A New Circuit in Our Region
🕖 7:00 AM – Hotel pickup for private tour
We’ll head toward the Ulta Valley, taking the detour at the city of Carhuaz and passing through the village of Shilla. The trail begins after passing the Huascarán National Park checkpoint and crossing the Ulta River. From there, the path becomes slightly steep, ascending gradually in a zigzag pattern. The hike takes approximately 2 to 3 hours (about 3.5 km) to reach the lagoon.
At the destination, you’ll find the stunning blue waters of Hualcacocha Lagoon, beautifully reflecting the surrounding Hualcán and Ulta mountains—an awe-inspiring natural scene.
Full day
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Moderate
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Huaraz – Shilla / Ulta Valley Hike – Hualcacocha Lagoon
With private transportation, we head toward the Ulta Valley. First, we pass through the city of Carhuaz and take the eastern detour into the Cordillera Blanca via the village of Shilla. After registering at the Huascarán National Park checkpoint, our hike begins in the flat area known as Ulta Valley.
The first part of the trail crosses the river and wetlands until we reach a zigzagging path that ascends gradually, following the river that flows down from Hualcacocha Lagoon. Further along, we’ll walk through lush forests of native queñual trees, where we can observe wildflowers and mushrooms unique to the region.
Reaching Hualcacocha Lagoon takes approximately 3 hours. It sits just below the northern peak of Mount Hualcán (5,300 meters / 17,388 ft) and Mount Ulta (5,440 meters / 17,848 ft). After spending some time at the lagoon and enjoying our box lunch, we’ll descend along the same route, which takes about 2 hours. Our vehicle will be waiting for us in Ulta Valley to return to Huaraz.
Included
- Tourist transportation (hotel pickup)
- Certified hiking guide
- Hotel pickup
- First aid kit
Not included
- Entrance ticket to Huascarán National Park (S/.15 for Peruvians, S/.30 for foreigners)
- Meals (we recommend bringing snacks or a box lunch)
- Beverages and personal expenses
- Tips
Recommendations
- This tour is ideal for travelers seeking nature tourism in the Cordillera Blanca.
- We recommend taking an overnight bus from Lima, Trujillo, or Chimbote to arrive in Huaraz the following morning.
- Clothing should be appropriate for the season and planned activities. During the sunny Andean summer (mid-April to October), daytime temperatures can reach up to 68°F (20°C), but drop sharply at night to around 41°F (5°C). It’s best to bring lightweight or long-sleeved clothing for the day and warm layers for the evening.
- During the rainy season (November to April), waterproof clothing and shoes that can withstand water and cold are highly recommended.
- If you plan to do other outdoor activities around Huaraz—such as camping, hiking, ice climbing, or biking—make sure to bring the appropriate clothing and gear.
- The program shown here is a one-day tour, but if you’d like to extend your stay, please ask about our Huaraz packages that include hotel and tours ranging from 2 to 5 days.
Important
- Enter Huascarán National Park only with the required authorization (entrance ticket).
- Respect and follow the instructions of park rangers and authorized guides.
- Stay safe—use only marked and authorized trails.
- Do not collect wild plants or animals.
- Camp only in designated shelters and authorized camping areas.
- Avoid littering. Dispose of trash only in designated areas or take it with you outside the park.
- Do not leave the boundaries of marked trails; respect and do not damage signage.
- Respect local customs—ask for permission before taking photos of local residents.
- Do not bring domestic or exotic animals, as they may harm the native wildlife of Huascarán National Park.
- Get informed before traveling to Huascarán National Park—know what you can do and where you can go.
- Let us take care of the logistics so you can simply enjoy the experience.
- For your safety and that of your group, we strongly recommend visiting National Parks and Protected Areas with a professional guide.
Card Payments
We accept all VISA and MASTERCARD credit or debit cards via a secure link. A 5% surcharge applies for this payment method (SSL secure system).
Bank Transfer
Payment can also be made via bank transfer to our company account:
BCP. Banco de Crédito del Perú
A nombre: Ana Magaly Villanueva MartÃnez (Sub-Gerencia)
Ahorro SOLES: 375-18360690-0-08 | CCI: 00237511836069000845
Ahorro DOLARES: 375-28861110-1-93 | CCI: 00237512886111019342
BBVA Banco Continental
A nombre: Ana Magaly Villanueva MartÃnez (Sub-Gerencia)
Ahorro SOLES: 0011-0814-13-0239338238 | CCI: 011 814 000239338238 13