The Llanganuco Valley

Morning departure by private bus to one of the best lookouts in the Cordillera Blanca. Along the way, we will pass by the charming town of Carhuaz, where every Wednesday and Sunday there is a traditional market. Continuing our drive, we will make a fast stop to see Campo Santo, a giant cemetery and memorial to the former town of Yungay (Yungay Viejo) that was destroyed by a landslide triggered by the infamous 1970 earthquake, Campo Santo is an attractive yet poignant spot that lies beneath the giant hulk of Mt Huascarán. Vast rose gardens bloom where busy thoroughfares once stood while gravestones and monuments mark the names of people and streets lost in the catastrophe. Campo Santo is today a peaceful cemetery, with spectacular views of Huascarán, flower-filled gardens, and monuments built in honor of the dead. After, we drive a dirt road ascending 1,350m. / 4429ft. from Yungay, winding over 28km to the Llanganuco Valley and its two robin-egg blue lakes, which are also known as Laguna Chinancocha and Laguna Orconcocha. Nestled in a glacial valley just 1000m. / 3,280ft. below the snow line, these pristine lagoons practically glow under the sun in their bright turquoise and emerald hues. Continuing on the road past the lake we’ll see a mirador with killer views of the mountain giants of Huascarán (6,768m. / 22,204ft.), Chopicalqui (6,345m. / 20,816ft.), Chacraraju (6108m. / 20,039ft.), Huandoy (6395m. / 20,980t.) and others. The road continues over the pass of Portachuelo (4,760m. / 15,616ft.) to Yanama on the other side of the Cordillera Blanca. This pass is our head trail to do a little hike; we walk down following an Inca trail for about two hours. Way down, we will appreciate beautiful landscapes, different types of flowers, and local trees. After this hike, we will have our lunch in a beautiful place surrounded by mountains. After these activities, we will drive back to Huaraz.