Eco Tips inside the route

Stay in small family guesthouses or basic eco-lodges in Huaraz. During treks, always use local community guides from the mountain villages. Carry out all your trash and never leave anything behind on the trails. Use biodegradable soap and avoid washing in lakes or streams. Bring a reusable water bottle and treat water properly instead of buying plastic bottles.

Mistakes to avoid

Underestimating the difficulty and altitude of the Cordillera Blanca is a very common mistake. Many travelers feel strong symptoms if they do not acclimatize properly. Another error is going off marked trails which damages sensitive alpine vegetation. Also avoid bringing too much packaged food wrapped in plastic for the long treks.

Alternative options

If you have less time you can shorten this route to 10 days by reducing the length of the multi-day trek. For a tighter budget stay in basic hostels in Huaraz and join group treks instead of private ones. Those who prefer easier hiking can replace the long trek with more day hikes and shorter overnight trips.