Here, in addition to my experiences on the trails Alpamayo, Santa Cruz, Huayhuash and Olleros/Chavin also share some technical information independent of my personal impressions. During my time in Huaraz, I met few solo hikers on the trails. But if you already have hiking experience, it should be possible to travel without a guide or in a group without any problems.

Altitude acclimatization

Before hiking, you should acclimatize well. Huaraz is about 3000 meters above sea level. From here you can dare to go higher and higher in day trips. I immediately made a three-day tour over 4600 meters, which I paid with headaches and general exhaustion. For me it was the first time at this altitude. So acclimatize well.

Equipment and climate

During the day it has been very warm and dry so far. I was here from the end of August to mid-September. This is the end of the dry season, from September on it becomes more and more rainy.

Although it is so warm and dry during the day, the temperatures drop to freezing at night. According to this, the equipment you should take also depends. I had a three-season tent with me, a Nemo Hornet. It has two layers and served me well. Almost every morning the outer layer was frozen.

Sleeping bag and sleeping pad

On my first trip to Olleros, I only had a sleeping bag with a comfort zone of 10 degrees. Despite several layers of clothing, I was very cold all night. I then switched to a sleeping bag with a comfort zone of -7 degrees. This was almost too warm, but comfortable as a blanket.

My mat has an R-value of 3-4, which is great for me and probably why I was able to use the sleeping bag as a blanket. My mat only reaches below my hips. As a base for the feet served my backpack.

As a pillow I use my drybag with clothes I am not wearing at the moment.

Tent sites

There are sometimes given “tent sites”, in Huayhuash even with toilet, but you are not obliged to use them. I hiked until I got tired of it and settled down. It’s best to find a place with running water, a stream or river.

Food

For each day of hiking, I had planned for two avocados, which I spread into small flatbreads with some onion, tomato and parsley for lunch. In the evening I had pasta or polenta with avocado on the side. For breakfast I had oatmeal with some raisins and nuts. For dinner and breakfast I brought a 900 ml cooking pot and a 280 ml gas cartridge with burner. Since I eat a lot, this is just the right size for me. If you don’t eat that much, I’m sure you can get by with a smaller pot.

I also recommend a big load of sweets like cookies and gummy bears.

Drinking

You can drink the water from the rivers. I try not to take this as a recommendation. I usually drink the water from the rivers when I am above pastures and fields. Anything below that I filter with an activated carbon filter. Since every inch in the Cordillera Blanca is used for agriculture, a filter is mandatory. Alternatively, you can boil the water, but that costs a lot of energy and is rather impractical.

How to get there

I left my stuff that I didn’t need for hiking either in Huaraz or in Chivian at my hostel. This is usually not a problem and free of charge.

Arrival in Alpamayo / Santa Cruz

From Huaraz there are regular so-called colectivos (fixed price 10 soles), minibuses that take you to Caraz and from there more colectivos (tourist price 20 soles) from the market to Cashapampa, from where you can start hiking. Payment is made directly on the bus. The bus usually leaves when it is full. So just come and get on.

Bus stop to Caraz, may change

Arrival in Olleros

From Huaraz there are regular colectivos (fixed price 10 soles), minibuses that take you to Olleros on the trail. You pay directly in the bus. The bus usually leaves when it is full. So just come and get on.

Bus stop

Arrival in Chiquian (Huayhuash)

The bus to Chiquian costs 40 Soles and leaves three times a day. Link here. In Chivian I stayed one night and then drove in the morning from the gas station directly to the trail (60 Soles tourist price, certainly negotiable).

Bus stop

Navigation

Wikiloc or Gaia provide the GPS data in various formats for free. I use them in my Garmin GPS. But it is quite sufficient to navigate with a cell phone. You can import the maps into Locusmap, for example, or you can use Wikiloc or Gaia directly, which charge a monthly fee.

Often it is enough to know the rough direction. Most of the time you can see the trail or find a path that seems comfortable. I got off the trail a few times and found my way back without any problems.