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TREKKING IN Peru - THE CENTRAL ANDES

Trekking in Peru with donkeys
Camping in the Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru


Santa Cruz-Llanganuco Trek

Trekking in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash

In the geographical centre of Peru, the twin mountain ranges of the Cordillera Huayhuash and the Cordillera Blanca meet, providing one of the best locations for high-altitude trekking in the world. From day treks to fortnight-long expeditions, the Central Andes really do have it all and now it's easy for you to enjoy it too!

While the Inca Trail has Machu Picchu at its end, in the Andes the sights are natural rather than man-made but some of the mountains are more stunning than even the famous lost city. We work with the acknowledged experts in the area and both our guides and equipment are top-notch. Even our donkey-drivers are the best in the business so you know that you can just concentrate on enjoying the breathtaking beauty you can see all around you.

This classic four-day Peru trek involves hiking out into the Cordillera Blanca from Huaraz and takes in some of the most spectacular scenery the Andes has to offer. You will be accompanied by an expert English-speaking guide as you set off from Huaraz to the entrance to the Huascaran National Park, where you will be met by your donkeys, donkey-driver and cook. From the base you trek upwards into the National Park, where your four-day trip will afford you stunning views of Huascaran, Peru's largest peak at 6,746m, and several other beautiful mountains, as well as beautiful valleys and crystal-clear glacial lakes such as Laguna Llanganuco before the hiking ends at the town of Caraz, where we'll take you by bus back to Huaraz. The highest point of the trek is the Punta Union pass at 4700m and so we would recommend some acclimatisation time and at least one day trek before setting off!


Trekking in the Cordillera Huayhuash

This is the real deal! The Cordillera Huayhuash is probably the best thing that hiking in Peru has to offer. The Huayhuash had a rather wild reputation until recently and so it is still comparatively unexplored which is great if you like your stunning mountain views to yourself! We offer a selection of treks in the area but we really recommend that you think about the complete 9-day Huayhuash circuit. It has absolutely everything you could wish for and was recently voted the second most-beautiful trek in the world by National Geographic. From green valleys and glacial lakes to snow-capped peaks, from condors to vicuñas, from strolling along grassy paths to scrambling up to rocky passes it really has everything you could wish for!

You can see our Huayhuash hiking holiday for an exact itinerary but you can be sure that this trek will meet your expectations. You are above 4000m almost the whole time and this brings you into contact with a range of ecosystems, views and wildlife which is difficult to find anywhere else in the world. This trek is certainly serious hiking and you'll want a proper acclimatisation schedule but Huaraz makes a great base for this and we can take you on a series of day treks (and perhaps some ice-climbing if you're feeling adventurous?) to make sure you're ready! You can be certain it's worth the effort and you can be sure our expert guides will make sure you get the very best out of your trek.


Diablo Mudo Trek

This is one of our specialist programmes for those who are interested in some serious trekking. This is a fourteen-day programme which covers the bits of the Huayhuash that the other groups don't reach! You start out from the Chiquian trailhead and for a while follow the same path as that of a more standard Huayhuash trek - albeit with a few detours through some of the less well-known valleys and passes - but in week two you strike out away from what wasn't a particularly well-beaten path to begin with, as you head for Suerococha. From here, you will climb up to Diablo Mudo and then begin your return to Chiquian. You will be accompanied throughout by an accredited guide, cook, cook's assistant and donkey-drivers and you will benefit from the use of our modern, imported equipment which should make those bracing Huayhuash mornings a little more comfortable!


Our holidays trekking in Peru

If trekking in Peru has taken your fancy then you can be confident that we can work these treks into any of our holidays in Peru - you just have to ask! All our holidays and all the trekking in Peru that we organise is tailormade to your specifications, so if you'd like to do one of these treks or any combination of them that's what you'll do! And, of course, while you're in the country it makes sense to visit some of Peru's amazing historical and cultural sites as part of your trip! Have a look at some of our sample Peru holidays for some ideas:

Other Peru Treks, Holiday in the Huaraz Area, Trekking the pre-Inca trail to Kuelap


Our Services on holiday in Peru

When you book a holiday trekking in Peru with Real Peru, you're not just guaranteeing yourself fantastic treks with the best guides and equipment, or great hotels in perfect locations to relax in afterwards! You're also going to benefit from our specialist experience and expert advice. Because we know Peru so well, we can help all our customers before they even get to Peru with advice on food, drink, money, where to eat, where NOT to eat - all the other hints and tips that make sure that your holiday hiking in Peru is a fantastic experience.

Remember, we want you to see The Real Peru and we go that extra mile to make sure you get the very best out of our favourite country!

To download this information about trekking in Peru in PDF format click here


Peru Holiday Photo Galleries

CORDILLERA BLANCA GALLERY
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LA PAZ CITY BREAK
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If nothing on this page answers your questions about trekking in Peru or if you'd like to know more about our treks or holidays in Peru is to email us or call us on 0113 216 1440. We're always happy to help you find out more about our favourite country!


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If you're a hiking enthusiast try a Peru holiday in the Cordillera Huayhuash...