The glacier covered peaks of the Cordillera Blanca soar into the blue skies of northern Peru. This tour takes you to the highest tropical range on earth, more than 70 summits top 18,000 feet and awesome Huascaran reigns over this range at 22,204 feet. We spend a couple days acclimatizing around the mountain town of Huaraz.
Huaraz offers a wide variety of activities - biking rafting, ruins, markets. Our challenging five-day trek takes us on an unparalleled alpine adventure, past turquoise lakes, towering peaks, flower filled meadows, and isolated villages seemingly lost in time.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Lima. Overnight.
Day 2: Travel To Huaraz
You'll travel north today for a spectacular journey into the high Andes. Rising into the second highest mountain range in the world, you'll pass fertile fields of sugarcane and continue your climb up dry eroding hills, eventually turning into the dense puna grasslands. At Conococha Pass (13,385 feet) you'll turn north and descend into a world of surreal vistas and towering white mountains.
Days: 3-4 Callejon de Huaylas
The unsurpassed scenic beauty of the Santa Valley separates the soaring Cordillera Negra and Cordillera Blanca mountains. Huaraz makes a perfect base to explore this region's stunning diversity. Take a half-day hike in the Cordillera Negra or visit the pre-Inca ruins of Chavín de Huantar or Huari Tiahuanaco. Visit one of the nearby indigenous villages and try your bargaining skills in one of the colorful local markets. There's also Class III rafting down the Rio Santa. The days are yours to enjoy the panoramic vistas and unique cultural treasures of the region.
Days: 5-9 Trekking the Cordillera Blancas (5B,5L,4D)
Your trek begins in the village of Cashapampa, on the morning of Day 5, where your arrieros wait for you to load your gear onto their mules for your journey into the wild Cordillera Blanca. A gradual uphill trail takes you through the narrow entrance to the Quebrada Santa Cruz Gorge and along it's sparkling glacier-fed river. Your nights will be spent at high elevation campsites close to mountain lakes like Ichiccocha Lake and at the feet of glacier capped peaks.
Your trek will take you through alpine meadows overlooking pre-Inca trail of paved stonework, fluted glacier peaks, and challenging alpine passes, with green, flower filled slopes and cascading rivers. Along your journey you'll likely spot abundant and peculiar wildlife and enjoy the pure and simple hospitality of the local people. You will also see Queñual and Quisar tree forests, who's twisted trunks offer a testament to the harsh conditions of their environment.
Bask in the simple splendor of Mother Nature as you journey through panoramic views of soaring Andean summits such as Huascaran (22,205 ft), Huandoy (20,980 ft) and Chopicalki (20,845 ft). On Day 9 of your adventure you'll reach the village of Yungay, where you can give your yired feet a break and take a bus down the bumpy dirt roads back to Huaraz.
Day 10: Bus to Lima and Return Home
Return to Lima to catch your red-eye flight, or do an extension to the Amazon or Machu Picchu!
Accommodations: 5 nights comfortable hotels, 4 nights camping
Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Transportation: buses, vans, and your own feet in the Cordillera Blanca!
An active itinerary of snowcapped mountains, and ancient ruins. The trek is a moderate to difficult five-day hike so travelers should be fit.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Supplement: US$250
US$1525 - CBT10
3 travelers
US$1875 - CBT10
2 travelers
US$1645 - CBT14
Back Country Blanca - Add 3 days trekking for a true backcountry experience. 4 or more travelers.
US$2360 - CBT14
Back Country Blanca - Add 3 days trekking for a true backcountry experience. 2 Travelers.
Personal Budgeting: Allow US$105 for meals not included, US$28 international departure tax, money for souvenirs!
Pre & Post Tour Accommodations: Share US$45, Single US$90
Arrival/Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each, 2 or more people US$25/person
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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