Full Day Community Visit
You will learn about the Llama Pack Project mission and the challenges faced by llama herding families, hosted by members of the Local Guild of Llama Breeders while you enjoy a breath-taking walk towards a high-Andean community with their llamas herding them in the traditional Andean style.
To access the starting point of the trek you may have to transfer from your transportation to a local truck that will take you from Charan bridge to the starting point of the trek in Saywapata in a 30 minute drive. There you will meet your hosts, members of the Local Guilds of Llama Breeders, and their llamas. An english/spanish speaking interpreter will introduce the Llama Pack Project to the group and you will be asked to assist in the packing activity led by your local hosts. After this you will start a 3 to 4 hour trek uphill at slow pace along the river, passing through native forests and amazing rock formations while you learn all about the noble and native eco-friendly llamas and their importance to preserve high-Andean ecosystems. You will then arrive to Cancha Cancha community, home of over 70 native Quechua speaking families dedicated to self-sustaining agriculture and animal pasturing, surrounded by the spectacular views of the Chicon, Sirihuani and Sahuasiray glaciers. The village will seem almost a ghost town as families perform their daily chores such as working the land and herding their animals in the vast extension of their lands, where you will appreciate the challenges faced by llama breeding families. Your hosts will invite you to one of their homes to chat and enjoy a nice recovering brunch. After this you may relax and enjoy the outdoor panoramic views and fresh air. The typical and picturesque high Andean architecture can be appreciated in the homes of the local people and their animal folds. After this nice and recovering rest, the llamas will stay at the community and you will return with your hosts walking downhill to the starting point where the visit ends.
Visit Details
View prices and conditionsDetails:
- Difficulty: Moderate / Very intense.
- Start time: 8 a.m.
- Duration: 7 – 8 hours.
- Trek: Distance covered: 14 k.m. / Altitude gained: 2700 m. – 3950 m. (8850 ft. – 12950 ft.) / Physical activity: 3 – 4 hours trekking uphill and 2 – 3 hours trekking downhill. (Approximate times).
- Starting / Ending point: Depending on weather and road conditions the activity will start either in Charan bridge or Saywapata, Quebrada Cancha Cancha, Huaran. (15 – 30 minutes from downtown Huaran by ground transportation).
Llamas:
Llamas will be packed and herded in the traditional Andean style as a group. Visitors will assist so llamas can be contained in a specific space for packing activity.
Interpreters will provide safety information. Petting is not allowed given llamas are raised in semi-wild conditions.
Llamas walk in a group in front of visitors and local hosts who herd their llamas from behind keeping a safe distance.
Included:
- Snack and traditional food tasting.
- Trek with llamas.*
- English speaking guide.
- Llama herders from the community.
- First-Aid kit.
Snack: Fruit, cookie, chocolate, energy drink.
Picnic: Tasting of typical Andean hot stone cooking with 3 varieties of native potatoes, local tubers and legumes, sweet potato and corn according to seasonal availability, traditional sauce, coca tea and sweet.
* In the unusual event that there is a storm the previous day or a community chore that prevents llamas from joining us, the rest of the activities will still be carried out.
Recomendations:
Bring a lightweight personal backpack with drinking water, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, any personal medicine, cash for tips and crafts and your camera.
Wear comfortable clothes: Fresh long sleeved shirt, long pants, closed trekking shoes, socks, hat, sunglasses, extra jacket for fresh breeze, and rainproof clothes. You may bring trekking poles. For small children, we recommend a trekking child carrier.
You may find our full list of recommendations here.