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In central Northern Peru lies the highest concentration of snow - capped peaks in the whole of the Andes. The Cordillera Blanca, with nearly 360 snow capped mountains, 30 of which stand above 6,000 meters (19,685 ft), and part of Perus only high mountain National Park and Biosphere Reserve and the Cordillera Huayhuash, the natural prolongation as a southern node with spectacular snow - covered rocky peaks that rise like natures teeth to the sky. This trek takes you through the most stunning mountain landscapes in the world.
Note: At least two days of acclimatization at high altitudes are recommended before starting this program.
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Itinerary: |
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Day 1 Huaraz/Vaqueria, 2 Tuctu, 3 Taullipampa, 4 Llamacorral, 5 Cashapampa, 6/7 Huaraz, (optional side trips available), 8 Cuartelwain, 9 Mitucocha, 10 Carhuacocha, 11 Huayhuash, 12 Viconga, 13 Surasaca, 14 Lima |
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| Duration |
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14 days / 13 nights |
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| Season |
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April / October |
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| Location |
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| Departures |
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2nd Sunday monthly |
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| Price |
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On Request |
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| Minimum |
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2 Passengers |
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| Day by day description |
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| Day 1 HUARAZ / VAQUERIA (Sunday) |
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| Leaving early in the morning we drive down along the Santa Valley passing several villages until we reach present-day Yungay. The road winds slowly up into the gulley between the Huascaran massif and the Huandoy three-pronged peak. As we reach the overhanging valley we arrive at the boundary of Huascaran National Park. Llanganuco, as the area is known, has two lakes, Chinancocha and Orconcocha which have turquoise waters. We continue on this narrow road as it twists and turns to the pass at Portachuelo of Llanganuco at 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,580 ft.) From this point, if the evening is clear, we will get a spectacular view of Mt. Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju, We continue down until about 40 minutes before our first campsite at Vaqueria 3700 m.a.s.l. (12,136 ft) where will undertake a short hike. |
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| Day 2 VAQUERIA / PARIA (Monday) |
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| The day starts with a leisurely walk down towards a trail which makes its way to the left over a small ridge into the Huaripampa Valley. As we slowly head up this valley we pass a small settlement of farmers, going by their agricultural activity and Andean vegetation. The snow-capped peak of Chacraraju, Taulliraju will come into view passing meadows and fields along the way. Camp in the vicinity of Paria or Tuctu. (Time 5-6 hours. Distance 11 Kms.) |
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| Day 3 PARIA / TAULLIPAMPA (Tuesday) |
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| The trail starts ascending towards Punta Union, a pass at 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,580 ft.) This old trail was heavily used in pre-columbian and Colonial times as a route for transporting goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley. As we approach the pass, Mt. Taulliraju will loom above us and on the other side its glacial lake and glacier will add color and contrast to the amazing view down the Santa Cruz Valley. The peaks of Quitaraju, Artesonaju and Rinrijirca will come into view as well as the two lakes of Ichicocha and Jatunconcha. The trail descends into Taullipampa where we will camp at 4,100 m.a.s.l. (13,448 ft.). (Time:7 hours. Distance: 13 Kms.) |
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| Day 4 TAULLIPAMPA / LLAMACORRAL (Wednesday) |
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| Today we continue our hike down the Santa Cruz Valley, past the side-valley of Arhuaycocha with great views of snow capped mountains including Mt. Alpamayo. The landscape changes, and scree slopes appear on each side of the now marshy meadow as well as rock boulders fallen from the eroded walls above us. Finally towards the end of the day we walk out of the ever-narrowing canyon into Llamacorral, where we will camp at 3,500 m.a.s.l. (11,480 ft.) (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 16.5 Kms.) |
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| Day 5 LLAMACORRAL / CASHAPAMPA/HUARAZ (Thursday) |
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| A steep descent brings us to Cashapampa in the early morning. We meet a vehicle that will take us back to Huaraz saying good-bye to our camp crew as the road winds slowly down to the main valley, arriving in the afternoon. Dinner on your own, overnight at hotel. (Time: 2:30 hours. Distance: 7 Kms.) |
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| Day 6 HUARAZ (Friday ) |
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| Day at leisure for optional tours in the area. Overnight at hotels. Meals on your own. Visit Quebrada Ishinca, Pitec and Lake Churup. |
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| Day 7 HUARAZ ( Saturday ) |
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| Day at leisure for optional tours in the area. Overnight at hotels. Meals on your own. Visit Quebrada Ishinca, Pitec and Lake Churup. |
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| Day 8 HUARAZ / PACHACOTO / CUARTELWAIN (Sunday) |
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| Back-tracking from Huaraz we take the side road at Quebrada Carpa, passing Pachacoto where we will observe the famous Puya Raymondi, the largest known species of bromeliad. On the way beautiful views of the peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, part of the Huascaran National Park. We drive over the Huarapasca pass 4,780 m.a.s.l. (15,678 ft), before reaching a second pass at Yanashallash 4,680 m.a.s.l. (15,350 ft) we will get views of the Cordillera Blanca, Huayhuash and Huallanca. The road descends to the Huallanca community, then follow the San Juan river until we cross the pass of Cuncush 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,580 ft) finally descending to camp at Cuartelwain. Lunch on route, overnight at camp at 4,000 m. |
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| Day 9 CUARTELWAIN / MITUCOCHA (Monday) |
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| The trail winds slowly over the pass of Cacananpunta 4,700 m.a.s.l. (15,416 ft) with incredible views of the surrounding countryside giving us a view of the peaks that will surround our campsite. The pass is the watershed flowing into the Amazon to the east, and the Pacific to the west. We arrive at camp below the peaks of Jirishanca Chico and Grande, Rondoy and Ninashanca at the edge of the Mitucocha lake. (Time: 6 hrs. Distance: 8 kms). |
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| Day 10 MITUCOCHA / CARHUACOCHA (Tuesday) |
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| Over the Carhuacocha pass at 4,600 m.a.s.l. (15,088 ft) with views of Jirishanca Chico and the peaks of Siula, Yerupaja, Sarapo and Toro. Highland savannah known as puna surrounds the campsite and the countryside. Located at another lake we have fantastic views of those snow-capped peaks, that surround the western side of Carhuacocha. (Time: 7-8 hrs. Distance: 8 kms). |
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| Day 11 CARHUACOCHA / CARNICERO (Wednesday) |
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| As we ascend to the narrow pass at Carnicero 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,580 ft) the peaks of the Huayhuash to our right, we will pass a series of lakes. Descending we reach our campsite below Jurau with views of the valley of Huayhuash, a small community of herders. Views of the peaks of Trapecio, Carnicero and Jurau. (Time: 8 hrs. Distance: 9 kms.) |
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| Day 12 CARNICERO / VICONGA (Thursday) |
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| Passing by the seasonal community of Huayhuash we start our ascent to the pass of Huayhuash (4,580 m) with views of the Cordillera Raura to the south as we leave the jagged peaks of the Huayhuash range slowly behind. We will view Mt. Leon Huacanan and Quesillojanca, as well as Puscanturpa. Descend and camp at Lake Viconga. ( Time: 7-8 hrs. Distance: 8 kms.) |
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| Day 13 VICONGA / SURASACA / CHURIN (Friday) |
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| Over the last pass of Surasaca 4,800 m.a.s.l. (15,744 ft), following the lake's shores for about an hour. The trail passes along the back of the Cordillera Raura with views of Mt. Leon Huacanan and the ever-present herds of sheep, llamas and alpacas. At Surasaca a vehicle will be waiting for us to drive us to Churin where we will overnight at a country inn. (Time: 8 hours, Distance: 13 km). |
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| Day 14 CHURIN/LIMA (Saturday) |
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| Departure by vehicle to Lima as we head down the Churin valley. We join the Panamerican Highway at Huaura and drive back to Lima. (Hotel and meals not included). |
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SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of trek to your city of departure, hotel night in Huaraz and Churin, two-man tents including sleeping pads, pack animals, kitchen crew and commissary gear with all meals included as well as a bilingual guide on the trek, who will handle the first aid kit.
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Meals in the cities, last night hotel in Lima alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service, additional tours, insurance and airline tickets (where applicable) sleeping bags, hiking boots and other personal gear.
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