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- The heart of Cordillera Blanca
The Heart of Cordillera Blanca 2024
The newest trekking route in the Cordillera Blanca.
This very popular trek ascends the Akilpo Valley and crosses the Akilpo high pass at 5000 m, below spectacular peaks of the Cordillera Blanca (Tocllaraju, Ishinca, Ranrapalca) and bordering turquoise glacial lakes.
Also, before finishing the trek, camp next to the Mullaca lagoon and cross the spectacular Paso del Zorro (4980 m).
The beautiful Andean wild flowers abound during the trekking season.
- The guide will meet you before departure in Huaraz to do a full gear check and briefing.
- Start: 7:00am in Huaraz.
- Finish: 14:00 aprox. in Huaraz.
- Best season from April to October
DIFFICULTY
Moderate to hard, the highest point is Paso Akilpo (5000 m)
GUARANTEED SERVICE
We will fulfill everything we offered you, there is nothing hidden, no surprises.
MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE
It means that distraction and relaxation are guaranteed.
BILINGUAL GUIDED
All guided tours in Spanish and English. Groups could be mixed.
Program details: Akilpo Ishinca Mullaca and Paso del Zorro
- ITINERARY
- WHAT INCLUDES?
- PRICES & DATES
- WHAT TO KNOW?
Day 01: Huaraz - Honcopampa (3800 m) - hike to Akilpo valley camp (4200 m)
Duration: 1.5 hours (by car) 5 hours (hiking)
Distance hiking: 11 km approx.
We will leave Huaraz around 7:30 am. Pick up from your hotel, then we will head north to Taricá, from there we will take northeast to Honcopampa around 1.5 hours. We will organize the donkey driver and the donkeys will immediately start walking through the Akilpo valley parallel to the calm river that descends from the lagoon. This hike will take about 3.5 hours, around 4000 meters, the forest is less. We will find a wide and open valley, finally we will arrive at the first Akilpo camp (5 hours of hike).
Day 02: Akilpo valley - Yanaraju pass (4 950 m) – Ishinca basecamp. (4 100 m)
Duration: 6 to 8 hours approx
Distance: 14 km approx
This day starts around 7:00 am. After breakfast the trail is flat to the end of the valley, then changes and back up to Akilpo Lake. 2.5 hours approximately, here we will take a break to take pictures after the break, we will cross to the right side of the beautiful lake and take the trail in the direction of Yanaraju pass for 1.5 hours more. From the pass we will have an incredible view of more than 10 surrounding peaks (Tocllaraju, Palcaraju, Pucaranra, Ranrapalca, Copa, Huascaran Hualcan.etc.) and lakes in both directions Ishinca Valley and Akilpo Valley; finally we will descend towards the Ishinca valley along slow paths and in some parts steep for about 2 hours. We will arrive at the flat valley and 1 hour more to the camp (7 to 8 hours of walking)
Day 03: Ishinca valley camp - Mullaca lake (4600 m)
Duration: 6 – 7 hours aprox
Distance: 13 km aprox
After breakfast we will walk along an easy path along the Ishinca Valley until we find the entrance control of the Huascaran National Park. We will pay the entrance fee, then we will leave the valley and begin to cross the beautiful vegetation of the community of Collón in front of the Cordillera Negra. After 4 hours of walking we will have lunch before starting the ascent to Laguna Mullaca. After lunch we will do zic zacs uphill for approximately 2 more hours until the next camp. The twin lakes of Mullaca, the sight of the sun this day are memorable. (6 – 7 hours of walking)
Day 04: Mullaca camp - Paso del Zorro (4980 m) - Ahuak lake - Willcahuain - Transport to Huaraz.
Duration: 5 to 6 hours hiking, 25 minutes by transport
Distance: 11 km approx
We will start the walk after breakfast. This day we will go uphill for approximately 2 hours to Paso del Zorro, one of the best places to enjoy views of most of the peaks along the Cordillera Blanca y Negra. Huaraz on the other side of the pass waiting to welcome us after 4 intense days in the mountains. Finally we will descend through a rocky path for 1 hour and we will arrive at the last Lake called Ahuac. Then we will descend an endless zig zag for 2 hours until we reach the town of Paria Wilcahuain and while we wait for the donkeys with our luggage we can take advantage of the time to visit a very interesting pre-Inca archaeological site. (5 – 6 hours walk, 25 minutes transport)
What’s included?
Services included in the prices:
- Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. The meeting will be at the afternoon before the trip begins.
- Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will travel by private transportation to the starting point of the trek.
- Experienced Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
- All camping & cooking equipment (sleeping, Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by the donkeys).
- Cargo Mules: For to carry the all camping equipment and your allowance of personal baggage (6 kgs/13.2 lbs).
- Trekking Cook: A chef specialized in cooking on the trail, with an assistant (if the group is more than 8 people), will prepare all of your delicious meals along the journey to replenish your energy. You will never go hungry!.
- Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners (Vegetarian option are available at no extra cost).
- Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will woken up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
- Tea time daily: Every afternoon before dinner, the cook will provide popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you will not have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
- Snacks on the trail daily: Our snacks consist of local fruits, biscuits, chocolate, caramels, etc. We will give this snack to you at the beginning of each day in your cloth bag.
- Entrance fee to Huascaran National Park
- Medical kit: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Transport: Private transport from end of trek to your hotel in Huaraz.
Not included:
- Hotel accommodations for specified time in Lima and Huaraz.
- Sleeping Bags: Considered a personal equipment, but you can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -10ºC. They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
- Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
- Day 1 breakfast and last day dinner in Huaraz city.
- Travel, Personal, and/or medical insurance
- Personal clothing and gear
- Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.
- Additional expenses as a result of leaving the tour early or additional expenses as a result of an emergency rescue or evacuation.
- Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)
Prices according to number of people Please contact us for more information.
GROUP DEPARTURE PRICE:
5 to 8 participants (Price x person) | From: US$ 350 |
- If you book in advance we find the other participants for the date you choice. (Group Service considerate from 5 to 8 participants) We open a new group minimum base on 2.
PRIVATE SERVICE (exclusive):
Price x person
01 person | US $ 920 |
02 people | US $ 550 |
04 people | US $ 430 |
06 people | US $ 350 |
- If you want to take this PRIVATE SERVICE, you can book up to a week before the date (subject to availability).
- If you are a group of friends or family of 4 people or more, we recommend that you try to organize your experience in PRIVATE SERVICE, because you only know the health situation of your circle of friends and/or family.
Group departures programed 2024:
DATES | FREE SPACES | JOIN US NOW ! |
May 04 – 07 | 6 spots | Book |
May 12- 15 | 6 spots | Book |
June 08 – 11 | 5 spots | Book |
FAQs?
How many days do I need to aclimate in Huaraz BEFORE THE TREK?
It is very important to be well acclimated to the altitude before exerting yourself on a trek. We do recommend that you arrive to Huaraz at least 2 or 3 days before the trek starts to help you become acclimatized and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness while on the trek.
We can organize day hikes & other tours around Huaraz for your acclimatization:
- Laguna Willcacocha Trek – Half Day Tour
- Laguna 69 trek – Full Day Tour
- Laguna Churup trek – Full Day Tour
If you have already been in another area of Peru at high altitude before arriving in Huaraz, we still recommend you have a complete day in Huaraz to rest, recover from your travel, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Huaraz before departing for the trek.
Hotels, bus before/after trek?
We can also organize transfers, hotels in Huaraz or other cities, packages in the rest of the country etc. If you would prefer more services, from the airport in Lima for example or a complete Peru travel package, please let us know.
Can you accommodate food sensitivities?
Our cooks are used to dealing with vegetarians. However, other clients and staff may have a conventional diet. Meals are prepared in the same tent and scents of meals can not be avoided. if you do not want to eat your meal in the same tent with clients having a conventional diet, please inquire about a private tour.
How to book the trek?
FIRST: To make a booking, please email us to check availability and receive customized booking form.
All customers or leader of grup will need to fill out a Passenger details form. Please be ready with the following information:
- Personal information (Full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender and passport number
- Nationality and date of birth
- Dietary requirements and medical conditions (alergies)
SECOND: We require a deposit of 50% per person in order to purchase a permit for the Huascaran National Park 4 days. You can make your deposit by Paypal, VISA/Mastercard/Dinners or another cards (payment link) or Wester Union (request our data). All subject to transfer fee
Important for group departures!
- If you book in advance we find the other participants for the date you choice. (Group Service considerate from 5 to 8 participants) We open a new group minimum base on 2.
- For booking validation you should deposit a 50% of total price, and rest 50% you pay when you arrive to Peru or Huaraz.
- Dear visitors you should know that our company is available to provide wherever information regarding our trip, for detailed information you should request us and we will reply as soon as possible, because we have an expert guide available.
- Our trek rates can change according the book time or number of participants, contact with us for more information please.
Information for a better experience during the trek
Packing list for trekking in Perú
During the treks in Cordilleras Huayhuash or Blanca you will fill your backpack just enough. Clothes, sleeping bag, accessories depending of the tour duration.
Altitude sickness in Perú? Travel tips
It is important to know what precautions to take before traveling to the Andes of Peru, also because of its geography, Soroche is a possibility.