Perol Chico’s main ranch and riding operation is located in the heart of the mythical Sacred Valley of the Incas, between Cusco and Machu Picchu. The Sacred Valley is one of the most scenic, historic and accessible valleys in all of Peru.

The ranch is a family-run business, managed by Eduard van Brunschot Vega and his beautiful wife Maria Zans Gamarra.

Eduard is of Peruvian and Dutch descent, but grew up in Holland. He came back to Peru in 1996 and impulsively purchased land in the heart of the historic and mythical Sacred Valley of the Incas. For his own pleasure he bought some purebred Peruvian Paso horses to explore the wonderful riding trails in the Andes, and soon discovered that the Peruvian horse was the ultimate travel horse: unrivalled in terms of endurance and comfort. He also realized that there was no serious horseback-riding operation available in Peru.

Eduard thus founded his company Perol Chico, named after the land he purchased, and began offering commercial rides on his much loved Peruvian Paso horses.

His riding activities in the Sacred Valley were soon discovered, and Perol Chico began to appear in guidebooks and on the lists of highly recommended equestrian tour operators.Accounts ofPerol Chico’s exceptional riding expeditions high in the Andes were also published in many prestigious horse magazines around the world.

Maria was born in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. She is not only a superb host and first-class organizer, but also a warm-hearted, spontaneous, intelligent and charming woman. Moreover, she is the undisputed Queen of Pisco Sours (our National cocktail) as her secret recipe is superior to any other in Peru!

Maria has the natural gift to make every guest feel like they have known her for years. She is not only a spirited outdoor adventurer at heart, but also the proud mother of two beautiful daughters.

Maria is the founder and managing director of Maria Zans Gia EIRL, a registered travel agency specialized in customized travel programs and special interest activities.

Our Sacred Valley rides are offered from April until the end of October, and may include side trips to fascinating Inca sites such as Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Pisaq, Chinchero and Sacsayhuaman.

The riding season in the Sacred Valley is limited due to frequent rain between November and March, which causes the trails to become slippery and too dangerous to ride. Perol Chico has therefore recently expanded to include a new riding and breeding establishment close to Arequipa, the “city of eternal spring”, where most of the breeding stock is kept.

Due to its geographic location, the weather conditions in Arequipa are much more favorable for riding at that time of year. These rides combine the equestrian exploration of merciless desert land and the abundant wilderness of the South Pacific coastline. They may also include visits to historical sites such as the Convent of Santa Catalina, the 17th century Mill of Sabandia and the famous mummy of Juanita, to name a few.

Perol Chico’s riding establishments in both the Sacred Valley and Arequipa have modern facilities, a highly trained staff, and operate according to the highest European standards with respect to horse welfare, equipment and maintenance.

As a breeder of Peruvian Paso horses, we select and use only the best and proven bloodlines of outstanding horses in order to preserve and continue the exceptional qualities and virtues of our breed. Our ideal horse is not only able to compete in the show ring, but more importantly, is sound and strong enough to carry its rider comfortably and happily over long distances, year after year.

We believe that with the increasing popularity of equestrian travel and leisure riding in general, the original function of the horse for work and travel needs to be re-evaluated and re-established in the worlds’ equine breeds. If we fail to do so, more and more of world’s horses are doomed to degenerate to a point that they are of no use at all.

Our main breeding objective is to preserve, protect and treasure the original function of the Peruvian Paso horse as a working and travel horse, with all its inherited and authentic characteristics. We will continue to honor the arduous and devoted work of our ancestors and countless generations of Peruvian breeders, who provided one of the world’s most valuable equine treasures: the Peruvian Paso horse.