Peru Tours and Travel

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 - Airport pick up service in Cajamarca. 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. We go up to Leymebamba to spend the night. (B, BL)

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
Today we explore Fortress Kuelap "the Machu Picchu of Northern Peru" with its 400 buildings and 5 gigantic levels of walls inside of walls. It is the largest edifice of the Americas and estimated to be 3 times the volume of Egypt's largest pyramid. Orchids and bromeliads cover the walls of the ancient Chachapoyan Cloud Peoples' stone houses. Our bus then takes us to Chachapoyas for the night in our 3 star colonial adobe mansion.

Day 7 - Chachapoyas - Chiclayo
Transfer to Chiclayo for your evening flight to Lima. (B, BL)

2010 PRICE PER PERSON: 2 people = US$1471, for 4 to 10 people = US$1269. Single supplement = US$170

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).

Phone: 800-232-5658 or 1-512-443-5393 email

Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Peru Tours and Travel

Laguna of the Condors Expedition (May-October)

BOOKING REQUEST

Phone: 800-232-5658 or
1-512-443-5393
email

Laguna of the Condors Expedition
(May-October)

BOOKING
REQUEST