Llama Trek Around Apu Huallanay 4D/3N

This trek is designed as an alternative trek to the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. The terrain is similar with the difference that you hardly meet other trekkers on the trail, you will experience the peasant life as you watch people work the land, camp near their homes in the midst of a pristine environment reminiscent of ancient times.
We use Llamas as pack animals because of their beauty and their minimal impact on the trail.

DAY 1

We pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the trail head in the Chillca region. Here we meet our crew and begin our hike up the Silque Canyon we ascend by way of narrow canyon following a stream that will gradually get smaller as we get higher. We can observe tall granite walls on the sides of the canyon populated by a large variety of orchids and bromeliads, filling the environment with magnificent colours when in bloom. We continue until we reach our camsite near the village of "Ancashcocha" and camp for the night. Beautiful views of the "Veronica" mountain are seen in good part of this day. L, D.

DAY 2

After a hearty breakfast we begin ascending towards the high Huallanay pass (4,650 mts). Small settlements scarcely populated by native peasants mark our way to the Ancashcocha Lake. From here we can see and later join an original Inca Trail that merged with the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The "Huallata" or Andean Gesse and Black Ibis are often spotted in these high areas. As we begin descending from the pass we will see beautiful waterfalls before we come the ruins of Incarajay and a lagoon nearby. We continue descending on the trail to pass near small settlements and cultivated fields that are usually tended by working peasants the same way their Inca ancestors did hundreds of years ago. Further down the trail we reach the village of Q'eska where we will camp nearby. Views of the Glacier, snow peaks, and the peasants working the land are the highlights of this day in our trek. B,L,D.

DAY 3

After breakfast we begin a full day of descend into lusher vegetation, views of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu appear in the distance. We follow a narrow canyon until we reach the Inca remains known as "Paucarcancha" a unique Inca remain in very good condition that probably served as a "Tambo" and control point between two canyons. We have a picnic lunch at this magnificent place to later continue down a trail that leads the way to the main trail to Machu Picchu. We will probably meet hikers following the Inca Trail opposite direction to ours as we descend through a wide trail until we reach a lookout point to observe the Llactapata archaeological complex. This place was restored a few years ago by a University of London team. When we reach the Urubamba River Valley we continue upriver to our private campsite (Km. 82. Inca Trail Shelters), right in front of the spectacular Veronica Glacier. Here we camp the night in the comfort of toilets, hot showers and even a rustic sauna for your enjoyment. We will have a traditional "Pachamanca" Dinner (cooked in the earth by hot stones). B,L,D.

DAY 4

This day we descend back down to the Valley of the Urubamba River. After our breakfast we begin to walk down the trail that will lead us to the village of Huayllabamba where we meet the Classic Inca Trail and the numerous hikers that will be going the opposite way from us. We continue to hike down a wide trail until we reach a lookout point to observe the Llactapata archaeological complex that was restored a few years ago. When we reach the valley we continue upriver to our private campsite at Km. 82. right in front of the spectacular Veronica Glacier. Here we camp the night in the comfort of toilets, hot showers and even a rustic sauna for your enjoyment. We will have a traditional "Pachamanca" Dinner (Cooked in the earth by hot stones). B,L,D.

Please Note: On the following day, you can take the train to Machu Picchu or to Km. 104 to hike the 1 day Inca Trail from the train station near our camp.

Price Includes:

• All meals marked as B,L,D at the end of each day in the itinerary.
• Service of local official guides.
• Service of camp staff: Cook, assistants, porters.
• All group camping and cooking equipment: Passenger 4 man tents based in double occupancy. Dinning tent with tables, silverware and chairs. Toilet tent with a toilet seat.

Price Does Not Include:
Meals not specified after each itinerary day, optional tipping or gratuities to staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors, expenses such as medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (liquor, laundry, and so on.) Trip member must provide sleeping bag. (please note that sleeping bags can also be rented for $4 per day).