RIDING TO MACHU PICCHU

Day 1 Arrive in Cusco

Arrive in to the ancient city of Cusco, bursting with a colourful culture and history. You will be met in the airport by a Red Savannah representative and transferred to your hotel the El Mercado, where you will have the day to relax and acclimatise to the high-altitude.

Overnight: El Mercado

Day 2 Cusco to Salkantay Lodge

Wake up and enjoy your first full day in Peru, beginning with an early breakfast before beginning your riding adventure into the heart of the Peruvian mountains along the ancient Salkantay Route. Drive to Coronilla Ranch where you will meet your expert equestrian team, first stoping en-route at the archaeological site of Quillarumiyoc and enjoying a local farmhouse lunch in the village of Mollepata. Once at the ranch, the team will brief you on the next seven days and introduce you to your horses, each specially bred for the high-altitude and tough terrain. Ride first to Soraypampa before finishing at Salkantay Lodge, which sits nestled into the mountain landscape. The evening is at leisure and your expert equestrian guide will brief you for the next day's journey before dinner.

Overnight: Salkantay Lodge

Day 3 Ride to Lake Humantay and the Chakana

Today jump back in the saddle and enjoy a gentle ride to the spectacular Humantay Lake. A ribbon of azure and cerulean framed by a snow-covered mountain, the lake is fed by the hanging glaciers of Mount Humantay and boasts spectacular views of the Andes. Trot on to the gateway of the Chakana Cross, where you can dismount and hike to the lookout point with sweeping views of the Soraypampa Valley, Mt. Salkantay and Mt. Humantay. Finish this spectacular moment with an experience unlike any other with a spiritual ceremonial offering to Pachamama, or Mother Earth, performed by a local Shaman in the shadow of the awe-inspiring Apu Salkantay - the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range. Ride back to the lodge for a delicious lodge lunch and an afternoon relaxing, or if you aren't quite ready to end the day, enjoy an additional horseback ride. Your evening is spent back at Salkantay Lodge, where you can tuck into delicious food by the warming glow of the fire.

Overnight: Salkantay Lodge

Day 4 Cross the Salkantay Pass

This morning pack up and ride up the Rio Blanco Valley, circling the Humantay Peak. The highest point on the ride is the Salkantay Pass (4,638m/15,216ft), and the best spot to take in incredible views of the Vilcabamba Range with its blanket of snow-capped peaks and the glaciated south face of Salkantay towering above you. Dipping in and out of mountain passes, stop for an Al Fresco lunch before descending towards your next property, Wayra Lodge. On arrival in the afternoon, settle into your home-away-from-home and relax before a hearty Peruvian dinner and good night's sleep.

Overnight: Wayra Lodge

Day 5 Descend into the cloud forest

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before jumping back into the saddle for a morning exploring the magical cloud forest. Shrouded in a dense and humid fog, the cloud forest is bursting with nature and plant life, from colourful butterflies to bright orchids, some neve. Ride along a narrow trail above the Salkantay River, trotting through lush and verdant scenery before reaching the forest. When ready ride on to Colpa Lodge, where a traditional Pachamanca lunch will be waiting to welcome you and the remainder of the day is at leisure perhaps exploring the nearby orchid trail before dinner.

Overnight: Colpa Lodge

Day 6 Follow the Santa Teresa River Valley

Today saddle-up for a ride along the Santa Teresa river wedged between rolling hills and cloud covered mountains. Weaving your way through rural towns, coffee plantations and fruit orchards, take in the relentless beauty of the granite peaks and sweeping plateaus, stopping by the river for a delicious picnic lunch. Continue to the beginning of the "Llactapata Inca Trail,", where you will say goodbye to your horses and equestrian guide, and walk the Inca trail to Lucma Lodge, to spend the night. This afternoon, coffee lovers can rejoice with a visit to a coffee plantation to learn about the art of coffee growing in the high-altitude Andean mountains, and perhaps try a cup or two before spending the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Lucma Lodge

Day 7 Explore the Llactapata Pass

This morning tuck in to a hearty breakfast and prepare for a day of walking without your horses. Ascending for almost three hours towards Llactapata Pass, you will be rewarded with your first distant yet spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary. This is a sight few will get to experience as it is off the tourist trail, making the moment even more magical. Taking a short break, explore the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored, before enjoying some lunch at a scenic viewpoint looking out to Machu Picchu. After lunch, you begin your final descent to the Aobamba River, passing through lush bamboo forests, orchards and more coffee plantations, where on arrival, you will head to the train station to board a train to Aguas Calientes. The one hour train ride boasts stunning scenic views, and brings you into the bustling little town at the base of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, check into the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, to relax after a long day of trekking.

Overnight: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Day 8 Machu Picchu

Wake up early this morning and board a bus the final and short ride into the heart of Machu Picchu. As you step out of the bus amongst the crumbling ruins of one of the most incredible archaeological sites in the world, your guide will take you on a two-hour visit of the site bringing alive the ancient history. Often enveloped in blanket of mist, the site was built in the 15th century but only populated for an estimated 80 years, at which time it was mysteriously abandoned. It wasn't until 1911, under creeping vines and heavy foliage, American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered the site, opening it to the world. When ready return by train to Cusco where you will be met by a Red Savannah representative and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: El Mercado

Day 9 Departure

This morning say goodbye to Peru and your incredible adventure through it’s wild landscape. You will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport to catch your flight home.