Huaraz is the perfect departure point for excursions into both the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra. It's in the heights of the Sierra that you will truly discover all the fantastic features that the Ancash region has to offer.

Huarez: a jewel nestled between snow-covered peaks

It's at Lima that the great numbers of Peruvians found themselves in the 50s, when the rural exodus was at its peak. The capital has seen a tenfold increase in its population and it's this mixture of people and cultures from all over the country that gives it all its variety today.

Visiting Lima's various neighbourhoods

A visit to the heart of the various pre-Incan civilisations in the land of the Lambayeque. The region is brimming with important archaeological remains, so let's follow the tracks of this impressive historical heritage...

Lambayeque: follow in the footsteps of ancient civilisations

Located between the Selva and the Cordillera of the Andes, the Huancavélica and Cerro Pasco region will put you under its spell, with its incredible landscapes, the welcoming nature of the local inhabitants and the old traditions that are still very much alive

Pasco and Huancavélica: a voyage combining nature and tradition

The huge capital of Peru sprung up out the desert. Lima is a noisy town, an easy going place where clouds cover the sky for 8 months of the year.

South America

On these pages you will find ideas for a trip to Peru to help you prepare for your trip. All these ideas are there just to get your imagination going; you can alter, mix and match them as you please. Your local agent will help you create a unique and unforgettable trip, just for you! Peru has three distinct parts, each with its own character: the Pacific coast, which is the most densely populated; the Andes range, with the highest mountain being the towering Huascarán at 6,768 metres; and the Amazon, which covers the largest part of the country. If you’re going, start with the must-see: Machu Picchu – fortunately not found by the Conquistadors – rediscovered in 1911. You should visit it at dawn to see the ruins shrouded in mist. This extraordinary site still clasps a few secrets to its bosom. Not far away, the Andes range draw ramblers and trekkers to magnificent landscapes. The ultimate rambling experience is the Inca Trail through exceptional archaeological sites. During your stay in Peru, you must stop in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. The Spanish erected their buildings, especially religious ones, over Inca constructions which they systematically destroyed, only sparing their characteristic foundations, which are still visible today with their large, perfectly cut and fitted stones. A voyage out of time awaits you in Cusco.

Peru

Lima

 Pisac: a wonderful site that remains still very well preserved today and where you can see and appreciate the ingenious system of terraces developed during the pre-Inca era in all its splendour.

Pisac

 The town of Ollantaytambo and it's archaeological site are situated between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Take the time to visit this charming, little Inca town.

Ollantaytambo

Andahuaylillas, a small village in the Andes mountains is still protected from the many tourist buses roaming all around Cusco.

Andahuayillas

A village in the Cordillera Blanca mainly known for being one of the stopping points on the Cedros and Santa Cruz treks.

Cashapampa

Uruguay

The Galapagos Islands

Patagonia

Europe

Central America

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North America

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Oceania

I went through Cashapampa whilst on the Santa Cruz trek , which is the most common of the treks in the Cordillera. But rest assured, if you do include the Ancash region in <a href="/peru/">your Peruvian itinerary</a>, you will see that here are fewer, a lot fewer, tourists here than in the area around Cusco. Outings in the natural environment are therefore relatively quiet? Cachapampa can be the entry point or the leaving point of the said trek. Whichever way round you choose to go, the walk is splendid. You'll find a few tiendas there to revitalise you if necessary. I had the chance to do it a number of times and I preferred to start at the village in question and finish by the view over the lakes of Llanganuco. Then again be prepared for a tough climb in stifling heat!  Just for info, if you decide to go alone, the path is signposted. Don't forget to leave the beaten track a little and climb up to base camp on Alpamayo (on the second day). It offers a spectacular view. Again a little detail for those who prefer to hike unaccompanied; the staff at Chashapampa cause noticeably fewer problems selling park entrance tickets to people without guides than the staff at Vaqueria, the entrance on the other side. On the other hand, out of season, you will have more interest in finishing at Cashapampa instead because you will have more chance of finding a return bus.

Cashapampa Vacations

Cashapampa: How to get there?

Cashapampa: See when to go ?

Cashapampa: For how long?

Cashapampa: What to see nearby?

Peru: our articles for your vacations