The Royal Inca Road – Trekking from Chavin to Huanucopampa

We depart Huaraz towards Ccatac taking the road over the pass and down the valley towards Chavin. A scenic trip, this high road traverses impressive landscapes of snow-capped peaks descending slowly into the Callejón de Conchucos and the headwaters of the Marañon River. At the head of this valley, we arrive at the pre-Inca site of Chavín de Huantar, one of the oldest archaeological monuments found in Peru and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. A ceremonial and pilgrimage center for the Andean religious world, and a key location to understand the origins of Andean civilization, one of the world’s 6 cradles of civilization. We will continue our drive toward the village of Castillo where we begin a short hike toward our campsite at Soledad de Tambo (3,661 m.a.s.l./ 12,011 f.a.s.l). (L / D)

Driving distance: 142 km (89 mi) – Time: 4:30 hours
Trekking distance: 3.3 km (2.1 mi) – Time: 2-3 hours

Upon departing Soledad de Tambo we will continue our trek on the Royal Inca Road, at times a wide, stone-paved road over otherwise vast, open, Andean puna grasslands, past an ushnu, a sort of truncated pyramid platform used for ceremonies, until we reach a cross-roads. Here we have the chance to take a short detour to visit the qolqas, or storehouses at Waqanku. We continue our slow ascent toward the Waqankupunta Pass at 4,385 m.a.s.l. (14,386 f.a.s.l.) before descending toward the village of Taulli, where we will stop for lunch. After lunch we continue over a smaller pass before reaching our campsite at Queñuajirca at 4,090 m.a.s.l. (13,420 f.a.s.l.) (B,L,D)

Trekking distance: 14.5 km (9.1 mi) – Time: 6-7 hours

We begin our descent toward the town of Ayash, a fast-developing town due to the influence of Antamina, one of the largest copper mines in the world, whose expanding footprint threatens the permanence this tract of the Royal Inca Road. Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ayash behind, we take a set of interminable stone steps on a wide trail to climb our way out of the reaches of modern civilization toward the pass at Huamanipunta (4,448 m.a.s.l./14,593 f.a.s.l.). We will hike down until we reach the Taparaco river valley where we will stop for lunch before continuing to our campsite at Tambo Grande (4,188 m.a.s.l. / 13,740 f.a.s.l) (B,L,D)

Trekking distance: 16.8 km (10.5 mi) – Time: 6-7 hours

We will continue our trek along the Royal Inca Road down the Taparaco river valley, a unique cultural landscape where we will appreciate the marvels of Inca engineering upon close inspection of bridges, terraces, and culverts that allow the water to pass under sections of the road. We hike past marshes on our way down toward a narrow river valley adorned by rocky outcrops on either side with the occasional alpaca staring at us from a distance. We will arrive at San Lorenzo de Isco (3,721 m.a.s.l. / 12,208 f.a.s.l.) where we will camp for the night. (B,L,D)

Trekking distance: 24.8 km (15.4mi) – Time: 7-8 hours

A short hike up the valley toward Estanque and then down toward Colpa on the Vizcarra river valley brings our trek to an end. We will hop on our vehicles for a short drive toward Huánuco Pampa, an important administrative center that boasts fantastic Imperial-style Inca masonry throughout its carefully planned urban sectors. Beautifully carved pumas, monkeys and reptiles adorn the stone walls and doorways of the site. After lunch and a tour around the site, we will board our vehicle to begin the drive back to Huaraz. (B,L)

Trekking distance: 12.9 km (8.0mi) – Time: 4-5 hours
Driving distance: 170 km (105 mi) – Time: 5:30 hours

End of Services

About our services: The Campsites we use are not frequented by other trekking companies, and are therefore quieter, more private, and cleaner than more crowded sites. Additionally, we carry our own ecological toilet, which can be used during lunch breaks and while we are at camp: this means we are able to avoid the use of the public bathrooms that are frequented by many other trekkers.