The last big highlight of the inclusive Marieke time in Peru should be a visit to the heart of the Cordillera Blanca. Around the city of Huaraz and the Huarascaran National Park gather the highest and most famous peaks of Peru!
The Huascarán is the highest there with 6768 meters and also the fourth highest of the Andes at all. Do not worry, we did not climb that ... In the league, unfortunately, we do not play nearly ... But hiking was there for us there in the center.
We made three great hikes on three days.
Day one was right on the edge of Huaraz to the Wilcacocha Lagoon. From there you have a wonderful first view towards the Cordillera Blanca.
At the lagoon, we quickly made acquaintance with the real inhabitants of the area ... In Germany, they would probably call them "street killers" - but what do you call these dogs, if they hang out where there are no roads? Okay, let's call her a "stray horse". They know that food is the most interesting where hikers like to rest!
On day two we drove a bit further to hike to the lagoon 69 (which have been numbered at some point and not only this number, but the lagoon itself is very nice)! Especially the way offers views of fantastic landscapes. It is also in relatively close proximity to Huarascaran. The lagoon is at 4600 meters and although this is not a summit ... you are already quite neat above (the third highest peak of the Alps is about the same height).
On the way back, the bus suddenly stopped a few kilometers from the center of Huaraz. Jam, nothing works anymore. After standing for about half an hour, we were given the choice of either staying in the bus and reaching our destination at an anticipated 2 km / h in three hours, or within an hour's walk to the destination. The reason:
At the end of the week, the "Panameticanos" would start in Lima, the Olympic Games of America. Forty-eight hours before the opening ceremony, the Olympic flame was expected in Huaraz, and half the city was cordoned off! What a spectacle: Thousands of people lined the street, raging and making music ... And there was no flare far and wide (at least not the hour we walked along). Peruvians really use every opportunity to party!
On day three we went to the lagoon Churup. Even a fantastic hike and the lagoon itself even wins the direct comparison with number 69. Who likes then, can still up to the small lagoons sister Churupita continue to hike above (to be again at 4600 meters), but the way is then really exciting and exhausting, sure-footedness does not hurt, but it made a total buck.
The way back was then from the chapters "in the mountains the weather turns fast" and "timing is everything". We were just sitting in our bus when it started pouring. The 45-minute return trip went by with a colorful mix of tourists and locals, and certainly, when you're in touch with a little boy with whom you can fax non-verbally. In the city, the rain was over, a rainbow greeted us. Perfect.
On day four, we completed the enchanting trip with a visit to a "Peru-Style" thermal bath. Once enjoying the authentic experience of watching a group of Peruvians doing water aerobics!
These were definitely days out of which hiking dreams are!
Challenge: relatively central on picture 7 Marieke waves even into the camera!
