Day 1:
Transfer to the bus terminal for the spectacular trip to Huaraz.
Heading first along the pan-american highway, you will eventually
turn east and start gaining altitude as you head up towards
the Andes. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2:
Day of rest and acclimatisation to the 3100m setting.
Day 3:
Trip to Lake Llanganuco in the north of the Callejon de Huaylas
with stopovers in Carhuaz and the tragic aftermath of old
Yungay. Llanganuco is a beautiful lake in the Cordillera Blanca
region of the Huascaran National Park. There are splendid
views of the Cordillera, the highest tropical mountain range
in the world. Lunch at a typical restaurant and then return
to Huaraz.
Day 4:
Trip to Chavin de Huantar, site of the oldest pan-andean
civilisation dating back to 2000BC. Located on the outskirts
of the village of the same name, a tour of the ruins is followed
by lunch. The site has many galleries and subterranean tunnels
and houses many carved stone figures of anthropomorphic semblances
reminiscent of the Maya culture. It is the oldest known pre-Columbian
culture discovered and is known as Chavin-Kotosh. The most
remarkable piece of carving is "El Lanzon", a granite carving
4.5 metres in height. Its head is built into the roof of the
gallery and its base into the floor, making it immovable.
An anthropomorphic figure with feline teeth, it is thought
to indicate an important ceremonial, religious artefact. Return
to Huaraz where the journey takes you over the continental
divide at the high Kawish pass.
Day 5:
Early departure to Pastoruri galcier, passing through the
towns of Recuay and Catac. Once heading into the National
Park, you will see the Puya Raymondi, the remarkable exotic
plant that belongs to the pineapple family, and takes 29 years
to grow. With thousands of flowers, it towers over 12m in
height and is the tallest flowering plant in the world. Along
the way, you will also see prehistoric wall paintings, and
natural carbonated mineral springs. Once at the foot of the
glacier, the trail will take about an hour to walk. Return
to Huaraz and then by luxury night bus back to Lima.
(There are a plethora of adventure opportunites around
Huaraz from rafting to trekking, horse riding to mountain
climbing - please ask for further details) .