PERU IS A DANGEROUS COUNTRY!

When you go with Tours on HorseBack
You will have to go again....
and again....
and again....
and....!


WHAT OUR TOUR MEMBERS SAY














Hi Cheryl!

Just a note to let you know that I made it home safe and sound - which still amazes me! The first thing I did was sit on the toilet with a glass of tap water in one hand and a LOAD of toilet paper in the other! Then, I brushed my teeth IN THE SINK!!!

You already know what a wonderful time I had. I still can't believe it! Thank you so much for that - and for not allowing me to be a big baby. You have to know, though, that you have created a monster. I don't think there's any place around that I won't be able to navigate alone now. We looked at the video last night. Husband is moderately excited (really big for him.) I think next year is a go. I know it is for me.

Thanks again. It was just amazing. You know that if there's another wuss out there on the line about going, I'll be glad to talk to her. I might even say good things.
Take care - Dee

Hi Cheryl -
Sorry about the delay in getting this off to you. Just plain busy! (It's tax time!)
Anyway, I had a wonderful time, as you know! All things considered, it was probably the BEST riding trip I've been on, and I've been on a trillion.

OK - What I did like:

The fact that we only rode for a portion of the day and that it was never a marathon.
The horses, and the folks that helped with the horses. And the fact that I could change horses and wouldn't get yelled at (even though that took me a while to get that).
The different places we rode.
The different places we stayed.
The fact that anything could change at any given moment.
We had a good, compatible group. We only had one whiner, and that was me.
After my arrival and first day, I always felt safe.
The 'packing list' was pretty accurate, and I brought what I needed (although I will never again try those crazy butter-fly footed beasts without a helmet on.).
The food was wonderful - and varied. I loved it!
I loved the museums, and the candy factory, and the little markets.

Things I didn't care for:

I really wish someone had told me about the Peruvian Pasos before I got there. I had no idea that their 'gears' are so different. I was really discouraged because I've been riding for a zillion years, and suddenly didn't know how to ride!
At first, I couldn't figure out how to call home.

I can't think of anymore things I didn't care for. All told, it was a wonderful trip. If you'll have me, I'd love to do it again. (And again, I thank you for your patience!)

Take care.
Dee Bottoms

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I enjoyed the trip to Peru: riding the horses was fun, the food was good to eat, the people were interesting, the haciendas were fabulous to see, the accommodations were good, the tour leaders great. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Thank you.

Carol Brown
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Denise and I definitely are interested in the southern Peru tour....the Arequipa/Colca Canyon/Urabamba tour, for Feb. 2006. Must sees: Nasca Lines, Ballestas Islands. Must have: the trip DVD...that's the greatest idea, and we love the one we have from this year's trip. Denise and I are still bragging about how this is the best format of riding vacation that exists. It was the perfect combination of riding (couple of hours in the morning) and sightseeing.

You asked for feedback, so here's the only change I could think of.....include the DVD in the trip price and give everyone a copy.
Did you stop by Larco Mar yet? I think you'd like it. It's much more modern and upscale, and nice change of pace from the markets.

Thanks again for a great trip!!
Chuck Arthur






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Cheryl
Here's what I would say about the trip:

My husband and I are avid trail riders - in fact we've been accused of being obsessive about it. We also enjoy our creature comforts and the companionship of other's who enjoy the same things that we do. While we have given up the LD and endurance we used to do, almost every weekend when the weather is even somewhat hospitable we are off with our horses and our motor home for a weekend of long rides, good food, and lots of horse talk.
The problem is living in Minnesota, we have to put up with this thing called "winter" when camping is not an option for a sane person, and riding outside is not much fun. Every year in February or March we have looked for a trip that combines the things we are missing most - warm sunshine and riding.
A few years ago I discovered the joy of riding Peruvian Paso horses. While that has increased my comfort trail riding, [I was having some hip/back issues] it pretty much spoiled me for a lot of the riding adventures we had done in the past.
Imagine how happy I was to find that there is a way to have it all! We enjoyed our first trip to Peru last year so much that we went back again this year, and convinced some of the friends we ride/travel with to join us.
Peru is an amazing county. The history/artifacts of the ancient cultures and the early Spaniards, explained by English speaking expert guides, would be enough to make the trip worthwhile. The food, especially along the coast, is fabulous and certainly plentiful.
Cheryl's long history of travel to Peru, her standing as a judge and breeder of Peruvian horses, and the local organization she's associated with mean we are welcomed to visit the ranches of some noted breeders where we see/try examples of the best of the breed.

The trails are varied and interesting . We rode our beautiful Peruvian Paso's through ancient ruins in the desert, climbed to spectacular views of a colonial city in the Andes, and ducked water balloons as we passed through a city where the streets were filled with painted, costumed participants in the Carnival celebration.

Garry, the adventurer, who will try anything, suits up for Parasailing!

I could go on and on about the Indian markets where we found treasures produced by the skilled native artisans, the massages at the spa in the mountains, the "witch market" filled with fruits, vegetables and many other things I could not identify, but I won't. I can't begin to do justice to the variety of experiences.
From an 80 something endurance champion, to a to a 12 year old, to a couple who seems to have a zoo-complete with a camel who likes to try to get into their bed, the group we traveled with was about as varied and interesting as the rest of the experience.
All in all, a perfect combination of sun, wonderful horses, new friends and creature comforts - a wonderful trip in every way. We have done many riding trips. This gets our vote for the best. It is easy to see why some of the people on the trip had been there five times!

Sharon Wisness

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Hi Cheryl,

Thank you sooo much for a wonderful time. As soon as I arrived home and finished hugging my horses, I dressed them in all their new finery. Durango looks so handsome I almost fainted. My saddle fits perfectly! Yeah! Today I will go for a short ride. I still haven't figured out that guarnicion/tapacola thing. I will need me girlfriend's help on that but everything else is wonderful. By the way, that is the most beautiful bridle I have ever seen! They engraved Peruvian horse/rider into the silver adornments! It is a work of art. I am so glad I was able to take that home. Please thank them for me and tell them how much I appreciate their work.

The video of our tour is outstanding! What a wonderful way to remember all those special times. My husband was so impressed and I'm sure it has tempted him to want the experience. We were talking with Paul on the way home about the Feb. 2006 trip to the South of Peru. My friend, Sheri Fees is interested too. I'm going to work at getting some of my fun Peruvian horse friends interested...and this time I KNOW my husband will come too!

Cheryl, I will never forget all those special days in Peru. You hostess a wonderful tour and I will forever be impressed and grateful that I could take part in such an adventure. The memories make me lust for more! My compliments to Guillermo as well. He was fabulously fun and made sure we were always well taken care of. Now it is back to the life of reality...I get to do the cooking and cleaning and picking of manure...Ha!

Best regards, Christy Bryant

Cheryl,
It always feel like a "crash and burn" when we come home from vacation.
Hope all is well with my favorite thrill seekers. I keep dressing Durango in his new saddle, pretending that I am riding with you all in Peru. It fits him wonderfully and is equally comfy! Yeah! (I still haven't figured out the guarnicion...this Peruvian tack, although ingenious, is quite the puzzle!) Thank you for your patience that last night in Lima while I was acquiring my saddle. I really appreciate it!
It was a privilege to meet and get to know each of you and spend time sharing your love of horses and adventure. Wouldn't it be nice to pick up where we left off with another expedition in the future?!!

Fondly, Christy Bryant

I know there is a group of people pining to go on another expedition with you. I have a feeling that many of them want to see Machu Picchu. I was thrilled with my experience there but since I don't have the opportunity to travel much...I must go somewhere new. Paul the Dentist spent lots of time discussing Southern Peru...Ica, Arequipa, the National Reserve of Paracas, The Canyon areas...he promised great horses, good markets, beautiful haciendas with horses, great riding...all of which sounded perfect to me. My wishes would be to experience new sight seeing, ride as much as we did on the Northern trip, see some breeding farms, visit pisco or winery establishments, swim, and see those wonderful dance/shows. I loved all the extra fun things you added to our trip...things I always found to be a wonderful surprise. Actually, in reading the itinerary for the Andes to the Pacific Tour and The Lima/Ocucaje/Chincha Tour, I thought those both looked like fun. You mentioned starting the trip in the Urabamba Valley. That would be pretty riding. I guess I trust you to make the best decisions as you have seen it all!
The whole group has Peru withdrawal...

Roxanne is trying to convince her husband to let her buy a horse...Chuck and Denise received their picture and now are thinking of going on another tour...my girlfriend says we are going for sure to S. Peru next year...my horse is tired of getting dressed up in his new show outfit...anyway, we miss you.
(I do love my new saddle and bridle!!!) Regards, Christy

Kelly, Roxanne,Christy and Sandy
checking out the local pub.
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Hi, Cheryl!
Just wanted to say what a fun time we had - Loved the horses, the food, the haciendas, the activities. We will be talking about this tour for a long time to come, needless to say. We are interested in doing your tour for the other part of Peru, as well, so keep us posted.

It has been fun getting to know you -- We look foward to getting together with you again. Take care and keep in touch!

Fondly, Erme

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Dear Cheryl,

The Stanford Magazine, which comes out 6 times a year, has a fascinating article in its Jan.-Feb. issue about some 3,000 year old ruins-Chavin de Huatar-that lie 250 kilometers north of Lima at the 10,500 foot level. Having just been in the general area, it was really fun to read about.

I have heard from Dee, Mo, Cathy and Roxanne and we all agree we had a great trip.

Thanks for everything. Julie Suhr


 

Sandy, Arlene and Julie

Hi Cheryl
I loved the trip. Hope to go again next year.
Take care and hope to see you next year.
Arlene
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Harlan Wienke with Tours on HorseBack outriders.

Dear Cheryl,

Harlan and I are finally getting back to the routine, and the snow may I add. What an adventure!! Thank you and Guillermo so much for all the hard work that it took to pull it all off so well. We have been on other trips and I must say I have never traveled with such a nice, fun bunch of people as those I met on this trip. Thank you also for the great effort that it must have taken to try and match riders with horses. I truly loved my "Fortuna" that was assigned to me and she served me extremely well and willingly on the trip, and I thoroughly enjoyed her. I hope we can go again another time. Thank you again.

Sincerely: Pat Wienke


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From Alun Jones 71 years young of Wales

Cheryl,
I would like to thank you and David, also your Peruvian friends for organizing a wonderful holiday, one that I will not forget for many a year. It was quite an experience the riding by night, looking at the Peruvian way of life rich and poor, perhaps next time you'll go for 10 days?? riding. The friendly nature of the members in the group was excellent. Good luck and good health to you all.

Again many thanks and kind regards,
Alun




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Sandy and Fritche Lawton

Lady Texas,
I sure do miss you. I cannot begin to tell you what a splendid gift you gave all of the Cabalgata "kids"! We'll be talking about "2001" for the rest of our lives...from the overnight trip to Lima to dragging out of bed at the crack of dawn on Monday, to dining in the desert at midnight after a six-hour trek through the desert...during which I alternated between identifying with Lawrence of Arabia, then the Wise Men, as I sought the star, any star, and then poor Mary, as she, undoubtedly, laboriously wended her way on a poor tired beast of burden to an Inn, any Inn.

This is just the beginning of my tale which ended triumphantly in the Pacific Ocean, for me, on Chalaco. The tale ended for him when he and Juan won the trail/obstacle course at Mamacona and Juan jumped on him with no bit, no saddle, only a string in his mouth, and rode him through the course backwards to the roaring cheers of the crowd. God, what a magnificent spectacle. Please, please, let me come back for "2002."

I have learned a great deal about Peruvian Pasos...from first hand experience, from observing at the horse show in Mamacona, and from attending the schooling show which was my first. Not to mention what e learned at all the ranches and from you. You, Lady Texas, are not just a pretty face, but a vast wealth of knowledge.

And their presence graced us again in 2002, 2003 and 2005.
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Dear Cheryl,
Hope the back half of your trip was as good as the front half. I can't tell you what a great time we had. I am promised that our 40 year marriage will end in disaster if we do not go on the next Cabalgata, so please keep us posted.

Sandy Alexander Lawton
Vanderbilt University


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Hi Cheryl,
Still so pleased about the GREAT trip. What a wonderful tour you & Guillermo put together. Can't thank you enough!

Thanks,
Janet Pippins
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Guillermo, Ida, Cheryl, Elda, Lorriane

Elda and Lorriane have not written a testimonal, they just keep coming back, year after year, after year.

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If you have been on one of HorseBack Tours you probably know Paul too! He is usually part of the group, doing his job as the token male and dance partner. He doesn't write testimonals either, he just shows up to ride.