Departure/Return Dates:
July 14 to July 29, 2000

Day 1 Friday— July 14: USA/Lima

Depart the USA on an afternoon flight to Lima where we will be met at the airport and transferred to a comfortable hotel for an overnight stay in the residential district of San Isidro.

Day 2 Saturday — July 15: Huaraz

This morning we will board our private bus for an 8 hour drive to Huaraz. We head north along the Pan-American Highway crossing the desert coast, then turning inland and climbing through the Cordillera Negra or Black mountain range. We reach Conococha pass (13,385') before descending into Huaraz at 10,200 feet. Driving distance: 250 miles, about 8 hours

Day 3 Sunday — July 16: Huaraz

We rest and get ready for our exciting trip to Cordillera Huayhuash.

Day 4 Monday — July 17: Huaraz/Pachacoto/Pastoruri/Cuartelhuain

We drive towards quebrada Carpa, passing Pachacoto where we can see the rare Puya Raymondi cacti. On the way we will have excellent views of Cordillera Blanca.We continue our drive over the Huarapasca pass (15,680') followed by the second pass at Yanashallash (15,350') from where we have views of Cordilleras Huallanca, Blanca and Huayhuash. We descend to the small village of Huallanca and follow the San Juan River until it crosses the Cuncush pass (15,580'), before finally descending to our camp in Cuartelhuain at 13,100 feet.

Day 5 Tuesday — July 18: Mitucocha

We begin the climb up to Cacananpunta pass at 15,400 feet; we descend to our camp at Laguna (Lake) Mitucocha. We have spectacular views of the ice-capped peaks of Rondoy (19,258'), Jirishanca (19,994') and Ninashanca (18,395'). Today's trek: 7 miles

Day 6 Wednesday — July 19: Carhuacocha

We climb up the Carhuac pass at 15,200 feet from where we have views of the summit of Yerupajá (21,765') the second highest peak in Perú. From here a descent brings us to our spectacular camp at Laguna Carhuacocha at 13,575 feet. The camp offers impressive views of the ice-peaks of Yerupajá (21,765'), Jirishanca (19,994') and Sarapo (20,100'). Today's trek: 6.5 miles

Day 7 Thursday — July 20: Suerococha

We ascend to Carnicero pass at 15,100 feet and descend to Laguna Atocshaico, we pass the community of Huayhuash at 14,270 feet and reach our camp at Laguna Suerococha. We will have excellent views of Puscanturpa (17,854'). Today's trek: 10 miles

Day 8 Friday — July 21: Cuyoccuta

We continue up the Portachuelo de Huayhuash pass at 15,600 feet, from where we have views of Mounts Jurau (19,554'), Trapecio (18,583') and Carnicero (19,620') on the west and Cordillera Raura to the southeast. We descend to Laguna Viconga at 14,760 feet and continue pass the dam, turning west and climbing up the steep trail to Punta Cuyoc pass at 16,400 feet, our highest pass. At the top of the pass we are treated to spectacular scenery before descending to our camp in Cuyoccuta. Today's trek: 10.5 miles

Day 9 Saturday — July 22: Huatiac

This morning we continue descending along the Guanacpatai valley; crossing the junction of Río Huayllapa, the trail becomes steep climbing up to our camp in Huatiac. Today's trek: 10.5 miles

Day 10 Sunday — July 23: Jahuacocha

We continue the climb to Tapush pass at 15,750 feet. We descend to Laguna Susucocha and climb again to "Yaucha pass" at 15,900 feet before descending to our camp at Laguna Jahuacocha at 13,285 feet. We have views of Yerupajá, Rasac, Jirishanca and other peaks.

Today's trek: 9 miles

Day 11 Monday — July 24: Jahuacocha

Today is a day to enjoy and explore the surroundings and rest. This afternoon we will enjoy a specially prepared traditional "Pachamanca" dinner feast, prepared in an ancient Quechua method of cooking meat and vegetables underground with heated stones. Camp in Jahuacocha. Today's hikes: optional distances

Day 12 Tuesday — July 25: Llamac

After a leisured morning, we begin with a short descent into Rio Achin valley, passing a few houses and continuing up the trail along the water canal. A long descent takes us to the village of Llamac and into our camp at aprox 10,800 feet.

Today's trek: 10.5 miles

Day 13 Wednesday — July 26: Chiquian

This morning we hike down to the junction at Rio Pativilca and continue up the climb to Chiquian. Overnight in Chiquian. Today's trek: 10 miles

Day 14 Thursday — July 27: Chiquian/Lima

This morning we depart in our private bus to Lima.

Day 15 Friday — July 28: Lima

We'll have an opportunity to relax or visit museums before joining our local guide for a tour of the Gold museum; a display of one of the largest and finest collections of pre-Columbian artifacts in the world. A day room is available. Tonight we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Day 16 Saturday — July 29: Lima/USA

Early morning arrival in the USA.

TRIP FEE INCLUDES:

• Round trip airfare from Los Angeles, New York or Miami, including U.S. airport fees and taxes.

• Baggage assistance in Perú.

• All airport transfers and ground transportation in Perú on scheduled days.

• All accommodations in Perú are in comfortable quality hotels or First Class tents, based on double occupancy, 2 persons sharing a room or tent. Single rooms are available at a supplemental cost.

• All meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Boiled water during camping. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated (please request in advance).

• All sightseeing tours and park entrance fees to destinations on the itinerary.

• The services of professional tour guides.

• Huaraz Trek:
 First Class camping and trekking services by experienced Andean guides, camp and cook staff, and Quechua Indian Arrieros with their pack animals in Huaraz. Riding horses are available. All group camping equipment. All meals included.

• Single Supplement includes single room and single tent on trek if available and requested.
 

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airport departure taxes (approximately $25.00 U.S.), traveler’s insurance (recommended), passport fees, medical immunizations (not required), optional tips to professional tour guides, sleeping bag, and personal gear. All items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, carbonated drinks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, etc.

• Expenses incurred due to flight delays, cancellations, missed connections or lost luggage. The purchase of trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended. See application included with your pre-departure information.

Note: All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules.