Garagocha Col updated 12 July 2024
I am receiving conflicting information about locals charging Alpine Circuit travellers USD$200 per person fines for crossing Garagocha Col. I am told that this is an (over)reaction to the fatality of Israeli Oren Samir, who seems to have fallen over the hidden cliffs on the descent from Garagocha Col in poor weather. One contact says that locals are levying fines. Another says they aren't. If you have any more information, please reach out.
To avoid tempting fate, it might be wise to cross the Mitucocha Valley quickly after descending from Garagocha Col.
I am receiving conflicting information about locals charging Alpine Circuit travellers USD$200 per person fines for crossing Garagocha Col. I am told that this is an (over)reaction to the fatality of Israeli Oren Samir, who seems to have fallen over the hidden cliffs on the descent from Garagocha Col in poor weather. One contact says that locals are levying fines. Another says they aren't. If you have any more information, please reach out.
To avoid tempting fate, it might be wise to cross the Mitucocha Valley quickly after descending from Garagocha Col.
perhaps it's best to avoid lingering near Mitucocha until the Garagocha Col access issue is resolved
Rasac Pass updated 31 May 2024
In February 2024, the community of Huayllapa issued a proclamation barring anyone from crossing Rasac Pass to Jauacocha, threatening a S/2000 ($600 USD) fine. My understanding is that they collect fees from Valley Circuit hikers for camping and traveling through their land but historically have been unsuccessful at collecting fees from Alpine Circuit travellers because the Alpine Circuit does not pass near enough to Huayllapa to make fee collection feasible.
In late May 2024, a Peruvian Huaraz-based friend visited the people of Huayllapa and received several updates:
- non-guided Alpine Circuit groups are permitted to cross Rasac Pass as long as they pay the S/60 per person fees
- the people of Huayllapa will send a representative to Cutatambo, a homestead 600m SW of camp at Jurau Lake, to collect fees. See the description of Day 4: Trapecio Pass for more information about how to reach Cutatambo.
- guided groups are still not permitted to cross Rasac Pass
My Huaraz contacts inform me that several Huaraz-based guiding agencies have tried to resolve the guided-group access issue but have unfortunately not had any success.
Be aware that in the past, arguments between locals and Valley Circuit travellers have resulted in violence and even homicide. If a local confronts you near Rasac Pass (or anywhere in the Huayhuash), I recommend taking a gentle, conciliatory tone. Near Rasac Pass, forget any Spanish you know and offer S/60 per person (the going rate for passing through and camping in Huayllapa) for "permiso de camping, permiso de transito".
I will keep this page updated as more information becomes available. If you have any news, encounter any enforcement, and/or are able and interested in helping resolve this issue, please reach out to me in the comments portal on the Home page.
Google Translation:
RELEASE
The tourism committee of the community of Huayllapa, Copa district, province of Cajatambo, Lima region provinces, informs travel and tourism agencies, tourist guides, national and foreign tourists and visiting groups about camps and restrictions within the circuit of the Huayhuash mountain range, Private Conservation Area (ACP) Huayllapa.
The camps are: Viconga, Cuyog (elephant pampas), Cutatambo, Huayllapa and Huatiag.
The restrictions within the tourist circuit are:
• Do not return from the Cuyog (elephant pampas) camp to Viconga or Huayhuash, since some guides and tourists carry out this type of tourism for not paying the rate established by the community.
• Do not cross with mules through the Mirador San Antonio to Cutatambo pass.
• Likewise, it is completely prohibited to cross the Rasac glacier pass to Jahuacocha.
In addition, it is necessary to inform national tourists, make the right to pay that they corresponds to their entry into the community landscapes. On the other hand, all tourism operators and tourists are encouraged not to leave waste behind. inorganic solids in the camps, no roads; Please dispose of them accordingly. If they ignore or violate the community statement and agreements, they will be sanctioned the sum of S/2000 to the offenders.
Sincerely,
The Tourism Committee
Huayllapa, February 2024.
RELEASE
The tourism committee of the community of Huayllapa, Copa district, province of Cajatambo, Lima region provinces, informs travel and tourism agencies, tourist guides, national and foreign tourists and visiting groups about camps and restrictions within the circuit of the Huayhuash mountain range, Private Conservation Area (ACP) Huayllapa.
The camps are: Viconga, Cuyog (elephant pampas), Cutatambo, Huayllapa and Huatiag.
The restrictions within the tourist circuit are:
• Do not return from the Cuyog (elephant pampas) camp to Viconga or Huayhuash, since some guides and tourists carry out this type of tourism for not paying the rate established by the community.
• Do not cross with mules through the Mirador San Antonio to Cutatambo pass.
• Likewise, it is completely prohibited to cross the Rasac glacier pass to Jahuacocha.
In addition, it is necessary to inform national tourists, make the right to pay that they corresponds to their entry into the community landscapes. On the other hand, all tourism operators and tourists are encouraged not to leave waste behind. inorganic solids in the camps, no roads; Please dispose of them accordingly. If they ignore or violate the community statement and agreements, they will be sanctioned the sum of S/2000 to the offenders.
Sincerely,
The Tourism Committee
Huayllapa, February 2024.
