Day 2 - Dead Women's Pass
WAYLLABAMBA- AYAPATA- LLULLUCHAYOQ- DEAD WOMAN´S PASS- PACAYMAYO-(CAMPING)- Notes from our Tour Company's Website
After breakfast, around 8:00 am we re-start our walk from our camp to Ayapata valley, it takes around 1 hour followed by a soft uphill climb through woods and along a stream (3,300 m / 10,824 ft) Today is our great challenge day but with plenty of time to enjoy, it is the biggest climb of our hike, strenuous because you gain 1,200 meters in elevation planned in 2 stages, but it is rewarded with spectacular views up the mountain, partly it is an old inca Stone steps, surrounding with impressive snow-covered peaks as (Apu Huayanay mountain in our back). You will take 2-3 hour hike with several stops to catch your breath to reach the lunch place at Llulluchapampa Valley with expectacular views around, along the trail, we ascend steeply uphill through the Corralpunku Valley to the Llulluchayoc Zone, where you can see some species of birds, withith luck we will see tinny hummingbirds, falcons and black-chested buzzard eagles or perhaps we see the king of the andean heights the Condor, so respected and venerated at andean towns. We will soon enter into a beautiful cloud forest, or polylepis woodland (Qeuñas and Chachacomos small andean trees) and the treeless grasslands of the puna región, habitad of tarucas and pumas. From here, you can see the highest mountain ahead called dead woman´s pass. … you made it !!! Once the full group reaches this pass, we take a short rest break before beginning a steep descent into the Pacaymayo Valley for 2-3 hrs approx to reach our camp for tonight. This site has an incredible view over a valley, nearby waterfall and snow-covered peaks.
After lunch we continue our hike for another 2-3 hours -600 meter ascent up to the top of the mountain, Warmiwañusca mt. (Dead Woman’s Pass) located at 4,200 meter /13,776 feet. Here you will discover a special feelings at this top maybe the sacrality of this point or just you coping with lack of oxygen in your brain. The path still climbs along a large number of steps, some of them newly laid to protect the mountain from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catch your breath whenever you like. This last hard climb brings us to Dead Woman’s Pass
Warmiwañusca Mt. Dead Woman’s Pass
4,200 meter /13,776 feet.
Posts from this trip.
Starting at KM 82, the trek to Machu Picchu takes four days. Each day brings its own challenges and vivid memories. The hike is grueling - no doubt about that. Anyone over the age of 60 is required to submit a letter from their doctor stating they are physically capable of strenuous activity at high altitude. For safety reasons, the guides carry spare oxygen to assist anyone who experiences breathing problems
After breakfast, around 7:00 am. The path climbs very steeply from Pacaymayo camp in a well preserved paved path –Camino Inca and takes 1 hour to reach the ruins at Runcuracay, a circular structure with a rectangular outbuildings perched on the edge of the valley, an old Inca -tambo where chaskis rested, guard post, lookout point or a ritual building, the site is best viewed from higher up the path. The second pass (3,950 m / 12,956 ft) called as well as Abra de Runcuracay, is another hour up, beyond a series of false summits and at the top of a series of steep staircases.
We will get up very early -around 4:00 am -to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), overlooking Machu Picchu for the first rays of the sunrise. Your hope is that it is sunny morning not foggy. Unfortunately it was fogged in for us. This will be a hike of 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. You will be hiking in darkness for one hour, so a head lamp is strongly recommended please follow instructions of your guides and watch out your steps.