Distance : 90 kms. (56 miles) Paved
and dirt roads, 2 hours of travel
Altitude : 4600 m.s.n.m.
(15,000 feet) at the highest point.
Duration : 2 days/ 1 night
Departure : 7.30am.
The Llama Trek in Ayacucho is one of the new adventure tours and one of the few that exists in this country. It is the most popular tour for our visitors. We began this tour in 2002 and now we have monthly groups. The tour greatly benefits the native peoples of the region.
Day 1
Departure from the city of Ayacucho for the community of Rosas Pampa where the
llamas and llameros (llama handlers) are waiting to take us on the hike to 4,200
m.s.n.m. The llamas wear colourful ribbons and bells, and will carry our
backpacks. The tourists only carry their water and cameras during this hike. The
hike lasts for four hours, and there are horses available for fatigued hikers
and emergencies. After one hour of hiking with little change in elevation, we
will begin to climb to the top of the hill Ingawasi Ccasa where we will cross a
passage at 4,600 m.s.n.m. and make a small offering to the native God (los apus)
of the area. We will then descend to the village of Churiacc and Japani where we
will settle into the one-room schoolhouse.
We will have lunch there, and then spend the afternoon visiting the people of
the village for a cultural exchange. We will see how the llama’s wool is
traditionally shorn. We will finish the day with supper and a bonfire.
Day 2
8am. Breakfast
9am. We will begin a four hour horseback ride, touring the regions where about
20,000 alpacas and llamas are living. For beginner riders, the horses will be
led by natives.
We will have lunch at the school, then pack up for the return trip. We will stop
at the thermal baths of Niñobamba where the tourist can have a therapeutic bath
in water that is rich in minerals at 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Return to the city of Ayacucho.
The program includes:
• Private transportation
• Sleeping Bags and mattresses
• All food during the trip
• Llamas, llameros (llama handlers), horses.
• Cooks to prepare the food.
• Guides who speak English, French, and Italian.
• Native assistants and porters.
What to bring for the hike: hiking shoes, cameras, water, and sweater.
What to bring for the night: very warm clothes, hand sanitizer, Kleenex or
toilet paper, Tylenol.
Also, a swimsuit is needed for the hot springs on the return journey.
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