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Peru Tours and Travel

Suggested Packages / Amazon / Cusco / Lima / Lake Titicaca / Arequipa / Nazca
Trujillo & Chiclayo / Chachapoyas / Trekking / Multisport / Rafting / Biking

Laguna of the Condors Expedition
(May-October)

Exciting 10 to 12 hour horseback expedition into the rugged foothills of the Andes. Earlier this century this zone, extending past the last Chachapoyan ruins of Gran Pajaten, was 15,000 sq. km. of unexplored Andes. In this unknown area, 219 well preserved mummies were discovered and shown by the Discovery Channel in October 1998. This is our most rigorous trip as it follows an Inca trail, and not a major Inca road. This site is located on a cliff above a huge alpine lake. In the rainy season this is behind a waterfall from the cliff above. This appears to be a very sacred site where dead leaders were mummified and brought here from far away. In Leymebamba we will see these mummies and a large treasure of artifacts in the museum donated by the Austrians.

Day 1 Cajamarca – Leymebamba
Public bus to Leymebamba . Our bus climbs the sweeping cold cordillera and descends into an oven dry valley to cross the main trunk Marañon River. Here a coastal Chimu Colony uses their irrigation skills to grow exotic tropical fruits in a micro ecological system. Transfer to Casa Mallqui in Leymebamba to spend the night. ( D)

Day 2 - Lake of the Condors
We saddle up early for an all day expedition into the 15,000 sq. km zone that was previously unexplored a few
years ago, and arrive at the Laguna de los Condores. This supernatural mystic place is a huge pristine
mountain lake with the mausoleum chulpa perched high on a cliff above it. Our camp is by the lake in a rustic facility.

Day 3 - Lake of the Condors
We climb up to the chulpa which the Discovery Channel documented in the 1998 recovery of 219 mummies from this damp cloud forest. Despite being behind a waterfall in the rainy season, these mummies were better preserved than ones from Egypt's desert pyramids. This discovery made the zone famous because the entire area had never been filmed or seen by the outside world before this.

Day 4 - We leave camp for the long trip back to Leimebamba on horseback. Night in local hostel in Leymebamba. (B,BL)

Day 5 - Leymebamba- Museum Centro Mallqui - Choctamal
Now we get to see Peru's brand new Centro Mallqui Museum that the Austrians donated for this unique 1998 discovery at Lake of the Condors (you have seen on the Discovery Channel). The 219 mummies are here along with many artifacts. On the way to Choctamal we will see the Revash Ruins. Night in our Choctamal Marvelous Spatuletail Lodge gateway to Kuelap and Gran Vilaya, and have a well-deserved soak in the hot tub. (B, BL, D)

Day 6 Choctamal – Kuelap – Chachapoyas
We will spend the day at Fortress Kuelap known as "the Machu Picchu of the North". It has over 400 buildings inside 3 levels of walls, and is the largest stone structure of the Americas. Orchids and bromeliads cover the walls and trees inside this fortress. Transfer to Chachapoyas bus station for your night bus to Chiclayo. (B, L)

2011 Rates per person in US$: 1 pax = $1534, 2 pax = $1095, 3 pax = $1067, 4 pax or more = $950. Single Supplement: $240

The tour includes: All entrance fees, All meals and transfers to airport or bus station, Accommodations and taxes , All transportation specified in the program, bilingual guide.

Not included: Gratuities (not expected in this zone), Alcoholic beverages , Internal flights & airport tax (we can provide these upon request, approx. $70 each way).