Vivencial Huaraz

Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to your hostel.

After breakfast, transfer to the bus terminal for the trip to Huaraz, situated in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Transfer to the guest house for a traditional Huaracino style breakfast based on traditional "tamales" and "quinua" wheat drink. Free morning to rest and enjoy the beautiful weather of Huaraz. Afternoon city tour, where you will be able to appreciate the main attractions like the "Señor de la Soledad" church, the main square, the regional museum and its traditional districts: Belen, Centenario, San Francisco and Huarupampa, that still maintain their attractive, enchantments and originality. A visit to the José Olaya street which is the only street of old Huaraz that survived the earthquake of 1970.

Meals: B

After breakfast, we drive to Vicos, stopping along the way at Marcara town, to start the side trip to the Chancos thermal baths, where you´ll be able to enjoy these natural saunas. Lunch at Chancos baths and in the afternoon, transfer by horse to the lodging house in Vicos, offered by the Vicosina family. We shall listen to typical music of the area and enjoy tasteful coca tea and the beautiful views of the white mountain range. After, we will help the members of the Vicosina family gather up their cattle. At night we will bond ourselves with the mysteries of the andean landscape and listen to the stories and legends of the villagers.

Meals: B & L

We will wake at dawn to "chacchar" (chew) on coca leaf, necessary to undertake the tasks of the day at this high altitude location. We will help cut the wheat and tie bundles that weigh up to 40 kilos (88.2 lbs) and carry them to the storage house. Breakfast, prepared by the women farmers of fried bread with honey and a hot cup of wheat coffee. In the afternoon, the host family will organize a delicious outdoors "pachamanca" for lunch, and enjoy an exchange of experiences. Afterwards, we will participate in textile activities, practiced by craftsmen. As the afternoon passes by, we will learn how to prepare the bread in a mud furnace, and the women will offer us some delicious "papakashki" (potatoes soup), or simply taste "cachangas" with a comforting cup of coffee. An optional nocturnal walk for those who still have some energy left.

Meals: B & L

After an early breakfast, we will make a long walk to the deep gorge, where we can appreciate the beautiful views of the great number of snow peaks over 6000m (20000 feet) high. A picnic is prepared of cooked salad of beans, cancha, chicha and herbal teas. At the end of the tour we will return to the lodge for a snack and a rest.

Meals: B

A very early traditional breakfast with the family, followed by a long walk to Ichicqueta viewpoint, Hornocuta and then Pishcupunta. During the route, a stop will be made to prepare a picnic and to share the experiences of the previous days. We will return to the lodge and finally return to Huaraz and an overnight stay at the Lodge in Huaraz.

Meals: B

Drive to Canrey Chico where we will be served the traditional Andean breakfast of "Papacashqui" and drink a hot coffee made of toasted barley. Then we begin our walk of approximately 6 to 7 hours with the Llamas. Today we will enjoy the most beautiful panoramic views of the white peaked mountains and beautiful landscapes at an altitude of 3500m. Camp at 3700m at Rodio.

After breakfast, we'll continue hiking with our Llamas and go along a pre-Inca Trail for approximately 8 hours, again enjoying the beautiful scenery. An arduous walk as we climb the only pass, Yanashallash at 4700m. After reaching the pass, we'll have lunch, and then start our descent to our next camp at Shoncopampa, situated at 3800m.

Meals: B

After a typical andean breakfast, we'll descend even further with the llamas for approximately 7 km, passing through several local villages such as Chichucancha, Hatu and Nunupata. Here we will have lunch, and then continue going down until we reach the pre-inca ruins of CHAVIN at 3050m. We shall leave our belongings in the hotel and then have a guided visit of the ruins. Return to the hotel for the night.

Meals: B

After breakfast, we'll board the bus for Huaraz, and head back via the Tambillos ravine until the highest pass of the Kawuish Tunel at 4500m; the point that marks the continental divide. Descent to the Conde ravine and to the turquoise lake of Querococha and from here back to Huaraz.

Meals: B

After breakfast, return to Lima by bus. Reception and transfer to the hostel.

Meals: B

Leisurely day with plenty of opportunity for shopping before your transfer to the airport and your return flight home.