Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Some - but not all - trails on the multiday treks listed here aren't clearly marked yet, so
it's best to either go with a guide or have excellent reference maps on hand (
Click here
)
.
Getting to some trailheads requires travel to nearby towns or along the rugged and beauti-
ful Conchucos Valley (east of the Cordillera Blanca), where a handful of ludicrously
friendly indigenous towns provide basic facilities and vivid cultural experiences for the
intrepid explorer (
Click here
)
. For less ambitious hikers who aren't keen on camping or
refuges, consider making a day hike out of some of the longer trips by starting early and
turning back with enough time to transfer back to your hotel. You'll need to pay the park
entrance (S5) to do these hikes.
Huaraz-Wilkahuaín-Laguna Ahuac
You can start this relatively easy and well-marked day hike (one day) to Laguna Ahuac
(4560m) in Huaraz or at the Wilkahuaín Ruins (
Click here
)
. From the latter (a S20 taxi
ride), it takes about four hours and makes an excellent early acclimatization trip or pleas-
ant day trip; starting in Huaraz adds about two hours. On the ground you'll notice furry
rabbit-like
vizcachas
sniffing around. Looking up, you can't miss the big mountain views
of the southern end of the Cordillera Blanca.
Laguna Churup
The hamlet of
Pitec
(3850m), just above Huaraz, is the best place to start this six-hour
hike to the beautiful Laguna Churup (4450m) at the base of Nevado Churup. You can se-
lect from approaching along either the left-hand or right-hand side of the valley; most
folks opt for the left approach. This day hike is often chosen as an acclimatization hike,
but note the altitudes and the 600m ascent - make sure you're ready before charging into
this one. A taxi from Huaraz to Pitec will cost about S60;
combis
for Llupa (S3, 30
minutes) leave Huaraz from the corner of Raymondi and Luzuriaga about every 30
minutes (ask to be dropped off at the path to Pitec); from there it's a two-hour walk to
Pitec.
Laguna Parón
Laguna Parón (4200m) was probably more picturesque before its water levels were
lowered from 75m to 15m to prevent a collapse of Huandoy's moraine; still, it is a fantast-
ically beautiful site with views of Pirámide de Garcilaso (5885m), Huandoy (6395m),
Chacraraju (6112m) and several 1000m granite rock walls. Hikers typically hire a truck or
taxi to take them 25km to the Electroperú station at Laguna Parón and ask the taxi to wait
for the day (S180). The walk rambles around the lake on flat terrain for about two hours
and then up the valley for about 4km to a campsite at 4200m. This day hike can be exten-
