ABOUT US
Andes Lodge is located in the unspoilt village of Yanama, just twenty minutes outside the Huascaran National Park. It offers guests a rare opportunity to experience life in a traditional Andean community and to explore the beautiful countryside in which the lodge is set. Whether you want a relaxing break or are looking for something more active – walking, biking or climbing – Yanama can provide it.
Yanama is twenty minutes from the start of the well-known Santa Cruz trek and one hour from beautiful glacial lakes such Llanganuco, Lake 69 and Lake Ulta. Surrounding the lodge are some of the highest peaks in Peru ranging in altitude from 5495m to over 6000m, including Chacraraju, Contrayerva, Ulta, Chopicallqui and Puca Raju.
The lodge itself offers a comfortable base from which to explore the attractions of Yanama. Set on the edge of the village it offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains from its roof-top terrace. It has a quiet garden and comfortable lounge in which guests can relax, read a book or watch a DVD.
THINGS TO DO
The way of life in Yanama remains unchanged so guests have the chance to see how a traditional community live and work – their harvests, their textile making and their festivals. Those interested in the culinary delights of Peru can spend a morning with the owners of Andes Lodge learning how to prepare some of the local dishes – you'll be amazed at just how much you can do with a potato!
For those that enjoy the outdoors there are a number of one day treks to the surrounding mountains and lakes such as Shanoj and Lake Ulta. There is also plenty of opportunity for walking, horseriding, mountain biking or trout fishing in the beautiful countryside surrounding the lodge. Other places of interest include the Ruinas de Sahuan y Quisar and Mirador Huayllan which gives great views of the Cordillera Blanca.
Those seeking adventure can head to the hills to rock climb or to tackle some of the surrounding mountain peaks. The lodge is surrounded by peaks of over 5500m such as Chacraraju, Contrayerva, Ulta, Chopicallqui and Puca Raju, all of which can be climbed in two or more days. Andes Lodge can arrange hire of equipment and qualified guides for those wishing to mountain climb.
Visitors in February have the chance to experience the sierra festival of Carnival which is celebrated throughout Peru. In Andean towns and villages such as Yanama it's a festive occasion with parades, feasting, music and dancing. The festival includes the ritual of "yunza" where guests dance around a specially-transplanted tree bedecked with gifts. Guests take it in turns to try to fell the tree and the couple who strike the final blow of the axe are given the honour of organising the following year's celebrations. Water is thrown in most places during Carnival, so watch out for a sudden soaking!
Yanama also has its own festival on 30 August – Santa Rosa de Lima. During this festival the village plays host to processions, traditional dancing and the unusual event "King of the People", where villagers play with the bull for the entertainment of those watching.