HORSEBACK RIDING TREK - 5 DAYS

ITINERARY
Detailed itinerary for our Horseback Riding Tour visiting Indigenous Communities and Machu Picchu - Cusco, Peru
DAY 1:
Note: On the first day, we will pick you up from Cusco or Sacred Valley of the Incas; according to what we previously coordinated. Depending on where we’ll pick you up, we can offer you one of the below routes for your first day on our Horse Riding to Machu Picchu Tour.

OPTION 1 : CUSCO - KILLARUMIYOQ - CHILLIPAHUA
From Cusco to Killarumiyoq: Riding Towards Living Andean Traditions
We’ll pick you up from Cusco to take you to the starting point of the ride. After an hour’s drive, we will stop at the sacred Inca Killarumiyuc (in the Quechua language) or Moonstone Sanctuary, an ancient temple dedicated to sacred femininity. The site has not only an impeccable design that has withstood the test of time but also includes areas of cultivation and the veneration of the moon became a sacred area for the people of the Andes. After having explored the experimental agricultural center, we will continue to the village of Huarocondo (3,331 mt/10,920 ft) and explore this quaint Andean town. From here, we’ll have a 25-minute drive to Paropiso, to get on our trusty steeds for the first time for a 3-hour horse-back ride to the Andean community of Chillipahua where we will spend the night.

Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles (horseback riding)
Steps: 19,440 approx steps
Hiking / Riding Hours: 3 hours on horseback
Lowest Altitude: 3,331 m / 10,920 ft (Huarocondo)
Highest Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft (Chillipahua)
Elevation Gain: 420 m / 1,380 ft
Campsite Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft
Difficulty: Moderate

OPTION 2: SACRED VALLEY - ÑAUPA-IGLESIA - CHILLIPAHUA
Through Valleys and Ancient Peaks to Chillipahua
We’ll pick you up from your accommodation in the Sacred Valley in our private transportation for a 30-minute journey to the Inca site of Ñaupa Iglesia (Quechua for Ancient Church). This mysterious site boasts an Inca cross known as a chacana perfectly carved into an enormous rock. From here, we will continue to the village of Llama Pintayoq which translates to Painted Llama in English and is named after the enigmatic pre-Inca paintings on a rock near the village which we’re going to visit. After this, we’ll quickly reach the starting point of our trek where we’ll set off on a wide path northward on the west bank of the river called Huaracondo. We’ll cross beautiful valleys, mountains, and archaeological ruins to reach the impressive Inca village of Watta, an important pre-Inca fortress that dominates a peak of 3,855 meters (12,650 feet). After exploring the site, we’ll descend on our horses for 30 minutes to the lunch spot before going to the community of Chillipahua (3,750 mt/12,300 ft), the wonderful Andean hamlet where’ll we spend the night.

Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Steps: 19,440 approx steps
Hiking / Riding Hours: 4–5 hours
Lowest Altitude: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft (Sacred Valley area)
Highest Altitude: 3,855 m / 12,650 ft (Watta)
Elevation Gain: 1,055 m / 3,445 ft
Campsite altitude: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

DAY 2: INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCE in the community of chillipahua
Experiencing the Soul of the Andes: Cultural Immersion in Chillipahua
Today will be the cultural highlight of this journey because you’ll be spending the entire day in the traditional Andean village of Chillipahua participating in many of the villagers every day activities. These include helping out in the field and learning more about cultivating heirloom potatoes and other crops; trying your hand at weaving or even spinning wool; learning about and preparing traditional home remedies; picking up some words and phrases in the native language of Quechua; and of course: sharing a meal with the inhabitants which was probably cooked over a traditional open fire. An unforgettable day of cultural immersion where you’ll truly experience the genuine folklore still alive in this part of the Andes in modern times.

Distance: 2 km / 1.2 miles (local walking)
Steps: 3,240 approx steps
Hours of hiking: Light activities
Lowest Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft
Highest Altitude: 3,850 m / 12,630 ft
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Campsite Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft
Difficulty: Easy

DAY 3: CHILLIPAHUA - ANCASCOCHA
Horseback Riding Through Sacred Mountains to the Mystical Ancascocha Lagoon
After a delicious breakfast in the village of Chillipahua, it’s time to say goodbye to its inhabitants and resume our horseback riding adventure to Machu Picchu. We will climb gradually along potato fields, Inca aqueducts, and native chachacomo trees. You’ll love the surrounding landscape of pasture fields clinging to the steep slopes and red mountains. After passing a few more traditional highland communities, we’ll reach Accoccasa Pass (4,425 mt/14,500 ft). Here we will enjoy a breathtaking view of the immense, snowy peaks completely surrounding you. On the other side of the pass, we’ll follow a flat trail used by indigenous shepherds to descend to Qenqo Mayu Valley. We will have a break from riding to tuck into a delicious, organic lunch. Soon after this, we’ll reach our campsite near Ancascocha Lake (4,150 mt/13,600 ft), opposite the striking glaciers of the Huayanay mountain range.

Distance: Approx. 12 km / 7.4 miles
Steps: 19,440 approx steps
Hiking / Riding Hours: 6–7 hours
Lowest Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft
Highest Altitude: 3,500 m / 11,483 ft (Accoccasa Pass)
Elevation Gain: 675 m / 2,215 ft
Campsite altitude: 4,150 m / 13,615 ft
Difficulty: Challenging

DAY 4: ANCASCOCHA - INCA QUARRY - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES
Following in the Footsteps of the Incas: From Ancient Quarries to the Path to Machu Picchu
After breakfast, we will continue horseback riding towards Machu Picchu. We will go up to the of Chancachuco Valley where we will see an Inca aqueduct carved into the cliffs to take water from Chancachuco Valley all the way to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, miles downstream. Next up is our last pass: Rainbow Pass (4,340 mt / 14,200 ft) from where we will follow a narrow trail downward for about 45 minutes. This will lead us to the enigmatic Intiwatana, the Sun Gate, strategically located by the Incas to make astronomical observations and plan agricultural activities for the year. After taking in the breathtaking view, it gives us of the snow-capped Mount Veronica (5,682 mt/ 18,640 ft), we will continue riding down and reach Cachicata, a large terrace at the edge of a vast quarry with the same name. This was an Inca city inhabited by hundreds of architects and workers of the Inca empire and features buildings used for administration, housing, terraces, burial chambers, and irrigation canals. Then we will continue downhill, crossing the Vilcanota River and finally arriving at the famous Sun Temple in Ollantaytambo. We will have time to explore the village and the temple before taking the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes (2040 mt/ 6692 ft) in the afternoon. Once we get to Aguas Calientes, we will check in to our hotel where we will spend the night before the big day when we will get to explore Machu Picchu!

Distance: 16 km / 9.94 miles
Steps: 19,440 approx steps
Hiking / Riding Hours: 6–7 hours
Lowest Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft (Aguas Calientes)
Highest Altitude: 4,340 m / 14,200 ft (Rainbow Pass)
Elevation Gain: 190 m / 623 ft
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty: Challenging

*Please note: Another option available is to stay one night in Ollantaytambo and start the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu the following day, instead of taking the train.

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
Sunrise at Machu Picchu: Encounter with the Lost City of the Incas
We will get up early to enjoy the sunrise over Machu Picchu, tuck into a hearty breakfast, and take the bus up to explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We will have a guided tour that will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. Some of the highlights of this marvelous place are the Sun Dial (Intihuatana) and the Temple of the Condor and the views of the mountains covered by high jungle vegetation surrounding this amazing fortress. After we finish our visit to the archeological complex, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to have lunch or do some last-minute souvenir shopping, and later in the afternoon, we will take the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo. Here, you’ll be picked up by our private van to take you to your hotel in the Sacred Valley or Cusco. The tour may be over but the experience will stay with you forever!

Distance: 4 km / 2.4 miles
Steps: 6,480 approx steps
Hours of hiking: 3–5 hours
Lowest Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft
Highest Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft (Machu Picchu)
Elevation Gain: 390 m / 1,280 ft (bus ascent)
Difficulty: Easy

• Briefing
• Transportation
• Pick up from the Hotel in Cusco by tourist bus to Paropiso.
• Train ticket on Expedition Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes with snacks.
• Bus transfer from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu and back.
• Train ticket on Expedition service from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Pick up from the train station in Ollantaytambo on the bus and transfer to the hotel.
• You will be accompanied by your guide on your return from Aguas Calientes.
• Accommodation
• Camping for 3 nights.
• One night of accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Camping Equipment on the Horseback Riding Tour to Machu Picchu
• Our highly experienced and dedicated mountaineering team is one of the key elements that makes this trip to Machu Picchu a safe and unforgettable experience. Each member of our staff is carefully selected for their professionalism, experience, and commitment to providing exceptional service in the Andes.
• Professional Guide
• A certified professional guide, fluent in English, Quechua, and Spanish, will accompany you from the first day to the last. With many years of experience leading trekking and horseback riding expeditions in the Andes, your guide is highly trained in first aid, mountain rescue, and high-altitude safety protocols.
• In addition to ensuring your safety, your guide will enrich your experience by sharing their deep knowledge of Andean culture, history, archaeology, flora, fauna, and local traditions. They will coordinate every logistical detail, oversee camp operations, and provide constant support throughout the entire trek.
• Professional Chef and Culinary Team
• Our culinary team consists of a professional mountain chef, a kitchen assistant, and service staff, all specializing in preparing high-quality meals in remote environments.
• All team members have formal culinary training and extensive experience cooking for trekking groups and expeditions at high altitudes. They are experts at creating balanced, nutritious, and beautifully presented dishes using fresh, local ingredients from the Andes.
• Despite being in remote mountain environments, you will enjoy restaurant-quality meals, rich in flavor, energy, and variety, ensuring you stay strong and well-nourished throughout your adventure.
• Muleteers and Pack Animals
• Our skilled muleteers are local experts who know the Andean trails intimately. They handle the transport of all camping equipment, cooking utensils, and the necessary logistics for each campsite. Their experience guarantees that everything is ready efficiently and on time each day.
• They work alongside well-cared-for, strong, healthy mules accustomed to mountainous terrain, ensuring the safe and reliable transport of all expedition equipment from the start to the end of the trek.
• Transportation of Personal Belongings
• For your comfort during horseback riding and hiking, we provide pack mules that can carry up to 8 kg (17.6 lb) of your belongings per passenger. This allows you to ride and hike freely with just a light backpack containing essentials such as water, sunscreen, a camera, and personal items.
• Entrance to Machu Picchu Citadel.
• Campsite Equipment on the Horseback - Riding to Machu Picchu Tour
• Waterproof and Thermal Eureka high mountain tent sleeps up to 4 people, but we use them for two people only to ensure you have more room.
• Airbed, 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, e.g.).
• 2 walkie talkie radios per group.
• Wari Adventures is one of the few agencies that provides battery chargers for cell phones and other devices on the trail
• Food on the Horseback - Riding to Machu Picchu Tour
• We ensure the food on the horseback-riding tour is very varied, and full of vitamins and proteins to provide all of the energy needed for the trek.
• The food on the trek includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you will also get snacks and hot drinks like herbal teas in the afternoon. At breakfast, we’ll always offer you a cup of coca tea to help you adjust to the altitude and cold mountain air.
• We will provide water every day during the entire horseback-riding tour.
• We can also accommodate special requests such as vegetarian or vegan meals, and dishes suitable for diabetics and people with food allergies. These special requests must be made at the time of booking. We would like to emphasize that our professional chefs create the menu themselves and it’s always adjusted to include seasonal crops and fruits.

What's Not Included

• Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (Optional)
• Lunch and dinner on the last day are not included.