Joining the tour
On booking you will be sent the following information: name and address of Lima hotel, advice on how to get there and time of rendezvous with tour leader.
Itinerary details
Note: Should circumstances dictate, certain details, such as overnight stops, may vary from those shown in the day-by-day itinerary below.
Day 1
Join the tour in Lima. (1 night hotel)
Day 2
Take early bus for a contrasting journey ending in the high Andes at the small highland city of Huaraz. We head north through coastal desert to Pativilca, then turn inland and begin climbing NE. As we climb, barren valley sides contrast with cultivated river banks. Cacti gradually give way to scrub, then temperate vegetation and eventually puna grassland.
At the journey’s high point, Conococha (4,050 metres), we turn N and descend the Callejon de Huaylas where the huge Cordillera Blanca snow peaks to the right (E) begin to dominate the landscape. The Cordillera Blanca mountain range contains the major concentration of peaks over 6,000 metres outside the Himalayas.
We arrive Huaraz (3,090m) late-afternoon. 3 nights hotel.
Day 3
Huaraz, a bustling town of 80 thousand inhabitants, is our Andean base. The valley it sits in is known as the
'Callejon de Huaylas'. This is flanked to the east by the Cordillera Blanca, the mountain range with the highest concentration of peaks over 6000 metres outside the Himalayas.
Besides offering breathtaking mountain panoramas, featuring Huascarán (Peru’s highest peak at 6,768m), Huandoy (6,395m), Churup and Ranrapalca (6,162 metres), Huaraz is conveniently placed for activities before, between and after the trek. Today we have our trek briefing and take a local walk to see some pre-Inca ruins.
Day 4
Day hike to the turquoise waters of Laguna Churup (4500 meters). Approximately 6 hours round trip. Return to Huaraz.
Day 5
Pack your bags as today we leave Huaraz for the town of Llamac. 5 hours. On arrival relax and explore the town. Altitude of Camp: 3,300 metres.
We leave Huaraz and drive south. We cross wild paramo (puna), passing the southernmost peaks of the Cordillera Blanca.
The Huayhuash range, containing in a single cluster seven of the highest and most dramatic summits in Peru, reveals itself on our descent to the small town of Llamac.
Over the next 12 days we cover approximately 120 kilometres and cross many high passes (between 4,650 and 5000m).
For most of the circuit we walk and camp at altitudes in excess of 4,000m. (Night stops indicated below may vary).
Day 6
Llamac to Matacancha by way of Pocpa. Duration: 5-6 hours. Altitude of Camp: 4,100 m.
Day 7
This morning we climb to our 2nd pass, Cacanampunta (4,700m), and descend through a wide valley. Our camp (4,200m) beside Laguna Mitucocha offers stunning views of the dual summits of Jirishanca (6,094m) reflected in the beautiful lake. There may be time for a side trip over a moraine to Lake Ninacocha at the foot of Mount Ninashanka.
Day 8
Laguna Mitachocha to Laguna Carhuacocha. Two options for the route, a gradual easy pass on the main trail or an off-trail adventure on steeper terrain with a beautiful lake and a high rocky pass. Duration: 5-8 hours. Altitude of Camp: 4,180 m.
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Day 9
Rest day at Laguna Carhuacocha. One of the more beautiful vistas of all the campsites in the Huayhuash, also a great place to fish, take a day hike to one of the lakes under Jirishanca, visit with the locals, or rest.
Fabulous view of a row of gigantic snowpeaks, including Siula (6,344m) and Yerupaja. Camp beside Lake Carhuacocha.
Day 10
There are two alternative routes to tonight’s camp: (1) via the Carnicero pass (4,600m), or (2) the more demanding route via Laguna Siula. Both routes allow possibilities of sighting the elusive, wild vicuna, as well as spectacular views of Yerupaja, Siula, Carnicero and Trapecio. We camp at Huayhuash (4,350m).
Day 11
Next day we approach the southern end of the range. We cross the Portachuelo de Huayhuash pass (4,750m) and are rewarded with views of the Cordillera Raura, a neighbouring range of smaller peaks. At the end of our descent is Lake Viconga (4,500 metres). We camp near Viconga.
Day 12
This is a long day. Our first objective is the Punta Cuyoc pass (5,000 m), this is the trek’s highest point. We descend the long Huanacpatay valley, to our camp, above its confluence with the Quebrada Huayllapa (4,300m).
Day 13
Guanacpatay to Huatiac OR to Laguna Sarapo. An off trail option over the San Antionio pass and down into the gorgeous valley housing Laguna Sarapo, or descending to Huallapa and back up to a camp below the Tapush pass called Huatiac. Duration: 5-8 hours. Altitude of Camp: 4,300 m.
Day 14
Huatiac to Laguna Jahuacocha over the Tapush pass. Duration: 6 hours. Altitude of Camp: 4060 meters. (Or Rest day in the Sarapo area)
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Day 15
Rest Day at Laguna Jahuacocha. (Or Sarapo to Huatiac)
Day 16
Laguna Jahuacocha to Llamac over the Pampa Llamac pass. Duration: 5 hours. Altitude of Camp: 3300 meters. (Or Huatiac to Jahuacocha)..
Day 17
Jahuacocha to Llamac, early in the morning. Pick up in Llamac and return to Huaraz for a well deserved shower and celebration banquet.
Day 18
Last minute shopping for family and friends before departing for Lima at 10:00am, arriving at the airport or your hotel by 7:00pm. Tour ends Lima.
You could extend your trip by trekking the Inca Trail or visiting the Amazon.
Check out our Peru group trips, or our many tailor made Peru options. You can always contact the office for more information on tailor made and group options.
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
Small groups mean flexibility and informality. Your tour leader will be on hand to iron out any problems and give informed advice on things to do, where to eat etc. In towns we use clean, comfortable hotels. In more remote areas, accommodation can be more simple. When camping we use two person lightweight tents. On the trek, 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 5,000m but we will be camping below that level.
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 most funds in US dollars cash (mixed denomination, unmarked and undamaged bank notes) and some 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); handicrafts; airport tax ($25 international, $10 national); optional excursions (rafting $30); extra entrance fees; tips; laundry etc.
International Flights
We can arrange your international flights at competitive rates through our ATOL-bonded agency. Approximate prices are shown on the Dates and Prices sheet sent with the brochure.
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 hotel while you are trekking. For the 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 porter. You will also require a day-pack to carry items you need to hand.
(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:
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5 day visit to Cuzco inlcuding the world famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu (or Inca Trail option).
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High altitude train journey across the altiplano to Lake Titicaca.
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Journey down the desert coast to the enigmatic Nazca lines.
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Spanish and/or Quechua language courses in Cuzco year-round.
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5 day Amazon rainforest expedition into the Tambopata Reserved Zone.
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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. |
