UJ #9 - Adventure in Peru
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pend<strong>in</strong>g on the year and season, the snow could be<br />
“sugar” type, which is too soft and h<strong>in</strong>ders climb<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to the po<strong>in</strong>t that sometimes you can’t reach the summit”.<br />
The third day takes you to Palomichayoc pass at<br />
5,200 m.a.s.l., with some spectacular panoramic<br />
views, followed by a descent alongside the glacier<br />
to Ausangate Cocha. The day ends at Anantapata<br />
Tambo, <strong>in</strong> the upper reaches of Alcatauri Canyon and<br />
the third lodge, which is the only one built us<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
community’s own funds; further proof that tourism<br />
can be susta<strong>in</strong>able.<br />
Next day <strong>in</strong>cludes another mounta<strong>in</strong> pass followed<br />
by a trek to Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by mounta<strong>in</strong>s<br />
and with a spectacular view of the valley. Here the m<strong>in</strong>eral<br />
composition of the hills turns them <strong>in</strong>to a classical<br />
multi-coloured postcard view of the trek. On the<br />
trek to Huampococha Tambo you will see hundreds<br />
of geese, who nest <strong>in</strong> the slopes of Antay, the craggy<br />
rock formations of the apu Labrayani. The f<strong>in</strong>al day<br />
takes you across the Anta pass followed by a descent<br />
to the po<strong>in</strong>t where you are taken back to Cusco.<br />
In the words of Eduardo Pedraza, mounta<strong>in</strong>eer and<br />
former commercial manager of Lima Tours, the Ausangate<br />
trail is “for those seek<strong>in</strong>g a serious mounta<strong>in</strong><br />
trek”. “What makes it special”, adds Pedraza, “is that<br />
you walk with the llamas that carry the equipment,<br />
which is how the ancient Andean people travelled.<br />
You walk for more than six hours a day and at one<br />
po<strong>in</strong>t climb to over 5,000 metres above sea level.<br />
Few people have been up to such an altitude. But<br />
although you suffer somewhat, the spectacular scenery<br />
is more than worth it. It’s an epic trek, world<br />
class, for people who love mounta<strong>in</strong>s and are fit”.<br />
“The Andean Lodges project and this route changed<br />
my view of life”, adds Nishiyama. “I came to<br />
understand that the apu is our father and as such<br />
we should love, respect and protect him when necessary.<br />
The spirituality you feel walk<strong>in</strong>g through the<br />
glacial valleys, conquer<strong>in</strong>g the mounta<strong>in</strong> passes and<br />
Andean Lodges<br />
Above: Mount Ausangate<br />
(6,371 m.a.s.l.) is one of<br />
the highest <strong>in</strong> southern<br />
<strong>Peru</strong> and a favourite of<br />
experienced climbers.<br />
Below: Mount Yauricunca<br />
(4,985 m.a.s.l.) offers some<br />
of the best scenery on the<br />
route. The coloured soil<br />
is the result of its m<strong>in</strong>eral<br />
composition.<br />
Andean Lodges<br />
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