This journey of a lifetime combines two gems of Peruvian travel, Machu Picchu and the Cordillera Huayhuash Trek. Serious adventurers need only apply...

INTRODUCTION

This 18-day tour of Machu Picchu and the Cordillera Huayhuash begins with time to explore the famed Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will be guided through the ruins of Ollantaytambo, Moray and the saltpans of Maras. Learning the secrets of their past; and cultures as they exist today on the breathtaking slopes of the Andes. Onward to Machu Picchu and our insightful guides bring the ruins to life in explaining how their society evolved, their values and the ultimate downfall of the Incan Empire.

Following on, we venture to Northern Peru and the city of Huaraz nestled high in the Andes and the gateway to the Cordillera Huayhuash mountains. This lofty mountain range stretches thirty kilometers and includes seven peaks over 6000 m including Yerupajá 6,617 meters (21,709 ft) which is the second highest peak in Peru. You trek will take you deep into the heartland of the range, remote Andean villages, reaching a high point of 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) amidst pristine glaciated valleys adorned with the most vivid shimmering alpine lakes. A veritable heaven for trekkers!

QUICK OVERVIEW BY DAY:

  • Day 1 – International Arrival Lima
  • Day 2 – Mid – Morning Flight to Cusco, Afternoon Orientation Walk of Cusco
  • Day 3 – Tour of Ollantaytambo Ruins, Moray Ruins and pre-Inca Salt Pans
  • Day 4 – Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
  • Day 5 – Flight to Lima and transfer to Miraflores Hotel
  • Day 6 – Morning Bus Lima to Huaraz. Overnight Huaraz Hotel
  • Day 7 – Free Day Huaraz. Overnight Huaraz Hotel.
  • Day 8 – Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, Huaraz – Chiquian – Llamac
  • Day 9 – Llamac – Pocpa – Cuartelhuain
  • Day 10 – Cuartelhuain – Cacanan Pass – Mitucocha
  • Day 11 – Mitucocha – Carhuac Pass – Carhuacocha
  • Day 12 – Carhuacocha – Siula Pass – Huayhuash
  • Day 13 – Huayhuash – Portachuelo – Viconga
  • Day 14 – Viconga – Punta Cuyoc Pass – Huanacpatay
  • Day 15 – Huanacpatay – Huayllapa – Huatiac
  • Day 16 – Huatiac – Yaucha Pass – Jahuacocha
  • Day 17 – Jahuacocha – Llamac – Huaraz
  • Day 18 – Huaraz – Lima Airport – Departure
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Day 1 – International Arrival Lima

Today you will arrive into Lima from your international flight. Overnight at Lima Airport Hotel.
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Day 2 – Mid – Morning Flight to Cusco, Afternoon Orientation Walk of Cusco

Today you will take a mid-morning flight to Cusco (flight time: 1h 15m). Upon arrival in Cusco, we will meet you and take you on a short orientation walk of Cusco city. Cusco was once the financial and governing capital of the Inca Empire. Historians compare Cusco to great cities like Rome, Athens and Cairo. Today, impressive Inca temples, shrines and structures still dominate many parts of central and outlying Cusco. It is important to have a light first day on arrival at altitude to assist good acclimatization.
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Day 3 – Tour of Ollantaytambo Ruins, Moray Ruins and pre-Inca Salt Pans

The Sacred Valley is a tranquil rural region of Peru. It was once an important agricultural and spiritual area for the Incas. The rugged landscapes of the valley are steeped in Andean history, culture and beauty. Nowadays the flat fertile farming planes and terraces of the valley are used to grow crops native to the Andes. Quinoa, choclo (giant corn) and many varieties potato are but a few of an abundant array. Today you will be collected for a full day tour of the Sacred Valley and nearby attractions. You commence with a guided tour of Ollantaytambo Ruins in the western end of the valley. It being one of the last strongholds of the Inca Empire, the colossal mountain side ruins of Ollantaytambo are regarded as among the most impressive in the region. After lunch you’ll continue to the unique Inca ruins at Moray. The true purpose of Moray remains lost in history; however, historians believe that it was used as a form of testing ground for growing food crops. The day will end with a short visit to the pre-Inca Salt Pans of Maras. A camera is a must at Maras, as the deep red and brown ochre colors of the pans set against the green vegetation of the valley is simply breathtaking.
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Day 4 – Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

Lost to the world for more than 500 years, the pristine Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu is truly one of the world’s modern-day wonders. You will start the day with a train ride along the stunning Vilcabamba Valley to the remote town of Aguas Calientes. On approach to Aguas Calientes the scenery changes to rich jungle flora, marking the beginning of the Amazon and your visit to illustrious Machu Picchu. Our expert local guide will take you on a tour of Machu Picchu lasting approximately 2 – 2 ½ hours. After the tour, you will have several hours to explore on your own. In the late afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo followed by a private road transfer to Cusco.

We can highly recommend extending your time in Machu Picchu, by adding a night at a hotel close to the citadel. Talk to our luxury Peru travel experts to tailor an extension to meet your needs.

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Day 5 – Flight to Lima and transfer to Miraflores Hotel

We take a late morning flight to Lima. Private transfer to your hotel in the Miraflores district of Peru. This district holds a host of famous restaurants and bars and a picturesque setting aside the Pacific Ocean. A perfect place to relax before your upcoming trek of a lifetime.
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Day 6 – Morning Bus Lima to Huaraz. Overnight Huaraz Hotel

High quality bus journey from Lima to Huaraz, approximately 8 ½ hours. Transfer to Huaraz Hotel.
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Day 7 – Free Day Huaraz. Overnight Huaraz Hotel.

Free day to enjoy Huaraz and acclimatize. Overnight in Huaraz Hotel.
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Day 8 – Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, Huaraz – Chiquian – Llamac

We begin our adventure at 8 am, heading southbound from Huaraz. En route you will encounter the villages of Recuay, Ticapampa, Catac and lofty Conococha at 4100m. The route then bears south east and onward to Chiquian at 3400m. Here you can buy some supplies and we continue for four hours more aside the imposing peaks of Ninashanca, Jirichanca and Yerupaja. We arrive at our final destination of Llamac in the early afternoon. We have lunch here and set up our camp at 3300m.
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Day 9 – Llamac – Pocpa – Cuartelhuain

Following on from breakfast at Llamac we will start hiking and ascend for 4 – 5 hours to the camp site at Cuartelhuain, along this route we will passing the small village of Pocpa. Further ahead en route we will pass the Pallca mine and arrive to the campsite about 230 pm. There are some magnificent southern vistas of Mount Ninashanca to be enjoyed as the sun sets. We camp here at 4300m.
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Day 10 – Cuartelhuain – Cacanan Pass – Mitucocha

Today, after breakfast we will start our trek from Cuartelhuain and tackle the Cacanan pass at 4700m. In this spectacular setting you can absorb the panoramas of Mount Chaupijanca and Mount Cunchush. From here we descend for 2 ½ hours to the camp site at Mitucocha. This is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the peaks of Ninashanca, Jirishinca and Rondoy mountains, overnight camping is at 4200m.
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Day 11 – Mitucocha – Carhuac Pass – Carhuacocha

Today, we bear south east go and venture upward for 2 – 3 hours to the Carhuac pass at (4500m) where we can gaze across the southerly aspect to enjoy the imposing Mount Jirishanca. This is followed by a descent of about 1 ½ hours to Carhuacocha lake. The camp site is well located at 4,250m to afford the best views of the western pinnacles of Jirishanca, Yerupaja and Siula .
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Day 12 – Carhuacocha – Siula Pass – Huayhuash

After the breakfast in the morning we will start our trekking at 8 with a half hour of descent to Lake Carhuacocha. Onward from here we climb for 4 hours up to the Siula pass (4850m). The next hours are dominated by the craggy vistas of Jirishanca, Yerupaja, Siula and Carnicero. After this we descend for 2 ½ hours to Huayhuash and enjoy the western horizon with Mount Trapecio. We set up camp here at 4300m.
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Day 13 – Huayhuash – Portachuelo – Viconga

Following on from breakfast at Huayhuash we trek upward to the Portachuelo pass at 4700m. Where we will enjoy the majestic views of Trapecio, Cuyoc and other lofty peaks. Then a four-hour descent to Viconga with lunch en-route. This day affords a special finish as you can head to the refreshing thermal waters at Jatuncocha. We set camp at 4,100m.
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Day 14 – Viconga – Punta Cuyoc Pass – Huanacpatay

We take breakfast at Viconga, then climbing up to Cuyoc pass at 5000m. This is the pinnacle of your altitude on this trek. Your reward for all your effort is one of breathtaking views of the mountains of glaciated Puscanturpa, Cuyoc and Pumarinri. Having taken some time to enjoy the rarified air and sights we descend for three hours to Huanacpatay. Here you will camp at 4,250m and witness the spectacle of a beautiful sunset over Mount Cuyoc.
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Day 15 – Huanacpatay – Huayllapa – Huatiac

After breakfast at Huanacpatay we spend some 4- 5 hours dropping down to Huayllapa village, situated at 3400m. We spend some time enjoying this remote outpost and then venture upward for three hours to Huatiac. Again, you have a high camp site (4,400m) with spectacular vistas across to the brooding peak of Diablo Mudo.
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Day 16 – Huatiac – Yaucha Pass – Jahuacocha

From our camp we climb to the Tapush Pass at a lofty 4750m. This takes about three hours and is dominated by the views across to Diablo Mudo. From here we continue our ascension to the Yaucha Pass at 4800m. This hike takes about 2 ½ hours and is interspersed by views of the eastern peaks of Ninashanca, Jirishanca and Yerupaja. Then final chapter of the hike today is downward to for two hours to our camp Jahuacocha at 4100m.
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Day 17 – Jahuacocha – Llamac – Huaraz

Departing Jahuacocha we hike for about 1 hour on easy terrain , then upward to the Pampallamac Pass at 4300m. This route enjoys splendid views of Yerupaja, Ninashanca, Siula and Diablo Mudo. To complete this astounding journey, we descend then we go down to Llamac which takes 1 ½ hours. Here, your private transfer will be waiting for to transfer you the three-hour journey back to Huaraz.

NOTE:
Maximum 10 kilo luggage for the Cordillera Huayhuash trek

TREK DETAILS:
Distance: 118 Km (73 Miles)
Higher Pass: 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) Punta Cuyoc Pass
Difficulty: Moderate

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Day 18 – Huaraz – Lima Airport – Departure

Transfer out from your Huaraz hotel to Huaraz bus station. Mid- morning high quality bus from Huaraz to Lima, approximately 8 ½ hours. Transfer to Lima airport and connect to your onward flight home. This journey is guaranteed to leave you forever enriched in both mind, body and spirit.

TOUR INFORMATION

Our trips are tailor-made to suit your requirements. Contact a luxury Peru Vacation expert for a comprehensive itinerary and pricing:

  • US$ 325+ per person per day (based on 5-star hotels)**
  • US$ 275 – 325 per person per day (based on 4-star hotels)**
  • US$ 250 – 275 per person per day (based on 3-star hotels)**

Included in the Price:

  • Guided excursions as described in itinerary.
  • Hotel nights + breakfasts.
  • Airport collections and drop-offs with check-in and baggage assistance.
  • 24 Hour emergency contact number and assistance (in-country).

Not Included in the Price:

  • International flights.
  • Domestic flight package. Flights required: Lima – Cusco / Cusco – Lima. Approximate cost US$ 400 – 450 per person.
  • Tips or gratuities.
  • Other meals not stated in the itinerary.
  • Travel insurance.

The highlands of Peru (Cusco Region and Ancash Region) has two seasons, the wet season(November – April) and the dry season (May – October). High-season is from April – November and Christmas and New Year. February and March are the quietest months but have the heaviest rainfall.

Departure Dates:
Dates are flexible and customized to meet your needs. Let us know which dates work best for you and we will tailor the itinerary accordingly.

Suitability:
This Peru vacation package is recommended for adults only.

Difficulty:
Easy: This trip is considered moderate to difficult considering the length and altitude of the Huayhuash Trek. It is recommended to have a good level of fitness to complete this Latin America vacation package.

Destinations Visited:

  • The Sacred Valley
  • Machu Picchu
  • Cusco
  • Huaraz
  • Cordillera Huayhuash
  • Lima

Vacation Package Type:

  • Wildlife
  • Nature
  • Sightseeing
  • Adventure & Hiking

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Tell us about your travel plans, and let us hand-craft the perfect trip for you

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