This circuit offers spectacular views of mountains of the Cordillera Blanca such as Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Chacraraju, the Huandoys, Taulliraju, and of course Alpamayo. Along the way, some pre-Inca archaeological remains can be observed. You can also see some native communities working in their crops. This route is one of the best and longest treks in the Cordillera Blanca and at the same time an interesting route because it offers the classic view of the north side of Nevado Alpamayo, which was chosen as the most beautiful mountain in the world in the year 1965 in Munich - Germany. We also pass by two beautiful lakes of the Llanganuco Valley, Chinancocha and Orconcocha, which translated into Spanish mean female lake and male lake.
Itinerary
Day 1. Huaraz (3100 m) – Portachuelo Pass (4800 m) – Vaquería (3700 m) – Cachinapampa (3700 m)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart with our private transportation toward the small village of Vaquería (approximately 4 hours). During the trip we will observe many Andean villages and several snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Blanca, one of them being the imposing Huascarán, known as the highest tropical mountain in the world. We will pass through the historic town of Yungay, which in 1970 was destroyed by an avalanche from Huascarán. Then we will pass by the two lakes of the Llanganuco Valley and arrive at Portachuelo Pass, from where there is an impressive view of many important snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. After taking some photos, we will arrive at the village of Vaquería, where the muleteer and pack animals will be waiting for us to transfer to the Cachinapampa campsite. Hiking time: approximately 2.5 hours.
Day 2. Cachinapampa – Tuctupampa (4200 m)
Continuing our hike, this day we will move to the Tuctupampa campsite through the Huaripampa Valley, which is full of trees typical of the mountains (quenual). The views are beautiful because in this valley the local people are dedicated to agriculture, which makes the scenery wonderful. Hiking time: approximately 4 hours.
Day 3. Tuctupampa – Alto de Pucaraju Pass (4650 m) – Huecrococha (4000 m)
After breakfast, we continue ascending along a zigzag trail to the Alto de Pucaraju Pass, from where we will have impressive views of Taulliraju Mountain and the Pucahircas. After enjoying the scenery and taking great photos, we will descend to our campsite, which is located next to Huecrococha Lake. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours.
Day 4. Huecrococha – Tupatupa Pass (4400 m) – Jancapampa (3600 m)
Continuing our hike, this day we will have beautiful views of Taulliraju Mountain and the Pucahircas. After 3 hours of hiking, we will reach the pass, where we will have great views of mountains and valleys. After taking some good photos, we will descend to our campsite called Jancapampa, which is a small village located below Pucahirca Mountain. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours.
Day 5. Jancapampa – Yanacón Pass (4610 m) – Huillca (4100 m)
After breakfast at the indicated time, we will begin our hike along a beautiful trail among shrubs, with good views of the Pucahircas Mountains. We will also observe beautiful lakes and impressive landscapes throughout the entire route before arriving at our Huillca campsite. Hiking time: approximately 7 hours.
Day 6. Huillca – Garagara Pass (4830 m) – Jancarurish (4250 m)
This day there is usually a lot of wind at Garagara Pass, but the views are impressive, and unlike other days we will observe the Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, and of course Alpamayo from the north face. Hiking time: approximately 7 hours.
Day 7. Hike to the Alpamayo Viewpoint (optional)
Rest
Day 8. Jancarurish – Vientunan Pass (4780 m) – Osoruri (4600 m)
After our good breakfast, we continue our hike through the Alpamayo Valley to the place called Ruinapampa, then we will begin to slowly ascend along a zigzag trail to Vientunan Pass. After taking good photos, we will start descending toward our campsite. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours.
Day 9. Osoruri – Toropishtanan Pass (4830 m) – Calamina (3800 m)
This day we will have good views of Cullicocha Lake and Santa Cruz Mountain from the west face. We can spend more time by the shore of this lake taking great photos. We continue descending toward our campsite, which is also a viewpoint of the Huaylas Valley and the Cordillera Negra. Hiking time: approximately 5 hours.
Day 10. Calamina – Hualcayán (3200 m) – Huaraz
It is our last breakfast in the field. We descend along a zigzag trail to the village of Hualcayán; up to this point our muleteers and pack animals will accompany us. From this village, our transportation will take us to the city of Huaraz.
Services
INCLUDES
- Transfer from the bus terminal to the hotel in Huaraz
- Transfer from the hotel to the bus terminal in Huaraz
- Private transportation to the village of Vaquería
- Private transportation for pickup from the village of Hualcayán
- Certified trekking guide (English, Spanish)
- Cook for the entire circuit
- Full board meals in the field (breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner)
- Wake-up tea before breakfast
- Muleteers and pack animals (mules)
- Emergency horse in case of altitude sickness
- Two-person tents
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent
- Tables and chairs
- Kitchenware
- Boiled water to fill bottles every day
- Warm water for personal hygiene
- First aid kit
- Oxygen tank
NOT INCLUDE
- Airfare to Lima and return
- Transfers from the airport to the hotel in Lima
- Bus transportation Huaraz – Lima – Huaraz
- Hotel in Lima and Huaraz
- Does not include the first breakfast on the first day of the expedition
- Extra costs due to abandonment of the expedition
- Meals and drinks in the city
- Personal equipment such as sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Cold-weather clothing such as hats, gloves, down jackets
- Emergency transportation in case of accidents
- International medical insurance
- Accident and rescue insurance
- Personal tents (can be rented, the cost is S/. 40 soles per day)
- Tips for the staff
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT TO BRING
- Trekking shoes
- Fleece or wool gloves
- Sun hat
- Cold-weather hat (fleece or wool)
- UV protection sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- 30 or 40-liter backpack
- Trekking poles
- Down jacket
- Gore-Tex windproof jacket
- Gore-Tex windproof pants
- Socks (minimum 3 pairs)
- Personal first aid kit
- Sleeping bag -18 degrees
- Sleeping pad
- Headlamp
- Personal toiletries such as towel, face soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Optional
- 1 thermos (1 liter)
Maps
