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Length: 3 days
Grade: Moderate. Up to 5-7 hours physical activity each day. Some exposure to heights
Pre-trek Briefing: The guide will meet you the day before departure at 4.30pm at 777 Bello Horizonte Passage, Huaraz to do a full gear check and finalize last minute details.
Start: 7:30am Huaraz
Finish: Huaraz
Departs: April to October
Join a scheduled departure or book a private or custom trip with dates to suit you
This short walk crosses the 4700m Punta Yanashallash pass. The trek ends at the town of Chavin, where the pre-Inca ruins of Chavin de Huantar were founded in 900BC. The ruins are underground labyrinth that contains the El Lanzon and Raimondi stones and there are also carved heads adorning the walls of the temple.
You are picked up at your accommodation and begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Callejon de Huaylas Valley to Hacienda 3700m which is the starting point of the trek (1 hour drive). There are opportunities for photo stops along the way. We pass through the village of Olleros and Canray Chico. We ascend gently the Quebrada Uquian Valley on an ancient pre Inca trail to our first camp at Sacracancha 4100m. We have nice views of the snowcapped peaks of Shaqsha and Canshan as we walk. 6 hours walk.
We make a long but never steep climb to Punta Yanashallash 4700m Pass. As we climb up to the pass we have close views of mount Uruashraju 5722m and many small lakes in the valley below. We pass Laguna Huamanpinta Lake just before reaching the pass. From here, we descend on a good path for about 1½ hours to our camp at Jato 3900m. 7 hours walk.
We descend the Shongo Valley and pass through several villages to Chavin 3150m, with Huantsan dominating the skyline. We spend the afternoon exploring the Chavín de Huántar archaeological site before our vehicle takes us back to Huaraz. 5 hours walk and 3 hours drive.
Grading & Fitness
Grade: Moderate
Most people who enjoy a weekend in the hills or mountains at home are capable of undertaking a trek at this level: you need to be in good health and reasonably fit, and you will almost certainly be taking regular exercise. Walking at higher altitude and the occasional longer or more difficult day may be involved, but generally conditions underfoot will be fair. A walking day would normally be between 5 to 7 hours, and no experience is necessary.
Acclimatization
We highly recommend that you arrive in Huaraz at least 2 days before the trek departs and spend time doing day hikes to higher altitude, this will help with acclimatization to the new altitude. We can help organise day hikes for you.
Our Service
We offer full service trekking holidays, which basically means we do the work and you walk. We provide full support so all you have to carry is a daypack with whatever you require for that day's walk. Our staff will also erect and take down the tents, cook, wash up and even supply bed tea in the morning. This allows you plenty of free time to relax or explore your surroundings as you wish.
Guides & Safety
The mountain guides are qualified through the Peruvian Mountain Guides Association. The AGMP are affiliated to the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association
UIAGM/IFMGA who governs mountain guiding worldwide. All have strong first-aid skills and a wealth of local experience on the routes guided.
