Cordillera Blanca Trek of Peru

The Cordillera Blanca in the northern Peruvian Andes is the world's largest concentration of glaciers within the tropical zone. Along its over 100 mile length, 20 to 30 peaks rise above 18,000'. Thirty other peaks are higher than 17,000'. The Cordillera is interrupted by 15 glacial valleys creating ideal routes which lead past peaks west of the main crest into the center of this majestic range.

2009 Departure Dates:  Every Friday between April and November

Note: Minimum of 2 persons required to operate any departure

(All trips depart on Fridays, and return on the following Friday, with an option to spend Friday night in Lima & return on Saturday for a small additional cost)

2009 Prices:

• $1750 per person based on double occupancy
• $1345 per person based on single occupancy (includes private tent)

Itinerary

Day 1/Friday: Arrival to Lima, Peru. On arrival, you are met by our local representative and assisted with your luggage to the nearby Costa del Sol Airport hotel.

Day 2/Saturday: Our guide will meet you in the morning to assist help you with the check-in and airport formalities for your flights to Huarazy. Departure time approximately 8:30 AM, arriving Huaraz at 9:40 AM. On arrival you are met and transferred to the Hotel Andino or similar for one night. Free day to explore Huaraz & acclimatize. (B)

Day 3/Sunday: Leaving early in the morning we drive down along the Santa Valley passing several villages until we reach present-day Yungay. The road winds slowly up into the gulley between the Huascaran massif and the Huandoy three-pronged peak. As we reach the overhanging valley we arrive at the boundary of Huascaran National Park. Llanganuco, as the area is known, has two lakes, Chinancocha and Orconcocha which have turquoise waters. We continue on this narrow road as it twists and turns to the pass at Portachuelo of Llanganuco at 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,580 ft.) From this point, if the evening is clear, we will get a spectacular view of Mt. Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju, We continue down until about 40 minutes before our first campsite at Vaqueria 3700 m.a.s.l. (12,136 ft) where will undertake a short hike.. (B, L, D)

Day 4/Monday: The day starts with a leisurely walk down towards a trail which makes its way to the left over a small ridge into the Huaripampa Valley. As we slowly head up this valley we pass a small settlement of farmers, going by their agricultural activity and Andean vegetation. The snow-capped peak of Chacraraju, Taulliraju will come into view passing meadows and fields along the way. Camp in the vicinity of Paria or Tuctu. (Time 5-6 hours. Distance 11 Kms.) (B, L, D)

Day 5/Tuesday: The trail starts ascending towards Punta Union, a pass at 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,580 ft.) This old trail was heavily used in pre-columbian and Colonial times as a route for transporting goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley. As we approach the pass, Mt. Taulliraju will loom above us and on the other side its glacial lake and glacier will add color and contrast to the amazing view down the Santa Cruz Valley. The peaks of Quitaraju, Artesonaju and Rinrijirca will come into view as well as the two lakes of Ichicocha and Jatunconcha. The trail descends into Taullipampa where we will camp at 4,100 m.a.s.l. (13,448 ft.). (Time:7 hours. Distance: 13 Kms.) (B, L, D)

Day 6/Wednesday: Today we continue our hike down the Santa Cruz Valley, past the side-valley of Arhuaycocha with great views of snow capped mountains including Mt. Alpamayo. The landscape changes, and scree slopes appear on each side of the now marshy meadow as well as rock boulders fallen from the eroded walls above us. Finally towards the end of the day we walk out of the ever-narrowing canyon into Llamacorral, where we will camp at 3,500 m.a.s.l. (11,480 ft.) (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 16.5 Kms.) (B, L, D)

Day 7/Thursday: A steep descent brings us to Cashapampa in the early morning. We meet a vehicle that will take us back to Huaraz saying good-bye to our camp crew as the road winds slowly down to the main valley, arriving in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel and dinner on your own. (Time: 2:30 hours. Distance: 7 Kms.) (B, L)

Day 8/Friday: Morning transfer to the airport for flights to Lima. Departure time is approximately 10:10 AM, arriving Lima 11:20 AM. Our local driver will meet you after you claim your luggage, and transfer you to the Miraflores area of Lima where we have reserved you have a hotel reserved for your use until late check-out (or overnight if needed). Free afternoon to explore this seaside suburb of Lima, visit the Gold Museum at Larcomar or the handicraft market. Late evening transfer back to the airport for your return flights. (B)

Day 9/Saturday: Arrival in US

CB=Continental Breakfast; B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Included: Hotel accommodations as specified, all meals while on the trek, excursions and land transfers as specified, guiding, porters, and common camping equipment.

Not included: Flights and airline taxes of any kind, departure taxes, insurance, and items of a personal nature, such as laundry, phone, personal beverages, excess baggage charges, and gratuities. Additional expenses caused by the delay or extension of a trip due to weather, political disputes, or other causes beyond our control.

In general, we provide twin tents, foam mattress, all communal camping gear. Passengers must supply their own sleeping bags, day-packs, and duffel bags for transporting their gear. A complete clothing and equipment list will be provided once you are confirmed on a trip.

Trip Notes:

• The Cordillera Blanca is considered a moderate to strenuous trek, including consistent uphill hiking at altitudes of 12-15,000 feet. Participants should be in good physical condition, and maintain a regular exercise program at for at least 3 months prior to their trip. Previous hiking experience, as well as a pair of broken-in hiking boots, are also required!
• This trip requires an addition of domestic flights Lima-Huaraz-Lima. We will be happy to assist you with these arrangements. Ticket prices average between $275-$325 round-trip, and will be confirmed once we have your trip deposit.
• The Cordillera Blanca trip combines perfectly with our Tuesday departure on the Inca Trail. See our Ancient Trails itinerary for all the details.
• This trip begins and ends in Lima, Peru, which can be reach by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines.
• Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted international airfares from most US cities, local airpasses, and complete land packages through-out Latin America.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Note Special restrictions apply to Peru departures:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.