Trip Dossier

                                                        
Day 2 Huayllabamba To Pacamayo (12km).

At Huayllabamba the trail turns right (northwest) up the Llullucha valley. After walking steeply upwards for about 11/2 hours you will drop down to a grassy clearing, popularly known as The Forks. The path then enters woods – first scrub, then very beautiful cloudforest where the trees are hung with moss. These fairy-tale woods will help keep your mind off the fact that you are still going steeply uphill with no sign of respite. Eventually, however, the trees become more stunted and you emerge into a meadow, Llulluchapampa. From The Forks to the meadow is about 2 hours. This is the last campsite before the pass, aptly named (if you are a female hiker) Abra de Huarmihuañusqa, ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ (4,198m), which you can see ahead of you.

It will take you about 11/2 hours to climb to the top of the pass. This is the highest point on the trail, so take heart – if you survive this, you’ll survive the other passes. Take time to look around you. You should be able to pick out the circular ruins of Runkuracay ahead, just below the next pass. The descent is steep but not difficult. Just follow the trail on the left side of the valley to the valley floor and the next designated campsite at Pacamayo (3,600m). Nearby are some huts with basic toilets and sinks built by the INC.