Amazing 15-day llama Trek – Cordillera Huayhuash

Llama Trek – Cordillera Huayhuash

15 Days / 14 Nights

Cordillera Huayhuash is considered by climbers to be the best of Peru’s mountain areas.

This trek take us through ancient pre Inca trails surrounded by overwhelming flora and very beautiful landscapes. It requires a good physical condition.

Itinerary:  

Day 1 : Lima – Huaraz

Bus transfer to Huaraz. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Huaraz.

Day 2 : Callejon de Huaylas – Llanganuco Lake

Early breakfast in the hotel and bus transfer to Yungay 2500 m.a.s.l. Of course, during the trip making photo stops in the best places that the drivers already know or the passengers will ask for.

Starting at Yungay, we’ll climb to Llanganuco valley appreciating the biggest mountain in Peru: Huascaran. Each time as we climb we’ll be near to Huascaran 6768 m.a.s.l. Once we have arrived to Llanganuco lake, we will have a walk around the lake and we will go to the end of the valley. After it, we have to come back to Yungay to continue to Caraz (2290 m.a.s.l) 15 km north side, where we will have lunch.

Caraz is the last town in the Callejon de Huaylas, and from here we will come back to Huaraz. Overnight in Huaraz.

Day 3 : Huaraz – Pachacoto – Pastoruri – Cuartelwain

Back-tracking from Huaraz, we take the side road at Quebrada Carpa passing Pachacoto where we will observe the famous Puya Raymondi, the largest flowering cactus. On the way we will have beautiful views of the peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, part of the Huascarán National Park, are visible.

We drive over the Huarapasca pass (4,780 m.a.s.l.), before reaching a second pass at Yanashallash (4,680 m.a.s.l.) where we have views of the Cordillera Blanca, Huayhuash and Huallanca. The road descends to the Huallanca community.

We follow the San Juan river until we cross the pass of Cuncush (4,750 m.a.s.l.) and finally descend to set up camp at Cuartelwain. Lunch on route, overnight at camp at 3,900 m.

Day 4 : Cuartelwain – Mitucocha

The trail winds slowly over the pass of Cacananpunta (4,700 m.a.s.l.) with incredible views of the surrounding countryside from where we can see the peaks that surround our campsite.

The pass is the watershed of the waters flowing into the Amazon to the east, and the Pacific to the west. We arrive at camp below the peaks of Jirishanca Chico y Grande, Rondoy and Ninashanca at the edge of the Mitucocha lake.

Time: 6 hrs.
Distance: 5 kms.

Day 5 : Mitucocha – Carhuacocha

We continue over the Carhuacocha pass at 4,600 m.a.s.l. with views of Jirishanca Chico and the peaks of Siula, Yerupaja, Sarapo and Toro. Highland savannah known as puna surrounds the campsite and the countryside.

Located at another lake we have fantastic views of the snow-capped peaks which surround the western side of Carhuacocha. Time: 7-8 hrs.
Distance: 8 kms.

Day 6 : Carhuacocha

Late breakfast.

Day free for resting and to go fishing , visiting Siula Lake or just to go exploring the area.

Day 7 : Carhuacocha – Carnicero

As we ascend to the narrow pass at Carnicero (4,750 m.a.s.l.) the peaks of the Huayhuash to our right, we will pass a series of lakes. Descending we reach our campsite below Jurau with views of the valley of Huayhuash, a small community of herders. Where there are views of the peaks of Trapecio, Carnicero and Jurau.

Time: 8 hrs.
Distance: 9 kms.

Day 8 : Carnicero – Viconga

Passing by the seasonal community of Huayhuash, we start our ascent to the pass of Huayhuash (4,580 m) with views of the Cordillera Raura to the south as we leave the jagged peaks of the Huayhuash slowly behind. There are views of Mt. Leon Huacanan and Quesillojanca, as well as Puscanturpa. Here we descend and camp at Lake Viconga.

Time: 7-8 hrs.
Distance: 8 kms.

Day 09 : Viconga – Guanacpatay

This day we’ll have moderate going-up to the highest pass in our whole trip, but the going-up will take us approximately 3 hours, so this time it will be enjoyable because the Cuyoc Mountain will be closer to us. We have reached the highest pass in our trekking, the only one.

After reaching this pass we will go-down the Guanacpatay valley to have lunch. Going-down from the pass is very dust and rocky.

After it, we’ll reach the beautiful field full of grass to walk, where we will have lunch. After few hours walking we’ll find our camping place in the peaceful Valley of Guanacpatay at 4300 m.a.s.l.

Day 10 : Guanacpatay – Huayllapa

Departure at 8 am, this time will be easy for the trekkers due to all going down only. We will be stopping for lunch at the joining of Huayllapa river and Guanacpatay river, after we have to walk along the Huayllapa river rocky trail until Huayllapa village.

Huayllapa is the small isolated peasant village lies at 3700 m.a.s.l. Citizens from this village made this small town even without electricity or car trails arriving.

Can you imagine how they made this village? You’ll have the answer visiting the village, we’ll camp in the football field in the middle of this town, where the small Andean shops will provide us soda drinks, beers, and first house necessities.

Day 11 : Huayllapa – Cashpapampa

5 hours walking up and 2 hours going down Tapush 4800 m.a.s.l. This time we’ll have a bit difficult to go-up to the Tapush pass.

After getting the pass, we will walk down an easy trail. We will arrive at the camp place early and a bit tired. From here we will feel that we are almost round the Huayhuash trekking, overnight at 4600 m.a.s.l.

Day 12 : Cashpapampa – Jahuacocha

Yaucha Pass 4800 m.a.s.l. after breakfast, as always in the morning, we’ll start our trekking moderate going-up to the Yaucha Pass, in two hours we’ll arrive to the pass.

After, we will have time to rest and take pictures, we’ll continue going down along the Huacrish ravine for approx two or three hours, and suddenly we’ll be surprised by a beautiful panoramic landscape.

The Jahuacocha lake in the base of the mountains Jirishanca, Yerupaja, and Rondoy, a beautiful green color lake that lies at 4066 m.a.s.l. Where is our camp place, from this point we can enjoy the spectacular avalanches coming down from the base of the mountains Jirishanca.

Next to our camp, we’ll find a typical mountain hut for sheepherders; and his owner Mr. Delao Huaranga will receive us with a gentle treat just being friendly or to offer us a cold beer and soda. It’s hard to find at this altitude the famous Coca Cola but tourists can find it in Mr. Delao’s Humble hut, that he sells to the visitors or to people who camp in Jahuacocha.

Of course the tourists who want to know more about the Jahuacocha and the mountains, Mr Delao Huaranga will provide the information and tourists enjoy asking for the lifestyle in the mountain as Mr. Delao Huaranga’s living with his lots of sheep.

Overnight in Jahuacocha at 4066 m.a.s.l.

Time: 5-7 hrs.

Day 13 : Jahuacocha

Rest in Jahuacocha at 4066 m.a.s.l.

This day is for a free tour. Our guide will explain to the tourists many alternatives, such as fishing, going to the upper lake Solterococha, walk round the lakes, stay at the lake washing, etc.

The passengers will have coordinated the day before to provide the box lunch and others. Our staff will prepare the dinner for the success of this trek.

Day 14 : Jahuacocha – Llamac -Huaraz

This time we will feel that we have to leave the most beautiful long trekking, we will walk up easily to the place of Pampallamac (4300 m.a.s.l.) where we will say goodbye to the Cordillera Huayhuash. A few meters below we will have lunch, after resting a few minutes we will descend to the town of Llamac arriving at 3 or 4 pm approx.

This is the hometown of our muleteers: Justino Basilio and his staff, they will give us additional information about the way of life, traditional customs, agriculture and handicrafts.

Llamac is the village still unknown in handicrafts. Here Mrs. Rosario Huaranga, wife of Mr. Justino Basilio, and daughter of Mr. Delao Huaranga de Jahuacocha, provide tourists or interested visitors with wool blankets and sheets or other handmade fabrics dyed with natural colors of the plants. This handicraft is the original, not mixed with synthetic wool as in other regions, the most beautiful and typical in all of Peru. Most tourists ask for the original and typical wool ponchos with natural colors. After resting a few minutes in Llamac, we will leave at 4 pm.

Then we will start going down the Llamac River to Timpoc, where the Llamac River and the Pacllon River meet, and from here we will start going up to Chiquian by the Ainin River, arriving in Chiquian at 5 or 6 pm approximately. Here passengers will stop for a moment to continue driving to Huaraz (3 hours drive) up to the Conocoha pass 4500 m.a.s.l.

Overnight in Huaraz.

Day 15 : Huaraz – Lima

Bus transfer back to Lima.

**Prices may vary depending on travel dates. For more information, fill in the form to get in contact with a Travel Advisor.

What’s included:

Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of the trek to your city of departure.
Hotel nights in Huaraz.
Two-man tents including sleeping pads.
Kitchen crew and commissary gear with all meals included.
Bilingual guide on the trek, who will handle the first aid kit.
Llamas and porters.

Not included:

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.

Important information:

What to bring?

Backpack with rain shelter.
Sleeping bag.
Clothing for warm and cold climates like a waterproof jacket.
Rain pants and lightweight pants.
Trekking shoes.
Slippers or sandals (for showers).
Woollen or synthetic socks and a sweater.
Long- and short-sleeved polo/T-Shirts.
Rain poncho and a hat.
Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper.
Camera (wrapped in plastic bag).
Flashlight and batteries.
Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit.
Original passport, original ISIC student card and extra money in soles.
Since the weather can be very cold and moist, your clothes – once gotten wet – won’t dry at night. So take some clothes to change