: 12 hands
- Horse Breed: Peruvian
- Tack Type: Western Type
Meet the instructors
Alfredo
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Highlights
- 4 days of horse riding
- Approximate daily riding time: 4 to 5 hours
- Services of guides and muleteers during the holiday
- Use of horses and campsite equipment
- Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and drinks
- 4 nights' accommodation
- Transfers and pickups
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
4 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Spanish
Group size: 2-8 participants
Airport transfer available:
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (US$ 20 per person)
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (US$ 20 per person)
Accommodation
During this holiday, you will stay at various accommodations. For the first three nights, you will be camping in tents in Chillipahua, Lake Ancascocha area, and Cachiccata. You will be using Eureka and Doite high mountain tent, which are waterproof and thermal. They can accommodate up to four people, but for convenience, Wari Adentures uses them only for two people. Additionally, on your fourth night, you will be accommodated at a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Program
Horseback riding to Machu Picchu is still a very affordable activity. Horses remain an important transport vehicle in rural life. Almost every farm worker and the Peruvian cowboy called arriero owns various animals and is happy to gain some extra income by offering horseback tours to tourists.
This is a journey in the Andes through highlands that explores the indigenous Andean communities between Chillipahua, Lake Ancascocha, and Cachiccata. You will travel on a horseback among a wild landscape, through millenary paths like the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the later was used by Spanish conquerors.
This Machu Picchu horse riding trek is a trip outside the beaten paths, allowing an exceptional interaction with the villagers that live in the small communities that cross the route. You will enjoy the communities' homey feeling and comfort and share delicious Andean traditional food together with the local people.
Itinerary
Day 1
Wari Adventures will pick you up from Cusco or Sacred Valley of the Incas. They will coordinate with you before the horse riding to Machu Picchu. Their highly-trained guide will meet you at your hotel to go over final details and ensure you are ready and excited for the adventure ahead.
Option 1: Cusco - Killarumiyuq - Chillipahua
You will be transferred from Cusco to the starting point of riding. After a one-hour journey, you will stop at the sacred Inca Killarumiyuc (in the Quechua language) or the Moonstone sanctuary. It is an ancient temple dedicated to the deity of femininity. The site is not only an age-perfect design but also includes areas of cultivation systems and the moon cult became a sacred area for the people of the Andes. After seeing the agricultural experimental center, you will continue to the village of Huarocondo (3,331 meters above sea level). Then, you will be driven for 25 minutes to Paropiso.
Option 2: Sacred Valley - Ñaupa Iglesia - Chillipahua
You will be transferred from Sacred Valley of the Incas in Wari Adventures' private transportation. After a 25-minute journey, you will explore the spiritual Inca Ñaupa Iglesia (ancient church). There, you will find an Inca cross of Andean called Chakana. After seeing the sacred place, you will continue to the village of Llama Pintayoq (in the Quechua language) or Llama painted. You will see pre-Inca paintings on the rock. Then, you will continue up the valley for 25 minutes until the starting point of your trek. Hence, you will meet Wari Adventures' team and start trekking on the horses.
Starting point
You will start horseback riding to Machu Picchu on a wide path north, above the west bank of the river called Huarocondo. You will observe beautiful valleys, mountains, archaeological ruins, and the impressive Inca city of Wat'a, an important pre-Inca fortress that dominates the crest of a hill at 3,855 meters. Immediately, you will explore the city, which is admired for its strategic location. Then, you will descend for 30 minutes to the lunch spot before going to Chillipahua village (3,750 meters above sea level), the village where you will spend the night. You will also have the opportunity to participate in the daily life of the local people.
- Distance: 7 miles / 12 kilometers
- Riding hours: 3 hours
- Low altitude: 3,331 meters / 10,928 feet
- High altitude: 3,750 meters / 12,303 feet
- Campsite altitude: 3,750 meters / 12,303 feet
Day 2: Indigenous experience
A day spent with the villagers—the service project, ceremony, dance, eating local food. They will share their passion for culture and history in this Native village, an interactive experience that will immerse you in a journey from the past of an Inca culture to the world of present-day Inca descendants at Chillipahua Village. Witness daily life and celebrate the colorful culture of the modern Native people as it unfolds right before your eyes. Listen to the sounds of their language, learn about traditional home remedies, savor a traditional Andean meal, make new friends and see the world through their eyes.
Day 3: Chillipahua - Ancascocha
After a delicious breakfast, you will start your horseback riding. You will climb gradually through potatoes fields, Inca aqueducts, and native trees of chachacomo. This is a landscape of pastures and big fields that cling to the steep slopes and red mountains. On the way, you will find indigenous Peruvian villages that still keep the Incas ancient traditions regarding agriculture, religion, music, language, culture, and others. Then, you will continue on your way up to the Accoccasa Pass (4,425 meters above sea level).
Here, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the immense, snowy peaks. You will feel the full extent of the Andean sky with its cold, dry air. Later, you will continue your journey on the flat trail, which is used by indigenous pastures. You will then descend to Qenqo Mayu valley and have organic lunch there. Then, you will reach your camp in the spacious Lake Ancascocha area (4,150 meters above sea level.), opposite of the glaciers of the Cordillera Huayanay.
- Distance: 5 miles / 9 kilometers
- Riding hours: 5 hours
- Low altitude: 3,750 meters / 12,303 feet
- High altitude: 4,625 meters / 15,173 feet
- Campsite altitude: 4,150 meters / 13,571 feet
Day 4: Ancascocha - Inca Quarry - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu
After breakfast, you will continue horseback riding to Machu Picchu. You will ascend to the head of Chancachuco valley. Here, you will be able to see the Inca aqueduct carved out of the cliffs to take water from Chancachuco valley to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is miles away. Later on, you will reach your final step at Rainbow Pass (4,340 meters above sea level). From this pass, you will descend along the hidden valley and narrow trail.
In this part of the path, you will be hiking for 45 minutes. Finally, you will reach the Intiwatana, the sun gate. This temple is located at the highest point in the area. This area was important to the Incas to make astronomical observations and for planning the agricultural year. From there, you will have a breathtaking view of Nevado Veronica (5,682 meters). There, you will enjoy the sunset and the view of the Urubamba River.
Then, you will continue with the hike and reach Cachiccata (3,525 meters), a large terrace at the edge of a huge quarry with the same name. This was an Inca city. It is inhabited by hundreds of architects and workers of the empire. Buildings are used for administration, housing, terraces, and burial chambers. Also, irrigation canals can be found in Cachiccata. The streets were very well-planned as well.
- Distance: 10 miles / 16 kilometers
- Horseback riding: 5 hours
- Low altitude: 2040 meters / 6692 feet
- High altitude: 3940 meters / 12926 feet
- Campsite altitude: 3525 meters / 11564 feet
Note: There is another option stay one night in Ollantaytambo and the next day start the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
You will get up early in the morning in order to enjoy the sunrise at Machu Picchu. Then, you will eat breakfast and take the bus to the Inca ruins. There, you will have a guided tour that will take approximately two to three hours. After you finish your visit, you will return to Aguas Calientes. In the city, you can enjoy amenities like lunch, and later in the afternoon, you will take the train back to Cusco with Perú Rail – Expedition. Upon arrival in Cusco, your transfer will be waiting to take you on a private van to your hotel. This is the end of the adventure.
Preparation
Wari Adventures encourages you to prepare yourself by exercising regularly and having a healthy, balanced diet prior to the trip to Machu Picchu.
Pick-up
Wari Adventures will coordinate the pick-up times with the group leader; they will do this from your hotel, lodging, and Airbnb, for which the passenger must provide the exact address and reference; the pick-up time is usually at 5:00 a.m. for the different routes.
Return to Cusco
The return from the city of Machupicchu requires absolute punctuality for the transportation organization, for which we will provide all the details of the return.
Wari Adventures buys the train tickets typically for 2:55 p.m., so you can arrive at 7 p.m. in the city of Cusco. Consider the time delay due to traffic in the city of Cusco.
The return includes transportation and transfers; you will be aware of any changes or delays in the transportation and train services.
Instructors
Alfredo Huari
Alfredo developed a special interest in exploring the mountains, learning as much as he could about the native plants, animals, and local customs. He loves learning about the plants that local people use to make medicines, shampoos, and dyes for textiles. His story begins a long time ago with a dream of visiting Machu Picchu from a different perspective riding Peruvian horses and hiking through Andean communities.
Location
This horse riding holiday will take place in Peru. You will ride to Huarocondo, Wat'a, Chillipahua, Lake Ancascocha, Cachiccata, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes.
Food
During the Machu Picchu horse riding, you will have access to a variety of food. Dishes rich in calories, vitamins, and proteins will provide all of the energy you need for the trek.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served daily, and you will also receive snacks and hot drinks like infusions in the afternoon. Along with your breakfast, you will receive a cup of coca tea, which will help you adjust to the mountain's cold air. The Wari Adventures team will provide water every day during the entire Moonstone trek in Peru.
Wari Adventures can also accommodate special requests such as vegetarian meals, diabetic diets, and allergies. These special requests must be made during the booking process. Wari Adventures would like to emphasize that the tour's chefs are professional and have an elaborate menu.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- Briefing one day before the Machu Picchu horse riding - the highly trained guide will meet you at your hotel to review the final details and ensure you are ready and excited for the adventure ahead
- Pick up from Hotel in Cusco by tourist bus to start the Moonstone trek – Paropiso
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes with snacks
- Bus transfer from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu / Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket leaving from Aguas Calientes in the afternoon
- Pick up from the train station in Ollantaytambo on the bus and transfer to the hotel
- The return from Aguas Calientes will be together with your adventure guide, time to be confirmed
- Camping for 4 days / 3 nights
- One night of accommodation at Aguas Calientes 3-star hotel
- Professional tour guide fluent in English, Quechua, and Spanish specializing in hiking, with many years of experience in the Mountains and trained in first aid and rescue. He will attend the first day to the last day of the walk, leaving you at the hotel
- Professional chef, assistant cook, and waiter to assist passengers (the team studied at a Gastronomy College and have a lot of experience cooking along with the Machu Picchu horse riding)
- Muleteers to carry the equipment needed for the campsites; they will be with you from the beginning of the Ancascocha trek
- Horses to carry personal belongings from passengers up to 8 kilograms
- Entrance to Machu Picchu Citadel
- Eureka high mountain tent, which is waterproof and thermal, for up to 4 people, but for convenience, you use them only for two people
- Air mattress, dining tent, kitchen tent, camping tables, and chairs
- Tableware
- Bathroom tent / portable toilet
- First aid kit (alcohol, bandages, medication for altitude sickness, oxygen water, Band-Aids, oxygen tank, cotton, rescue ropes, etc.)
- 2 walkie talkie per group
- Food on the horseback riding to Machu Picchu
What's not included
- Lunch and dinner on the last day
- Travel insurance
- Airfare
- Extra for personal tent: 30 USD (only for individual travelers)
- Additional night in Aguas Calientes - From 80 USD (according to availability)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain – 75 USD per person (please request when booking your trek)
- Vistadome train – 50 USD per person
- Hiram Bingham train – 480 USD per person
How to get there
Recommended Airports
CUZ
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
31 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 20 per person
Airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Airport transfer available:
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (US$ 20 per person)
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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