16 Days/15 Nights May to November Moderate / not steep
Mountain Biking the Cordillera Blanca (White Range): Peru: Mountainbike Trans-Cordillera Blanca Huascaran-Circuit. one of the most spectacular trips on 2 wheels. The Cordillera Blanca in the heart of Peru is an ideal place to go on a trek, hike, mountain bike, rock climb and mountaineer. Many famous peaks and lakes can be seen from this tour, including Huascarán, Alpamayo, Tocllaraju, el Nevado Pisco, and Artesonraju.
The Cordillera Blanca: is a snowy mountain range located in the department of Ancash, in the north of Peru, which, along with the Cordillera Negra (Black Range) to the west, form the Callejón de Huaylas (valley between the two ranges) through which flows the Santa River.
Highlights of the Cordillera Blanca: The highest tropical mountain range in the world, the Cordillera Blanca is part of the spectacular Andes that form the spine of South America. A mecca for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, the region boasts over 50 peaks that exceed 15,000 feet, 700 glaciers and 300 lakes.
Day 1: Flight from Europe to Lima. Overnight in the hotel
Day 2: Travel by bus to Huaraz (3100 m). The trip is 400km and takes 8 hours
Day 3: On bikes for an acclimatization day: Huaraz - Marian - Huanchac - Wilcahuain - Monterrey - Huaraz
Day 4: On bikes for acclimatization; overnight camping at Wilcacocha Camp (3,725 m) in the Cordillera Negra
Day 5: On bikes for acclimatization: Wilcacocha - Huaraz - Llupa - Pitec. Trekking to Laguna Churup (4450 m) and return to Pitec. Downhill to Huaraz
Day 6: Begin the bicycle circuit around Huascarán: Minibus to Carhuaz; cycling from Carhuaz - Shilla - Quebrada Ulta; Camp at the foot of Punta Olimpica Pass (3,950 m)
Day 7: Cycling over Punta Olímpica Pass(4890 m) - Cancaraca Lakes - Confluence of Quebrada Cancaracá Chica / Grande - Pompeyo; Camp (3500 m)
Day 8: Village of Pompeyo - Bicycle-excursion to Azulcocha Lake (4316 m) and to an old mine (4550 m); downhill back to Pompeyo; Camp (3500 m)
Day 9: Pompeyo - Cycling - Chacas - Acochaca - Río Chucpin (2850 m) - San Luis (3125 m); Camp at Pompeyo
Day 10: Pueblo San Luis - Cycle to Llacma (2500 m) - Camp at Huamas (3200 m)
Day 11: Huamas - Cycling to Yanama - Quebrada Morococha - Pampamachay (4350 m); Camp
Day 12: Pampamachay - Cycling to Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass (4650 m). Descend to the Quebrada de Llanganuco and finally to Yungay. Bus to Huaraz
Day 13: Huaraz - Transfer by minibus to the village of Catac; Cycling to Quebrada Gueshgue to Huascarán National Park; and Puya Raimondi (4300 m); short hike to Laguna Jarpococha; downhill to Catac; bus to Huaraz
Day 14: Transfer to the Anta Airport and 50 minute flight to Lima. Transfer to the hotel in Lima
Day 15: Stay in Lima, transfer to the airport
Day 16: Arrival to Europe or your country of origin
Day 1: Flight from Europe to Lima. Overnight in the hotel
Arrival in Lima - a large city with a population of approximately 11 million - the largest city in South America. Rest. If you wish, explore the city on your own. Overnight Hotel (-/-/-)
Day 2: Travel by bus to Huaraz (3100 m). The trip is 400km and takes 8 hours
This will be a varied and interesting voyage. The drive follows the Pan American highway north across the impressive Pacific coastal desert. Continuing toward higher terrain, we pass through the Cordillera Negra (Black Range) at Conococha Pass (4020 m) into the Santa Valley and Huaraz (3100m.) Once across the pass, you’ll see a charming view of the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca, without a doubt some of the most impressive scenery in the world. You can also fly via LCPERU - flight duration 50 minutes. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)
Day 3: On bikes for an acclimatization day: Huaraz - Marian - Huanchac - Wilcahuain - Monterrey - Huaraz
First day on bikes , east of the city of Huaraz, to adjust to the high elevation. Huaraz - Marian - Huanchac - Wilcahuain - Monterrey - Huaraz. We’ll ride through fields and eucalyptus forests, along the valley slopes and through the villages of Marianan and Huanchac, to Wilcahuain (3,250 m), where we’ll see some pre-Incan ruins. In Wilcahuain, we have a picnic lunch and then continue at our leisure to the hot springs at Monterrey for swimming and relaxing. Afterward we return to Huaraz. Distance covered by bikes: 20 km. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)
Day 4: On bikes for acclimatization; overnight camping at Wilcacocha Camp (3725 m) in the Cordillera Negra
Today we visit the Cordillera Negra, from where you have a magnificent view of the Cordillera Blanca. Wilcacocha is an exceptional viewpoint for the Cordillera Blanca, allowing us to identify peaks (from north to south) Huandoy Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Hualcan, Copa,Vallunaraju, Ocshapalca, Ranrapalca, Palcaraju, Churup, Chinchey, San Juan, Huamasraju, Huatzan, Cashan, Shacsha, Pucaraju, Muruaraju and Caullaraju. The camp is set on a beautiful lake, complete with wild ducks. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)
Day 5: On bikes for acclimatization: Wilcacocha - Huaraz - Llupa - Pitec. Trekking to Laguna Churup (4450 m) and return to Pitec. Downhill to Huaraz
Our third day of acclimatization. In the morning we ride downhill from Wilcacocha to Huaraz. From there we take a short car ride (bringing the bikes) through the villages of Unchus and Llupa to Pitec (3850 m) in the Cordillera Blanca. From Pitec, we have 5-6 hours of hiking to Laguna Churup, impossible on a bike, but worthwhile nonetheless. Laguna Churup is at the foot of the glacier of 5000 meter Nevado (Mount) Churup. Descend back to Pitec on foot and have a downhill ride or go via car to Huaraz. Overnight in the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)
Day 6: Begin the bicycle circuit around Huascarán: Minibus to Carhuaz; cycling from Carhuaz - Shilla - Quebrada Ulta; Camp at the foot of Punta Olimpica Pass (3950 m)
From Huaraz we travel by minibus toward the pueblo of Carhuaz (2,650 m) and begin the seven days of the Huascarán Circuit. From Carhuaz we go by bicycle passing the village of Shilla (2910 m) and farther along the entrance to Huascarán National Park. Our camp at the beginning of the climb to Punta Olimpica Pass, is almost at the feet of these glacial mountains (“Nevados“) of Contrahierbas, Ulta and Huascarán. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)
Day 7: Cycling over Punta Olímpica Pass(4890 m) - Cancaraca Lakes - confluence of Quebrada Cancaracá Chica / Grande - Pompeyo; Camp (3500 m)
From Quebrada Ulta our next challenge is Punta Olimpica Pass (4890 m). It’s the first pass and also the most difficult climb of the tour. After working hard for 3-4 hours, 20km and 29 curves, we finally arrive at the pass, which offers a fantastic panorama in the middle of the Cordillera Blanca: the snowy peak of Huascarán with its massive east wall, along with the steep ice wall of Chopicalqui, close enough to touch the glacier. We have a rapid descent downhill past the Cancaracá Lakes and continue to our camp, close to the village of Pompeyo (3,500 m.) Today the route is by road (asphalt) from Carhuaz to the Quebrada los Conchucos. Camp at Pompeyo. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)
Day 8: Village of Pompeyo - Bicycle-excursion to Azulcocha Lake (4316 m) and to an old mine (4550 m); downhill back to Pompeyo; Camp (3500 m)
From the village of Pompeyo, we follow the route to Lake Azulcocha (4,316 m) in a fantastic mountain landscape below the glaciers of Nevado Atlante (Atlantis Peak.) The route to the old mine is technically and physically demanding. We visit the abandoned mine and have a long downhill (in part on single track bridle path) down to Pompeyo. Camp at the same place (3,500 m). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)
Day 9: Pompeyo - Cycling - Chacas - Acochaca - Río Chucpin (2850 m) –San Luis (3125 m); Camp at Pompeyo
We start again on pavement with gentle climbs and flat passages through the villages of Chacas (3,450 m) and the bridge of the Chucpin Acochaca River (2,850 m) and then an uphill climb to the village of San Luis, about 400 meters of descent, with a dirt bike trail beginning at 33 km. Camp at San Luis (3,125 m). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)
Day 10: Pueblo San Luis - Cycle to Llacma (2500 m) - Camp at Huamas (3200 m)
A bit of downhill with short climbs and descents until at last the bike trail or asphalt road in Llacma (2,500 m), from where we again get views of the high mountains. Back up hill, we follow a series of switchbacks to the small village of Huamas. On bikes, about 40 km. Camp at Huamas (3,200 m). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)
Day 11: Huamas - Cycling to Yanama - Quebrada Morococha - Pampamachay (4350 m); Camp
All uphill through the village of Yanama (3,400 m) and through other native villages, arriving at Colcabamba and then the steep climb to Quebrada Morococha. After 12 to 15 elongated curves we find our camp in the small meadow of Pampamachay under the north flank of Nevado Chopicalqui (6,354 m), at about 30 km. Camp at 4,350 m. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)
Day 12: Pampamachay - Cycling to Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass (4650 m). Descend to the Quebrada de Llanganuco and finally to Yungay. Bus to Huaraz
We begin the final stage of our circuit - starting with only 10 km to Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass (4,650 m), the second grand view of the Cordillera Blanca. After much physical effort, we are rewarded with an impressive panoramic view of these most beautiful tropical mountains. To the north we see Chopicalqui and Huascarán, to the east, the snowcapped peaks of Huandoy; in the south, the peaks of Chacraraju.
Our long and exciting descent with switchbacks to the Llanganuco lakes and toward Yungay is the appropriate way to celebrate the Trans-Cordillera Blanca biking route. Riding distance approximately 50km. Travel by bus to Huaraz. Lodging in the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)
Day 13: Huaraz - Transfer by minibus to the village of Catac; cycling to Quebrada Gueshgue to Huascarán National Park; and Puya Raimondi (4300 m); short hike to Laguna Jarpococha; downhill to Catac; bus to Huaraz
The last day in the mountains and of the tour. We’ll travel by bus 35 km south of Huaraz to the village of Catac (3.536 m) , and by bicycle some 16 km through the Quebrada Gueshgue inside Huascarán National Park. Now at last from the road at Laguna Gueshguecocha (4,350 m) there is a ravine where the famous flowers called Puya raimondi grow up to 12 meters tall. This giant plant, which looks like a candle, flourishes only in the south Cordillera Blanca and in a few places in Bolivia. Our final leg is downhill, and then the bus back to Huaraz, about 25 km. Lodging in the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)
Day 14: Transfer to the Anta Airport and 50 minute flight to Lima, or transfer to the bus terminal for the 8 hour ride to Lima. Transfer to the hotel
Options: Flight or bus. Flights are via LC-Peru and last 50 minutes. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)
Day 15: Stay in Lima - Transfer to the Airport
Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc. Overnight flight (B/-/-)
Day 16: Arrival in Europe or the country of origin
Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc. Overnight Home (-/-/-)
Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
Season: May to November
Difficulty: Moderate
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