Day 1 | Arrival in Lima, Peru
Pick up at airport and transfer-in to hotel in Lima.
Night in hotel. |
Day 2 | Lima – Huaraz (3005 m)
After breakfast, transfer to bus terminal for tourist public bus to Huaraz. The bus ride takes about 8 hours, depending on the traffic leaving Lima. The road trip goes along the pacific coast, heading north and then eastwards up the Andes. The first sight will be the Huayhash Range, before heading back north where the first summits of the Cordillera Blanca will appear. The road starts to descend towards the city of San Sebastian de Huaraz, locally known just as Huaraz. Huaraz is the capital of the Anchash region and is located in the spectacular Cajon del Huaylas valley, between the Cordillera Negra on the West side and the Cordillera Blanca on the East side, with the highest mountain in the country in the background: Huascaran (6768 m).
Huaraz is the main departing point for mountain activities, both to the Cordillera Blanca and Huashuash range; therefore it is considered the Peruvian “Chamonix”. The city has a wide offer of services as: restaurants, accommodations, grocery stores, gear shops and guide services.
Upon arrival in Huaraz, transfer to the hostel.
Night in hostel.
Included meals: Breakfast |
Day 3 | Huaraz – Rest/Acclimatization day (3005 m)
This is a free day and the idea is to adapt to altitude and enjoy the many offer Huaraz has for the mountaineer/traveler. The town of Huaraz has develop quite a lot in the last years and now it offers a wide variety of possibilities like different types of restaurant, bars, cafes, specialized shops and a bunch of activities lie: hot spring, rock climbing, day hikes, etc.
Night in hostel.
Included meals: Breakfast |
Day 4 | Churup lake (4445 m)
This day hike is one of the classic acclimatization itineraries in the Cordillera Blanca. The Churup peak is located close to Huaraz and can be seen from town. It is ideal to gain a good amount of altitude in a day and return back to Huaraz to sleep low. From Huaraz transfer (1:30 h) to Pitec’s trailhead (3660 m), from this place a very well maintained handmade trail begins its ascent following a ridge that gains altitude quite fast. Soon the handmade trail turns into a mountain trail, as it takes the northern side of the Churup River valley. The ascent gets steeper from this point and a bit demanding. Once on a wide plateau, a well deserved rest, before climbing up the last section where a bit of very easy scrambling secured by a good set of wires lead to a easy last section ending by the shores of the lake at 4445 m. The rocky lake’s shores are a great spot to have a bite while enjoying the amazing sight to the Churup peak. For those who want to challenge themself, it is possible to hike further up 45 minutes to the Churupita lake, right on the moraine (please check this possibility with your guide, as sometimes it is not accesible). The descent follows the same trail and takes an average time of 1,5 h. The transport back to Huaraz.
Night in hostel.
Ascent: 605 m / Descent: 605 m / Highest Altitude: 4445 m / Activity duration: 5-6 h / Distance one-way: 3,1 Km.
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic | Day 5 | Lake 69 (4397 m)
After breakfast, pick-up at the hostel for a 2,5 hours drive down the Cajon del Huaylas valley and then up to the LLanganuco Valley in Huascaran National Park. The Llanganuco valley is one of the most visited spots in the park, and no doubt it is not to be missed! The beautiful deep turquoise waters of Orconcha (Male lake) and Chinanconcha (female lake), contrast with impressive high summits of Huascaran and Huandoys on both sides of the Llanganuco valley. After the the lakes, the valley opens up and other famous summits comes into view like: Pisco, Chopicalqui and Chacraraju.
The trail to Laguna 69 starts at Cebollapampa (3883 m), from this point, a well-marked trail follows the river along the valley up to a steep section than lead into a second valley with a small lake, from there the moraine starts and the whole landscape gets an alpine atmosphere. After a short switchbacks section, the lake will come into sight and all the effort will be well rewarded. The deep blue glacier waters with Chacraraju peak in the background, a perfect place for an unforgettable picnic by the lake’s shores.
The descent follows the same trail back to Cebollapampa and then back to Huaraz.
Night in hostel.
Ascent: 514 m / Descent: 514 m / Highest Altitude: 4397 m / Activity duration: 4 -5 h / Distance one-way: 5,4 Km
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic |
Day 6 | Huaraz – Huallanca – Cuartelhuain (4114 m)
The drive goes south up the Callejon de Huaylas with nice views of the southern part of Cordillera Blanca and the first great views of Cordillera Huayhuash mountain range. The road trip takes between 5-6 hours. The first campsite will be located at a place know as Cuartelhuain, just at the foot of the range.
Night in tents.
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner |
Day 7 | Mitucocha (4210 m)
The hike starts up to the first mountain pass on the northern part of the Huayhuash mountain range: Cacanampunta pass (4653 m), from this point there is a great panoramic view down to the first lakes on the trek and the green valleys. The descend traverses down to the camping site which is below the East face of Ninashanca and Rondoy.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 539 m / Descent: 620 m / Highest Altitude: 4653 m / Distance: 8,3 Km. / Activity duration: 5-6 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner |
Day 8 | Carhuacocha lake (4122 m)
Leaving the campsite, the team will hike over a grassy terrain, heading up to the second pass known as: Yerupaja Chico (4602 m). On the way, will come close to Jirishanca Chico, where it is possible to find ammonites fossils and a great view to a couple of famous peaks: Jirishanca and Yerupaja, the second highest summit in Peru. Also it si possible to see Carnicero and Siula Grande, the last is world know due to Joe Simpson famous survival ordeal depicted in the motion picture: Touching the Void.
The Descent follows a very nice trail to one of the best Camping sites by the shores of Carhuacocha Lake.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 396 m / Descent: 443 m / Highest Altitude: 4602 m / Distance: 8,6 Km. / Activity duration: 6-7 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner |
Day 9 | Huayhuash (4317 m)
This is one of the most spectacular day of the trek. Starts form the camp following a trail close the the lake’s shores until a grassy meadow that leads to a hidden valley. As it gains altitude, a series of lakes with turquoise color waters begin to appear at the base of the amazingly steep iconic peaks such as Siula, Quesillococha and Janrajanca. This valley leads up to Siulapunta Pass (4788 m) from where it is possible to get a magnificent view of the east face of Yerupaja and Siula Grande.
From the pass a gentle descent to Huayhuash campsite located in the junction of some lower valley and fantastic views to other peaks.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 666 m / Descent: 471 m / Highest Altitude: 4788 m / Distance: 12,20 Km. / Activity duration: 7-8 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner |
Day 10 | Viconga (4400 m)
After breakfast, the group will take a quite beaten trail that passes along local farming houses as it slowly ascents to the next mountain pass: Portachuelo of Huayhuash (4750 m). From the pass it is possible to see the neighboring Raura range and its distant peaks. Then a short descent to Viconga Lake. After arrive and a break, those who want, can do an excursion to the hot springs and enjoy the rest of the afternoon relaxing.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 520 m / Descent: 350 m / Highest Altitude: 4750 m / Distance: 10,30 Km. / Activity duration: 4-5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner |
Day 11 | Huanacpatay camp (4500)
Today the trek reaches the highest point of the circuit: Cuyoc mountain pass (5000 m), where the teak will cross over to the other flank of the range. A whole new landscape and view, Almost the entire length of the Huanacpatay valley can be see and down the camp site on one of the first platforms, know as elephant.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 600 m / Descent: 500 m / Highest Altitude: 5000 m / Distance: 8,50 Km. / Activity duration: 5-6 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner |
Day 12 | Huayllapa Village (3548 m)
Today in a long day, the day starts hiking up to San Antonio pass (5041 m), which has one of the most amazing panoramic views of the itinerary. From the pass there is a direct view to Yerupaja’s south face, Mt. Sarapo west face, Mt. Jurau, Mt. Trapecio, Mt. Rasac and the upper part of Siula Grande. On the descent, it is possible to see the lakes of: Jurau. Santa Rosa and Sarapo Lake. The hike follows a well-marked trail down the Calinca Valley where the village of Huayllapa is located. The village is a small settlement with a few Colonial house and small shops where it is possible o get some snakes and a place for the expedition team to get supplies fo the remains of the trek.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 541 m / Descent: 1493 m / Highest Altitude: 5041 m / Distance: 15,90 Km. / Activity duration: 7-8 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner |
Day 13 | Cashpapampa camp (4508 m)
After breakfast, the group will start one of the longest ascent on the trek to Tapush pass (4748 m). The trail is very good and the ascent progressive, during the hile it is possible to see the change in vegetation and feel the temperature change. Once on the pass, the summits of the Western area will be visible and also the Susucocha Lake. The camp is located down in the valley.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 1200 m / Descent: 240 m / Highest Altitude: 4748 m / Distance: 10,80 Km. / Activity duration: 7-8 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner |
Day 14 | Jahuacocha camp (4041 m)
The day start slightly descending a couple of hours and then taking a steeper trail to Escalon Punta pass (4850 m), this pass divides the two valleys and from there will start a very nice scenery down the Huacrish valley, which ends at the amazing and iconic Jahuacocha Lake where the camp will be setup. On certain days, there is a good chance to se Condor while descending.
The campsite has one of the best location and a superb view to some of the highest peaks of the Huayhuash range and Peru. Definitely a place to enjoy!
Night in tents.
Ascent: 342 m / Descent: 809 m / Highest Altitude: 4850 m / Distance: 11,80 Km. / Activity duration: 7 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner |
Day 15 | Llamac (3240 m) – End of trek – Back to Huaraz
Last day of the trek! Depart from Jahuacocha Lake down the valley until a place where a second trail begins to ascent. The hike is very scenic and slowly the local farms will be visible. The last pass is called Pampallamac (4600 m) from where it is possible to get the last glimpse to the Huayhuash and to the Norther the Cordillera Blanca, then a long descent, along farm houses and farming lands, to the village of Llamac where this fantastic trek ends!
A transport will be waiting to take the team and staff back to Huaraz (5 h). Once in Huaraz, the group will be taken to the hotel for a last night in town.
Night in hotel.
Ascent: 500 m / Descent: 1360 m / Highest Altitude: 4600 m / Distance: 10,20 Km. / Activity duration: 5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic |
Day 16 | Huaraz – Lima
Transfer-out to Huaraz’s bus terminal for a tourist public bus to Lima (8 h). Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to hotel.
Night in hotel.
Included meals: Breakfast |
Day 17 | Lima – Departure
Pick up at hotel and transfer-out to Lima’s international airport.
END OF SERVICES
Included meals: Breakfast |