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Guided Treks · Cordillera Blanca

Quilcayhuanca Valley Trek

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 Journey

Trip Overview

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 7 snow-capped mountains San Juan, Maparaju, Cayesh, Andavite, Tullparaju, Chinchey and Pucaranra. The valley provides excellent opportunities for watching Condor, 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.

Duration
2 Day Trek
Format
Private
Activity
Guided Treks
Grade
Easy
Distance
30 km
Maximum altitude
4,625 m
Season
April to December
Service

What’s Included

Professional English Speaking Mountain Guide

Professional Cook

Donkeys and donkey driver

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner during the trek

Tents: 4 season tent (3 person tent for 2 people), dining tent with tables and chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent

Foam & air mattress

Sleeping bag

First Aid Kit

All cooking equipment, plates, cups, utensils etc.

Private transport

Entrance Fee to Huascaran National Park

Each participant is allowed to bring 5kg to be loaded on the donkeys

Service

What’s Not Included

Personal gear

Travel Insurance

Gratuities

Preparation

What to Bring

We will provide a full gear list info upon booking the trek.

Logistics

Pickup and Drop-off

We will collect and return you to any hotel located within Huaraz City.

Day by Day

Itinerary

1 DayHuaraz – Pitec – Portada - Cruce de Cayesh
You are picked up at your accommodation and begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive, passing small villages of Unchus, Llupa and Pitec and then to Portada 3850m (1 hour drive). There are opportunities for photo stops along the way. We start our trek by visiting the old paintings of Quilcayhuanca where hunters-gatherers left their work. Today’s hike is easy along the beautiful Quebrada Quilcayhuanca Valley with a little ascent in the afternoon to our camp at the head of the valley at Cruce de Cayesh 4150m at the foot of the snowy peaks of the mountain range (5-6 hours hike).
2 DayCuchillacocha Lake Visit and Return to Huaraz  
After a good breakfast, we ascend gradually to Laguna Cuchillacocha lake located at 4625m at the foot of nevado Pucaranra mountain (2½ hours walk). We then return to our campsite for lunch and after lunch we walk out the valley to Portada and then drive back to Huaraz. 8 hours walk and 1 hour drive.