11 Day – Huaraz and Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz valley where you may be able to view Mt. Alpamayo.
INCLUDED:
- Hikes
- Horseback rides if needed
- High mountain ascents,
- Overland, ETC.
- Private transportation and to and from the airport.
- Explorations daily with Guide
- Beautiful Camp sites
- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours sites and communities
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners (Vegetarian option available).
- snacks while on the trek
- Shaman Guide the entire trip.
- Professional cook
- Bottled water daily.
- Service for children (Hot Chocolate and Bread)
- All camping accommodations
- Wranglers and Donkeys to carry camping equipment and any excess gear
- Air mattresses
- Kitchen, dining and latrine tent
- Hot water in the morning for washing and at night
- First Aid and Oxygen Bottle
FIRST DAY:
Arrive in Lima, you’ll be transferred to your hotel by our guides and Driver. If you arrive early, we would be happy to arrange optional tours of museums, the city, and its surroundings sites, there are lots of choices of Markets and food tours as well.
SECOND DAY:
Depart early by private transportation for the city of Huaraz (10,140 ft), located about 250 miles north of Lima. We will have the opportunity to stop at Caral ancient, the OLDEST know city in the Americas. Developed simultaneously with the ancient cultures of mesopotamia and Egypt about 5000 years ago. The archeological site of Caral is among Peru’s most impressive ruins and makes a popular stop. This revealed an elaborate complex of temples, sunken plazas and some of the largest terraced pyramids in the world, leading archeologists to ponder the possibility of Caral being the fabled ‘Mother City’ of ancient civilizations. Now open to the public, the site has garnered acclaim for its beautifully preserved ruins and intriguing collection of artifacts, which include a quipu (a unique knot system used by ancient Andean civilizations) and a number of musical instruments fashioned from animal bones, but significantly, no trace of warfare or weaponry near by a great lunch provided. You will enjoy several lush green valleys, cutting through the coastal desert, before reaching the town of Pativilca. Turning inland, the main road winds up to Conococha pass (13,120 ft), where you’ll experience the first breathtaking glimpse of the Cordillera Blanca. Arrive in Huaraz where you’ll be spending the night in a comfortable hotel. (B,L)
THIRD DAY:
All morning to relax and sleep inn to acclimatize, 12:00PM pick up and take you for a great lunch, and visit the colorful markets and other sights in and around Huaraz. A favorite activity of travelers is a short hike to the statue of the Virgin Mary perched above Huaraz. Here you will enjoy a panoramic view of both the Cordillera Blanca and its sister range, the Cordillera Negra, or Black Range. This night will be a great moment to meet our specialize guide to discuss the upcoming trek and visiting the Chavin the Huantar Site, allowing plenty of time for last minute preparations in Huaraz. (B,L)
FOURTH DAY:
After great breakfast today is 10-hour exploration of the Chavin de Huantar archaeological site and picturesque Querococha Lagoon. Discover the Peruvian traditional towns like Ticapampa, Catac and Recuay before heading to the postcard-worthy Querococha Lagoon. You’ll spend the next 2 hours exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Chavin de Huantar, including the city’s impressive stone work and a nearby museum of ceramics and other artifacts. Back to the hotel for another great night (B,L)
FIFTH DAY:
Pick up early in the morning for a trip to Huascaran National Park and a short hike in the small valley of Quebrada Demanda. In the early afternoon, continue along this narrow road as it twists and turns to the pass at Portachuelo de Llanganuco, (15,580 ft). If the evening is clear, enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju, the latter being one of Peru’s most difficult mountains to climb. At sunset, private transportation by Vaqueria, the first campsite. (B, L, D)
SIXTH DAY:
Your Andean Mountain Peru ecotour continues with a leisurely walk into the Huaripampa valley past small farming settlements and Andean vegetation, here you will learn from the Local about the variety of great food grown naturally in this part of Peru, many of the farmers just speaks the native Languaje. The snowcapped peaks of Paria and Taulliraju come into view. Camp for the evening in the vicinity of Paria or Tuctu. (B,L,D)
SEVENTH DAY:
Wake up tea will be provided with lots of variety of choices and coca tea and Muña, continuing with breakfast. Here the trail starts ascending towards Punta Union pass (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 you approach the pass, Mt. Taulliraju looms above. When you reach the other side of the mountain, you’ll come upon the glacier and its lake, and from there, have a spectacular view of scenic Santa Cruz valley. The trail descends to camp at 13,200 ft. (B,L,D)
EIGHTH DAY:
Continue down the Santa Cruz valley where you may be able to view Mt. Alpamayo. The landscape of your Peru tour changes as screen slope and rock boulders appear on each side of the now marshy meadow. Toward the end of the day, trek out of the ever-narrowing gully into Llamacorral, here enjoy the local citizens growing the Lamas and Alpacas. This evening’s campsite for a great dinner. (B,L,D)
NINTH DAY
Healthy breakfast provided and an early morning’s hike begins with a steep descent to Cashapampa where After a nice activity we will have short stop and have our snacks and see how our professional cook who will prepare a Pacha Manca with lots of varieties of meals that includes variety of meats and vegetables, this is a cooking underground and have an experience like our ancestors did in the high mountains. After we will have our vehicle will take you back to Huaraz, arriving in the afternoon. Stay overnight at a Huaraz hotel. (B,L)
TENTH DAY:
This morning’s our Private transportation will returns you to Lima, with an amazing box lunch prepared by our cook to tide you over. You’ll arrive in the late afternoon and be transferred to your hotel. (B,L)
ELEVENTH DAY:
Transfer to the airport in the morning for your international flight home, marking the end of Elite Travel services and your Peru tour. Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima can be arranged if you wish to stay on. (B)
- BEST TIME TO VISIT APRIL-NOVEMBER
KEY: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
HOTELES: Are listed in each day, you can get more information by entering to their Web page.
*Please note that exact pick up times and tour start times will be reconfirmed daily with your local guides.
*For more extended tours, it will be our pleasure to help you, just contact us and we will give you the best option.
*Hotel upgrades are available; please contact us to discuss your best options.
- Cell Phone, Phone Charger
- Clock/ alarm / lock for your important things at hotels
- Bank Card authorized
- Luggage lock
- Passport
- Camera
- Reading and Sun Glasses
- Cash USD and not broken dollar bills
- Small day back pack
- Comfortable walking shoes and shoes you can hike in.
- Waterproof Jacket
- Wind proof jacket, mostly clothes for mild weather 60-70 degrees F.
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves for high altitude evenings.
- Sleeping bags
- Good camera and extra battery and memory card
- Good flash light
- 220/ 110V ( plug) adaptor
- Insect repellent (you can buy it there if needed)
- Sun block, sunglasses, hat
- Some school supplies to share with the children while visiting communities. (Pencils, Pens, notebooks etc.)
- Hikes
- Horseback rides if needed
- High mountain ascents,
- Overland, ETC.
- Private transportation and to and from the airport.
- Explorations daily with Guide
- Beautiful Camp sites
- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours sites and communities
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners (Vegetarian option available).
- snacks while on the trek
- Shaman Guide the entire trip.
- Professional cook
- Bottled water daily.
- Service for children (Hot Chocolate and Bread)
- All camping accommodations
- Wranglers and Donkeys to carry camping equipment and any excess gear
- Air mattresses
- Kitchen, dining and latrine tent
- Hot water in the morning for washing and at night
- First Aid and Oxygen Bottle
- Tips. (bellmen, waiters, guides, cooks, drivers and wranglers)
- Sleeping bags
