Day
1
Leaving Huaraz 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 Huascarán massif and the Huandoy
three-pronged peak. As we reach the overhanging valley we
arrive at the boundary of the National Park of Huascarán.
The area is known as Llanganuco and has two turquoise colored
lakes. Just past these lakes 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 view
of Mt. Huascarán, 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
2
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 Huascarán National Park.
(Time:5-6 hours. Distance: 7 Kms.)
Day
3
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 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
4
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 gully into
Llamacorral, where we will camp. (Time: 6 hours. Distance:
6 Kms.)
Day
5
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 herders as the road winds
slowly down to the main valley, arriving in the afternoon.
Overnight stay at hotel can be arranged. (Time: 2 hours.
Distance: 3 Kms.)
Season: April - October
Daily departures
Services
included:
Two person 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.
Transportation
by vehicle to start and from the end of trek from Huaraz
Services
not included:
Hotels in Lima and Huaraz and transport
Lima-Huaraz-Lima (Can be included at extra cost). 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.