005 GRAN VILAYA TREK ON HORSEBACK 

DAY 1  Karajia - Belen
Bus to Karajia to see the sarcophagus, then to Cohechan, and trek down to Belen. This is an ancient glacial tarn above the nightly freeze line with a meandering river panorama extending for miles. Dinner and camping.

DAY 2  Vista Hermosa – Vilaya Valley
Descend to Vista Hermosa (beautiful view) on a mile long Inca staircase to a level of bananas and coffee in the Vilaya Valley. Dinner and camp on the river

DAY 3  Carcahuasi – Gran Vilaya
Hike to Carcahuasi, the mountain top ruins hidden by the cloud forest and covered with orchids and bromeliads in Gran Vilaya, found by our guide Damian on the original Gene Savoy expedition. They claimed discovery of thousands of ancient round stone structures all in fortified citadels hidden in this cloud forest. Return to camp

DAY 4 Abra Yumal - Choctamal
Cross the spine of the Cordillera Central on the Kuelap East West Road through the cloud forest looking down at the clouds. On horseback we follow up the very peak of a ridge above valleys, on an ancient road that was excavated 5 meters deep into the mountain. Despite missing pavement, all of these ancient roads were incredible engineered to follow the most efficient grade, and often with a buffer shoulder on the steep side. The Abra Yumal pass has views with clouds below where the main trunk Amazon River violently carved out a valley deeper than the Grand Canyon to enter the Amazon Basin. Supper, Jacuzzi and night at our Choctamal Lodge.

DAY 5  Kuelap (Cuelap) - Chachapoyas
We will spend the day at Fortress Kuelap known as "the Machu Picchu of the North". It has over 400 buildings inside 5 levels of walls, and is the largest stone structure in all South America.  Orchids and bromeliads cover the walls and trees inside this fortress, which is estimated to have 3 times more volume of materials than Egypt's largest pyramid. On the way to Chachapoyas we will observe the ruins of Macro located on a cliff overlooking the Utcubamba River; we will also visit the spectacular Sonche Canon.  Dinner and overnight in 3 Star Hostel.

PRICE:
US$598  Minimum 2 pax
US$895  1 pax 

THE TOUR INCLUDES:
All entrance fees
All meals (breakfast, lunch or box lunch and dinner)
Hotels and taxes
Private transportation specified in the program  (vehicles, horses, arrieros, etc.)
Bilingual Guide

NOT INCLUDED:
Tips
Alcoholic beverages
Flight to Chiclayo
Airport taxes
 

Presentation of photographs of the Gran Vilaya Expedition

7 day Kuelap and Gran Vilaya valley expedition

If you would like more information or if you would like to make a reservatoin, e-mail us at kuelap@msn.com  or phone us on 1-866-3969582

chacha office:  41-478078

Return to summary of the Gran Vilaya Tour