Peru Holidays: Cordillera Blanca & Huayhuash Trek

The Cordillera Blanca is without question one of the most magnificent mountain ranges in the world. Protected as the Huascaran National Park, the Cordillera is one of the earth's treasured natural heritages with 20 snow capped peaks rising above 6,000 mt - 19,680 ft. Its highest peak, Huascaran (6,768 mt-22m205 ft) is the world's highest mountain in a tropical zone. Perched high above a wide wall of glaciers at the upper end of Quebrada de los Cedros, stands the glorious pyramid of Alpamayo.
The Huayhuash range lies about 50 kilometres south and slightly east of the Cordillera Blanca. This range is famous for its awe inspiring peaks and intimidating ice-draped walls, dominated by Peru's second highest mountain, the colossal Yerupaja (6,634mt-21,766ft).
In the Cordillera Blance we hike amongst spectacular peaks, valleys, 5 passes above 4,500mt-14,760ft and through small traditional communities and diverse flora and fauna. In the Cordillera de Huyahuash, we descend through farmland from the town of Chiquian towards the Pativilca River and visit the southern part of the range. This is the Jurau/Sarapococha area below the Yerupaja, Siula, Sarapo and Carnicero mountains, with magnificent lakes, streams and spectacular mountain views, providing a rugged, stimulating and unforgettable trekking experience.

Day 1:
We meet you at Lima International Airport and drive you to your hotel.

Day 2:
Early morning, we drive towards Huaraz, the "Alpine" town, located at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca. Overnight in hotel (B).

Day 3:
Pick-up at the hotel for a full day's hike (6 hours) up to Churup Lake (or surroundings). The trail goes through small towns and farmlands. Great chance to see the people working the land with bulls and donkeys. All the way, we have the range in front of us, viewing peaks like Ranrapalca, Huantsan, Huascaran, Huando and Chopicalqui amongst others. Once in Churup (4,485mt-14,710ft), we are amazed by the colours of the lake, which change with the sunlight. The lake is in front of Churup (5,495mt-18,020ft). Overnight in hotel in Huaraz (B).

Day 4:
Private bus and trek to Hamana. We bus 4 hours to the north of Callejon de Huaylas, passing through the typical towns of Carhuaz, Yungay, and Caraz. We turn off into the mountains and arrive at Hualcayan. After sorting our gear, we walk alongside pre-Inca ruins and over the immense and beautiful Hualcayan plateau to Hamana, where we camp after a 3-hour walk (3,100mt-10,165ft) (B L D).

Day 5:
In zig-zag fashion, we continue to Huishcash. During the walk, we see Yanacocha Lake at the bottom of the canyon. Later, there is a point from where we see Azulcocha lake and further on, the three imposing peaks of Mt. Santa Cruz (6,259mt-20, 529ft). We continue ascending to a lookout point, where we lunch overlooking beautiful Cullicocha Lake (4,600mt-15,088ft). After lunch, we continue to the pass known as Toropishtanan ("Bull-killing Place"- 4,850mt-15,908ft): the highest part of the whole journey. We cross two smaller passes: Gallohuacran ("Crest of the Rooster") and Queso Carpunan ("Cheese-pressing place"), from where we admire the beautiful view of Mt. Milluacocha (5,817mt-19,055ft). We descend to the camp at Osoruri (4,200mt-13,775ft) an 8 hour walk. Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 6:
We take a left turn, which brings us to the Jatun Vientona ("Great wind") pass (4,750mt-15,580ft). It is worth making a stop here to contemplate Milluacocha (5,490mt-18,007 ft) and Pilanco (5,278mt-17,311ft). We descend to another small pass: Ichic Vientona ("Little Wind") and continue downwards, until we reach the shore of the Los Cedros Canyon River. A long walk brings us to some circular pre-Inca ruins, with a splendid view over the exhilarating Alpamayo (5,947mt-19,505ft), considered the most beautiful pyramid-shaped mountain in the world. Other mountains we admire are: Tayapampa (5,637mt-18,489ft) and Jancarurish (5,578mt-18,295ft). After a 7 hour walk, we arrive at camp. From the camp, we can visit Jancarurish Lake (4,250mt-13,940ft). Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 7:
We cross the river coming from Jancarurish Lake, using the stones in the riverbed. We take the path upward, while viewing the mountains behind us and Jancarurish Lake at the foot of Alpamayo. In zig-zag fashion, we climb to Caracara pass (4,830mt-15,842ft). We descend the other side with the Moyobamba valley to our left and Safuna Lake to our right. We descend to a bridge, which we cross to reach camp (4,000mt-13,200ft). 7 hour walk. Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 8:
We continue upwards, walking between huge rocks, where we may see vizcachas, and through areas of Taulli shrubs (Lupins) till we reach Remate Punta or Yanacon pass (4,600mt-15,080ft.) Here we view the imposing Mt. Pucahirca (6,050mt-19,840ft) to our right and two small lakes in the valley below. We descend, veering right and left, directly to Tzactaycocha Lake, which we already saw from the pass. After lunching, we descend through shrubs to a flat area, which connects with the path coming down from Jancapampa camp (3,600mt-11,800ft). From here, we admire Mt. Pucahirca. 7 hour walk Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 9:
We walk to Pishgopampa and after a long ascend, arrive at the Tupatupa pass (4,400 mt-14,430ft), offering a great view of Contrahiervas, Chopicalqui, and Ulta. We descend until we notice a small lake with the imposing Taulliraju and Pucahirca in the background. After a long walk along the left side of the canyon, we cross a bridge to reach Huecrococha Lake (3,950mt-12,950ft), where we camp. 7 hour walk. Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 10:
We ascend along the right-hand path, observing the beauty of the lake. A long walk brings us to an area with 2 species of Lupins (Taulli). We continue to the high pass of Pucaraju (4,650mt-15,250ft), providing a spectacular view of various mountain: Contrahiervas, Chopicalqui, Huascaran, Huandoy Pucajircas and Taulliraju. We descend through small forests of Quenuales (an underground stream keeps this path moist). We continue to the Huaripampa valley, walking through shrubs and forests of Quisuar and Quenuales, before arriving at Paria camp (3,800mt-12,460ft), with a beautiful view of Chacraraju and Paria. 7 hour walk Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 11:
A long descend through the Huaripampa valley, traversing areas of shrubs and forests of native trees, passing very close to the small Torococha Lake in an area called Cachenapampa. Lower down, we continue along the right-hand descend and pass over a bridge into the small village of Yanatzac. We ascend to the right to Vaqueria (3,700mt-12,135ft). Here, we await our vehicle, which brings us to Huaraz. 5 hour walk, 3 hour bus ride. Overnight in hotel (B L).

Day 13:
A 3-hour private bus ride brings us to the town of Chiquian (3,400mt-11,152ft). The road is paved until Lake Conococha and provides views of the Cordillera Blanca, the Cordillera Huayhuash and Lake Conococha with its many species of birds. We head eastwards towards Chiquian, where we spend the night in a small hostel (B L D).

Day 14:
The path leaves from the north of the village and descends to the Pativilca River onto a firm road that follows the riverbank. We walk till the point where the Quero River joins the Pativilca. After lunch, we cross the Pativilca and continue until we reach the Llamac River. From here, the path climbs upwards, crossing the river three times, till the village of Llamac, where we camp. 21km-13m-8 hour walk. Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 15:
In zig-zag fashion, we walk upwards (approx. 3 hours) until we arrive at the Pampa Llamac pass, which offers wonderful views of the Cordillera Huayhuash. We continue walking through forests of Quenuales, descending to the small settlement of Jahuacocha. The path carries on to the lake of the same name (4,500mt/14,760ft) of an impressive beauty. We camp with the mountains Nina Shanca (5,607mt-18,391ft), Rondoy (5,870mt-19,254ft), Jirishancas (6,094mt-19,988ft & 5,446mt-17,863ft), Yerupaja (6,634mt-21,759ft), Siula (6,334mt-20,775ft) and Rasac (6,017mt-19,736ft) as a backdrop. Later, we take the 1-hour walk to Solterococha Lake (4,120mt-13,513ft) to get an even better view of mountains. Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 16:
The path ascends from the south side of the lake, or from the Achin River Valley, offering good photo opportunities for both the lakes and the mountains. Later, we enter the Huacrish canyon, with an excellent view of the mountains Huacrish (5,622 mt-18,440ft), Rosero (5,557mt-18,227ft) and Auxilio (5,560mt-18,237ft). Further on, in zig-zag we ascend a sandy path, until we reach a valley leading to the Yaucha pass. There is a lookout point with a spectacular view of the mountains Nina Shanca, Rondoy, Jirishancas, Yerupaja and Rasac (weather permitting). After reaching Yaucha pass (4,800mt-15,744ft), we descend to our camp at Cashpa-pampa. Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 17:
We ascend to the right with the view of the mountain Diablo Mudo (Rajucolta). After a long walk, following the path downwards, we reach the Watia camp, with excellent views of the Rajucolta mountains: Diablo Mudo (5,223mt-17,131ft), Thituhuarco (5,449mt-17,873ft) and Cerro Bajo (5,487mt-17,997ft). Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 18:
We descend to the village of Huayllapa, where we enter a canyon. Ascending to the Calinca canyon, we continue to the Vaqueria Cutatambo camp. From camp, we can ascend through the Sarapococha canyon to reach Sarapococha Lake, beneath Mt. Sarapo (6,127mt-20,096ft). After spending some time there, we return along the same path until we reach the height of Mt. Jurao. From here, we head to Jurao Lake (4,343mt-14,245 ft) and walk to the mountains Jurao (5,600mt-18,368ft) and Trapecio (5,644mt-18,512 ft). Later, we return to our camp, surrounded on all sides by the mountains: Yerupaja Grande Sur, Siula Grande, Sarapo Yarantauri (or Yarawarm), Rasac, Trapecio and Carnicero (5,960mt-19,549ft). Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 19:
We return to Huayllapa and take the path to the village of Uramaza. We follow the path through the village and continue along the banks and across the river to reach the Uramaza camp. Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 20:
We follow the path south, entering the large Pumarini River valley. We cross the bridge to the right bank of the river and ascend the hill the south of the valley until we reach the pass (4,150mt-13,612ft). We descend straight to Cajatambo village where we either camp or spend the night in a hostel. (B L D).

Day 21:
We travel by bus from Cajatambo to Lima where our local staff waits to transfer us to the hotel. (B L).

For those preferring a shorter loop, we also offer shorter 13 days/ 12 nights programs from Huaraz. Ask for information.

Rated: Moderate to strenuous

Maximum weight carried by participants is 13k/28lb.

Departure dates
NEW 2006 PROGRAMS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN NOVEMBER

Tour Tariff - Private Departures
N° of Participants	2	3	4	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 2505	$ 1842	$ 1547	$ 216
EUR	€ 2079	€ 1529	€ 1284	€ 179
GBP	£ 1403	£ 1031	£ 866	£ 121

(*) Price last updated on 01 October 2005. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request
(**) Discount for larger groups

Included in price:
Private transport, in Lima and Huaraz accommodation in double rooms with private facilities, in Chiquian and Cajatambo accommodation in basic hostels, all entrance fees, English speaking guide, meals as mentioned, complete camping equipment inclusive kitchen and toilet tent, cook, helpers, mule keepers, mules (horses) for cargo transportation, first aid kit.

Not included:
Meals in hotels and in cities, extras, personal trekking gear (sleeping bag), tips.

Cordillera Blanca & Huayhuash Trek

The Hidden Treasure of the Andes

Peru