Trekking Cedros Alpamayo & Huascaran + Climbing Nevado Vallunaraju (5686 m)

This ride follows the Pan American highway north across the impressive Pacific coastal desert. Continuing toward higher terrain, you pass through the Cordillera Negra (Black Range) at Conococha Pass (4020 m) into the Santa Valley and Huaraz (3100m.) Once across the pass, you’ll see a charming view of the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca, without a doubt some of the most impressive scenery in the world. You can also fly via LCPERU – flight duration 50 minutes.

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
8 hours aprox.

Meals
B/L/-

The trail to Laguna Churup is one of the classic hikes of the Cordillera Blanca, challenging but a great acclimatization route. We drive to the village of Llupa, and from there begin our hike on an ancient Inca trail to Laguna (Lake) Churup. The trail narrows and steepens, but also becomes more interesting, including a small climb with fixed ropes. It is one of the most beautiful places in this varied mountain region. Churup Peak rises above the lake, a wild rocky mountain with glaciers and cliffs 5,400 meters above sea level. Here we can continue climbing and do a loop to the Churup summit trail before returning to the trailhead and back to Huaraz for the night.

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
2 hours aprox.

Hiking
5 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Laguna 69 has been called the most famous and well known lake in the Cordillera Blanca. Our trail winds through picturesque montane forests and a somewhat marshy area, always alongside a steep and daunting ridge. Behind us, the fortress-like peak of the ice giant Huascarán looms. Winding trails lead us past several wild foaming waterfalls to the lake. Laguna 69 is flanked by glacial moraines. Immediately above the deep blue surface of the lake, we see the steep ice walls of Chacraraju, one of the most beautiful, but also most difficult of the 6000 peaks in the Cordillera Blanca. After rest and pictures, we return to Huaraz.

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
6 hours aprox.

Hiking
5 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

This is the beginning of the “Trans Cordillera Blanca Grande” trek around Alpamayo and Huascarán. We travel by vehicle through the Santa Valley and the villages of Carhuaz, Yungay and Caras to the ruins of Hualcayan, the remains of towers from the Inca age. We meet with our support team and their pack animals. Night in camp.

Overnight
Camping

Driving
3 hours aprox.

Hiking
Only camping

Meals
B/L/D

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.

Overnight
Camping

Hiking
4 hours aprox

Meals
B/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
8 hours aprox

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 aprox

Meals
B/L/D

Today 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 aprox

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
5 hours aprox

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
5 hours aprox

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
7 hours aprox

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

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
2 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

A classic location for those who like rock climbing. This area is 40 minutes north of Huaraz. It was developed thanks to the guides of Don Bosco in the Andes – a private organization formed to facilitate tourism – in 1997. It has 8 developed routes of different difficulties. This is a good place to spend a quiet day in nature and at the end visit the hot springs to relax aching muscles. Lodging in the hotel.

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
1 hour aprox.

Hiking
Hots spring

Meals
B/-/-

Leave from Huaraz in private transport to the Llaca Valley (3850 m.) From here we begin our ascent on foot to Moraine Camp, spending about two hours on the trail. This climb is relatively long and steep; we proceed very slowly so we don’t get too tired and can adjust to the altitude before our summit day tomorrow.

Overnight
Camping

Driving
2 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/D

Leave Moraine Camp at approximately 2-3 a.m. in order to reach the summit by about 8 a.m. After arriving at the summit, we return to our starting point in the Llaca Valley where the bus waits to take us back to Huaraz.

Overnight
Hotel
Driving
2 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Climbing
7 hours approx

Meals
B/L/D

Options: Flight or bus. Flights are via LC-Peru and last 50 minutes.

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
8 hours aprox.

Meals
B/-/-

Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc.