4×4 Tour: Chacas, Portachuelo Pass & Llanganuco Lakes

Highlights

Optimal acclimatization tour
Traditional Andean villages
Turquoise blue Llanganuco Lakes
Great panoramic views from Portachuelo Pass (4767m)

Character
The Cordillera Blanca is the largest mountain range of Peru with 31 peaks over 6,000 meter high. More than half of the Peruvian highest 6,000m peaks are here, including the highest mountain (Huascaran) and the most beautiful mountain (Alpamayo) of Peru.

Requirements
This trip is suitable for anyone.

Best Season
The best season in the Andes is from April to October, with rainy season in between. It is usually sunny and warm during this time. Due to the altitude, the nights can be quite cold (to minus 5 ° C). This trip can be booked with us all year around.

Tailor-Made
Individual programs are possible. Contact us!

What is included in this tour?

Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Transportation in 4×4 vehicle
Driver
Guide (Spanish/English)
2 box lunches
1 warm dinner in Chacas
1 warm breakfast in Chacas
Guesthouse in Chacas
Entrance fees to Huascaran National Park
First aid kit and oxygen

What is included in this tour?

Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

Meals in Huaraz
Hotel and flights
Bottled water and alcoholic drinks
Personal equipment
Medical care and insurance
Travel insurance
Emergency rescue or evacuation
Tips (optional)

Day 1: Huaraz - Punta Olimpica - Chacas

We leave Huaraz and drive north passing the village of Carhuaz, where you will see many people on the main plaza still wearing their traditional clothes. Then we start ascending in direction to the Cordillera Blanca, always seeing Huascaran, Peru’s highest mountain in front of us. As we get higher, you will feel like touching the mountains. We stop at various view points to enjoy the stunning mountain scenery and turquoise coloured lakes. Arriving at the Punta Olimpica pass we drive through a long tunnel and enter the other side of the canyon. As we descend, we continue enjoying beautiful views. Then the climate gets milder and the landscape greener. We finally arrive in the picturesque village of Chacas. The village is characterized for having remained unchanged over the original Andean-Andalusian architecture, with narrow streets, houses adorned with carved wood balconies and gates. We have a tour around this beautiful village and dinner in a typical restaurant.

Day 2: Chacas - San Luis - Yanama - Portachuelo Pass - Llanganuco Lakes - Huaraz

Today we drive in direction to the village of San Luis and then Yanama. From there we drive a spectacular road to the top of the Portachuelo pass (4767m) for more amazing close mountain views. This is an exquisite winding mountain drive with sharp and blind curves and hairpin switchbacks leading the traveler over the mountains. The drive is definitely worth it. There are many excellent photo opportunities. The road encompasses miles of stunning views through twisty hair pin corners, high elevations and steep grades. The breathtaking view from this point includes mounts Huascaran, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Pisco, Chacraraju and Yanapaccha and the amazing emerald waters of Llanganuco lakes at your feet. Finally we visit the famous twin crystal blue lakes of Llanganuco (named Chinancocha and Urconcocha). We eat picknick lunch at the lake and have time to enjoy views of Huascaran, Huandoy and Yanapaccha mountains. Then we drive back to Huaraz.

Accommodation
We sleep in the traditional village of Chacas in a nice guesthouse in a double room with private bathroom.

Meals
During the tour we pay attention to a healthy and high-calorie diet. For lunch, a box lunch is served. We can prepare vegetarian dishes on request. We have dinner in a traditional restaurant in Chacas. Breakfast is provided by the guesthouse.

4×4 Vehicles
We use reliable 4×4 vehicles as Toyota Prado or Hyundai Galloper.

Packing list

Our recommendation

Small daypack
Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen (min factor 40)
Well-worn in trekking shoes
Comfortable clothes
Rain jacket or poncho
Water bottle
Toilet paper
Extra money

Frequenly asked questions

What is the maximal group size for this 4x4 jeep trip?

We can take maximum 4 people in our 4×4 vehicles.

Why should I choose a guided tour with AndinoTrek?

A guided tour with AndinoTrek gives you the opportunity to get to know the most beautiful routes and landscapes in a relatively short period of time, without wasting any time and without frustrating dead ends! We have the necessary equipment and experience to make your trip enjoyable and completely safe.