Cerro Blanco is the highest sand dune in the world, it was considerate a sacred mountain for the Nazca civilization. The real name of this sand dune is in Quechua language “Yuraq Orqjo”, it means “White Mountain” located on the east of Nazca valley, only one hour driving by the asphalt road to Cusco. Cerro Blanco was firstly summit by Saul Ceron (our tour guide) in 1994, when nobody believes him to introduce this sand dune into the tourism industry. Today Cerro Blanco is getting popular for adventurous travelers wants to explore every corner of Cerro Blanco, people comes from over the world to do sand board on the sand slopes.
Cerro Blanco offer nice alternative panoramic seeing for hike lovers, the strategic location between the coast and the Andes makes impressive lookout from the summit (2070m). Green valleys, deep canyon, and the mountains make contrast with minerals oxide of iron, cooper, silver and gold. Surrounding Cerro Blanco are hundreds of abandoned and worked mining, were the miners from Nazca open tunnels to find the appreciate gold. Cerro Blanco trekking tour runs hiking in abandoned Inca network between the coast and high Andes of Peru, hiking through the Inca Trail is possible to observe wildlife as Andean foxes, Andean eagle, Condor, Vizcachas, falcons, Deer’s, and others animals and plants adapted to the driest desert of Peru. Cerro Blanco trek takes a full day combine trekking over Rocky Mountains, arid canyon, and desert and carob tree of Tagura valley.
Tour Itinerary:
At 5am the participants will be collected from their hotels and drive in our private van from Nazca to km 23 on the way to Cusco. After arrive to the trailhead we start to climb on the stony single track through small canyons, and unforgettable scenery till reach the firstly sand slopes (1200m). There will find an ancestral Inca network was connecting the coast valley with the Andean valleys.
Short time of trekking along the Inca Trail till the trail disappears in the sand. Climb on the serpentine sandy trail by east face of the sand dune, the trekking on the sand dune will be gradual and not to exigent, trekking on the dune you will see spectacular views of the deep canyon of Ronquillo and Trigal. After 3 or 4 hours uphill reach the top and you will have the best panoramic view around the highest sand dune in the world. At the summit we spend couple hours, if you like you can practice sandboard in the small dunes and have fun until the departure time.
At 1pm after having lunch (snack) setting on the top of Cerro Blanco (2070m) we start to descend into the Taruga valley, this time of the day will be the warmest temperature and then sandy wind coming from the sea to Andes. Downhill trekking takes about 3 or 4 hours through slopes of the dune and stony canyons, seeing the flora and wild fauna of Cerro Blanco. If you are lucky is possible to appreciate the Andean condor flying over our heads, the Andean foxes and deer’s are common to them running away from the visitors.
At 4pm enter to Taruga valley it is located on the southwest of Cerro Blanco, this place keeps a long area of carob tree forest. This forest is appropriate for bird watchers lovers where is possible to find many kind of birds nesting in the trees, birds as Owl, vermilion flycatcher, Turkey Vulture, American Kestrel, Rufous-collared, owl, Peruvian Ground Dove, Columba livia, and many more. At mentioned time aboard our private van and return (1 hour) to hotel in Nasca.
Price Includes:
- Official English speaking guide
- Private transfer by van from Nazca to the trailhead, km 23 on the way to Cusco
- Private transfer by van from Taruga Valley to Nazca
- Snack (Fresh fruit, chocolates, sandwiches and cookies)
- Tour assistance (only if the group size is more than 6 people)
- Mobile phone emergency communication
- First aid kit for our clients and camp staff
- Trekking price include government taxes.
Price Excludes:
- Alcoholic drinks
- Breakfast on the first day
- Personal porter to carry your items
- Drinking water and snack
- Lunch
- Tips for guide and camp staff
- Trekking price include government taxes.
What You Need to Bring/Carry:
- Trekking shoes
- Bottle of water, we strongly recommend to bring 4lt per person
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
- Headlamp for emergency
- Personal medicines
- Sun block (sun protection cream)
- Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc
- Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
- Sunglasses
- Optional: Trekking poles or walking sticks
- Extra money (soles)
Temperature Of Cerro Blanco: During the day is very warm, normally the temperature will be 25ºC to 35ºC all year.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Backpacker service (Join a group):
1 to more participants US$85 each
Private VIP service (private guide):
2 participants US$120 each
3-4 participants US$100 each
5 to more participants US$85 each
Discount 5%: South American Explorers Club Members
Discount 10%: Tour Operators or Travel Agencies Only
Students: US$25 discount only with valid green ISIC card
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Hiking & Trekking
Ecotourism
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