Wool Saddle Blanket
Riding to Machu Picchu
Horse Riding Holiday to Machu Picchu
I found many reasons why I should not accept the offer to go to Machu Picchu Peru. The most obvious being the distance from home, but as I made my 'you're nice to offer me such a wonderful opportunity, but unfortunately I will unfortunately have to decline email, a niggling doubt eating the back of my mind. Yes, it was miles away, and I would travel alone, but I had always dreamed of visiting Machu Picchu and the chance to visit the heart of the Inca empire, on horseback, could I have been writing a better script? It is just that the Spanish conquistadors must have felt all these years, the allure of the Inca grew stronger, therefore, one rainy Monday night in England with newspapers overflowing with news of economic disaster in the world, I opened my laptop and reserved my ticket for a trip of a lifetime.
Six days later I flew Manchester-Amsterdam-Lima on board a KLM aircraft and later this That night, I arrived in Lima. A flower market dedicated to the cultivation of orchids in full swing on the main square and I'm mixed with locals vying to negotiate for bags of rich soil, fertilizer plants and orchids. Perhaps it is the effects of flight 12 hours or maybe it was the heady scent of orchids, which made me feel quite mad excitement in this new town and exotic.
I got up early the next morning, it is not surprising given the time difference of 6 hours, and I wanted to explore the city a little before my afternoon flight to Cusco (capital city of the Inca Empire). In this time of the morning the shops were still closed so I walking in the park overlooking the ocean and viewed the early morning surfers seek to dominate the relentless waves of the Pacific. A beautiful sculpture of lovers entwined is a popular place for proposals in the city and the many plaques that surround it bear testimony to the happiness he so obviously invited. Has noon, I found myself hurrying back to the hotel to pack my things and wave goodbye to this picturesque city. Later that day I was landing in Cusco and my long journey from England was looking more and more punishment! I was welcomed by my guests with warmth and generosity of character which had become for me to characterize this wonderful country. Since my luggage was stowed firmly in the minibus we exchanged greetings and headed towards our destination at night.
The day starts early in Peru but it caused me any problems because my body was still strongly resist the change to its internal clock. Today we were works at the ranch were horses living near the small town of Moyapata. After visiting the cosmopolitan city of Lima and then the cultural capital of Cusco, was Moyapata for me what I thought the "real Peru" to be. The houses are simple, narrow streets and a village square packed full curious people queuing to buy their breakfast business villagers who arrived with large canteen full of hot food which they served on the road. Another forward thinking local had turned a room in his house in an internet cafe and as I sent my first house emails of five young boys crowded around the computer next to me playing with enthusiasm on "Grand Theft Auto ... .. there no escape from Internet games!
The stables were located along a bumpy road just outside the City and here I met Ricardo manager of the team and his faithful assistant Arturo. They worked quickly and skillfully maneuvering to six horses in the time it takes me to tack up one in England. The horses were mainly quarter horses all in good shape and shiny coat a spark in their eyes. We were allocated our cleverly frame for the next five days and I took some time to familiarize myself with Fulmini that was really the only thoroughbred whose mother had been a success on the track in Lima before changing the occupation of the brood mare. Bearing this in mind and equipped with more information than his name comes the word that is fulminar roughly translated as "the explosion of a Canon "I felt that keeping up with the others would not be a problem for me!
The owner of horses and lodges, where we were staying during our trip, accompanied us throughout the trip with his signal to proceed we put on what needed be the most memorable trip I ever made. Enrique, the owner, had a vision for this expedition, as a keen skier he had often looked at the lodges around the world and thought ... .. and why not Peru? Today we drove north west to the first mountain lodge for the first time I started looking on the mountainous terrain in the same way that people should have to Inca look at her, 500 years ago. The trails we rode along the stone and were rough but the horses were few rocks and boulders with placing their hooves requirements on accuracy in just the right place.
As we galloped along the mountain roads, said Enrique irrigation canals ancient Incas, who could clearly be seen carved into the side of the mountain across the valley. As the altitude increased my level energy has decreased, but the altitude did not affect this Fulmini and as I became less and less effective in the saddle he slowly took control, I could almost feel by lifting an eyebrow and say "another tourist! As I began to feel the first real effects of altitude sickness seep into my body, fortunately, the Lodge is in sight. Enrique vision was a reality, we had reached the equivalent of Peru of its upscale Colorado ski lodge. Only local staff, who were gathered outside to meet us, we found true destination. As Fulmini, also understood the needs of "tourists rooky" and they welcomed us with mugs of steaming 'Mate de Coca a special tea prepared by the locals from coca leaves, which is known to ward off the effects of high altitude. Ricardo Arturo and immediately fell back into their well rehearsed professionalism and the reins of the horses were taken by riders that we have been introduced into our palace of the Inca. The Lodge was built with all the elegance of this period as history suggests, masks Inca gold adorned the walls and it was easy to let yourself become completely engulfed in this luxurious setting.
The next morning we rolled in the Surrounding Area of Soraypampa. Our goal was to visit the lake Humantay which is fed by a glacier above the slopes of the mountain Humantay. My horse is appeared as fresh and keen to set out as the day before and we concocted riverbeds climbing ever higher into the mountains, I wondered what my horse home in England, make this adventure. The scratch living on meager local slopes these ruthless animals that have grazed the vegetation sparse, scratch high on the slopes can not reach every last bit of edible greenery. Their life is hard in the winter months, but I could not help to think that freedom of their life here in the mountains was preferable to the regimented life of our farm animals at home. As we drove ever higher mules, donkeys, ponies and cows we watched with languid eyes, before continuing their daily task of filling.
The Inca is regarded as glacial lakes to be the "eyes" of the mountain and it was easy to understand why, as I watched the incredibly turquoise lake which seemed to be flashing at me from his mountain refuge. To show respect for the gods of the mountains of the Inca would build apachetas (cluster stones) and walkers to continue this tradition today asking for safe passage as they trek high in the Andes.
That evening we stayed in the same box to give us the opportunity to acclimate to the altitude, I was still drinking tea mate de coca as if it came out of the way and I hoped that there was no shortage of coca in the region.
The next day we went to the second lodge in our quest to reach the enchanted city of Machu Picchu. In the high mountains, the air was cold, the clouds are packaged as white wool blankets through the tops of mountains, and today we have been warned temperatures will fall. We drove through a mountain pass between two of the Sacred Mountains of the Incas, one might expect temperatures of minus five degrees, including the wind chill factor. Our gracious host, who took pity on their hosts shabbily dressed gave me a wonderful woven ponchos hand the day before. The residents pride themselves on the quality of their textiles, all colors are based on extracts from local plants and I felt gradually slipping into the rhythm of mountain life as I pulled the poncho over my head.
The horses climbed steadily along the tracks narrow mountain effortlessly building rubble and negotiating differences between the two blocks, leaving the trembling goat UK average in his shoes. I learned to trust my thoroughbred valiant, he knew more about these mountain paths than me, so I accepted that my work was to serve as gently and lightly as I could saddle chair. As the rain began to fall, we all pulled our caps Waterproof and as I turned to take a photo of the group it struck me that we could easily be mistaken for a game of Lord of Rings, when Frodo moves high in the mountains of Mordor to get rid of the treacherous ring.
As we reached the culmination of the pass, we pause to make an offering to the god of the mountain and as we lay our gifts of coca leaves in the wind that all of us because of our desire own personal. The guide explained that the stronger your faith, then the more likely it is that your wish will be heard. I concentrated as hard as I could wish that peace of the mountains may be with me and my family forever. The horses seemed aware of the cold and we headed down to the second they walked Lodge forward with unwavering steps. The lodge has sent the head to the mountains to meet us, he had set up camp about 2 km from the hotel and a hot meal We waited inside a cozy tent. As we ate a traditional stew beef Peruvian I giggled a bit as the rain fell on the canvas, it was a bit like a traditional British summer camping weekend in Wales.
The second box was my favorite subject is religion and spiritualism of the area and that each day spent in my new mountain home I felt more and more to the immense power the nature of this environment emerges from the rocks and plants.
The next day we headed down the mountain again and magically, rocky landscape of severe cervical changed in the jungle forest of clouds. Temperatures have risen, I shed layers of clothing, each step, orchids appeared on both sides of the runway. I felt as if continents I had to change. The owner of the boxes and horses, Enrique, is passionate about this area, through a device he has developed is called Yanapana he plans to eradicate poverty in this area over the next 10 years. It employs only local people in the boxes, including the managers who are trained in its first lodge on the coast a maximum of three months. It encourages local farmers to grow fresh produce for the kitchens of the Lodges, and has a turnover of employment for local drivers mule. Twice a year a group of doctors and dentists in Lima and Cuzco Travel in remote mountain villages to hold clinics with families, some of which have never seen a doctor before.
Today we visited another of his projects, a small local school high in the mountains above flag where we were staying the night. As the horse valiantly struggled to climb the narrow rocky paths, Enrique explained that many child has traveled this route every day from local villages, taking 2 hours each day to reach school, then two more hours to return home in the afternoon. I thought Generation X Box back in Britain who can barely walk 5 minutes to stop bus and wondered how we could reach a "middle ground". Finally, as I never thought that we go to school I heard children's voices floating through the jungle on top of my head. Around the next corner two teachers emerged smiling with a small group of they accompanied students to the river, we stopped to exchange news.
As we continued to school more excited children ran to meet us, they were so proud of their school they wanted to accompany us and one or two of them stop on the back of our saddles. The school itself was a simple building but as I looked in the windows I could see the walls adorned with student work and knew that the work of Enrique had not been in vain.
That evening, we stayed in a beautiful lodge perched above the confluence of three rivers. The view was really breath taking I almost had to pinch myself to believe that I could be surrounded by the dramatic beauty. This evening we dined on Pachamancha, a traditional dish cooked underground on hot stones.
The next day I knew that my heart is heavy, as was our last day of riding. Our journey would end as the beginning of the Inca Trail where horses are banned. I was determined to make the most of my last hours with Fulmini, I had developed such a link very hard with this brave little race and hoped sincerely he felt the same about me. As I climbed on the back, I could feel the warmth of her body by the saddle, it felt like home. We continued down the mountain following the river valley, as some points that we dismounted and led our horses as the track narrowed. Finally we reached the small town of La Playa, as usual, the whole village came out to We welcome and I felt like a celebrity as I proudly drove along the narrow streets. As we left town, the road sloped gently and the horses dashed in Canter happy to have left the mountainous terrain and willing to stretch their legs! We ran along the tracks large, our minds and hearts soaring races in time for the hooves of our horses. As the road descended to the right it was time to slow down, we had reached the Inca trail and now we finally had to bid farewell to our fellow nobles.
The next day we exchanged for two fours as we have traveled 900 meters of ascent through the cloud forest to fly our first view of the valley to Machu Picchu. The beauty of this landscape is something that will stay with me all my life, words simply can not describe the sheer majesty of these mountains. After lunch, we began our descent, we passed more than 1000 meters to the river, then headed along the shore to a little station where we catch the train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu.
The next day was my birthday and it is certainly one I will remember forever. What better gift than a visit to one of the finest architectural and cultural sites. As I walked Inca temples among the formidable power of this remarkable infiltrated into my bones and I felt my spirit soar like the condor soared into the sky above me.
As I flew to England at home the next night I tried to put some order in my memories 10 days. What would I hold closest to my heart? The breathtaking mountain scenery, the beautiful orchid flowers of the forest clouds, the rivers cascading enormous spiritual majesty or train to Machu Picchu ... ... No, I am afraid that I must stay true to my heart, for me it was the habit of chestnuts from the fire and the eye of my sweet patient beautiful feet you Fulmini who nobly led me on this trip of a lifetime.
About the Author
Sarah Caplan has been riding horses all her life. As the owner of a Horse Riding Holiday company, www.equestrian-escapes.com , she is now privileged to be able to ride horses all over the world and she would like to share her travels with you.
raj exports, manufacturer, kanpur, saddle blankets, products, REVERSIBLE blankets
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