3-day itinerary in Yungay: history, lakes and garden (with variations and a rainy-day plan)

Three days is just the right amount of time to feel Yungay without rushing: one to walk through its history, another to climb into the mountains and another to slow down and enjoy. This 3-day itinerary in Yungay is designed for travellers who arrive from Lima or other cities, want to acclimatise intelligently, wish to see the essentials and are looking for an experience that balances culture, nature and rest. It is written in an "hour by hour" format so that you can copy it and adapt it, and it includes variations for trekkers, families and travellers who want to relax, as well as an alternative plan if the weather does not help.

Before you travel: what is worth deciding

When to travel

The dry season (May to September) offers clearer skies for the lakes; in the rainy season the plan works, but with flexibility. See best time to visit Yungay and Huaraz.

How to get there

From Lima, the direct bus takes around eight hours; you can also fly to Huaraz and continue by road. Details in how to get to Yungay from Lima and Huaraz.

Where to stay

For this itinerary, accommodation in Yungay saves you transfers and lets you acclimatise at about 2,450 metres. At Comtury Lodge we offer whole bungalows for 2 to more than 16 people; work out yours with the finder.

What to bring

Warm layers, sunscreen, comfortable footwear, water and cash in soles. The complete list is in what to pack for Yungay and the Cordillera Blanca.

Day 1: arrival, square and Campo Santo (gentle acclimatisation)

Goal of the day: arrive without rushing, hydrate, get to know the town and begin to understand its history.

Morning

• Arrival and check-in. If you arrive on an overnight bus, drop your luggage, take a hot shower and rest for a while. If the accommodation does not yet have your unit ready, ask to leave your bags.
• Light breakfast. Fresh bread with avocado or cheese, a mild broth or a soup, and herbal tea. Avoid too much coffee and alcohol.
• Rest or a short walk in the garden. If you feel well, walk slowly; if not, rest.

Midday

• Gentle walk to the Plaza de Armas. From Comtury Lodge it is about eight minutes on foot. Look at Huascarán and Huandoy from the square, wander through the market and buy some fruit.
• Home-cooked lunch. A broth, a llunca or a simple dish with mote and potato. More ideas in traditional food of Áncash.

Afternoon

• Visit to the Campo Santo de Yungay. Give it between one and two hours, calmly and in silence. Read the signs and climb up to the Christ. If you would like context before you go, read Campo Santo de Yungay: history and guide.
• Return and rest. A while in a hammock in the garden helps you process the visit.

Evening

• Light dinner, and early. A broth, a soup or a home-cooked supper.
• Bonfire or quiet conversation, if the weather allows.
• Early to bed, well wrapped up.

Day 2: Llanganuco lakes (the mountain day)

Goal of the day: see the turquoise lakes inside Huascarán National Park, with time and without stress.

Early morning and morning

• Early breakfast (6:30 to 7:00). Something light and energising.
• Departure for Llanganuco (7:00 to 8:00). Hire a round-trip taxi with waiting time, take a colectivo or go with an agency. The road is about 28 km long, mostly unpaved, and takes roughly one hour to one and a half hours.
• Park ticket. The Chinancocha lake circuit is bought online or at the control posts. Bring your ID.

Midday

• Time at Lake Chinancocha (two to three hours). Walk the short paths, watch the reflection of the summits and take photos. Wrap up warm: it is cold and windy.
• Optional: go on to Orconcocha or the Portachuelo pass, at about 4,750 metres, if you feel well. Spend little time up there if you are not acclimatised.
• Light lunch that you have brought or prepared at your accommodation.

More details in the guide to the Llanganuco lakes.

Afternoon

• Return to Yungay (14:00 to 15:30).
• Rest. A hot shower, a nap or a little reading.
• Quiet afternoon snack with a herbal tea and some fruit.

Evening

• Warm dinner. A soup or broth, with potatoes and vegetables.
• Early rest. After a day at altitude, sleep is restorative.

Day 3: a slow day in the garden

Goal of the day: balance the mountains with a day of wellbeing, flavours and contact with the earth.

Morning

• Harvest experience (optional, by reservation). Walk through the vegetable garden and the fruit trees and pick, depending on the season, vegetables, herbs and fruit. It is a way of understanding where what you eat comes from. Learn about the harvest experience.
• Breakfast with produce from the garden.

Midday

• Cooking experience (optional, by reservation). We cook Andean dishes of the region with ingredients from the garden, the hearth and the clay oven, and we share the table. Learn about the cooking experience.

Afternoon

• Yoga or meditation facing the mountain range (optional, by reservation). A relaxed session on the lawn, with trees, flowers and the mountains in the background. More on yoga and meditation.
• Hammocks, games and rest. Pool, table football, table tennis, the sports field or reading in the garden.

Evening

• Dinner in the barbecue area or in the dining room, with a bonfire if the weather is good.
• Closing the trip: talk over what you have experienced and prepare your return calmly.

Itinerary variations

Variation for trekkers

If you are looking for a bigger challenge and are well acclimatised: keep days 1 and 2; on day 3 you can do Laguna 69 with an authorised agency (compulsory since 2026), and leave a fourth rest day with an experience in the garden. If you also want the Santa Cruz trek, plan with a guide and additional days.

Variation for families

Reduce travel times and keep the plans short. Day 1: square, market and garden. Day 2: Llanganuco, with stops and extra warm clothing for children. Day 3: harvest, games and a bonfire. Bring snacks, sun protection and consult your paediatrician about the altitude. More in travelling to Yungay with family and pets.

Relaxed variation

If you are looking for rest, replace the mountain day with a brief outing to the lakes (fewer hours) and add a second experience in the garden, such as yoga and meditation. See wellness retreats in the Andes.

Variation for groups or celebrations

For groups of 8 to more than 16 people, it is best to book in advance and coordinate meals. We have a meeting room, a dining room and outdoor spaces. See the accommodation and write to us.

Plan B if it rains or the weather is poor

• Campo Santo and square in the morning, with an umbrella or waterproof jacket.
• A long lunch at a local eatery, trying a broth or a picante.
• An Andean cooking experience indoors.
• Games room: pool, table football and table tennis.
• Rest and reading at the accommodation.
• If the day dawns clear, make the most of the morning for Llanganuco and leave the indoor activities for the afternoon.

Indicative budget

Rates vary by season and by service, but it is worth considering:

• Accommodation: in a whole bungalow, from US$ 344 for five nights for two guests, depending on group size (see stay).
• Local transport: taxi or colectivo to Llanganuco.
• Park ticket: the current value on the official SERNANP platform.
• Meals: from simple set menus to higher-priced traditional dishes.
• Experiences: ask about them when you book.

Final tips for the itinerary

• Get up early for what matters, such as Llanganuco.
• Do not schedule a bus or flight for that same day. Leave some slack.
• Hydrate and wrap up warm from the first day.
• Respect the places of memory and the natural environment.
• Keep the plan flexible. The weather rules.

Only two days? Weekend version

If you only have a weekend, you can compress the plan without losing the essentials:

• Day 1: arrival, rest, a walk around the square and a visit to the Campo Santo in the afternoon.
• Day 2: Llanganuco in the morning, back at midday, lunch and rest in the garden with a short experience, such as yoga or meditation.

In this version, keep the first day very gentle: acclimatisation is the critical point.

Four days? How to add an extra day

A fourth day lets you choose between two main options:

1. A day in the neighbouring towns. Travel along the valley towards Carhuaz and Mancos, a few kilometres from Yungay, to see squares, markets and different landscapes, and to try local food.
2. A day of demanding hiking. Laguna 69, with an authorised agency, if your body responded well to Llanganuco. Remember to sleep in Yungay that night to recover.

You can also add a day of complete rest with two experiences in the garden.

Approximate travel times

These are estimates; confirm with taxis, colectivos or agencies on the day you set out.

Day-by-day checklist

Before leaving home: documents, cash, warm clothing, first-aid kit, chargers, bookings.

Day 1: hydrate, eat lightly, walk gently, visit the Campo Santo with respect.

Day 2: get up early, bring ticket and ID, warm clothing and sun protection, water and snacks, return in daylight.

Day 3: rest, take part in an experience, close with a shared meal, prepare your return.

How to adapt the itinerary to your travel style

Every traveller has their own way of exploring a place. These adjustments help the plan resemble you more:

• If you prefer to get up early, bring Llanganuco forward to 6:30 and return before midday; you will have a free afternoon to rest or walk around town.
• If you prefer to sleep in, leave Llanganuco for the second day with a mid-morning departure and accept that there may be more cloud in the afternoon.
• If you enjoy photography, make the most of the morning light at the lakes and the golden afternoon light in the gardens and the square.
• If you are travelling on a tight budget, share a taxi or colectivo, cook some meals at your accommodation and choose set menus at local eateries.
• If you are looking for simple luxury, book a private transfer, add an experience in the garden each day and reserve dinners in advance.
• If you have reduced mobility, prioritise the viewpoint and the shores of the lakes, the Campo Santo with assistance and the garden experiences, and avoid long walks.

Frequently asked questions about the 3-day itinerary

Are 3 days enough in Yungay?

Yes for the essentials: the square, the Campo Santo, Llanganuco and a day of rest. With more days, you can add trekking, Laguna 69 or neighbouring towns.

Can I do Laguna 69 on this itinerary?

Yes, with an authorised agency and good acclimatisation. In a three-day itinerary, it is better to replace day 3 or add a fourth day.

What if I arrive with little acclimatisation?

Keep the first day very gentle and do not go above 3,800 metres until you have slept at least one night in Yungay.

Where should I stay?

A quiet place, with a private bathroom, hot water and warmth. At Comtury Lodge you can choose the bungalow according to your group.

Can I travel with children?

Yes, with short plans, warm clothing and supervision because of the altitude. Consult your paediatrician.

And with pets?

Pets are welcome at Comtury Lodge. Let us know when you book.

How do I book the experiences?

Write to us through the form or on WhatsApp at +51 943 529 322 with the date and the number of people.

Conclusion

Three days in Yungay are enough to take away a complete picture: memory at the Campo Santo, mountains at Llanganuco and calm in the garden. Adapt the plan to your rhythm, look after yourself at altitude and leave room to improvise. If you would like us to build your itinerary and your stay with you, write to us through the form or on WhatsApp at +51 943 529 322; we will welcome you at Jirón 2 de Mayo 1019, eight minutes on foot from the Plaza de Armas.