Home to 54 native Quechua speaking families dedicated to agriculture and animal pasturing, Canca-Cancha is a community of Peruvian llama breeders nestled in beautiful mountains at 3,954 metres above sea level.
These families all have rich cultural backgrounds that are on the verge of disappearing as most are forced to work in cities away from their hometowns to be able to provide for their community.
With family owned llamas only being used once or twice a year, mostly to transport potato seeds, taking part in this conservation project provides an opportunity for them to use their llamas throughout the year and encourages sustainable business within the community.
Join the Llama Pack Project and enjoy breath-taking surroundings as you trek ancestral trail routes. Take in the awe inspiring views of glaciers and be welcomed into the highland homes of the local Chana Chana people.
This is your opportunity to be an active part of a Llama customs conservation project that works to recover the traditional uses and breeding of carrier llamas as a tool for sustainable rural development, as well as conservation of mountain ecosystems, generating long-term sustainable development within neighbouring communities in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Distance: Approx. 14km
Altitude: 2,700 – 3,950 m
This morning you will be met at 8.00am at the Charán Bridge in the town of Huaran (approx. 2hrs from Cusco). It is from here that your adventure begins, as you take local transport on unpaved roads towards Saywapata, the start point of your trek. You will meet members of the Llama Pack Project, and their Llamas, at approx. 8.30am and after a short introduction about the work of the Llama Pack Project, you will prepare the llamas and start your trek.
Set off at an easy pace and take in the beautiful landscape and bio-diversity that surrounds you as you scale the moderate incline. Enjoy rest stops and a picnic brunch along the way before continuing on for the town of Cancha Cancha (approx. 2hrs).
Located in the beautiful mountains at 3,954 metres above sea level, Cancha Cancha divides the Sacred Valley in two and offers spectacular views of the Chicon and Sirihuani glaciers to the east and the imposing Colquecruz glacier to the west. You will have some time here to mingle with the locals and wander the streets of the quaint town.
This afternoon, enjoy a snack of sweet cookies and warm tea while you prepare your camping gear. Dinner will be served this evening, before you rest in preparation for tomorrows activities. (Brunch,D)
Overnight camping in tent
After an early breakfast you will have time to explore Cancha Cancha as it awakens and witness the locals go about their daily life. Spend some time mingling and chatting to the friendly locals before setting off mid morning on your hike.
Enjoy spectacular views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas as you trek, do a spot of bird watching as you pass through wonderful forests of native trees and bushes such as Queñuas, Alisos and Chachacomos, and marvel at the striking rock formations along the way.
Upon your arrival back to the town of Huaran, enjoy a refreshing drink as you bid farewell to your new friends, of both human and Llama kind! (B)
Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start your planning offline!
**Please note that this tour can be organised on request for private departures.
* Pricing is subject to change at anytime until full payment has been received.
* A minimum of 2 adults is required to guarantee this departure.
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 AUD per person is required to secure your place. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Travel insurance is mandatory for travelling with Crooked Compass. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
**Treks will not operate during Easter, Inti Raymi festivity (June 22-27), Christmas (Dec 24) and New Year (Dec 31).
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
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