Trekking Cedros Alpamayo (5947 m) and Huascaran (6768 m)

You are here:

Trekking the Trans Cordillera Blanca: The Cordillera Blanca (White Range) is the largest and most popular mountain range in Peru, with 31 peaks more than 6,000 meters high, and more than half of the 6000 meter peaks in all of Peru. Here you’ll find the highest and most beautiful mountain in the tropics – snowcapped Huascaran (6,768 m) – as well as the popular and spectacular Alpamayo (5,947 m) – the stand outs in a region of superlatives!

This trekking circuit, which winds around the peaks of Huascarán and Alpamayo, is a dream destination for avid high mountain trekkers. It’s a formidable trek due to the altitude and the many passes along the way. This excursion is nine days of fascinating landscapes, including turquoise mountain lakes, high passes between extraordinary ice capped peaks, and endemic plants interspersed with high plateaus.

Difficulty Condition

Travel Program

The first of a total of 8 days of trekking on the Cordillera Blanca tour begins by climbing the winding steep trail to Wishcash Camp. In the afternoon we can watch the beautiful sunset over the Cordillera Negra.
Driving
 3 Hours approx 

Overnight
Camping

Hiking
 5 Hours approx

Meals

 -/L/D

This will be a long and difficult day. We pass by the large nearby lake, Cullicocha, with fantastic views of the Santa Cruz peaks and glaciers, and continue to Osoruri Pass (4,860 m.) After a descent of 400 meters, we climb over Vientunan Pass (4,770 m) and finally drop sharply into the valley of Cedros Alpamayo (Alpamayo Cedars.) After this 8-9 hour day we reach Ruina Pampa Camp (4000 m.)

Overnight
Camping

Hiking
 9 Hours approx

Meals

 B/L/D

A short, scenic stage, amazing because of what is ahead – a beautiful view of Cruze Alpamayo, 4,250 m. Those who wish can climb to Alpamayo Base Camp North (4,500 m) and do an optional summit hike to Jatunjirca Peak (5030 m) allowing you to get above 5000 meters. Fantastic views of Alpamayo (5,947 m) and Quitaraju (6,036 m.) Alternative: Spend a half day resting in the Cruze Alpamayo Camp, with a beautiful view of Alpamayo.

Overnight
Camping 

Hiking
 4 Hours approx

Meals

 B/L/D

oday we hike over two passes, Caracara (4,830 m) and Mesapata (4,460 m), with spectacular views of the northern part of Alpamayo and the Pucachircas peaks, the northernmost of the 6000 meter peaks in the Cordillera Blanca. Set up camp in the vast flatness of the Tayapampa Valley and then continue to Laguna Safuna (4,200 m) for an afternoon visit.

Overnight
Camping 

Hiking
 6 Hours approx

Meals

 B/L/D

As we continue our trek, a few kilometers from the valley in a wide open grassland we pass two houses of local farmers, and continue up a steep slope to Pucahirca Pass (4,610 m) followed by a long descent to a lake on the far side of the densely-vegetated Yanajanca Valley. Camp at Jancapampa, directly below the ice walls of the peaks of Pucahirca and Taulliraju. In the area around the camp area there are many local rural folks.

Overnight
Camping 

Hiking
 9 Hours approx

Meals

 B/L/D

We set out on the right side of the Jancapampa valley, continuing to Tupatupa Pass and a long descent to the forested Tuctubamba Valley. We stay in large tents with a view of Laguna Huercrucocha (4,050 m).

Overnight
Camping 

Hiking
 9 Hours approx

Meals

 B/L/D

Although a long day, our hike is a bit easier up to Yanagrahirca Pass (4,300 m) with more panoramic views of the mountains of Chopicalqui, Taulliraju, Huascarán, and Tocllaraju. Then we have a long downhill through increasingly populated areas and indigenous villages to the city of Colcabamba (3,300 m.) Camp at Colcabamba.

Overnight
Camping 

Hiking
 9 Hours approx

Meals

 B/L/D

Last (8th) day of the trekking portion of our tour. From the town of Colcabamba we leave our team of burros very early and via private vehicle set off for Portachuelo Pass (4,650 m) with impressive views of the peaks of Chopicalqui, Huascarán Sur-Norte, Huandoy‘s 4 summits, Nevado Pisco, Chacraraju, and Yanapaccha among others.. We’ll stop the vehicle to get out for photos in several places. It’s all downhill from here. Farther along we can see Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes in the Llanganuco Valley, where the bus is waiting. End of the Trans Cordillera Blanca Grande Trek. Overnight in the hotel in Huaraz.

Overnight
Hotel

Hiking
 4 Hours approx

Driving
 2 Hours approx 

Meals

 B/L/-

Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner

What's Included

Services included in the prices:

  • Peruvian trekking-guide
  • Cooks and helpers
  • All meals during the tour
  • Donkey driver and donkeys
  • Camping tents (2 persons)
  • Kitchen equipment
  • Transportation as tour schedule / Huaraz

Not included:

  • International flights to Lima / Peru round trip
  • Transfer from the airport for bookings of individual flights with different times of arrival / departure
  • Exit tax at the airport in Lima
  • Travel accident and health insurance
  • Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
  • Meals in restaurants in Lima and Huaraz
  • Pick up at the airport in Lima to the Hotel
  • Transfer from the Hotel to the airport and bus station
  • Transport public bus or Domestic flight Airline LC-Peru
  • Hotel Casa Andina 2 nights in Lima or other hotel
  • Hotel San Sebastián 4 nights in Huaraz or other hotel
  • Entrance fees to the Huascaran National Park
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc.)
  • Tips

What to Bring

What to Bring or take fo Day Hiking and Technical Equipment for Climbing Expedition

This equipment list is compiled to provide you with adequate help when choosing your equipment for a climb. Most items are required. Please consider each of them and make sure you understand the function and exclusive use for mountaineering, before substituting or removing items from this list. Please note that this list has been carefully annotated by the organizer. Remember that mountaineering, mountaineering or mountaineering is an extreme, risky sport, therefore everything related to it is of great attention.

These items should be on your hiking checklist:

Hiking backpack for hiking 30 to 40 liters

Light gloves for hiking or (Optional Mittens waterproof)

Medium weight socks

Sleeping bag (-10º to 15ºC)

Small daypack for one day hiking 20 liters

Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)

Hiking boots or shoes

Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down

Rain poncho (or rain gear)

Long-sleeved shirts

Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers

Lightweight pants

Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts

Water bottle for hiking or trekking

Strong waterproof duffel bag

Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb

Towel for personal hygiene each participantFirst-aid kit

Regular and long underwear

Knife or multi-tool

Light cap and wool hat

Sunglasses with UV certification, Sun block, lips

The rest of the list Essentials as appropriate for your hike

Grooming and personal hygiene kit

One Hiking Buff per person

Technical Equipment for High Altitude Expedition Mountains

3 Locking carabiners, we recommended per person

We recommend 2 ice screws for each client

1 Daisy Chain (Life Line) per each person

2 Ice axes (per person) technical, we recommended GRIVEL company

1 ATC descender (Rappel), this is very necessary for technical mountains

2 Cords for prusik, very important (Size Cord 6 mm x 10 m. long)

Gloves(Good gloves) for expeditions over 6000meters

Harness, we recommended GRIVEL company

Sleeping pad / Mattress, we recommend with air or inflatable mattress

Crampons, we recommended GRIVEL company

Walking sticks (optional), a pair per person, we recommended GRIVEL company

Down Jacket for expedition

Very important to have personal clothing such as pants and jacket with GOROTEX certification

First aid kit, for high mountains, because we as guides cannot medicate clients

Backpack Capacity 60 liters, it is better to have a bigger backpack to go comfortably to the high camps, because here you have to carry all your personal things

Gaiters or Leggings, now modern boots already have built-in (Incorporated), but better to have an extra pair

Dressing appropriately for the mountains can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a really uncomfortable one. Clothing must provide the right degree of temperature, perspiration and be well ventilated. Preferably cotton clothing should be avoided, as in humid conditions they absorb body heat.

In general, the weather conditions in in the Andes of South America can vary from day to day and even throughout the day. Therefore, clothing must be versatile.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the necessary equipment.

Prices & Dates

FROM/TO

PRICE (USD)

TRAVEL STATUS

16 JUN 2023 / 23 JUN 2023

$ —

🟢

Join Now

FROM/TO

PRICE (USD)

TRAVEL STATUS

18 AUG 2023 / 25 AUG 2023

$ —

🟢

Join Now

FROM/TO

PRICE (USD)

TRAVEL STATUS

— JUL 2023 / — AUG 2023

$ —

🟢

Join Now

FROM/TO

PRICE (USD)

TRAVEL STATUS

— JUL 2023 / — AUG 2023

$ —

🟢

Join Now

» Additional dates available upon request
» Rates may vary from July 26th to 31th for the national holidays

Prices (per person):

1 PAX2 PAX4 PAX6 PAX8 PAX10 PAX12 PAX14 PAX
2.100,00 USD1.050,00 USD1.000,00 USD950,00 USD900,00 USD850,00 USD800,00 USD750,00 USD

Deposit for reservations: * 1050,00 USD (940.00 EUR) ✓, Full payment 40 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!
Places: 🟢*Available
Trip-code: Number ►PE-402
Duration: 08 days
Participants: Minimal: 2 Maximal: 15
Members: We don’t have an open group to join – We can open a new group – Contact us!
Country / Location: Northern Peru
Mountain Guide: Juventino Albino Caldua
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!

3% early bird discount when booking 6 months prior to departure 2023

Legend Booking-information:
EZZ Single room supplement
🟢 On this trip, places are still available.
🟡 On this trip, only a few places left.
🔴 This trip is sold out / closed.

Juventino Albino Caldua

Expert guide certified by IVBV - UIAGM - IFMGA
Co-Founder, Peru Expeditions

Videos