Inca Trail Treks
Sacred Valley Treks
Huaraz Treks
Preparation
Peru: Family Trek with Llamas
On this page: Overview | Itinerary | Pricing
Overview
This is a good trek for families with children (ages 7 and older), but is also a good introduction to trekking for any group of adults or young people.
Starting in Lima, you will fly to Huaraz for two days of acclimatization in the Cordillera Blanca (snow peaked mountains). Day hikes and trips will help you get in condition for trekking. The trek itself is three days with a guide, crew and llamas (to carry the gear). You carry a day pack. There is an option for adding horses for children to ride enroute, in case they cannot "go the distance". Ending the trek in the Chavin vicinity then allows two nights at a beautiful lodge with a playground and nearby cultural visits to a farm and to weavers.
Itinerary in Brief
| Day 1: | Lima to Huaraz |
| Day 2: | Day hike - Marian to Wilcawain |
| Day 3: | Day trip to Huascaran National Park |
| Day 4 -6: | 3-day trek with llamas |
| Day 7: | Cultural visit to Chavin de Huantar and local farm |
| Day 8: | Return to Huaraz |
| Day 9: | Flight to Lima |
[Note: This itinerary can be extended with a trip to Cusco and train ride to Machu Picchu. Allow 3 or 4 additional days for this extension.]
- Duration : 9 days/8 nights
- Season : April - October
Itinerary
DAY 1: Lima/Huaraz/Monterrey
Our adventure begins with an early arrival in Lima or a transfer from our hotel in Lima to the airport. After a one-hour morning flight to Huaraz, we will be met and taken to our hotel in Monterrey, about 5 km north of Huaraz. We have the afternoon free with an optional Huaraz city tour or a visit to hot springs near our hotel. Overnight in Monterrey (3-star hotel).
DAY 2: Day Hike - Marian to Wilcawain
Leaving from our hotel by vehicle, a 30-minute ride will bring us to the village of Marian. From here, we will hike past farms and through mountain meadows to Willcawain – an archaeological site of the Recuay – Wari culture. We will visit the complex and have a served lunch in the vicinity. On the trail, we will observe five gulleys that surround Huaraz with the snow – capped peaks of Vallunaraju, Ranrapalca, Churup and San Juan. We pass fields tended by campesinos with their adobe houses clustered in this patchwork of land. A unique day in the outskirts of Huaraz. Overnight in Monterrey (3-star hotel) (BL).
DAY 3: Day trip to Huascaran National Park
In the heart of the Huascaran National Park lies the Llanganuco valley, at the foot of Peru’s highest peak, Mt. Huascaran (6,768 m / 22,204 ft). Our day begins with the drive from Huaraz to the starting point of our hike at Quebrada Demanda, where we will have amazing views of the icy peaks of Huandoy, Chacraraju and Pisco. After a picnic lunch we will take a leisurely walk around the edge of one of two big glacial lakes on the valley floor and descend the María José path down to the roadhead, among a beautiful queñua forest, an andean old – growth tree. In the afternoon we return to Monterrey, stopping enroute at an ice cream parlor in Carhuaz. Overnight in Monterrey (3-star hotel) (BL).
DAY 4: Trek Olleros to Sacracancha
Today we begin our trek after breakfast. Our guide picks us up and we travel by car to the trailhead at Olleros to meet the rest of the crew and llamas (who will be carrying our gear). We hike to Sacracancha and camp overnight there (BLD).
(Trekking: 5 hours Distance: 8-10 kms)
(Note: Riding horses for portions of this trek may be an added option, if requested in advance).
DAY 5: Trek Sacracancha to Shoncopampa
This is a long day of hiking but pleasant. After breakfast, we continue hiking up through the narrow valley towards the only pass on the trek, the Yanashallash pass at 4700m. Here we will reach the other side of the Cordillera Blanca. With beautiful views of the surrounding area, we will continue the route until we reach the last camp at Shoncopampa and stay overnight there (BLD). (Trekking: 9 hours Distance: 13-14 kms)
DAY 6: Trek Shoncopampa to Chavin
The final day of trekking is downhill to Chavin. After breakfast, you will descend with the llamas, passing through the peasant villages of Chichucancha, Hatu and Nunupata where you will have lunch. After, you will continue the trek with the mountain Huantsan at 6395m coming into view before reaching the archaeological site of Chavin de Huantar. A car will take you to Konchukos Tambo Lodge for dinner and overnight (BLD) (Trekking: 4 hours Distance: 11-12 kms).
DAY 7: Chavin Vicinity
This is a day to relax, although a tour of Chavin de Huantar is included. This archeological site dates back to 800-400 B.C. The tour is highlighted by the underground passages and rooms that you can explore. The afternoon includes a visit to a local working farm and to the home of a weaver. Overnight at Konchukos Tambo Lodge (BLD).
Day 8: Chavin/Huaraz
After breakfast, drive back to Huaraz, passing over the passing through the Kawish tunnel at 4,550 meters (14,924 ft) and by the Querococha Lake. Overnight in Monterrey (3-star hotel) (B).
Day 9:Huaraz/Lima
Transfer to airport for morning return flight to Lima. End services (B).
Pricing
| # Passengers in Group | 2 | 3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | 10-12 | Single Supplement |
| Price per Person | $1290 | $1095 | $1005 | $865 | $825 | $240 |
SERVICES INCLUDED: Transfers; 4 nights hotel in Monterrey (Huaraz vicinity); 2 nights lodging at Konchucos Lodge in Chavin vicinity; day hike and day trip in Cordillera Blanca; 3-day trek with llamas (2 nights tenting); 1/2 day tour of Chavin; 1/2 day cultural visit to farm and weaver; bi-lingual guides; transportation to/from trailheads; drivers; all meals listed; entrance fees.
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Tips for your guides, cook, llama driver, vehicle driver, and hotel staff; meals not listed; flights to/from Huaraz (approximately US$120/person one way); extra hotel nights in Lima and Huaraz; personal expenses.
If horses are requested for the trek, in case a child needs a "rest" from hiking, the added price is US$40/first horse for the trek (includes handler), and US$15/each additional horse.