Backpacking in Huaraz, Cordillera Blanca Mountain Range!
Backpacking Guided Hikes are for people looking for a more challenging multi-day hiking experience. These hikes are in remote and often challenging areas where a high level of fitness is required by all.
These tours are rugged and the facilities can be basic at times: camp, stay in mountain huts or sleep under the stars.
The trips will however reward you with spectacular views and a real sense of achievement.
On these trips everyone lends a hand: whether it’s cooking, washing or pitching a tent together.
No multi-day hiking experience is needed but you need to be a good walker and able to carry a backpack.
Acclimatization
We highly recommend that you arrive in Huaraz at least three days before the trek departs and spend time doing day hikes to higher altitude, this will help with acclimatization to the new altitude. We can help organise day hikes for you.
Good Backpacking Trek options are:
Pisco Base Camp & Lake 69 Backpacking Trek
Our Pisco Base Camp and Lake 69 backpacking trek is a unique introduction to the Cordillera Blanca Mountain Range offering panoramic mountain views, impressive valleys and beautiful glacial lakes.
The trek is close to the highest mountains of Peru such as the twin peaks of Huascaran being the biggest mountain in Peru and the highest tropical mountain in the world, Chopicalqui, Yanapaccha, Chacraraju and Huandoys.
Length: 1 night and 2 days trek
Grade: Strenuous / Up to 4 – 6 hours physical activity each day
Start/Finish: Huaraz
Distance: 16 Km
Maximum Altitude: 4850m
Season: All year round
Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz – Llanganuco Lakes – Cebollapampa – Pisco Base Camp
You are picked up at your accommodation and begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Callejon de Huaylas Valley and then into the Huascaran National Park, past the turquoise Llanganuco Lakes to Cebollapampa 3900m (2½ hours drive). Here we start our climb on a good path for 4 to 5 hours to Pisco Base Camp 4670m. where we set up our camp.
Day 2: Pisco Base Camp – Lake 69 – Cebollapampa
Today we make a traverse a long a good but rocky path before we climb up to a viewpoint. From there we descend to Lake 69 and then we take Demanda Valley down to Cebollapampa. 6 hours walk.
Quilcayhuanca to Cojup Valley Backpacking Trek
This backpacking trek takes in some of the most scenically dramatic and little-walked valleys of the Cordillera Blanca Mountain range. The trek route takes us past two jewel-like glacial lakes and provides excellent opportunities for watching Condors. There are superb mountain views throughout.
Length: 2 night and 3 days trek
Grade: Moderate / Up to 4 – 6 hours physical activity each day
Start/Finish: Huaraz
Distance: 35 Km
Maximum Altitude: 4900m
Season: All year round
Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz – Pitec – Cruce de Cayesh
You are picked up at your accommodation and begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive, passing small villages of Unchus and Llupa to Pitec 3880m (1 hour drive). There are opportunities for photo stops along the way. An easy walk up the Quebrada Quilcayhuanca Valley to camp at the head of the valley at Cruce de Cayesh 4100m at the foot of Andavite mountain (4 hours hike). In the afternoon, we can hike into the Quebrada Cayesh valley, which offers very close views of the snow-capped mountains of Cayesh and Chopiraju.
Day 2: Cruce de Cayesh – Choco Pass – Cruce de Cayesh
We ascend gradually to an awesome lookout that offers great views of Nevados San Juan, Tullparaju, Pucaranra Mountains and beautiful glacial lakes. We return down to camp. 6 to 7 hours walk.
Day 3: Cruce de Cayesh – Pitec – Huaraz
Return down the valley to Pitec where the car will be waiting to take us to Huaraz. 3 hours hike and 1 hour drive.
What to Bring
All you need is appropriate clothing, a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots (and a spirit of adventure with a good dose of endurance for this trip!!).
BACKPACKING EQUIPMENT LIST
*Backpack: Internal frame, 50-60 liters
*Sleeping bag: Down bag rated 20 degrees with compression stuff sack
*Pocket knife: Simple, light
*Small thermos: Optional, but nice to have
*Water bottles: 2 liters combined capacity; bottles or bladder
*Walking poles
CLOTHING AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
*Hiking boots: Sturdy, waterproof, comfortable boots
*Socks: 2 pair of medium weight wool or synthetic blend socks
*Base layers: Synthetic t-shirt and synthetic underwear
*Soft shell pants: warm enough for cool mornings and nights, yet light enough for warm days
*Soft shell jacket: light weight
*Insulated vest: down
*Hard shell jacket: waterproof and breathable, no insulation
*Hats: one with brim, one for warmth
*Sunglasses
*Sunscreen and lip balm: water/sweat-proof
*Headlamp: with extra batteries
*Toiletries: Toilet paper, toothbrush/paste, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.
*Personal first-aid kit: for your personal meds/needs; guide will have one as well
*Stuff sacks: for convenient packing
*Camera
*Lunch food: Everything you eat between breakfast and dinner. May include: bagels, dried meats, cheese, trail mix, candy bars, peanut butter, etc…
This has been by far the best guided trip we have done in South America. The day length was sometimes short but the side trips made up for this & were a good challenge. We will be back! Jessica Bourne, England
Contact us for more options and information.
