The Olleros – Chavin: The Pre-Inca Llama trek
Olleros Chavin trek also called «Llama Trek» is a charming circuit whose path was formerly the natural passage for the interchange of goods between Huaylas and Conchucos valleys, it crosses the Cordillera Blanca from West to East, following a Pre-Inca trail and culminating in the famous Chavin temple where we will appreciate the architecture and astronomy of this ancient culture.
For some years the community of Olleros has promoted this trek using the Llama as a transport that replaces the donkeys along the entire circuit, which attracts the attention of tourists.
During the Olleros Chavin Trekking you can appreciate the Shaqsha (5,703m), Uruashraju (5,735m), Huantsan (6,395m), and we can also appreciate the daily life of the andean people who live in the surroundings.
Huaraz (Google Map)
7:00 am (pick up at your hotel)
Participants must be in good physical condition to join this trek. Andean Raju Expeditions recommends previous and constant preparation as a crucial factor to take on this challenge, then, the physical stress caused by the trekking days will be minimized.
We strongly advise all participants to have an adequate outdoor training plan and short hikes with gradual demands.
If you would like our advice, we can provide you a training plan after evaluation of your experience in hiking and sporting activity.
Participants should have experience in altitude the last 2 to 3 days prior to the start of this trek, which ensures adequate acclimatization and conditioning of the body to the altitude. It is recommended to stay above 3,000 meters above sea level.
We suggest acclimatizing in Wilcacocha or Churup lakes before starting the trek.
This adventure will start in Huaraz, we will pick you up at your hotel with private transportation. After the pick up we head south through the Huaylas valley to Olleros village, from this point we detour path to Canrey Chico village, our trekking starting point where the donkey driver and llamas are waiting for us to transport the logistic camping equipment. Our path follows the course of the Negro River for most of the day, with awesome views of the Cashan and Rurec peaks. After a few hours of hiking we will enter the Quebrada Uquián, the trail becomes lighter due to the flatness of this immense valley.
Finally, after 5 hours of walking we will arrive to Sacracancha camp.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Transfer by car: 2 hours
Estimated hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
Elevation: +900 m (3,100 masl to 4,000 masl)
On our second day of trekking we will wake up with a hot drink, after time for personal cleanliness, we will leave at 7:00 am heading to the Yanashallash pass.
The trail is through ichus (thatch vegetation, a typical plant of the andean grasslands), then we will walk on sections of the ancient Inca trail. We will go up until we reach a lake, from where we will enjoy the views of the Uruashraju and Huantsán snow-capped peaks. We will reach Yanashallash Pass (4,700m), where there are vestiges of a small Inca altar with three windows where the ancient people made offerings to the Gods to protect their way.
Finally we will go down for two hours on the trail until we arrive at Shongo camp.
In the afternoon you will enjoy tea time, a rest and take pictures of the landscape.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 7 to 8 hours
Elevation: +365 m/-280 m (4,000 masl to 4,080 masl)
The end of our hike has come. At 7:00 am we start our hike to Chavín de Huántar, during the descent we will arrive to Shongo Quebrada and we will continue until Chichucancha (3850m), in this place the canyon ends and the Quebrada Huachecsa begins where the river of the same name flows. Along the hiking we will see the imposing Huantsán snow-capped mountain with its majestic silhouette and an intimidating west face, this mountain is known as the Andean K2.
At last we will arrive at the town of Chavin and enter the archaeological temple to immerse ourselves in the history of the Incas.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, tea time, lunch and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: -980 m (4,080 masl to 3100 masl)
Transfer by car: 3 hours
