Discover this U-shaped valley, carved by glaciers, where human history started by hunters-gatherers 9000 B.C. and later the first Andean Empire built terraces, checkpoints or places to rest between 550 A.C. to 1100 A. C. The trek takes in some of the most scenically dramatic and little-walked valleys of the Cordillera Blanca Mountain Range. The beauty of the valley is represented by two jewel-like glacial lakes Tullpacocha and Cuchillacocha and 9 snow-capped mountains San Juan, Maparaju, Cayesh, Andavite, Tullparaju, Chinchey, Pucaranra, Huapi and Huantsan.
Natural History
The valleys are great places to observe native Andean alpine flora, especially the many wildflowers that bloom during the trekking season, including buttercups, ranunculus, lupines and several species of orchids. Many encrustations of deep-red bromeliads can be seen along the track, sprouting from boulders and on rock faces. Fauna includes mountain caracaras, falcons, Andean geese and ducks, hawks, hummingbirds, American kestrels, puna ibis, Andean swifts, Andean foxes and mountain vizcachas. Sightings of the mighty condor are possible.
