Route : Collón - Ishinca Valley- Punta Urus - Akilpo Valley- Honcopampa.
Level of difficulty: Medium difficulty.
Suggested trekking season: The best time for doing this trek is from the third week in April to the second week of November.
Duration: 4-day expedition
Description:
The Ishinca-Akilpo trek is one of the most thrilling in Cordillera Blanca. It leads us through three natural regions: Quechua, Suni or Janca and Puna from 2,800 m .(9,184 ft.) to 4,850 m .(15,908 ft.) , in the central area of Cordillera Blanca. In order to arrive to it, we will head to a rural community named Huilliac. This trip will take us a little over an hour. Once in Huilliac, the muleteers and their donkeys will transport all the loads during a significant part of the circuit. The trail to enter the valley gives us a view of abundant vegetation. It is a valley surrounded by a great quenual forest, located in the bottom part of some granite rock towers. A noisy river runs along the right bank. We find numerous streams along the way, as well as waterfalls coming from the upper parts of the valley. We continue walking until we arrive at an open field. At the end, we see a long slope with the Tocllaraju and Palcaraju mountains' beauty as backdrop. The Ishinca base camp, at 4,300 m .(14,104 ft.) , is located at the end of the slope. This place provides beautiful sunsets as Tocllaraju takes on different shades ranging from deep yellows to reds.
The marked slopes guide our gaze to the Urus north ridge. Slopes covered with vegetation provide access to the upper area of the ridge, where we will find a small valley which we have to reach if we want to achieve our goal. We journey across wide hillsides on the valley to then weave in and out of the previously mentioned mountainside. As we approach the pass and gain some altitude, the valley begins to manifest its amazing beauty. The glacial bases of the surrounding summits become more and more visible, filling us with multiple emotions. Our enthusiasm motivates us to continue admiring the view provided by the Cordillera and continue our ascent. It is a slightly lengthy journey, at the end of which we zigzag to find the long-awaited pass or Punta Urus, at 4,850 m .(15,908 ft.). The impressive view takes over our emotions. The beauty before our eyes is surprising and unimaginable. Here, it is possible to perceive the magic of the mountains and what they can mean to our hearts. We will all coincide in expressing deep admiration at the unique beauty of these locations, as we watch in awe, after discovering their close proximity to us. Some of the imposing summits located nearby include Tocllaraju, Palcaraju, Ishinca, Ranrapalca, Ocshapalca, Akilpo and Copa. There are numerous other peaks that can be seen from a distance. We leave some of them behind as we begin our descent to the Lake Akilpo, an amazing looking-glass that reflects the beauty of majestic Tocllaraju and Akilpo in its emerald-green waters.
At the end of the Akilpo Valley , we can appreciate the joining of the Tocllaraju and Akilpo glaciers. Our journey of descent will be along this valley, in which we can appreciate a large field with abundant vegetation. As we continue on our descent, we leave these mountains behind, but Copa and Vicus will continue to be our faithful companions on this trek. Our descent continues along the plains. Then, we enter a quenual forest, which at times seems endless with a river that runs amidst the vegetation. The cool shade provided by plant life found the highlands will allow us to enjoy refreshing winds. Finally, we leave the forest behind, but the wonders of nature do not cease to amaze us, as we watch waterfalls appear, a fascinating scene for our sight and souls. Nothing can be more refreshing than a dip on its waters which come down a great rock as we gaze upon the sharp walls of the Copa South. After having enjoyed all this, we begin the last minutes of our trek, which lead us to the Honcopampa Archeological Complex.
First Day: Huaraz - Collon - Ishinca Valley
Second Day: Ishinca Valley- Punta Urus -Akilpo Valley
Third Day: Akilpo Valley-Honcopampa Archeological Complex- Huaraz.
Fourth Day: Rest day. ( Arrangements can be made for those interested in keeping or omitting this day. Interesting alternatives are available.)
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