Mountain biking the Huascaran Circuit in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru (16 days)

Arrival in Lima – a large city with a population of approximately 11 million – the largest city in South America. Rest. If you wish, explore the city on your own. Overnight Hotel (-/-/-)

This will be a varied and interesting voyage. The drive follows the Pan American highway north across the impressive Pacific coastal desert. Continuing toward higher terrain, we pass through the Cordillera Negra (Black Range) at Conococha Pass (4020 m) into the Santa Valley and Huaraz (3100m.) Once across the pass, you’ll see a charming view of the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca, without a doubt some of the most impressive scenery in the world. You can also fly via LCPERU – flight duration 50 minutes. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)

First day on bikes , east of the city of Huaraz, to adjust to the high elevation. Huaraz – Marian – Huanchac – Wilcahuain – Monterrey – Huaraz. We’ll ride through fields and eucalyptus forests, along the valley slopes and through the villages of Marianan and Huanchac, to Wilcahuain (3,250 m), where we’ll see some pre-Incan ruins. In Wilcahuain, we have a picnic lunch and then continue at our leisure to the hot springs at Monterrey for swimming and relaxing. Afterward we return to Huaraz. Distance covered by bikes: 20 km. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Today we visit the Cordillera Negra, from where you have a magnificent view of the Cordillera Blanca. Wilcacocha is an exceptional viewpoint for the Cordillera Blanca, allowing us to identify peaks (from north to south) Huandoy Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Hualcan, Copa,Vallunaraju, Ocshapalca, Ranrapalca, Palcaraju, Churup, Chinchey, San Juan, Huamasraju, Huatzan, Cashan, Shacsha, Pucaraju, Muruaraju and Caullaraju. The camp is set on a beautiful lake, complete with wild ducks. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Our third day of acclimatization. In the morning we ride downhill from Wilcacocha to Huaraz. From there we take a short car ride (bringing the bikes) through the villages of Unchus and Llupa to Pitec (3850 m) in the Cordillera Blanca. From Pitec, we have 5-6 hours of hiking to Laguna Churup, impossible on a bike, but worthwhile nonetheless. Laguna Churup is at the foot of the glacier of 5000 meter Nevado (Mount) Churup. Descend back to Pitec on foot and have a downhill ride or go via car to Huaraz. Overnight in the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

From Huaraz we travel by minibus toward the pueblo of Carhuaz (2,650 m) and begin the seven days of the Huascarán Circuit. From Carhuaz we go by bicycle passing the village of Shilla (2910 m) and farther along the entrance to Huascarán National Park. Our camp at the beginning of the climb to Punta Olimpica Pass, is almost at the feet of these glacial mountains (“Nevados“) of Contrahierbas, Ulta and Huascarán. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

From Quebrada Ulta our next challenge is Punta Olimpica Pass (4890 m). It’s the first pass and also the most difficult climb of the tour. After working hard for 3-4 hours, 20km and 29 curves, we finally arrive at the pass, which offers a fantastic panorama in the middle of the Cordillera Blanca: the snowy peak of Huascarán with its massive east wall, along with the steep ice wall of Chopicalqui, close enough to touch the glacier. We have a rapid descent downhill past the Cancaracá Lakes and continue to our camp, close to the village of Pompeyo (3,500 m.) Today the route is by road (asphalt) from Carhuaz to the Quebrada los Conchucos. Camp at Pompeyo. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

From the village of Pompeyo, we follow the route to Lake Azulcocha (4,316 m) in a fantastic mountain landscape below the glaciers of Nevado Atlante (Atlantis Peak.) The route to the old mine is technically and physically demanding. We visit the abandoned mine and have a long downhill (in part on single track bridle path) down to Pompeyo. Camp at the same place (3,500 m). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

We start again on pavement with gentle climbs and flat passages through the villages of Chacas (3,450 m) and the bridge of the Chucpin Acochaca River (2,850 m) and then an uphill climb to the village of San Luis, about 400 meters of descent, with a dirt bike trail beginning at 33 km. Camp at San Luis (3,125 m). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

A bit of downhill with short climbs and descents until at last the bike trail or asphalt road in Llacma (2,500 m), from where we again get views of the high mountains. Back up hill, we follow a series of switchbacks to the small village of Huamas. On bikes, about 40 km. Camp at Huamas (3,200 m). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

All uphill through the village of Yanama (3,400 m) and through other native villages, arriving at Colcabamba and then the steep climb to Quebrada Morococha. After 12 to 15 elongated curves we find our camp in the small meadow of Pampamachay under the north flank of Nevado Chopicalqui (6,354 m), at about 30 km. Camp at 4,350 m. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

We begin the final stage of our circuit – starting with only 10 km to Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass (4,650 m), the second grand view of the Cordillera Blanca. After much physical effort, we are rewarded with an impressive panoramic view of these most beautiful tropical mountains. To the north we see Chopicalqui and Huascarán, to the east, the snowcapped peaks of Huandoy; in the south, the peaks of Chacraraju.
Our long and exciting descent with switchbacks to the Llanganuco lakes and toward Yungay is the appropriate way to celebrate the Trans-Cordillera Blanca biking route. Riding distance approximately 50km. Travel by bus to Huaraz. Lodging in the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

The last day in the mountains and of the tour. We’ll travel by bus 35 km south of Huaraz to the village of Catac (3.536 m) , and by bicycle some 16 km through the Quebrada Gueshgue inside Huascarán National Park. Now at last from the road at Laguna Gueshguecocha (4,350 m) there is a ravine where the famous flowers called Puya raimondi grow up to 12 meters tall. This giant plant, which looks like a candle, flourishes only in the south Cordillera Blanca and in a few places in Bolivia. Our final leg is downhill, and then the bus back to Huaraz, about 25 km. Lodging in the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Options: Flight or bus. Flights are via LC-Peru and last 50 minutes. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)

Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc. Overnight flight (B/-/-)

Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc. Overnight Home (-/-/-)