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.

2007 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)

2007 Prices:

• $1095 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 and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning, there are optional tours available today, or you can explore the city on your own. Overnight.

Day 2/Saturday: Pick up at your hotel and transfer to the local bus station. Early morning departure by first-class coach to the city of Huaraz, located about 400 Kms. north of Lima. Following the Panamerican Highway north across Lima we will pass several lush green valleys that cut through the coastal desert until we reach the town of Pativilca. Turning inland the main road winds its way up along the Fortaleza River for a good two hours. Finally we reach the Pass of Conococha (4,000 m.a.s.l. / 13,120 ft.) where we will get our first glimpse of the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in the world. From here the road descends slowly along the Santa River as we pass a vast area of highland pastures. As we approach Huaraz, the vegetation changes into that of an interandean valley, surrounded by clusters of red-tiled houses. On arrival in Huaraz, you are met and transferred to the Hotel Patio or similar. 3,000 m.a.s.l. / 19,840 ft. Dinner on your own. (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 gully between the Huascaran massif and the Huandoy three-pronged peak. As we reach the overhanging valley we arrive at the boundary of the National Park of Huascaran. Llanganuco, as the area is known, has two lakes that have turquoise waters, and passing them we will arrive at Quebrada Demanda, a small valley where we will undertake a short hike. In the early afternoon 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 panorama of Mt. Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju, the latter being one of the most difficult mountains to climb in Peru. As the evening falls, we drive down to our first campsite at Vaqueria. Time: 2 hours. Distance: 3 KM/1.8 miles. (B, L, D)

Day 4/Monday: The day starts with a leisurely walk down towards Colcapampa. Before we reach the village, a trail will make its way to the left over a small ridge into the Huaripampa valley. As we slowly head up this valley past small settlements of farmers, surrounded by agricultural activity and andean vegetation, the snow-capped peaks of Paria and Taulliraju will come into view, passing meadows and fields along the way. Camp in the vicinity of Paria or Tuctu, in the heart of Huascarán National Park. (Time:5-6 hours. Distance: 11 KM/6.6 miles) (B, L, D)

Day 5/Tuesday: The trail starts ascending towards Punta Union, a pass at 4,700 m.a.s.l. (15,711 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 Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, Artesonaju, will come into view as well as the two lakes of Ichicocha and Jarhuacocha. The trail descends into Taullipampa or Quiswarpampa, where we will camp at 4,000 m.a.s.l. (13,200 ft.). (Time:7 hours. Distance: 13 KM/7.8 miles.) (B, L, D)

Day 6/Wednesday: Past the side-valley of Arhuaycocha with a possibility to view Mt. Apumayo, we continue down the Santa Cruz Valley. 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 gully into Llamacorral, where we will camp. (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 16.5 KM/9.9 miles.) (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 camp crew as the road winds slowly down to the main valley, arriving in the afternoon. Dinner on your own, overnight at hotel. (Time: 2.5 hours. Distance: 7 KM/4.2 miles) (B, L)

Day 8/Friday: Morning bus ride to Lima, box lunch included on the way. Late afternoon arrival in Lima (end of program). Transfer provided for your connecting flight. If you would like a hotel room for this day, or would like to spend an additional night in Lima, this can be arranged for an additional cost of $140 for a single, and $70 per person for a double. (Includes transfers from the bus station to the hotel, and return to the airport + 1 night hotel accommodations). (B, L)

For those who are staying in Lima one more night:

Day 9/Saturday: Transfer to the airport for your return, or on-going flights(B)

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 trek can be done directly following the Inca Trail of Peru Trek--the perfect combination! Please see our Ancient Trails itinerary for 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.