Overview

Embark on a journey through time as you explore one of the best-preserved portions of the Great Inca trail that connected Cusco, the ancient ceremonial capital of the Inca Empire, with Tomebamba, her northern sister city that is modern-day Cuenca, Ecuador. Explore over 70 km. of the main artery of the greatest road network in Pre-Columbian Latin America, dotted with archaeological sites in the remote landscapes of Northern Peru’s Central Andes. You’ll begin with a visit to Chavín de Huantar, a mysterious temple where ancient religious ceremonies took place over 3,000 years ago. Immerse in diverse natural landscapes, cross the Continental Divide and trek across two departments: Ancash and Huánuco, experiencing amazing vistas along the journey. On your last day you’ll arrive at Huánuco Pampa, the largest Inca administrative centre outside the department of Cusco where you’ll marvel at feats of engineering achieved by a civilisation whose abilities with stonecutting and placement remain unmatched to this day. This amazing trek will challenge, delight, and inspire you. 

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 | Huaraz - Chavín – Castillo Village – Soledad de Tambo 

Leave Huaraz in the morning by vehicle and head for Chavín de Huántar, an ancient and mysterious temple located in the Peruvian Andes. On the way, you will pass typical Andean villages such as Recuay, Ticapampa, and Catac, accompanied by a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Take a short break at Lake Querococha (3980m.) where you can take photos and enjoy a cup of coca tea. Passing through the Tunel de Cahuish (4,555m), you reach the site of Chavín, located just outside town at the confluence of two rivers: the Mosna and the Huanchecsa, at 3140m. Some of the earliest Andean cultures can be traced to the ceremonial complex of Chavín de Huántar. This fascinating temple was probably built between 1200-400 years B.C. and was the religious centre of the Chavín population. Impressive stone sculptures and artistic reliefs characterise this mysterious place, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Visit the Chavín Museum, which holds many artefacts found at the site, some dating as early as 1200 B.C. While some of these artefacts emerged from the Chavín culture, others were brought from afar, demonstrating that people made long pilgrimages to this ceremonial centre. Chavín is an important location for learning about the origins of Andean culture, which is counted among the world’s six “cradles of civilisation.”   

Drive toward the village of Castillo, where you’ll begin a short hike towards Soledad de Tambo, your first campsite at 3661m.  (B/ L / D) 

Driving Distance:  142 kilometers (88 miles) - Time: 4.5 hours   

Trekking distance: 3.3 km (2 mi) - Time: 1.5 hours 

Day 2 | Soledad de Tambo - Waqankupunta pass - Taullipampa Camp 

On departing from Soledad de Tambo, you will explore the Inca site located in Peru’s northern highlands. The principal feature of this site is an ushnu, a ceremonial platform with a stone-lined basin. Typically found in conquered or non-Inca territories, ushnus had sociopolitical significance, providing a place for an Inca administrator to receive conquered people, distribute libations, and perform sacrifices. Here, you will also partake in a traditional pago a la tierra (offering to the Earth) ceremony, a sacred ritual of gratitude to Pachamama. 

Continue your trek on the Great Inca Trail, a well-preserved stone-paved road stretching across the vast, open Andean puna grasslands. After some time, you will reach a crossroads and take a short detour to visit the qolqas at Waqanku. These ancient stone storehouses were used by the Incas to amass food, clothing, and other essentials in anticipation of times of scarcity. 

Resuming your journey, begin a gradual ascent toward the Waqankupunta Pass at 4,385m (14,386 ft), a significant yet rewarding climb. At the summit, enjoy a well-deserved lunch while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding Andean landscape. 

After lunch, begin your descent toward the village of Taulli, where you will camp at 3,975m (13,041 ft) and enjoy an evening of rest and camaraderie.  (B/ L / D) 

Trekking distance: 11 km (6.8 mi) – Time: 4 - 5 hours 

Day 3 | Taullipampa - Ayash Village - Pampa Huamani 

The day begins early, departing from the campsite after breakfast and heading towards the first challenge of the day, a small mountain pass called Taulli. After a brief rest, you start to descent reaching Queñuajirca at 4,090m (13,420 ft), a stunning lookout point perched atop a hill. Here, you will explore the ancient tambo (Inca resting place) and visit the artisan textile workshop of Sr. Juan, where you will learn about traditional weaving techniques passed down through generations. 

From Queñuajirca, continue towards the town of Ayash, a rapidly developing settlement due to the presence of Antamina, one of the world’s largest copper mines. The mine’s expansion poses a threat to this historic segment of the Great Inca Trail, highlighting the importance of preserving this ancient route. 

After a brief rest and an opportunity to purchase local goods in Ayash, continue the trek, stopping at an ancient set of Inca steps to enjoy your lunch while taking in the historic surroundings. 

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ayash behind, ascend towards Pampa Huamani, a remote and peaceful highland plateau. Here, at an elevation of 4,330m (14,206 ft),  camp and spend the night, surrounded by the vast beauty of the Andean landscape. 

(B, L, D) 

Trekking distance: 12.1 km (7.5 mi) – Time: 7-8 hours 

Day 4 | Pampa Huamani – Huamani Punta Pass - Tambo Chico Camp   

Climb a set of seemingly endless stone steps on a wide trail, ascending past the reach of modern civilisation toward the pass at Huamanipunta (4,448m /14,593 ft). This pass traverses the continental divide between the Pacific and Amazon sides, and is located at the border of two provinces, Ancash and Huánuco.   

Descend until reaching the Taparaco River Valley, where you may spot herds of roaming sheep and alpacas. Arrive at Tambo Grande Archaeological Center.  The tambos (circular shelters) were built and adapted to accommodate individual travellers, groups, or caravans of llamas. Here, travellers and soldiers could rest from their journeys. After exploring for a bit, enjoy lunch, and then hike down to Tambo Chico, where you will spend the night at 4050m. (B, L, D) 

Trekking distance: 16.1 km (10 mi) – Time: 7 - 8 hours 

Day 5 | Tambo Chico Camp - Taparaco – San Lorenzo de Isco   

Continue your trek along the Great Inca Trail down the Taparaco River Valley, a unique cultural landscape where you can appreciate the marvels of Inca engineering as evidenced by bridges, terraces, and culverts that allow water to pass under sections of the road. Hike through marshlands on your way down a narrow river valley bordered on both sides by rocky outcroppings. You may spot herds of alpacas and sheep grazing in the distance.  Before arriving at your next campsite, stop by a small village school. Then you’ll visit the Taparaco Archaeological Center, built by the ancient Cajamarca people.  Here, you’ll observe irrigation systems, canals, and stone engravings and petroglyphs carved into the rocks. 

After exploring the site, continue your trek, arriving at San Lorenzo de Isco (3,721m/ 12,208 ft), where you’ll camp for the night.  (B, L, D) 

Trekking distance: 15.8 km (9.8mi) – Time: 6 - 7 hours 

Day 6 | San Lorenzo de Isco – Collpa – Huánuco Pampa – Huaraz  

A short hike up the valley toward Estanque and then down toward Colpa (3330m) in the Vizcarra River Valley brings your glorious trek to an end. Hop in the vehicles for a short drive toward Huánuco Pampa, an important administrative centre that boasts fantastic Imperial-style Inca masonry throughout its carefully planned urban sectors.  Beautifully carved pumas, monkeys, and reptiles adorn the stone walls and doorways of the site. After lunch and a tour around the site, climb aboard the vehicle to start the drive back to Huaraz.  (B,L) 

Trekking distance: 12.9 km (8.0mi) – Time: 4-5 hours 

Driving distance: 170 km (105 mi) – Time: 5:30 hours 

End of services 

B- Breakfast / L- Lunch / D- Dinner 

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