Arrival at the Arequipa airport, known as the "White City" and located around 2300 meters above sea level (7545 ft). Then, we'll go downtown at our charming hotel. Afterwards, lunch or dinner (depending on the arrival time) with the team in a "gourmet" restaurant. The afternoon, we will visit the splendid colonial center of the town, the impressive Monastery of Santa Catalina, the cloister of the Compania and the central market. Overnight stay in Arequipa.
Early in the morning, we will leave Arequipa with a private vehicle and take the direction of the northwest towards the Andes and the Altiplano. During this morning going to the Colca Valley, we'll have the opportunity to making some stops, especially in the national reserve "Salinas y Aguada Blanca" where there are alpacas, llamas and vicunas.
Then, we will enjoy the incredible panorama from the "Mirador de los Volcanes" located more than 4900 meters above sea level (16076 ft). We will admire many summits and volcanoes on the horizon; the Misti, the Chachani, the Ampato, the Sabancaya, the Hualca Hualca, etc. (during your stay, if you are interesting to attempt the ascent of the Misti, which is at 5825 meters above sea level (19110 ft), click here). Arrival in Chivay, the capital of Colca, at midday. Lunch on-site in a restaurant. Afterwards, we'll continue to Yanque (8km - 4.9mi) where we can settle in our comfortable hotel: the Miskiwasi B&B. At the beginning of the afternoon, our beautiful Peruvian Paso horses and our equestrian guide will come at the hotel and we'll start a horseback ride "of acclimatization" (around 4h30 on horse). As an information, Yanque is at 3600 meters above sea level (11811 ft). We'll take pre-Inca paths heading to the Mirador of Achoma's village. From there, we will have an dominating view of the Colca Valley, of its villages and of impressive landscapes. Return to Yanque. Dinner and overnight stay.
Around 9AM, we'll continue our exploration of the Colca with our comfortable horses (6-hour ride). We'll cross the Plaza de Armas of Yanque and take the direction of the other side of the valley. We will pass on a bridge overlooking the Colca river and we continue to the archaeological complex of Uyo Uyo. The guide will explain us the history of this former capital of Colca where there are abundant proofs showing the coexistence of Inca and Collagua civilisations. Then, we will pursue our ascent of the mountain to reach collaguas graves (presence of skulls and bones dating from the XIIIth century). The view over the valley is quite impressive! Way down to the village of Coporaque where we'll have a tasty lunch. We will go back to Yanque via the Sifon bridge above the cliffs in which are dug the famous "Colca" (cavities which gave the name to the Valley and the Canyon). In the afternoon, we'll have a bath at the local hot springs. Dinner and then, overnight stay in the Miskiwasi B&B in Yanque.
Around 9AM, departure for a progressive ride of 3 days in the Colca Valley and Canyon (6-hour ride for this specific day). We will cross the village of Ichupampa on the other side of the valley. We will enjoy beautiful landscapes and observe local people working in their crops located on the countless pre-Inca terraces. Most of the women always wear the traditional clothes particularly coloured. We will have lunch in the village of Lari. Then, the afternoon, we will continue the horseback ride until the bottom of the Chimpa's hill in Madrigal. We will leave there the Peruvian Paso horses for the night and go back to Lari by car to sleep in a small hostel (basic facilities). Little "aperitif", then, dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast and then, quick trip to Madrigal (40 minutes - 6 hours on horse during this day). Our Paso will wait for us to start the ascent of the Chimpa's Hill. We'll reach the Collagua's Fortress at the summit. The view of the surroundings is unforgettable and the mirador, located at the back of the fortress, has the most beautiful panorama on the Colca Canyon! We'll really be able to realize the size of the second deepest canyon in the world. Way down on foot, and afterwards, we will continue the horse ride heading to the Colca river. We will have lunch outdoor close to a small lake; a preserved and magical environment among the thousands of pre-Inca terraces. Then, we will go up until the village of Pinchollo. Our equestrian guide and our Peruvian Paso horses will sleep there. In this late afternoon, our driver will bring us to the Cross of Condor in order to watch the majestic flight of these Andean birds. Afterwards, we'll go to the hotel La Granja which has a privileged vantage point on the canyon. Dinner and overnight stay.
After the breakfast, we'll meet the horses in Pinchollo (25-minute ride) and we'll start our last horseback ride (around 6 hours) to the Geyser of Pinchollo also called "Hatun Infiernillo" and located more than 4550 meters above sea level (14927 ft). During this ascent, we'll see a complete change in the landscapes. The horizon, composed of snow-capped Andean summits over 6000 meters (19685 ft), is particularly impressive too. It will be a wonderful ride which will finish our trip in Peru on a high note. We won't meet anybody in these heights but it's not uncommon to see beautiful wild horses. Picnic lunch close to the geyser and its steam projections. Then, we will return by another path to Pinchollo. Our driver will bring us back to Arequipa (4h30 trip) at our confortable hotel. In the evening, we will dinner in a famous "gourmet" restaurant. Night in Arequipa.
According to the flight schedule, we will be transferred to the airport. End of our trip in Peru.
If you want an extension in Lima, Puno, Cusco, the Machu Picchu or any other destination in Peru, please tell us during your booking.
| From | 23/03 | 20/04 | 18/05 | 15/06 | 29/06 | 17/08 | 07/09 | 05/10 | 02/11 | 30/11 |
| To | 29/03 | 26/04 | 24/05 | 21/06 | 05/07 | 23/08 | 13/09 | 11/10 | 08/11 | 06/12 |
After having a breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be transferred to the international airport of Arequipa. Flight to Cusco, where you’ll arrived at the end of the morning. You’ll be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your charming hotel. In the afternoon, guided tour of the Inca's Capital historic center and surroundings’ ruins, like Sacsayhuaman which is very impressive. Overnight stay in Cusco.
Breakfast, and then ride in a private vehicle through the Sacred Valley toward Pisac and its multitude of terraces. It's a spectacular place! Then, way down to the village to discover the handicraft market. You’ll go to the Inca village of Ollantaytambo in the afternoon and will visit the incredible fortress, which was built on the edge of the mountain. Afterwards, train to Aguas Calientes. This village is located a few kilometers before the Machu Picchu site. You’ll spend the night at your 2-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
> You can take a guide (optional) or visit by yourself the Inca sites (please inform us during your booking)
You’ll have a breakfast very early, and then you'll take a bus to the mysterious citadel of Machu Picchu. You’ll discover an incredible archaeological site whose beauty, architecture and its mountains surroundings always surprise the travelers. This new Wonder of the World, has been rediscovered just one century ago! The entrance of the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain is included too. Then, you’ll go back to Aguas Calientes village, from where you’ll take a train in the afternoon to come back to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel and overnight stay.
> The Machu Picchu can be visited with a guide (optional) or by yourself (please inform us during your booking).
You’ll have a breakfast at your hotel before going with a private vehicle to the international airport of Cusco in accordance with your flight schedule. It will be the end of the trip.
| From | 23/03 | 20/04 | 18/05 | 15/06 | 29/06 | 17/08 | 07/09 | 05/10 | 02/11 | 30/11 |
| To | 01/04 | 29/04 | 27/05 | 24/06 | 08/07 | 26/08 | 16/09 | 14/10 | 11/11 | 09/12 |
