This can be followed by our extension to Cusco, which allows us to
experience the fascinating cultural and architectural legacy of the
Incas, culminating in a journey to Machu Picchu.
Please consult the office if you are interested in trekking the Inca
Trail while on the visit to Cusco.
(No previous mountaineering experience is required to attempt the two peaks: Maparaju (5,326m) and Ishinca (5,530m). Climbing equipment, i.e. plastic boots, crampons and ice-axe can be rented in Huaraz. Instruction in its use is given by our mountain guides).
Joining the tour
On booking, you will be sent the following information: name and address of Lima hotel, advice on how to get there, time of rendezvous with tour leader.
Itinerary details
Note: If circumstances dictate, certain details, such as overnight stops, may vary from those shown in the day-by-day itinerary below.
Day 1
Join tour in Lima. (1 night hotel)
Day 2
We leave Lima early by public bus for a fascinating journey of contrasts that will end amid the towering high Andes at the small highland city of Huaraz. We head north through the coastal desert as far as Pativilca, then turn inland and begin our climb northeastward into the Andes.
We follow the Fortaleza valley, the fertile cultivated river banks contrasting dramatically with the barren mountain sides. Cacti gradually give way to denser vegetation and then puna grassland as we ascend to the highest point on our journey, Conococha (4050 metres).
We turn north into the Callejon de Huaylas and enter a different world, the huge snowpeaks of the Cordillera Blanca dominating the landscape. We arrive in Huaraz (3090 metres) late afternoon and check into our hotel. (3 nights hotel)
Day 3-4
A bustling town of 80,000 inhabitants, Huaraz lies amid the scenic splendour of the Callejon de Huaylas and is the ideal base from which to explore the region. Callejon de Huaylas is the name given to the Santa valley, which separates the Cordillera Blanca from the Cordillera Negra, and rates as one of the finest areas of South America for its superb mountain panoramas.
The Callejon is bordered to the east by the Cordillera Blanca, the mountain range with the greatest number of peaks over 6000 metres outside the Himalayas.
From Huaraz itself one is awestruck by the breathtaking vista of Mounts Vallunaraju (5686m), Tocllaraju (6034 metres) and Ranrapalca (6162 metres) towering over the city and, to the north, the gigantic forms of Huascarán (6768 metres) and Huandoy (6395 metres).
Over the next two days, while acclimatising to the altitude before our trek, we will have the opportunity to discover the wonders of this fascinating region. Besides its magnificent scenery, the area is renowned for its traditional villages with their lively markets (easily reached by public bus or mountain bike), its thermal springs, and pre-Inca history.
One of the oldest and most remarkable archaeological sites in all the Andes, the remote 3000 year old cult centre of Chavin de Huantar, can be reached by bus.
The Huari-Tiahuanaco (pre-Inca) site of Wilkawain is not far from Huaraz. White-water rafting on the Santa river is another option.
Day 5
Our vehicle takes us from Huaraz to nearby Pitec (3,850m), a farming hamlet at the entrance to Quebrada Quilcayhuanca, starting point for our trek. Before heading into this broad Andean valley we hike up to the jewel like glacier lake Laguna Churup (4,600m). A steep climb brings us to the shores of this picturesque sapphire lake, nestled in an amphitheatre below the towering peak of Nevado Churup.
After a picnic at the lake we head back down the same way and then turn into the Quebrada Quilcayhuanca and set up camp near the entrance to the valley.
Day 6
Today we have a gentle walk up the Quebrada Quilcayhuanca passing a large number of grazing cows, horses and donkeys. Several villages share the common grazing of this fertile valley. We camp at Olivo, where the Quebradas Cayesh and Quilcayhuanca join.
Big mountains lie ahead, Pucaranra (6,156m), Andavite (5,518m), and the graceful pyramids of Chinchey (6,222m) and Tullparaju (5,787m) rise above the lakes at the head of the Quilcayhuanca valley, while the short narrow Quebrada Cayesh is dominated by the needle of Nevado Cayesh (5,721m) as well as San Juan (5,840m) and Maparaju (5,326m). This is one of the best places for viewing condors in the Cordillera Blanca, so we hope to watch them soaring overhead as we set up camp.
In the afternoon we prepare our kit for an early start tomorrow on our ascent of the non-technical peak of Maparaju. Camp at Olivo.
Day 7
We make an early this start this morning for our climb of Nevado Maparaju. This non-technical ice-covered peak lies at the head of the Cayesh Valley. A steep stone path leads to the glacier, where we don crampons and rope up for our ascent to the summit.
Several hours across the snow slopes bring us to the summit for amazing views of some of the Cordillera’s highest peaks and the glacial lakes and farming land spread out below on the eastern Andean slopes. Return to camp at Olivo.
Day 8
Today we trek upwards from Olivo to the glacier lakes of Tullparaju (4,300m) and Cuchillacocha (4,650m), getting ever closer to the big snow-covered peaks of Pucaranra (6,156m), Tullparaju (5,787m) and Chinchey (6,222m). The scenery is spectacular. Camp nearby.
Day 9
We continue upwards and cross the first pass today at over 5,000m, with one of the best mountain views in Peru, 360 degrees of immense snow and ice covered peaks. We then descend a steep goat track to the base of the typically U-shaped glaciated valley of Cojup, camp.
Day 10
Today we trek up the steep flanks of the Cojup Valley towards the next high pass. We stop part way up the valley side to camp.
Day 11
We continue towards the pass, at 5,350m, donning crampons as we reach snow level. Ranrapalca (6,162m) looms high above us and Ishinca peak (5,530m) is just off to our right. We rope up and head up the south shoulder of Ishinca towards the summit. Weather permitting we are again faced with a spectacular panorama of might peaks. Descending the north shoulder we arrive at Ishinca morriane camp, where we set up camp (5,000m).
Day 12
Today we head back to Huaraz, via a beautiful trek down the Ishinca valley through polylepis forest to reach Collon, before meeting up with the vehicle for the short ride back to town. (8 nights camp, all meals)
Day 13
Free in Huaraz. (1 night hotel).
Day 14
We return to the Pacific coast and Lima, by bus. (1 night hotel)
Day 15
Tour ends Lima.
Check our Books and Maps section where you will find a range of literature to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.
Practical
Information
Our tours are designed for small groups, so we can maintain flexibility and informality while at the same time removing the frustrations and hassles associated with independent travel in an unfamiliar country. Your tour leader will make all the travel and accommodation arrangements, will be on hand to iron out any problems, and will give you expert advice and information on places to visit, things to do, where to eat and so on. In the cities we use clean comfortable hotels, but as this is an adventure tour and we travel to little-visited wilderness areas we will inevitably have to use more basic accommodation at times. When camping we use two person lightweight tents, all equipment is transported for us and meals are prepared by our local cook.
Fitness and
experience
In order
to get the most out of the tour you should be in good physical
condition. It is not easy to grade the fitness level required for
the treks, since it is a subjective matter. However, we have
classified this trek as strenuous. We trek approximately five to
eight hours per day with several long ascents and descents. On the
trek all personal belongings other than a day-pack are carried for
you.
Altitude
Shortness of breath is normal when first arriving at altitude. Acclimatisation time is built into the tour programme. The highest point on the trek is 5350 metres, and the trekking peaks are and 5326m and 5530m, but we will be camping well below those levels.
Climate
Peru is located entirely within the tropics, but the climate varies significantly according to season and geographical zone.
Coast: May to October damp and misty but very little rain. (Average day/night temperature in Lima 20C/13C)
December to March warm and sunny.
Highlands: May to October sunny days and chilly evenings. Best time for walking in the mountains. (Average day/night temperature in Cuzco 21C/3C) (N.B. at higher altitudes temperatures can drop well below freezing at night, and the sun is very strong). December to March is the rainy season.
Visas
Currently, no visa is required by British citizens visiting Peru, but your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of travel. Non-British passport holders should check visa requirements with the Peruvian Embassy. All requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Vaccinations
Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for latest advice as requirements are subject to change. Vaccinations for yellow fever, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis and polio are recommended and malaria precautions are needed for visiting jungle areas.
Personal expenses
We recommend you carry funds in US dollars cash (mixed denomination, unmarked and undamaged bank notes) and US dollar travellers cheques, which can be changed in larger towns and typically incur a 3% commission. Cash cards are also useful as ATM machines are available in most large towns visited on this itinerary. Credit cards can be used in some restaurants and for obtaining cash in certain banks.
The cost of the tour includes all meals while on the trek and all breakfasts elsewhere, but you will need money to cover: other meals, snacks and drinks (approximately 30-50% cheaper than Europe); any personal equipment hire.; handicrafts; airport tax ($25 international, $7 national); optional excursions (rafting $30); extra entrance fees; tips; laundry etc.
International Flights
If you need some assistance in purchasing a ticket for your international flight to Lima from the UK we can give you advice and suggest travel agents.
Insurance
Your insurance policy must cover you against medical expenses and repatriation. Please send us a copy of your policy as soon as possible after booking.
Luggage & Equipment
Bring a main piece of lockable luggage to be left in the Huaraz hotel while you are trekking. For your trek, re-pack into a kit bag, holdall or rucksack. This will contain your sleeping bag, torch, toiletries, changes of clothes, spare footwear etc. It will be transported for you by donkey. You will also require a day-pack of approximately thirty litre capacity, to carry camera, water, waterproofs, sun protection, first aid kit, etc.
For the ascents of Maparaju and Ishinca you will need: Plastic boots or four-season leather boots suitable for step-in or strap–on crampons. Crampons, harness and ice axe are also needed and can be hired in Huaraz. Allow £8 per day approximately. Advise us as early as possible so that items can be reserved. Also gaiters, headlamp, gloves/ mittens and 'goggle' sunglasses.
(Please let us know if you’d like to be sent a comprehensive equipment list).
Optional extensions
If you would like to spend more time in Peru or neighbouring countries we can arrange this for you. Some of the extensions we offer are:
-
5 day visit to Cuzco and the world famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu
-
High altitude train journey across the altiplano to Lake Titicaca.
-
Journey down the desert coast to the enigmatic Nazca lines.
-
Spanish and/or Quechua language courses in Cuzco year-round.
-
5 day Amazon rainforest expedition into the Tambopata Reserved Zone.
-
5-9 day jungle expedition into Manu National Park.
Facts and figures: Peru
Population: 25 mill (50% indian, 32% mestizo, 12% white and 2% black).
Capital city: Lima, population approximately 7.5 million.
Geography: Five times the size of the UK, Peru, the third largest country in South America, covers 1.28 million sq km. It is bounded to the N by Ecuador and Colombia, to the E by Brazil and Bolivia, to the S by Chile, and to the W by the Pacific Ocean.
Economy: Agriculture (33% of economically active population), fishing and mining are the traditional sectors of employment, with manufacturing (10%) increasingly important. The service industry employs 27% of the workers. Major food crops are rice, maize and potatoes, while the major cash crops are coca and coffee. Important exports are copper, zinc, gold, lead, silver and petrol. |
