A Life Changing trip to Peru
I'm not sure exactly what it was that drew me to the Andes. Maybe it was my love for the outdoors, or maybe it was my desire to find whatever it was that I've been looking for.
One of the people I look up to most in my life told me this would be a life changing trip and I wouldn't come back the same person. She was right.
My journey started on July 22, 2017. I met my travel companions, a couple from the Kootenays, at the airport in beautiful Vancouver BC and we boarded our flight to Lima, Peru. Little did I know this would be the start of an amazing journey where I would learn so many things about myself and about life in general. I spent many hours of each day with only my own thoughts to keep me company. It's amazing what wanders through your mind when there's nothing around to distract you. Maybe it was the altitude, maybe it was the realization that I was on my own in a third world country that brought me home a different person than when I left for the trip.
We arrived in Lima around midnight where we would spend the night at the Cusing Wasi B&B. Talk about great hospitality! After a good night sleep, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast and then off to the bus depot to catch a bus for Huaraz, where we would spend the next couple of days acclimatizing and seeing how the altitude would impact us.
Luckily, none of us got AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) from the high altitude. Going from 40 meters above sea level where I live, to Huaraz at 3052 meters was quite a shock to my body. Even climbing a few flights of stairs was surprisingly challenging!
We would spend the next few days exploring around the city of Huaraz and adventuring out on a couple of day hikes.
Monday, July 24 - Laguna Churup 4450 meters (14,600ft)
The first acclimatization hike was to Laguna Churup. This was the highest elevation I had ever reached. "WOW" does not even begin to describe the stunning scenery that laid before us. Glaciers, waterfalls and the most amazing colours I have ever seen.
Tuesday, July 25 - Laguna Llacca 4474 meters (14,678ft)
A short drive from Huaraz is Laguna Llacca. Today was extremely windy and challenging, but the grind to the top was worth it. Another stunning view greeted us after a 2 hour climb over rock faces and dirt trails.
Wednesday, July 26 - Huaraz to Popca - The start of the trek...
We loaded up and off we went! No cell service and no showers for the next 10 days! You could say it was a life changer...
Thursday, July 27 - Popca to Quartelhuain
The first trekking day was an easy 18km on a dirt road, following the river for most of the morning before cutting back into the hills. It was a beautiful day and I WAS IN PERU! I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn't a dream!
Friday, July 28 - Quarterlhuain to Mituchocha
First pass Punta Cacanan 4700m
A very cold and windy morning took us up our first pass and my first experience with feeling doubtful that I had what it took to do this. After a successful trek to the top of the pass, we descended into the area where we would set up camp. After lunch, we decided to hike to the moraine under the glacier at the far end of the lake. Another challenging hike, but well worth it. We had a short stay at the lake before it was time to start heading back to camp, but not without a wrench in our plan...a giant skunk was sitting right in our path and wouldn't move so we had to detour around it...as if we hadn't hiked far enough that day!
Saturday July 29 - Mitucocha to Carhuacocha
Paso de Carhuac (4650m) then descended to our camp at the big lake Laguna Carhuacocha
Sunday, July 30 - Carhuacocha to Huayhuash Camp via Siula Lakes
Monday July 31 - Huayhuash Camp to Lake Viconga
HOT SPRING DAY!
...and laundry day!
August 1 - Lake Viconga to San Antonio
Cuyuoc Pass 5100m
This pass was an ass kicker! The last 20m looked so close, but at 5000m above sea level it might as well have been 300m! Everything in me wanted to stop and quit, but I pushed to the top.
My beautiful view at the base of San Antonio pass.
August 2 - San Antonio to Huatiac Camp
A long day ahead of us today, almost 20km. The first 11km were fairly flat, until we got to the junction at Huayllapa and then it was up, up, up for the next 2 hours. On the trail, our cook, Antonio surprised us with an amazing vegetable salad and tea for lunch at the base of a beautiful waterfall!
August 3 - Huatiac Camp to Jahuacocha
Double Pass Day
Another lunch with a view!
A well deserved beer after making it to our last camp!
August 4 - Jahuacocha to Llamac
After 10 days of no showers and no hair washing, it was finally time to head back to the city.
Survival supplies - Coca Cola and chocolate!
I would like to thank Anne at Peruvian Andes Adventures for putting together the most amazing trek I could ever imagine. Hisao and Eli Morales, and Amy at the Huaraz office, you were amazing! Thank you to the staff at Morales Guest House for the fabulous lunches you packed us for our day hikes. To our cook Antonio...your cooking was beyond anything I could have imagined, simply amazing! Our donkey driver Alec...the care you took of your donkeys was very impressive. I'm a huge animal lover and this meant so much to me.
A big thank you to the the Cusing Wasi B&B family in Lima for all your hospitality, fabulous cooking and for taking such good care of us during our short stays in Lima. Julio, you kept us laughing every minute we spent with you! You are all so amazing.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warmth and kindness.
Please don't hesitate to contact me for more information on this amazing adventure. I welcome all questions and comments!