Horseback Riding Package 11 Days / 10 Nights – Peru Adventure to Machu Picchu

Your journey begins in Lima, Peru’s elegant coastal capital, where the Pacific Ocean meets centuries of colonial history. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel, allowing you to settle into the rhythm of this vibrant city.

Lima is often called the “City of Kings,” a name that reflects its royal past as the center of Spanish colonial power in South America. Today, it stands as a fascinating blend of old and new—where modern districts rise beside centuries-old churches, and culinary traditions rooted in diverse cultures have transformed the city into one of the world’s most celebrated food destinations.

Depending on your arrival time, you may take an evening stroll through historic neighborhoods or enjoy the coastal breeze along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The sound of waves crashing below and the warm city lights above create a welcoming first impression of Peru.

As night settles over the city, anticipation quietly builds—because tomorrow, the Andes await.

Overnight: Lima

This morning, your adventure rises into the sky as you board a flight from Lima to Cusco, crossing from the coast into the dramatic landscapes of the Andes Mountains.

As the aircraft climbs above Lima, the desert coastline fades into distant memory, replaced by towering peaks and sweeping valleys. From the window, you may glimpse snow-capped summits piercing the clouds—silent guardians of a civilization that once ruled these lands.

Upon arrival in Cusco, you step into a city that was once the sacred capital of the Inca Empire. The air feels cooler, thinner, and charged with history. Stone walls built centuries ago still support modern buildings, a visible reminder of the remarkable engineering of the Inca civilization.

The afternoon is intentionally relaxed, allowing your body time to acclimatize to the altitude. Gentle walks through cobblestone streets reveal hidden courtyards, vibrant markets, and historic plazas where life flows at a comfortable pace.

Every corner of Cusco tells a story—of emperors, conquest, resistance, and rebirth. Here, the past and present exist side by side.

Overnight: Cusco

Today, your journey leads into the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas, where fertile lands stretch beneath towering mountains and ancient traditions remain alive. Departing Cusco in the morning, the road descends into warmer landscapes filled with patchwork fields and sweeping valley views.

Your first stop is at a traditional llama and alpaca farm, where you will meet these iconic Andean animals and learn how their wool is transformed into beautifully woven textiles using natural dyes and ancestral techniques. This visit offers a warm introduction to the living culture of the Andes.

Continuing through the valley, you arrive at Pisac, a charming town known for its vibrant market and impressive agricultural terraces carved into the mountainsides. These terraces, built with remarkable precision, once allowed the Incas to cultivate crops in steep terrain while protecting the land for future generations.

The journey then follows the Urubamba River to Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca towns in Peru. Its narrow stone streets and ancient water channels remain in use today, while the massive terraces of its fortress rise dramatically above the valley, offering unforgettable views and insight into the strength of Inca engineering.

In the afternoon, you visit the highland village of Chinchero, known for its traditional weaving and panoramic views of the Andes. Here, local artisans share their skills and stories, preserving techniques passed down through generations.

As the sun begins to set, you return to Cusco, reflecting on a day filled with living traditions, ancient history, and spectacular landscapes.

Overnight: Cusco

On the first day, we will pick you up from your respective hotel at 9:00 am in our private transportation to head toward the colonial town of Maras, located at 3,300 meters above sea level, where our horses will be waiting for us. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes if departing from the city of Cusco.

Once we arrive at the meeting point with the horses, there will be an introduction to Peruvian horseback riding, including a demonstration on how to handle and control the Peruvian Paso horse, followed by time to become familiar with the horses.

We will begin our horseback riding experience heading toward Huaypo Lagoon. Along the route, we will enjoy impressive cultural landscapes and fields of corn, potatoes, and cereals, passing through the rural community of Muyupampa, where we will observe their traditional houses and ancestral agricultural activities.

We will arrive at Huaypo Lagoon to enjoy our picnic lunch, surrounded by eucalyptus forests and nature, with beautiful views of the lagoon.

After lunch, we will continue toward the rural community of Misminay, located at 3,500 meters above sea level, where the local residents will welcome us. Here, we will have the opportunity to interact with them, share their food, customs, and living local culture.

After spending pleasant moments with our hosts and enjoying dinner prepared with local products, we will head to our rooms to rest and spend the night.

On this day, we will enjoy a beautiful sunrise with panoramic views of the mountains of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Breakfast will be served at the time agreed upon the previous evening, followed by a textile demonstration by the community, where local women will teach us the techniques of spinning, dyeing, and the entire weaving process, as well as the meaning of their traditional iconography.

Afterward, we will say farewell to our hosts and continue our journey, returning to our horses to head toward the archaeological complex of Moray, an important Inca agricultural experimentation center. After visiting and receiving the archaeological and historical explanation of this significant site, we will begin our descent into the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, enjoying impressive panoramic views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the snow-capped peaks of Chicón and Verónica.

Midway through the descent, we will arrive at the picnic spot, where we will also have time to take photographs of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will then continue our ride, passing through the town of Pachar and crossing the Vilcanota River, considered the longest tributary of the Amazon River, before finally arriving at the hotel, where we will spend our second night after dinner.

We will wake up in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, at an altitude of 2,780 meters above sea level. After breakfast at the hotel, we will continue our journey along the banks of the Vilcanota River, enjoying the pleasant climate of the Sacred Valley while passing through fields of vegetables and local fruit crops.

After crossing the river once again via a suspension bridge, leading our horses by hand, we will begin the ascent toward the Maras Salt Mines, which date back to pre-Inca times. Here, we will have time to explore the salt mines and receive an explanation about the salt production process, its geological origin, chemical components, medicinal properties, and the organizational structure of the local salt producers.

At the end of the visit, we will continue ascending toward the Maras plateau, arriving at the main square of Maras. Riding through its colonial streets and gateways, we will observe historic heraldic shields belonging to religious congregations, construction dates, and in some cases, the initials of the families who once lived in these homes.

After passing through the village of Maras, we will arrive at a local restaurant where we will enjoy lunch. Our horses will also have time to rest, drink water, and refresh after a rewarding journey.

Following lunch, we will head toward the archaeological complex of Cheqoq, a site where the Incas stored and preserved their harvest products using natural conservation techniques. This location offers beautiful panoramic views of the colonial town of Maras and the Urubamba mountain range.

We will then continue our final ride toward the Sanctuary of Tiobamba, a beautiful colonial temple set in an extraordinary location that once served as a resting place for merchants traveling from the city of Cusco to the valleys. Here, we will conclude our horseback riding experience, say farewell to our horses, and board our private transportation.

After the horseback riding experience, we will transfer you to the Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and spend the night in Aguas Calientes, preparing for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day.

Before sunrise, anticipation fills the air. Today is the moment many travelers dream of—the long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological treasures.

Early in the morning, you take a bus along a winding mountain road that climbs steadily through mist-covered slopes. Then, almost suddenly, the legendary citadel appears—perched high among emerald peaks, timeless and awe-inspiring.

Often veiled in drifting clouds, Machu Picchu feels almost unreal, like something imagined rather than constructed by human hands. Stone temples rise from terraces carved into the mountainside, perfectly aligned with the surrounding landscape. During your guided tour, you explore ceremonial plazas, sacred temples, and agricultural terraces that reveal the brilliance of Inca engineering and their deep respect for nature.

Every stone seems intentional, every pathway purposeful. Standing among these ancient structures, surrounded by towering mountains and shifting clouds, you feel something difficult to describe—a quiet mixture of awe, humility, and wonder.

After your guided visit, you will have time to take photographs, explore the surroundings at your own pace, or simply pause to absorb the atmosphere of this remarkable place.

Later in the afternoon, you descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you board the train back through the scenic Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. From there, private transportation continues to Cusco, arriving in the evening after a day filled with unforgettable memories.

This is not simply a destination it is a moment that stays with you long after the journey ends.

Overnight: Cusco

Today, your adventure continues across one of Peru’s most dramatic landscapes—the vast Altiplano, a high plateau where mountains soften into rolling plains and ancient cultures remain deeply rooted in the land.

Your journey begins early, departing Cusco at 7:00 am aboard a comfortable tourist bus designed for scenic travel. Rather than simply moving from one destination to another, this day unfolds like a moving museum, filled with history, culture, and breathtaking views. The road itself becomes part of the story.

Andahuaylillas – The Sistine Chapel of the Andes

Your first stop takes you to the small yet remarkable village of Andahuaylillas, home to one of the most beautiful churches in South America.

Often called the “Sistine Chapel of America,” this church is a true jewel of mestizo baroque architecture, a style that blends European techniques with indigenous artistry. From the outside, the building appears modest—but inside, it reveals a breathtaking surprise.

The interior is richly decorated with intricate murals, carved wooden panels, and ceilings covered in gold leaf. Every inch of space seems to glow with color and symbolism. This church is not only a place of worship but also a living example of how cultures merged to create something entirely unique during the colonial period.

Standing inside, surrounded by centuries of art and devotion, it feels as if time slows down.

Raqchi – Temple of the Creator God Wiracocha

Continuing along the route, you arrive at Raqchi, located approximately 121 kilometers from Cusco. This extraordinary archaeological site was once home to the Temple of Wiracocha, dedicated to one of the most important deities in Inca mythology—the creator god himself.

The scale of this structure is astonishing. Stretching 100 meters in length, 26 meters in width, and reaching 14 meters in height, it was one of the largest temples ever constructed by the Incas.

Massive stone foundations support towering adobe walls, and the remains of 11 giant columns in each nave hint at the temple’s former grandeur. Surrounding the temple, you can also observe ancient qolqas—circular storage buildings once used to store food, supplies, and ceremonial items.

Walking through Raqchi, you begin to understand the sophistication of Inca engineering and the spiritual importance this place once held.

La Raya – The Summit of the Journey

As the journey continues, the road gradually climbs until reaching La Raya, the highest point along the Cusco–Puno route, standing at 4,335 meters above sea level.

Here, the Andes stretch endlessly into the distance. Snow-capped peaks rise above windswept plains, and herds of llamas and vicuñas graze quietly against the dramatic backdrop.

La Raya also represents a symbolic meeting point—the geographical and cultural boundary between the Quechua and Aymara regions. It is where lush valleys begin to give way to the dry, open landscapes of the Altiplano.

The air feels crisp, the sky impossibly wide, and the silence deeply powerful.

Pukara – Origins of Andean Civilization

Your final major stop before reaching Puno is Pukara, one of the oldest ceremonial centers of the Andean highlands, predating even the great civilization of Tiwanaku.

This ancient site features stepped platforms that once formed an important ceremonial complex. Archaeological discoveries here—including carved stone sculptures and funerary monuments—suggest the presence of an advanced and organized society that thrived thousands of years ago.

Many of the sculptures depict mysterious figures believed to represent warriors or spiritual leaders, offering clues about the early foundations of Andean culture.

It is here, among stone carvings and ancient pathways, that the origins of highland civilization begin to reveal themselves.

After a full day of exploration, you continue toward Puno, arriving at approximately 5:00 pm. The city rests along the shores of the legendary Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

As evening settles over the lake, its waters shimmer beneath the fading sunlight—a calm and peaceful welcome to the next chapter of your journey.

Overnight: Puno

This morning, your journey takes you onto the legendary waters of Lake Titicaca, a place deeply woven into Andean mythology and daily life.

Board a boat and glide across the lake’s deep blue surface toward the famous Uros Floating Islands—an extraordinary example of human ingenuity.

These islands are entirely built from totora reeds, layered carefully to create floating communities that drift gently with the movement of the water. Walking across the soft reed surface feels surreal, as if stepping onto something both fragile and enduring at the same time.

Here, local families share their traditions, demonstrating how they build their homes, boats, and islands using materials drawn directly from the lake.

Amantani Island – A Night with Local Families

Continuing across the lake, you arrive at Amantani Island, where one of the most meaningful experiences of the journey awaits.

You will be welcomed into the home of a local family, offering a rare glimpse into authentic Andean life. The simplicity of daily routines—preparing meals, tending fields, sharing stories—creates moments of connection that feel genuine and unforgettable.

In the afternoon, you may hike to one of the island’s sacred hilltop temples, where sweeping views reveal the endless blue of Lake Titicaca stretching toward the horizon.

As night falls, the sky fills with stars, brighter and clearer than almost anywhere else. Far from city lights, the silence feels peaceful and grounding.

This is not just accommodation—it is cultural exchange, human connection, and shared memory.

Overnight: Homestay on Amantani Island

After breakfast with your host family, continue your journey across the lake to Taquile Island, one of the most culturally rich communities in the region.

Taquile is internationally recognized for its extraordinary textile traditions, which have been honored as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Here, weaving is not simply craft—it is language, identity, and history woven into thread.

Men and women create intricate textiles using techniques passed down through generations. Each pattern tells a story, marking life stages, family roles, and community traditions.

Walking along the island’s peaceful paths, surrounded by terraced hillsides and endless views of the lake, you gain a deeper appreciation for the harmony between people and their environment.

After exploring the island and enjoying a traditional meal, you return by boat to Puno, carrying memories shaped by warmth, culture, and shared humanity.

Overnight: Puno

Your final morning begins with a transfer to Juliaca Airport, where you will board your flight back to Lima.

As you leave the highlands behind, the landscapes that defined your journey—mountains, valleys, ancient ruins, and shimmering lakes—linger in memory.

This journey has carried you across civilizations, through breathtaking natural beauty, and into the heart of living traditions. Though the trip concludes today, the impressions it leaves behind will remain vivid—etched into memory like the ancient stones of Machu Picchu.

Not every journey changes you.
But some leave quiet marks that stay forever.

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