Route: Chiquian - Llamac - Cajatambo.
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 in November.
Duration: 10-day expedition.
Description:
The Cordillera Huayhuash circuit in this specific program leads us through five natural regions, Coastal or Chala, Yunga, Quechua, Suni or Janca and Puna from 420 m .(1,344 ft.) to 4,750 m .(15,580 ft.) , in the eastern mountain range in Peru . In order to arrive to it, we will first go to a province named Chiquian, to later head to Llamac, a rural community with picturesque streets and adobe constructions with shingle roofs. It is surrounded by green mountains, where people work the land preserving customs and traditions inherited from their indigenous ancestors. The locals are approachable and friendly. From this location, the muleteers and their donkeys will transport all the loads along the circuit. The road to cross this village provides us with a view of abundant vegetation. If we look behind us, we can make out the town that welcomed us when we arrived as well as a wide prairie covered with highland vegetation ahead of us. It invites us to continue on our way to the highest point called Pampa Llamac at 4,300 m .(14,104 ft.) which amazes us with our first glimpse of the Cordillera. Its beauty and verticality takes us by surprise filling us with sudden emotion. Even the air one breathes here is truly magical. The mountains generally associated with the Cordillera, such as Rondoy, Jirishanca, Toro, Yerupaja Chico, Yerupaja Grande, Rasac, and Sacra appear before us, as well as other equally beautiful, smaller peaks we can see to the right.
We continue on our journey across a long traverse displaying landscapes worthy of a picture. We arrive to a valley with open fields and plains that lead us to magnificent Lake Jahuacocha . Its beautiful blue-turquoise waters outline the silhouettes of vertical walls incredibly close to us. We enjoy the pleasant feeling of seeing them under our feet as we gaze upon waters that becomes silent before this scene. A charming sunset enthralls our eyes. Mountains seem to come to life and are lit up with flaming colors which extinguish once night falls. We walk along the bank and are taken aback by elegant leaps of fish as well as families of ducks that swim playfully. After this gift from nature, we continue on our way trying to reach the summits that rise in the depths of the valleys. Yearning to be closer to them, we continue ascending on a slope that appears quiet and deserted. However, as we continue rising, we encounter strong gusts of wind that disturb its pastures causing weaving movements that join us as we approach the pass on its final area on Punta Sambunya at 4,740 m .(15,550 ft.). It looks completely arid and lifeless, but it is undoubtedly magical. Nature blesses us by putting an unimagined scene before our eyes, truly worthy of dreams. In this setting, the beauty of mountains blends with the delicate yet majestic flight of Andean condors. Our hearts beat and our faces are filled with joy as we look at the sentinels that guard these sacred valleys, Yerupaja Grande, mountain protected by its faithful companions' terrifying outlines and walls, Rondoy, Jirishanca, Toro, Yerupaja Chico, Rasac, Sacra and others.
We are rewarded by nature and leave its beauty behind. We begin our descent down a seemingly endless valley, dominated by the beauty of Rondoy's north face and Ninashanca's snowy peak. As we look at them, we think about how difficult it must be reach their bases and even more to attempt some of its evidently unexplored and unreachable couloirs. The nearness of the plain to the valley makes our journey more encouraging as we continue between broad grasslands and streams that keep us company until Matacancha which leads us away from the Cordillera as it invites us to ascend its mountainsides. The altitude increases gradually on a rocky terrain covered with vegetation. We arrive to a stretch with a long traverse. At the end, we spot a sandy trail that shows us to Cacananpunta Pass at 4,750 m .(15,580 ft.) , which offers a fascinating view of both valleys. As we look towards the other direction, our eyes are guided to Lake Pucacocha . After a prolonged descent over its green prairies, we arrive at a hill. We are enchanted with the marvelous view of Lake Mitucocha and the majestic Jirishanca north face, which dominates the entire valley with its beauty. As we approach it, the view becomes more welcoming due to Lake Mitucocha 's quiet, turquoise waters. It is a true watery looking-glass of the greatness of this mountain. Jirishanca's perfect vertical drops and ice and rock couloirs are reflected on it, as well as the other peaks which surround the valley.
|
... |
|
