Machu Picchu & Hiking Cordillera Huayhuash (18 Days)

Introduction

Cordiliera Huayhuash

Huayhuash Trek

Cordillera Huayhuash Trek

Cordillera Huayhuash, Camping near Laguna Jurau

Cordillera Huayhuash

Plaza de Armas - Cusco

Cusco, Peru

Stone House at Machu Picchu with no roof

Machu Picchu Luxury Vacations

Doorway at Ollantaytambo Ruins

Maras Salt Pans - near the Sacred Valley

Historic Lima - Plaza Mayor

Cordiliera Huayhuash

Huayhuash Trek

Cordillera Huayhuash Trek

Cordillera Huayhuash, Camping near Laguna Jurau

Cordillera Huayhuash

Plaza de Armas - Cusco

Cusco, Peru

Stone House at Machu Picchu with no roof

Machu Picchu Luxury Vacations

Doorway at Ollantaytambo Ruins

Maras Salt Pans - near the Sacred Valley

Historic Lima - Plaza Mayor

• 1

  Day 1

  International Arrival Lima

  Today you will arrive into Lima from your international flight. Overnight at Lima Airport Hotel.

• 2

  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.

• 3

  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.

• 4

  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.

• 5

  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.

• 6

  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.

• 7

  Day 7

  Free Day Huaraz. Overnight Huaraz Hotel.

  Free day to enjoy Huaraz and acclimatize. Overnight in Huaraz Hotel.

• 8

  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.

• 9

  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.

• 10

  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.

• 11

  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 .

• 12

  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.

• 13

  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.

• 14

  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.

• 15

  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.

• 16

  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.

• 17

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

• 18

  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.