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EagleEye Says: Some 30 kms from Caraz you can either walk to this natural Laguna or rent a taxi with other people (60 soles).
richiecdisc Says: The views from the Punta Union are among the best in all of Peru. Witness the mighty Cordillera Blanca in all it's amazing majesty.
richiecdisc Says: You might expect the alpine splendor but the first day of walking will bring you through rugged, dry scenery right out of the wild, wild west.
richiecdisc Says: Laguna Grande is a highlight of the second day of trekking. It's torquoise waters are a welcomed relief from some near desert like conditions before and after you pass it.
Chez Richie: Don't worry, I brought plenty of food
richiecdisc Says: Though seating is a bit uncomfortable, you cannot beat the view. Lots of noodle soups, noodle dishes, and iodine water to wash it all down. It may not sound so great but after lugging a 25 kilo backpack up a 4750m pass, it taste just fine.
Cafe De Rat: Maybe the 'best' pancakes I've ever got!
Alberto41 Says: It has a nice and cosy atmosphere, great location with a balcony facing the Plaza, there's even a fireplace! I like the bookexchange. A place to hang up and meet other hikers and climbers. The Cafe De Rat's, it's made of fresh coffee, coca leaves and Pisco, all of these...
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With gorgeous sunsets like this, who needs nightlife. The best thing to do is get up and hope for a nice sunrise, right? And besides, you will need all your energy to carry that pack all day too!
Dress Code: Something warm, it gets cold once the sun goes down.
Written Jan 30, 2003
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You can get a collectivo (mini bus) from Av. Centario in Huaraz, just by the bridge. They leave every day between 7:00 and 10:00 as they fill up, about every 15 minutes. It takes about two hours to reach Caraz from Huaraz. The rates vary according to the vehicle, faster ones seeming to charge a bit more. It was around two dollars but watch what locals pay, and just pay the same.
Written Jan 30, 2003
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The local street market in Huaraz provides most anything you will need on the trek and is a colorful place to observe locals too.
What to buy: I got some good soft asian noodles which cooked quickly though were a bit heavy. I got five kilo packs, which was far too much! lol Good to buy some powdered drink mix to made the iodized water taste better. Instant noodle soups are a great way to start a meal off as they are quick for when you are hungy. Mate de cocoa tea is reportedly good for acclimatization and tasted pretty good as well.
What to pay: The noodles are cheap as are most things at the market.
Updated Jan 31, 2003
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Though you are in a National Park, the Peruvians allow farmers to utilize the land too. That's why you see gates. They aren't to keep people out, they are to keep domestic animals in.
Updated Jan 30, 2003
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Though temperatures are not overly hot, the sun is intense at this altitude and the arid air can fool the unwary backpacker into thinking they are not thirsty. Carry plenty of water and make sure to drink it. Often cattle are not so lucky to have it.
Written Jan 30, 2003
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Well, not exactly a trap. Some treks are full of kids asking for candy or some other item that previous backpackers have thoughtlessly given out. This only promotes begging but these kids didn't beg and we shared our crackers with them.
Written Jan 30, 2003
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Luggage and bags: A good backpack is essential and don't skimp on it. You will be carrying it on your back for days and you will pay for the cheap one with a lot of pain. If you can afford it, get a good one.
Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Rain gear is even more important. You can't stay warm if all your clothes get wet. Fleece is light and warm but not wind resistant. Rain gear will cut down on wind too. Thermal underwear should always be carried for emergencies. It's great if you don't ever wear it. Good socks can never be underestimated, much like good water proof boots.
Photo Equipment: Wide angle for scenery along with a circular polarizer to cut down on glare. Zoom for the wild horses.
Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Good water proof tent is necessary to keep your stuff as well as you dry.
Written Feb 25, 2003
wild horses couldn't drag me away
richiecdisc Says: One more bonus of leaving the main trail is coming across a herd of wild horses as we did on our way to the Alpamayo Base Camp.
does it get better than calving glaciers?
richiecdisc Says: Making the extra effort to camp at the Alpamayo Base Camp pays off when you make the morning hike up to the actual beginning of technical climbs up the peak. You are rewared with a silt green lake half encircled with jagged peaks and a calving glacier at the far end of it.
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Backpacking is a great sport, check it out sometime!
Equipment: A couple of good strong legs comes in handy but mostly you need determination.
Written Jan 30, 2003
richiecdisc Says: The slapping of hands on taut skin intermingled with curses was the first thing I heard on the trail. The Slovenians had gotten a head start on us as we sloppily readied ourselves for the initial climb but much to their dismay they had walked in shorts into a swarm of...
richiecdisc Says: Even with our less than perfect morning, we got out of the campground before a group of Dutch travelers on an organized trek, who had porters to set up and brake down camp as well as prepare their meals for them. But a head start doesn’t last long when the competition is...
richiecdisc Says: We made due and prepared a big meal to ease our understandable hunger as the sun graciously made an appearance, setting on the peaks of the valley that had played hide and seek behind the clouds all day. Darkness soon followed and we fell into a deep sleep as you can only...
richiecdisc Says: There was no time to rest as the obvious fickle weather could change at any instant and I would rather it be after we set up the tent. In what I perceived to be another smart move, I hastily picked a spot behind a another wind break stone and soon not only was our new...
While Huaraz dominates the tourist trade of the Cordillera Blanca, smaller towns like Caraz are starting to realize the lure of gringo dollars and are slowly developing the infrastructure to help pry...
Caraz is a small town on the way from Chimbote to Huaraz , just after passing the cañon del Pato. Compared to Huaraz, Caraz is much less touristic and is still worthwile : people wear the most...
Trekking to the base camp of the so named and so many tmes pictured mount Alpamayo, it's a life tme experience. 3 days hiking from Caraz, a little town nested at the feet of the huge Andes in central...
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