Footloose Adventure Travel: Peru, llama trekking to Chavin

DAY1 (Friday)

Arrival 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. / 10,000 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 gully 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. Time: 2 hours. Distance: 3 kms.

DAY 4

The day starts with a leisurely walk down towards Colcapampa. 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 snow-capped 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 Huascaran National Park. (Time:5-6 hours. Distance: 7 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 colour 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 Jarhuacocha. The trail descends into Taullipampa or Quiswarpampa, where we will camp at 4,000 m.a.s.l. (13,200 ft.). (Time:7 hours. Distance: 8.5 Kms.)

DAY 6

Past the side-valley of Arhuaycocha with a possibility to view Mt. Apumayo, 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 gully into Llamacorral, where we will camp. (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 6 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 the herders as the road winds slowly down to the main valley, arriving in the afternoon. Dinner on your own, overnight at hotel. (Time: 2 hours. Distance: 3 Kms.

DAY 8

Morning bus ride to Lima, box lunch included on the way. Late afternoon arrival in Lima. Hotel.

DAY 9

Transfer to the airport to board your 55-minute flight to Cusco, centre of the Inca world. Meet and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the morning free to acclimatise to the altitude (3,400 m.a.s.l./11,400 ft.). An afternoon tour of the city and nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko and Tambomachay will educate you on the history of this astonishing town. Lunch and dinner on your own.

DAY 10

Leaving the city behind our vehicle heads north over the plateau of Chinchero. View of the snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon descending into the Urubamba Valley visiting the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo on the way. We continue about another hour to the roadhead from where our hike starts. We walk along across the snowcapped peak of Mt. Veronica (Waka Wilqa), cross over at Km 82 and pass by the ruins of Sallapunku and Torontoy to reach Qoriwaynachina. From here the small bridge brings us over to Qente where we will camp. A chance to visit the surrounding archaeological remains of Qente and Machu Qente - located amidst Inca Terracing. (Time: 4-6 hours, Distance: 11 kms).

DAY 11

The trail winds slowly uphill through a small forest to reach the site of Patallacta. After a short visit we continue up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the andean community of Huayllabamba. From here the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass, where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Along the trail up this narrow hanging valley we begin to see a cloud forest that harbours the Quechua tree, a rare forest to be found in the Andes. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa. ( Time: 6 hours. Distance: 9Kms.)

DAY 12

The trail ascends at a typical angle of 30 degrees towards the pass across the hillside of Puna grassland as we leave our campsite at the edge of the treeline behind, bringing us to Warmiwausca pass (4,050 ma.s.l./13,280 ft.). The trail descends to the Pacaymayo River and then climbs slowly past Runkuraqay ruins. From here over a lower pass to Sayacmarca, the "waiting village" A clear Inca Trail across a causeway on a now dry lake past a cave, we continue our way along a ridge to finally reach Phuyupatamarca (the town at the edge of the clouds in quechua) were we camp. (Time:8 hrs. Distance 9 Kms)

DAY 13

After continuing along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Winay Wayna located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the door of the sun. Optional overnight at el Pueblo or Ruinas hotel available).

DAY 14

The whole day can be dedicated to explore these extraordinary Inca remains. Including a visit to Wayna Picchu the hill overlooking the site. The mid-afternoon train takes you back to Cusco, transfer to your hotel. Dinner on your own.

DAY 15

Having rested we will spend the rest of the morning visiting the town of Ollantaytambo, an Inca fortress and now one of few living Inca villages. In the afternoon we will get a chance to visit the village of Pisac, in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting the ruins poised high above the valley on a ridge top with a commanding view. In the late afternoon we arrive in Cusco. Lunch and dinner on your own.

DAY 16

Free day to relax, do laundry and maybe some shopping. Optional one-day adventures available: river running, bicycling, horse riding or touring. Lunch and dinner on your own.

DAY 17

Pick-up at your hotel in Cusco and start of our journey. The road south towards Puno passes many important towns as it heads along the Huatanoy river and later along the Vilcanota river coming from Sicuani. As we travel we will drive past the Wari site of Pikillacta and the villages of Andahuaylillas and Huaro, of colonial origin. Finally we reach Urcos, and a short distance from here the dirt road starts winding its way uphill until we reach small villages of herders and weavers in the highland savannah, households and small villages dot the landscape and impressive undulating hills blending into the horizon amidst a patchwork of agricultural fields. In the late afternoon the Cordillera Vilcanota will loom in the distance with Ausangate (6,372m.a.s.l.)and Jampa dominating the landscape until we reach Ocongate and our campsite at Tinki (3,800 m.a.s.l.)

DAY 18

Crossing the river of Ocongate we pass a small community and start crossing the puna, approaching the base of the Ausangate massif, with impressive views of the rolling landscape around us. We will hike past small houses with adjoining corrals until we reach Upis, an area with thermal springs which can be enjoyed depending on the water level and weather conditions since they are in the open. (camp at 4,400 m.a.s.l.). (Hiking Time: 4-6 hours. Distance: 6 Kms).

DAY 19

Ascending the scree slopes we hike over the pass at 4,700 m.a.s.l. (14,760 ft.) and make our way to lake Pukacocha, with the western ice-fall of Mt. Ausangate dominating the view of this campsite at the shores of the lake. Even though the day is not too long the altitude and the astounding glacial environment with rocky terrain make it an active day. (Hiking Time: 5-6 hours. Distance: 5 Kms).

DAY 20

As we pass small turquoise lakes over a lower pass, we finally negotiate the highest pass of our trip at Palomani (5,000 m.a.s.l.) with a spectacular view of the south-eastern ridge of Mt. Ausangate and the peaks of Mariposa, Jampa, Acero, Caracol and others, which bring us into our campsite as we descend into Chilcapinaya. (Hiking Time: 5-7 hours. Distance: 9 Kms).

DAY 21

If we are lucky we will run into highland shepherds as we slowly walk up the Jampa Valley - with their sheep and alpaca - threading and weaving during the day. This contrasts sharply with the background peaks of Jampa and Colquecruz. We circle northwest over Ticllacocha Lagoon and over the last pass at 4,500 m.a.s.l. reaching the small meadow of Pachaspata, where we camp, or - time permitting - the shores of Ninaparaycocha. (Hiking Time: 6-8 hours. Distance: 8 Kms).

DAY 22

Continuing our slow descent of the valley, we reach the village of Pacchanta, where we will rest in the afternoon. For those enthusiasts a well-deserved dip in the thermal baths will be made available, and a superb view of Mt. Ausangate dominating the campsite. Time permitting we will interact with the local community. (Hiking Time: 5-6 hours. Distance: 5 Kms).

DAY 23

A short hike this morning across the puna grassland past small villages of herders and weavers will bring us back to Tinki and the roadhead. We will have completed the circuit around the Vilcanota, or its main mountain Mt. Ausangate. From here a vehicle will drive us back to Cusco, arriving in the afternoon. (Hiking Time: 5 hours. Distance: 6 Kms).

DAY 24

Transfer to the airport for your ongoing flight to Lima or elsewhere and assistance with any connections anywhere in Peru or abroad.

NOTE: We usually camp at Machu Picchu but for an additional charge of $105, we can arrange an overnight at a 1st Class hotel with dinner and breakfast included.

SEASON: MARCH - OCTOBER

DEPARTURES: FIRST FRIDAY MONTHLY

MINIMUM: 01 PASSENGER