huaraz Cultural 3D / 4D / 5D
A non-hiking exploration of fascinating archaeological history around Huaraz: Wilcahuaian & Chavin de Huantar.
Can combine with some of Huascaran National Park’s highlights: Llanganuco Lakes and/or Pastoruri Glacier.
Discover mysterious ancient civilisations, set amidst the most impressive scenery of the Andes.
Accommodation in Huaraz’s best hotel on bed & breakfast basis.
Overview
Cultural Huaraz 3D: Itinerary Outline:
Day 1: Transfer to Huaraz Hotel. Half-day tour to Wilkahuain. Overnight at Andino Club Hotel.
Day 2: Tour of Chavin de Huantar. Overnight at Andino Club Hotel.
Day 3: Transfer to Huaraz bus station or airport.
Cultural Huaraz 4D: Itinerary Outline:
Day 1: Transfer to Huaraz Hotel. Half-day tour to Wilkahuain. Overnight at Andino Club Hotel.
Day 2: Tour of Chavin de Huantar. Overnight at Andino Club Hotel.
Day 3: Tour of Huascaran N.P. inc Llanganuco. Overnight at Andino Club Hotel.
Day 4: Transfer to Huaraz bus station or airport.
Cultural Huaraz 5D: Itinerary Outline:
Day 1: Transfer to Huaraz Hotel. Half-day tour to Wilkahuain. Overnight at Andino Club Hotel.
Day 2: Full-day tour of Chavin de Huantar. Overnight at Andino Club Hotel.
Day 3: Full-day tour of Huascaran N.P. inc Llanganuco. Overnight at Andino Club Hotel.
Day 4: Full-day tour of Pastoruri. Overnight at Andino Club Hotel.
Day 5: Transfer to Huaraz bus station or airport.
Prices
Below prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in standard rooms.
| Itinerary | Length | Prices From |
|---|---|---|
| Huaraz - Group | 4 Day | £380 / $492 |
| Huaraz - Private | 4 Day | £450 / $582 |
NB. If opting for a ‘shared’ itinerary, the full-day tours to Chavin de Huantar, Llanganuco & Pastoruri are in a group service ie. sharing transport & guide with other visitors of various nationalities.
INCLUDED:
Accommodation in stated hotel, or similar, on a bed & breakfast basis
Other meals as stated
Private transport for all transfers & excursions
Excursions, as stated in itinerary
Specialist, English-speaking guides
All entrance fees
NOT INCLUDED
3D Itin
Huaraz Cultural 3-Day: detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Huaraz: Arrival; Wilcahuain (-)
On arrival in the city of Huaraz, we welcome you at the bus station or airport. Flights and most buses arrive in the morning, so we just drop off our luggage at the selected hotel, and then there is time for breakfast here, if you wish (not included).
After breakfast, we drive in a private vehicle to Wilcahuain, located 7.5 km (5 miles) northeast of Huaraz at 3,450m (11,319 ft).
Galleries inside the main building at Wilcahuain.
Here, we visit two archaeological centres belonging to the Wari Kingdom, a pre-Inca culture from around 700 AD: Ichic Wilcahuain (Little Wilcahuain) and Hatun Wilcahuain (Big Wilcahuain).
This is a gentle introduction to Huaraz’s altitude, archaeology and spectacular scenery, and we arrive back at the hotel at lunchtime, by which time the rooms should be ready to check in.
NB. If not arriving in Huaraz in the morning, we can change the timing of the visit to Wilcahuain.
The afternoon is free to rest or explore the surroundings.
Overnight at Hotel Andino Club, or similar.
Meals included: None
Day 2: Chavin de Huantar (B)
We pick you up from your hotel in Huaraz after breakfast, and head south on the main road to Lima.
In Catac we turn east towards the Cordillera Blanca. We make our first stop at Querococha, a beautiful lake set on the slopes of the Cordillera Blanca.
We then continue uphill to reach Kahuish Tunnel (4,700 m / 15,420 ft) through which we cross the Andes into the Conchucos Valley.
The anthropomorphic Lanzon sculpture, thought to represent a deity, at Chavin de Huantar.
Zigzagging some 1,500 m (5,000 ft) downhill, we come to the little town of Chavin de Huantar, from which the archeological site derives its name.
The complex consists of several stone structures, platforms, staircases and inner galleries; while the buildings are decorated with carvings with complicated designs.
The central feature of the site is a 4.5 m (15 ft) monolith El Lanzón that represents the main Chavin deity.
After a guided tour, there is time for lunch (not included) and a short rest.
After lunch, we walk approximately half an hour to the site museum on the other side of town.
After a short visit to the museum, we make our way back to Huaraz.
Overnight at Hotel Andino Club, or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 3: Transfer to Huaraz Airport or Bus Station (B)
At the appropriate time, we transfer you from the hotel to the airport or bus station, in time for your outgoing transport.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Tour ends.
4D Itin
Huaraz Cultural 4-Day: detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz: Arrival; Wilcahuain (-)
Huaraz’s modern Cathedral beside the Plaza de Armas.
On arrival in the city of Huaraz, we welcome you at the bus station or airport. Flights and most buses arrive in the morning, so we just drop off our luggage at the selected hotel, and then there is time for breakfast here, if you wish (not included).
After breakfast, we drive to Wilcahuain, located 7.5 km (5 miles) northeast of Huaraz at 3,450m (11,319 ft).
Here, we visit two archaeological centres belonging to the Wari Kingdom, a pre-Inca culture from around 700 AD: Ichic Wilcahuain (Little Wilcahuain) and Hatun Wilcahuain (Big Wilcahuain).
This is a gentle introduction to Huaraz’s altitude, archaeology and spectacular scenery, and we arrive back at the hotel at lunchtime, by which time the rooms should be ready to check in.
NB. If not arriving in Huaraz in the morning, we can change the timing of the visit to Wilcahuain.
The afternoon is free to rest or explore the surroundings.
Overnight at Hotel Andino Club, or similar.
Meals included: None
Day 2: Chavin de Huantar (B)
We pick you up from your hotel in Huaraz after breakfast, and head south on the main road to Lima.
In Catac we turn east towards the Cordillera Blanca. We make our first stop at Querococha, a beautiful lake set on the slopes of the Cordillera Blanca.
We then continue uphill to reach Kahuish Tunnel (4,700 m / 15,420 ft) through which we cross the Andes into the Conchucos Valley.
Zigzagging some 1,500 m (5,000 ft) downhill, we come to the little town of Chavin de Huantar, from which the archeological site derives its name.
The complex consists of several stone structures, platforms, staircases and inner galleries; while the buildings are decorated with carvings with complicated designs.
The central feature of the site is a 4.5 m (15 ft) monolith El Lanzón that represents the main Chavin deity.
Anthropomorphic gargoyle from Chavin de Huantar in the nearby museum.
After a guided tour, there is time for lunch (not included) and a short rest.
After lunch, we walk approximately half an hour to the site museum, on the other side of town.
After a short visit to the museum, we make our way back to Huaraz.
Overnight at Hotel Andino Club, or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 3: Huascaran National Park: Llanganuco (B, L)
Today, after breakfast, we drive along the magnificent Callejón de Huaylas, a valley between the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra mountain ranges, created by the Santa River.
As we ascend the valley, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous and spectacular. On the way, we stop at the towns of Carhuaz, Mancos and Yungay.
Huascaran Mountain, the highest in Peru.
At Yungay, we leave the valley floor to head more steeply uphill into Huascaran National Park, containing the highest mountains in the Peruvian Andes.
Between Huandoy and Huascaran mountains, is a U-shaped canyon where the two turquoise Llanganuco lakes, Orcocha and Chinacocha, are located.
After time spend enjoying these beautiful lakes and the surrounding scenery, we climb to Portachuelo de Llanganuco, from where we can see an impressive glacier.
After lunch, we return to Huaraz.
Overnight at Hotel Andino Club, or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Box Lunch.
Day 4: Transfer to Huaraz Airport or Bus Station (B)
At the appropriate time, we transfer you from the hotel to the airport or bus station, in time for your outgoing transport.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Tour ends.
5D Itin
Huaraz Cultural 5-Day: detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz: Arrival; Wilcahuain (-)
On arrival in the city of Huaraz, we welcome you at the bus station or airport. Flights and most buses arrive in the morning, so we just drop off our luggage at the selected hotel, and then there is time for breakfast here, if you wish (not included).
The Temple at Wilcahuain.
After breakfast, we drive to Wilcahuain, located 7.5 km (5 miles) northeast of Huaraz at 3,450m (11,319 ft).
Here, we visit two archaeological centres belonging to the Wari Kingdom, a pre-Inca culture from around 700 AD: Ichic Wilcahuain (Little Wilcahuain) and Hatun Wilcahuain (Big Wilcahuain).
This is a gentle introduction to Huaraz’s altitude, archaeology and spectacular scenery, and we arrive back at the hotel at lunchtime, by which time the rooms should be ready to check in.
NB. If not arriving in Huaraz in the morning, we can change the timing of the visit to Wilcahuain.
The afternoon is free to rest or explore the surroundings.
Overnight at Hotel Andino Club, or similar.
Meals included: None
Day 2: Chavin de Huantar (B)
We pick you up from your hotel in Huaraz after breakfast, and head south on the main road to Lima.
In Catac we turn east towards the Cordillera Blanca. We make our first stop at Querococha, a beautiful lake set on the slopes of the Cordillera Blanca.
We then continue uphill to reach Kahuish Tunnel (4,700 m / 15,420 ft) through which we cross the Andes into the Conchucos Valley.
Exterior of the ‘New Temple’ at Chavin de Huantar.
Zigzagging some 1,500 m (5,000 ft) downhill, we come to the little town of Chavin de Huantar, from which the archeological site derives its name.
The complex consists of several stone structures, platforms, staircases and inner galleries; while the buildings are decorated with carvings with complicated designs.
The central feature of the site is a 4.5 m (15 ft) monolith El Lanzón that represents the main Chavin deity.
After a guided tour, there is time for lunch (not included) and a short rest.
After lunch, we walk approximately half an hour to the site museum, on the other side of town.
After a short visit to the museum, we make our way back to Huaraz.
Overnight at Hotel Andino Club, or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 3: Huascaran National Park: Llanganuco (B, L)
Today, after breakfast, we drive along the magnificent Callejón de Huaylas, a valley between the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra mountain ranges, created by the Santa River.
As we ascend the valley, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous and spectacular. On the way, we stop at the towns of Carhuaz, Mancos and Yungay.
At Yungay, we leave the valley floor to head more steeply uphill into Huascaran National Park, containing the highest mountains in the Peruvian Andes.
Between Huandoy and Huascaran mountains, is a U-shaped canyon where the two turquoise Llanganuco lakes, Orconcocha and Chinacocha, are located.
Panoramic view of Lake Chinacocha in Llanganuco Valley, Huascaran National Park.
After time spend enjoying these beautiful lakes and the surrounding scenery, we climb to Portachuelo de Llanganuco, from where we can see an impressive glacier.
After lunch, we return to Huaraz.
Overnight at Hotel Andino Club, or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Box Lunch.
Day 4: Huascaran National Park: Pastoruri (B, L)
This morning, after breakfast, we drive south out of Huaraz, along the Callejon de Huaylas, through small towns such as Recuay, Ticapampa … and Catac, where we stop for a coca tea to help with acclimatisation.
We then turn east, off the main road and into the picturesque Patococha Valley, with various noteworthy sights:
Puya Raimondii in Patococha Valley, Huascaran National Park.
Lake Patococha, home to various species of Andean duck.
Pumapampa, a freshwater spring that is known as the ‘fountain of youth’
‘Stands’ of Puya raimondii, the world’s largest bromeliad, that only grows in the high Andes.
Pumapashimin, another spring that has formed a lake which is said to resemble a puma’s head in shape; and whose waters take on different colours, according to the position of the sun.
Finally, having reached an altitude of 4,800 m (15,748 ft), we walk about an hour to Pastoruri Glacier, with the snow-capped peaks in the background.
NB. It is possible to hire horses for this journey.
Pastoruri Glacier & Lake
We have plenty of time at the lookout point to take in the splendid view, before making the walk back to the transport.
Overnight at Hotel Andino Club, or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Box Lunch.
Day 5: Transfer to Huaraz Bus Station or Airport (B)
At the appropriate time, we transfer you from the hotel to the airport or bus station, in time for your outgoing transport.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Tour ends.