Amazon Adventures

Peru

Cordillera Blanca Trek

The most beautiful circuit of the world’s highest tropical mountain range, passing below towering peaks - Huascarán, Alpamayo, Taulliraju, Huandoy, Chacraraju and many others in the glacial canyons of Peru’s only mountain National Park. Starts in Lima, traveling to Huaraz to begin the trek. Overnight camping.

Day 1 (Friday) - Arrival in Lima and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early in the day optional tours are available. Overnight. All meals on your own, overnight at hotel.

Day 2 - Early morning departure by first-class coach to the city of Huaraz, located about 400 Kms. north of Lima. Following the Panamerican Highway north across Lima we will pass several lush green valleys that cut
through the coastal desert until we reach the town of Pativilca. Turning inland the main road winds its way
up along the Fortaleza River for a good two hours. Finally we reach the Pass of Conococha (4,000 m.a.s.l. /
13,120 ft.) where we will get our first glimpse of the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in
the world. From here the road descends slowly along the Santa River as we pass a vast area of highland
pastures. As we approach Huaraz, the vegetation changes into that of an interandean valley, surrounded
by clusters of red-tiled houses. Arrival at a hotel and overnight at 3,000 m.a.s.l. / 19,840 ft. Dinner on your
own.

Day 3 - 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 the National Park of Huascaran. Llanganuco, as the area is known, has two lakes that have turquoise waters, and passing them we will arrive at Quebrada Demanda, a small valley where we will undertake a short hike. In the early afternoon 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
panorama of Mt. Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju, the latter being one of the most difficult mountains to climb in Peru. As the evening falls, we drive down to our first campsite at Vaqueria. 3,700
(12,136ft) where we will undertake a short hike (2.5km. walk)

Day 4 - The day starts with a leisurely walk down towards Colcabamba. Before we reach the village, a trail will
make its way to the left over a small ridge into the Huaripampa valley. As we slowly head up this valley
past small settlements of farmers, surrounded by agricultural activity and andean vegetation, the snowcapped peaks of Paria and Taulliraju will come into view, passing meadows and fields along the way.
Camp in the vicinity of Paria or Tuctu, in the heart of Huascarán National Park. (Time:5-6 hours. Distance:
11 Kms.)

Day 5 - The trail starts ascending towards Punta Union, a pass at 4,700 m.a.s.l. (15,711 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 Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, Artesonaju, will come into view as well as the two lakes of Ichicocha and Jatunconcha. The trail descends into Taullipampa or Quiswarpampa, where we will camp at 4,100
m.a.s.l. (13,448 ft.). (Time:7 hours. Distance: 13 Kms.)

Day 6 - Past the side-valley of Arhuaycocha with a possibility to view Mt. Alpamayo, we continue down the Santa Cruz Valley. 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 msnm (Time: 6 hours.
Distance: 16.5 Kms.)

Day 7 - 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.)

Day 8 - Morning bus ride to Lima, box lunch included on the way. Late afternoon arrival in Lima (end of program). Transfer provided for your connecting flight.

Season : April – October
Departures : Every Friday
Price: US$ 910 Single supplement: US$84
Minimum: 2 passengers

Includes: Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of trek to Lima, hotel nights in Lima and Huaraz, 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.

Not Included: Last night at hotel in Lima, meals in the cities, alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes,
laundry service, additional tours, insurance and airline tickets (where applicable), sleeping bags, hiking
boots and other personal gear.