We are blessed to work together with Kyd Cambell, a special character of the Sacred Valley near Cusco. Kyd, originally from Canada, is a horsewoman, artist and designer. She grew up travelling to and living in many remote parts of the world. Being exposed to many exotic cultures from an early age shaped her. This unique childhood sparked in her a deep appreciation for the traditional ways of non-modern or ‘indigenous’ cultures and an affinity for building relationships within these communities.
Kyd has lived in the Sacred Valley region for 7 years now. In that time she has worked in a number of management and consulting positions in tourism and leading horseback expeditions. Now Kyd leads expeditions along routes that she has developed together with her partner. These eye-opening experiences are made possible by Kyd’s collaboration with indigenous Quechua families in remote Andean communities. The locally-run “lodge to lodge” treks bring income to these remote areas. Ordinarily, no income from tourism arrives in these communities despite the hordes of tourists arriving in Cusco every day.
Book here or read more about the learning experience below.
When you meet Kyd you can sense her integrity right away. She operates with the utmost care towards her animals and her genuine enthusiasm is felt when she is sharing inspiring experiences with other travellers. We offer a number of 1 day and multi-day horseback expeditions with Kyd. The 1-day expeditions all start and end at her ranch near Urubamba since Kyd only puts her animals in trailers for the longer 2 or 3-day expeditions.
Kyd is very mindful of the environmental impact of her tours and insists on bringing only filtered water (she provides water bottles), and packed lunches with zero plastics on her expeditions.
OPTION 1: Pumahuanca Forest Sanctuary
Full-day, 9 am-4:30 pm
Ride up from our ranch into the forest of Andean native trees, along the rushing Pumahuanca river. This is an ancient trade route linking the Sacred Valley, the Lares Valley and the jungle which is still used by pack mule and llama teams. Arriving at the ruins of the ancient chaski resting lodge and temple we will enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch full of Andean flavours and look up and down into two valleys. This route involves up and down-hill riding on rocky and dirt terrain, at walking speed.
USD145 per person, including lunch, snacks & filtered water
OPTION 2: Maras Salt Flats & Pichingoto
Half-day, 9 am – 1 pm
This journey takes us to the little-visited Pre-Incan ‘ghost-town’ of Pichingoto, unique cave homes of those who first cultivated the salt. After a climb up a mountain back trail, we’ll also visit the Maras salt flats, over 5000 hand-made pools of crystallizing salt and a complex canalization system. This route involves up and down-hill riding on a wide trail, visits to two ancient sites, time to explore the salt flats on foot and the opportunity to buy salt and artisan works.
USD95 per person, including entrance to the archaeological zones, snacks & filtered water
OPTION 3: Salineras, Misminay, Moray
2 days – 1 night
Day 1: leave the ranch near the Willka Mayu river and ride up the Pichingoto canyon past the Maras Salt Flats. After visiting the site we ride up a hillside trail to reach the vast plains of Maras and have lunch in a traditional village home. We then ride to the small village of Misminay where local hosts will teach us about Andean textile production and cook with their local produce. We will spend the night in a rustic guesthouse.
Day 2: We ride further up, over the archaeological zone of Moray, the Inkas agricultural laboratory, which we will view in its entirety from a high lookout. In a wheat field, looking across the Sacred Valley at glaciers we will enjoy a gourmet picnic then ride home past pre-inkan tombs.
USD495 per person, including lunch, snacks & filtered water
OPTION 4: Ollantaytambo, Patacancha, Huacahuasi & Lares
3 days – 2 nights
This is a true backcountry journey and on the way, we will be fully immersed in the authentic Andean culture. We will pass through llama pastures and the highland potato fields and learn from the locals.
Day 1: We will ride up from Ollantaytambo to the village of Patacancha where we will enjoy a local lunch in a panoramic cabin and sleep in the Inka Lodge where we will learn to plant potatoes.
Day 2: We ride over the high pass and through the highland lakes along a little-travelled part of the Inka trail. We stay overnight in the Inka Lodge in Huacahuasi.
Day 3: We will ride down through the village of Cuncani, have lunch near the river in Tambolaylla and enjoy a soak in the natural hot springs at Lares before heading back down to the Sacred Valley.
USD960 per person, including transport to the start and end points, lodges and meals.
Prices
OPTION 1: Full-day - Pumahuanca Forest Sanctuary
145 USD /per person.
OPTION 2: Half-day - Maras Salt Flats & Pichingoto
95 USD /per person.
OPTION 3: 2 Day, 1 Night - Salineras, Misminay, Moray
495 USD /per person.
OPTION 4: 3 Days, 2 Nights - Ollantaytambo, Patacancha, Huacahuasi & Lares
960 USD /per person.
INCLUDED:
- All Meals & Packed Lunches,
- Water Bottles & Filtered Water,
- Accommodation (on 2/3 day expeditions),
- Healthy & loved horses,
- Experienced guide & translators.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Tips.
WHAT IS THE ESSENTIAL WHAT SHOULD I TAKE?
It is recommended to bring sunglasses, sunscreen with high SPF, moisturizer, and hat, comfortable clothes for the day, cotton shirts, hand sanitizer and camera!
When you go over 3500 meters you always need to bring a fleece jacket and a thick winter jacket just in case. The wind is very cool at that altitude!