Champará trek, Cordillera Blanca

My highlight list of this trek: the diversity and beauty of the landscapes encountered, the discovery of pre-Hispanic vestiges (tombs and terraces). This sport and cultural adventure will transport you to the heart of the Andes.

Fruit of many years of exploration in the region, the route that we propose takes place partly in a particularly wild and uncrowded area by tourists. Possibility for those who wish it, to climb on the way a small summit with a magnificent view of some giants of the Cordillera Blanca.

Duration:
– Trekking: 12 days
– Total trip: 16 days / 15 nights

Best period:
May to September

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Day 1: Arrival at Lima airport
Day 2: Lima – Huaraz
Day 3: Huaraz (acclimatization Pukaventana)
Day 4: Huaraz – Llanganuco – Vaquería – Cachinapampa
Day 5: Cachinapampa – Tuctupampa
Day 6: Tuctupampa – Kiswar
Day 7: Kiswar – Jancapampa
Day 8: Jancapampa – Tayapampa
Day 9: Tayapampa – Rayánpampa
Day 10: Rayánpampa – Milliscocha
Day 11: Milliscocha (rest) or possibility to climb Pilanco (5300 m)
Day 12: Milliscocha – Ruinapampa
Day 13: Ruinapampa – Tsaquicocha
Day 14: Tsaquicocha – Hualcayan – Huaraz
Day 15: Huaraz – Lima
Day 16: Lima – transfer to airport

DETAILED PROGRAM

DAY 1 – Arrival at Lima airport

Arrival at Lima Airport and transfer by taxi to your hotel in Miraflores. Your hotel offers – in addition to its strategical location – an ideal place to discover Lima: its restaurants, shops and bars, its museums and art of living, lulled by the Pacific. It is the favorite area for tourists and Lima’s elite! Dinner on your own.

DAY 2 – Lima – Huaraz

Transfer in the morning at the bus terminal. Seven hours’ drive are needed to reach Huaraz, capital of Ancash department, renowned place of the South American mountaineering. Transfer to your hotel. Lunch served in the bus, dinner on your own.

DAY 3 – Huaraz (acclimatization Pukaventana)

Departure in the morning for an acclimatization walk on the heights of Huaraz. After a short climb along a narrow ridge, we follow an ancient irrigation canal. On the way down, we walk into a narrow canyon to reach Huaraz, where we arrive in the mid-afternoon. Lunch included, dinner on your own.

DAY 4 – Huaraz – Llanganuco – Vaquería – Cachinapampa

Transfer by private bus to the village of Vaquería (4 hours), located on the eastern side of the Cordillera Blanca. On the way, we will discover the beautiful Llanganuco Valley, with its vertical granite walls and its glacial lake with turquoise waters. Then we climb through a series of impressive tight turns to the Portachelo of Llanganuco (4,800 m), and enjoy the exceptional view on the Huascaran, Chopicalqui, Huandoys, Pisco … After we descend to Vaquería, nestled on the slopes of a deep valley.

We meet with our muleteer and begin the trek. Quiet climb in the Huaripampa valley, passing through populated areas. This path offers a magnificent view of the slender Chacraraju ridge (6001 m). Camp setup at Cachinapampa.

DAY 5 – Cachinapampa – Tuctupampa

Sweet day, fair vertical drop, ideal to complete our acclimatization. Continuing our climb in Huaripampa valley, we cross grazing areas and beautiful forests of quenoals (tortuous trees, with coppery bark, which hold the world altitude record!). Camp setup at Tuctupampa at the foot of the Taulliraju (5,830 m). Option: Possibility for those who wish to go up the valley towards the pass of Punta Unión (4750 m) and return to camp in the late afternoon. Total walking time in the day: 7 hours (1 050 m, -595 m)

DAY 6 – Tuctupampa – Kiswar

We continue our climb, steep but short enough, until the Alto of Pucaraju (4,650 m): from this pass, the panorama of the surrounding peaks is simply magnificent! Then long descent in a wild valley to Kiswar camp, located along a river.

DAY 7 – Kiswar – Jancapampa

We go up a broad valley, dotted with huts. Beside cattle, its inhabitants live from tuber culture. Then we reach the altitude steppes and cross the Tupatupa pass (4400 m). Descent on the hamlet of Pingospampa. Camp setup at Jancapampa at the foot of a majestic glacier circus. The afternoon is decorated with the visit of children from the valley.

DAY 8 – Jancapampa – Tayapampa

Early departure for a long climb in the beautiful valley of Yanajanca: lakes, waterfalls, forests and thickets of quenoals along the route. Once the pass of Yanacon is crossed (4610 m), we descend into a valley where live the alpaca breeders. We take an old trail that will make us reach more altitude and set up camp in front of the North-East wall of the Alpamayo.

DAY 9 – Tayapampa – Rayánpampa

A new climb expects us, in a scenery of snowy peaks and rugged glaciers. With a little luck we can observe condors! Once past the pass of Mesapata (4460 m), we descend into the Mayobamba steppe valley. Arrived at the locality of Sirwapampa, we will follow the river in the narrow valley. The climate is becoming warmer and humid, and the dramatic changes in vegetation (cactus, bromeliads, lush forests). Camp setup at Rayánpampa, not far from a shepherd hut.

DAY 10 – Rayánpampa – Milliscocha

Sustained uphill (take about 3 hours walk) along an ancient path, where once the inhabitants of the region transited. Passage of a pass at 4300 meters and installation of the camp down below. In this remote area, we can admire the glacier Pilanco. Below it there are splendid multicolored lakes.

DAY 11 – Milliscocha (rest) or possibility to climb Pilanco (5300 m)

Today, according to your shape and your desires, several options are possible: Option 1: Rest day or discovery. Possibility to take a closer view on Milliscocha Lakes and learn a little more about the dynamics of glaciers and global warming. Option 2: Early departure to the ascent of the glacier summit of Nevado Pilanco (PD, 5300 m). Our efforts will be rewarded with a magnificent view of some giants of the Cordillera: Alpamayo, Quitaraju, Santa Cruz, and Champará. Return to the camp in the afternoon.

DAY 12 – Milliscocha – Ruinapampa

Today it is the most technical stage of the trek. We will go towards a wild Pass, the highest point of the stay (5050m). The descent into Los Cedros Valley will be in a rocky and unstable area. Paths are nonexistent. Arrival at the camp Ruinapampa in the afternoon.

DAY 13 – Ruinapampa – Tsaquicocha

This is a very beautiful day that awaits us, with the crossing of two passes: after a short descent, the trail rises in zigzags to the Vientunan Pass (4800 m). Then the Pishtanan Toro Pass (4,860 m). Shortly after the pass, a surprise awaits us: Cullicocha Lake turquoise waters, overlooked by the Santa Cruz glacier, suddenly revealed to us! After a break on its shore, we continue the descent along an irrigation canal. Arrival at our camp, facing the Cordillera Negra. Beautiful sunset.

DAY 14 – Tsaquicocha – Hualcayan – Huaraz

Descent to the village of Hualcayán, where our private vehicle will be waiting for us. Transfer to Huaraz. On the way, we will make a short stop in Caraz, including the Plaza de Armas, well-kept, really worth a visit. Installation in your hotel in Huaraz. Rest. Dinner on your own.

DAY 15 – Huaraz – Lima

Bus transfer to Lima. Overnight at hotel. Lunch served in the bus, dinner on your own.

DAY 16 – Lima – transfer to airport

Free morning. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your international flight. End of the trip. Lunch and dinner.

Extra details

Options

– A satellite phone (15 € / day, excluding communication costs)
– A hyperbaric chamber (15 € / day)
– Personal saddle horse (10 € / day)
– Individual tent and room (110€)

Not included

– International flight ticket
– Lunch and dinner in Huaraz and Lima
– Tips for the accompanying staff

Included

– IGV (18%): General Tax on Sales
– Accommodation (double room) in a 3 star hotel in Lima and Huaraz
– Taxi transfers in Lima and Huaraz
– Line Bus transportation Lima – Huaraz – Lima
– Private bus transportation from Huaraz to the different sites
– 1 IFMGA mountain guide
– 1 cooker
– 1 assistant cooker (groups of more than 4 people)
– Full kitchen equipment. Complete food.
– Muleteer and donkeys
– 1 saddle horse in reserve
– 1 kitchen tent, 1 mess tent, two-people tents, sleeping mats
– Entry to Huascarán National Park

Price

– 2 people: 1800€/person
– 3 people: 1600€/person
– 4 people: 1500€/person
– 5 and more people: 1300€/person