This is a quality adventure using pack-stock to carry all gear and camping amenities. An experienced staff of bilingual guides and local packers accompany a small group of guests. Comfortable camps offer delicious meals prepared from fresh meats, grains and vegetables served in our large dining tent with tables and chairs. One or two persons are assigned a weather tight, quality, four-person sleeping tent.

We own special mountain bred horses descended from noble Spanish Barbs brought from Spain in the 1500s...Crossed with the comfortable but less sure-footed Paso breed our mountain horses give a strong, comfortable ride with greater endurance, stability and reliability needed for steep Inca trails. We raise and train horses at our ranch in the Sacred Valley. The horses are no nonsense, experienced, sure-footed, non-gaited mountain trail horses affording a secure, comfortable ride on steep pathways.

Each day begins with a pan of hot water and coffee or tea served at your tent. Before the evening meal, we enjoy happy hour with popcorn, assorted hot beverages and for those who imbibe our famous expedition vodka martini’s and fine Chilean wine. Everyone is assigned a saddle horse. This can be used for the whole trip, for some hours each day AS YOU WISH. Horses not being used by guests will be looked after by our wranglers (packers) and can be summoned throughout the day as needed. Our well trained, sure-footed, no nonsense horses (we own and train them ourselves at our Sacred Valley facility) are smaller than American and European saddle horses but carry us over the high passes with amazing energy. We do limit rider weight to 220 lbs (100ks) but for a surcharge can provide 2 horses for heavier folk. (Comfortable padded, South American-style saddles are used.)

THE AMAZON: An intense visit deep into the Manu National Park to visit the Cloud Forests and Mountains of Manu and the Ox-Bow lakes and Amazon Rainforests of the Manu National Park. A great selection of the most comfortable lodges available in Manu

This will be a travel day from home and most flights from North America and Europe arrive in the early to late evening. We greet you off your flight and take you to a small safe hotel just 12 minutes from the airport or you can sk for the available upgrade to the 4* Ramada Airport Hotel right next to arrivals.

Flight to Cusco. We will meet your arrival at the Cusco airport and escort you to our centrally located hotel. Time off and then lunch with your guide. The afternoon is scheduled for a walking introduction to the archaeological and colonial highlights of the old capital of the Inca’s and the nearby important ruins... This 3-4 hour tour takes you to all the important Inca sites in Cusco town and environs . We start with a visit to the most sacred of Inca sites - the Koricancha . Winding out of town we will take in the megalithic fortress of Sacsayhuaman where our ride leader describes the rituals and ceremonies that would have taken place at the massive walled limestone constructions and sculptured terraces surrounding the immense central plaza the strange temple of Kenko and the water fountains of Tambomachay. We gather for dinner and discussion at our favorite restaurant near our centrally located comfortable lodging in Cusco. B:L:D.

RIDE STARTS HERE: Leaving Cusco in the rear view mirror, we travel by van over a low pass then down into the famous Sacred Valley. The scenery is unsurpassable, close and distant snow peaks glistening in the sun. An interesting drive of several hours takes us over another Andean pass to our trailhead at Chihuapampa. And our waiting horses and trail crew. Our guide gives a helpful riding lesson, a review for more experienced riders and necessary trail instructions, as duffels and gear are expertly sorted, matched and loaded on mules by a colorful group of Quechua speaking wranglers. Abandoning tents and baggage to follow on the mule train, we set off, riding past the mountain town of Lares. Looking something like the trail worn vanguard of Francisco’s Pizarro’s army, arriving in Cusco in 1533. Men loading a truck stare in wonder. Curious kids at a nearby school stop their football game to watch us clip-clop by on the cobblestone street. Soon we are on an ancient trail climbing steeply out of the valley past small potato fields and adobe houses. Giant blue Lupin bushes line the trail. We follow the Rio Lares downstream Late afternoon finds us on a high broad ridge with a level area suitable for our tents at Qollpachaca at 10,500ft – we have been riding for 2 and a half hours,. We make camp near the village of Vilcabamba, a few scattered simple houses with friendly occupants. When we camped here for the first time in May of 2004, the locals said that we were the first outsiders to pass through in their memory. Ride time 2 and a half hours. B:L:D

The Andean dawn breaks colorfully to the east. We linger over a last cup of gormet coffee as restless mounts wait impatiently to begin the day’s journey. Crossing a deep quebrada, we angle around another ridge passing Santa Rosa opposite the the weaving village of Cachin. We may be lucky enough to buy or bargain for some of the most prized of Andean textiles produced here. Riding on, past curious, red -ponchoed locals working small potato fields with ancient digging sticks, we follow a well worn pathway once trodden by Inca pack trains laden with jungle goods from the nearby lowlands. Climbing Qochayoq pas at 13.800 ft, we drop into and stop for lunch at Chupani, a small isolated village of stone-walled, grass roofed huts perched casually on a broad alluvial fan protruding down from the junction of two immense canyons. Hot Coca tea, boiled potatoes, roasted corn and avocado salad fuels us for the remainder of the day’s journey. Continuing up into a broad high open region, we pass by a number of small villages. This high pampa with its beautiful view was probably a place for breeding and raising of llamas used for carrying supplies along the royal roads. We continue our climb passing herds of grazing alpacas. Mountain vizcachas (related to the chinchillas) scurry amongst boulders washed down from the higher peaks. We descend to our camp at Mauca Chupani 13,200 ft Ahead in a majestic circular bowl crowned by a deep blue lake, our wranglers have set up a ring of green tents awaiting our arrival. Some of us stretch our legs by walking the last mile or so to Camp. Shortly, we are sipping hot chocolate and munching fresh popcorn near grazing alpacas. Savory aromas from the cook tent drift across the pampa. Several of the bold sip one our famous expedition martinis awaiting arrival of the first course of soup that announces the arrival of dinner. Ride Time 6-7 hours (B L D)

Startling flocks of puna teals and andean geese, we trot out and upward into the morning mist and Chupani pass at 13,800ft, Today is a long ride through spectacular scenery. Following lunch we cross over another high, unpronounceable pass named Huacahuasicasa. Passing Wacawasi we descend thru Wacawasi .The trail narrows as we wind through towering metamorphic sentinels guarding the approach. The view from the top of this 4500 meter high pass easily equals the best the Andes has to offer. Now in the downhill back toward the Sacred Valley, the horses pick up energy as they know they are pointed toward home. The rose colored glaciers of Nevado Pumahanca hang overhead, lit by the glow of the fading Inca Sun God Inti as we reach the evening camp at Mantanayoc. A glass of selected Chilean wine completes the day.(B L D)

The day breaks bright and sunny . Fresh fruit, yogurt and hot cakes start our day. Duffels packed for the waiting mules, we head down valley. Its all downhill today along the Aruraycocha and Mantacnayoc rivers (streams actually). We pass through stands of rare, original Qeuña woodland. This is the genus Polylepis, home for some of the rarest birds on earth. An Andean Hillstar Hummingbird darts out as we clatter down the rocky trail. Herder's huts and chacras (small farms) become numerous. We pass grazing cows, barking dogs and children coming and going along the trail. Reaching the Sacred Valley at Yanahuara, we ride on through farmlands along the Urubamba River. A final ride along a colonial period lane completes our magical journey. We sadly say good-bye to the cooks, wranglers and hardworking ponies. Tomorrow begin a new adventure! We overnight at our selected 4* country inn. Dinner and good conversation follows...we slip off to our rooms to ponder the mystery of the last Incas before drifting into undisturbed slumber.( B:L:D)

We board the morning narrow gauge train heading down valley. An interesting 2 hours or so of click, clack and sway with all of the accompanying sounds and smells of rural Peru takes us to our final destination, Machu Picchu and the bustling town of Aguas Calientes, located some 2,000 ft. below Hiram Bingham’s great 1910 discovery. MACHU PICCHU is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Situated on the spine of a jungle cloaked granite peak towering some 2,000 ft. above an entrenched meander of the roaring river below, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial sun, the INCA GOD INTI. Constructed from precisely sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, the site may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world. The day is yours to explore and photograph.

MACHU PICCHU, one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Situated on the spine of a jungle cloaked granite peak towering some 2,000 ft. above an entrenched meander of the roaring river below, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial sun. Constructed from precisely sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, the site may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world.

We later meet at the Intihuatana stone. Our guide concludes the story of the raise and fall of the ancient civilizations of the Andes with the tragic end of the Inca and the unresolved mystery that this "lost city" remains. We return to Cusco on the afternoon train. The evening is yours to shop and wander around. We meet for a final dinner then migrate to the Cross Keys, Cusco's only authentic English Pub, for drinks and lively conversation with the resident congregation of guides, expatriates, adventurers, treasure hunters and smugglers from far corners of the universe. (B.L.D)

Free day on your own in Cusco to explore this ancient city and take advantage of the many shopping opportunities, visit museums etc. The city abounds with small shops and street side vendors selling their wares. Colorful weaving and handmade alpaca sweaters are popular gifts for friends at home. Tomorrow begins a new adventure - the Amazon Rainforest B.

Leaving Cusco after breakfast around 7:00am we travel through traditional Quechua communities and through the spectacular eastern ranges of the Andes to the village of Paucartambo, passing snow-peaks and small Andean farmsteads. We will have time here to look around this picturesque village We then ascend to the last pass overlooking the Amazon Basin and begin the breath taking descent from 3500 meters to 1600 meters above sea-level to our comfortable lodge in the orchid laden Cloud Forest. This is a spectacular journey passing cascading waterfalls and multicolored birds along the way. In the late afternoon, we'll walk into the lodge to the sounds of Quetzals, Trogons and Gray-breasted Wood-Wrens. Night at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge or Paradise Lodge. L:D:

Pre- breakfast walk to a nearby spot in the Cloud Forest where the strange and beautiful Cocks-of-the-Rock display at dawn. This is a wonderful sight, as up to 25 bright red-orange males dance and sing, attempting to attract the favors of the duller, burgundy colored females. After visiting this lek we return to the Lodge for a leisurely breakfast and continue in our all terrain bus to the Madre de Dios River and our motorized dugouts and we begin our journey down the river, past the last folds of the Andes to the Manu Learning Centre perched high on a bluff. he Manu Learning Centre (MLC) is designed to function as a multi-use facility to provide field researchers, educational groups and volunteers with comfortable accommodation and space in which to work. Constructed to compliment its surroundings, using a fusion of traditional thatching techniques and modern design, the concept of the Manu Learning Centre expands beyond its' facilities to include key objectives such as impact minimization of the site on the local environment and the promotion of sustainable resource management. This afternoon we will explore the trail system with our naturalist guides, watch one of the worlds prettiest sunsets over the Madre de Dios River and find out from our knowledgeable guides about the Amazon Rainforest. Night Manu Learning Centre Lodge B:L:D

MLC attracts an array of parrots and macaws thanks to the spectacular red mineral lick, or Collpa carved out by the Alto Madre de Dios River. This Collpa is the only one of its type in the area, and is visited daily by hundreds of colorful and noisy parrots and macaws, as well as guans, pigeons and doves. These in turn draw raptors such as the ornate hawk eagle. It is one of the best places in the world to see the endangered Blue-headed Macaw. We will visit this Clay Lick at dawn and after the spectacle return for breakfast an a look at the Orchid garden. We continue our journey down the Madre de Dios River to it's confluence with the Manu River. We’ll pass settlements and native communities during the trip. Just before we get to the village of Boca Manu we pass the native community of Diamante. Their culture is Piro and this is the largest settlement of Amerindians in the area. We turn up the Manu River leaving the relatively clean waters of the Madre de Dios behind; we enter the clay laden waters of the Manu River. We’ll at the park ranger station at Limonal to present our permits and visit an overgrown oxbow lake where many Parrots and Macaws come in to roost we travel another hour to our destination – The comfortable Romero Rainforest Lodge situated close the banks of the Manu River. We are now deep in the pristine Manu rainforest. Night Romero Rainforest Lodge B:L:D

This morning we'll walk very slowly from camp for 4-5 hours through the forest to Cocha Limonal. We may encounter troops of Monkeys. This is a particularly good trail for Black Spider Monkeys. We'll pay special attention to the plant life on this walk and take it slowly listening for the rustle of vegetation or the soft sound of fruits falling to the rainforest floor that may betray the presence of animals or large birds. Your guide will explain some of the basics of rainforest ecosystems and point out some of the medicinal plants of the area used by local, indigenous groups. We may cross paths with a group of Peccaries - a species of wild boar found here. We'll be met at the river by our motorized dugout for the hour trip upriver to the lodge for lunch and some free time. We’ll plan afternoon activities for those who wish – there are many trails to explore. The rest of the day will be spent walking the trails in the area in search of some of the 13 species of Monkey found in the forest here.. Before or after dinner an optional excursion into the forest at night is available with your guide in search of nocturnal creatures. The lakes and rivers are full of eye-shine of the large Black Caiman and if we are lucky we may encounter an Olingo, Kinkajou or even an Ocelot on the trails. Certainly the nighttime noise of tree frogs and insects in the forest is an experience not to be forgotten Night Romero Rainforest Lodge B:L:D

We head upriver – as deep into the park as allowed, to Cocha Salvador. Beaches, especially in the dry season, are loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name but a few. Some beaches will host sunning White and Black Caimans (South American relatives of the Alligators)/ and breeding Side-necked Turtles. Hundreds of Sand-colored Nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches and there is a chance of encountering a sunning Jaguar - the world’s third largest cat. In 2008 one in three of our trips saw Jaguar in Manu. We will see some species of primate on this river trip, possibly Red Howler Monkeys or the smaller Squirrel Monkeys. Cocha Salvador. Some of the time will be spent canoeing the lake on a floating platform observing ox-bow lake animal life from the water. We may encounter an Agami Heron or a Sungrebe and Brown Cappuchin Monkeys are usually feeding on fruits nearby. Specially constructed piers that jut out into the lake enable us to look for a family of Giant Otters that live here. These, the world’s largest freshwater carnivores, remain common only in Manu, having been hunted to extinction throughout most of their former range. Each animal consumes between 4 and 5 kilos of fish daily and often they can be seen eating large fish on logs at the lakeside. A visit to the lake of Cocha Otorongo is planned, where observation piers and a 20 meter observation tower in the rainforest canopy overlooking the lake are available for observing wildlife. We will also be on the lookout for a large family of Giant Otters that inhabit this lake. We boat back to Romero Rainforest Lodge in the late afternoon, to a refreshing shower, snacks and iced drinks. B:L:D

Leaving the lodge we'll head down the Madre de Dios River for 45 minutes to the Boca Manu Aerodrome. Early morning flocks of birds pass over the boat, and we may see a Capybara, the world’s largest rodent. Arriving at the airstrip we board our aircraft for the 45 minute flight over seemingly endless rainforest and then over the Andes, passing glaciers and snow peaks to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco where our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The afternoon is set aside to relax and enjoy the historical city B:

Morning to enjoy Cusco and we take you to the airport for flights home. B

ADD 3 MORE NIGHTS IN THE AMAZON AT THE COMFORTABLE MANU WILDLIFE CENTER LODGE
RETURNING MONDAY TO CUSCO – MACAW AND TAPIR LICKS.