Without a doubt, it is the most famous and popular hike in the Cordillera Blanca. It is suitable for beginner hikers, but proper acclimatization is essential before starting the trek. It deserves its fame because it offers diverse landscapes and endless views of majestic snow-capped peaks, lakes, glaciers, and fabulous Andean valleys. Doing this circuit will give you an unforgettable experience because we will see almost all the most important Peruvian peaks in just a few days.
Itinerary
Day 1. Huaraz – Cashapampa (2990m) – Llamacorral (3760m)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer with our private transportation to the village of Cashapampa (approximately 3 hours). During the journey, we will pass through many Andean villages in the Callejón de Huaylas. We will see many snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, such as Huascarán, which is the highest tropical mountain in the world. In the village, our muleteer will be waiting to start the hike through the Santa Cruz Valley to our first camp, Llamacorral (approximately 5 hours).
11 km
+770m.
Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 2. Llamacorral – Taullipampa (4200m)
Continuing our trek today, we will see beautiful lakes such as Laguna Ichiccocha and Laguna Jatuncocha, which translate to Small Lake and Big Lake, as well as mountains like Alpamayo, considered the most beautiful mountain in the world. The hiking time is approximately 6 hours.
13 km
+440m.
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3. Taullipampa – Punta Unión Pass (4750m) – Paria Valley (3800m)
After a good breakfast, we will head to the highest point of our trek, Punta Unión Pass (approximately 4 hours). From here, we will enjoy beautiful views of snow-capped peaks such as Taulliraju, Quitaraju, Rinrijirca, and Artesonraju. After taking photos, we will descend through the Huaripampa Valley to our camp (approximately 3 hours).
14 km
+550m. / -950m
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 4. Paria Valley – Vaquería – Huaraz
It is our last day. We will pass through the Andean village of Huaripampa with adobe and straw constructions, then reach the village of Vaquería, where our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us to Huaraz. On the way, we will stop at Portachuelo Pass (4750m) to take great photos of many snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, such as Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Pisco, and Huandoys. We will also visit the two beautiful lakes of the Llanganuco Valley: Chinancocha and Orconcocha, which translate to Female Lake and Male Lake. The travel time by vehicle this day is approximately 5 hours, and hiking time is about 3 hours.
10 km
+300m. / -350m.
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch
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 Cashapampa
- Private transportation for the transfer from Vaquería to Huaraz
- Certified trekking guide (English, Spanish)
- Cook for the entire circuit
- Full 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, chairs
- Kitchen utensils
- Boiled water to fill bottles every day
- Warm water for personal hygiene
- First aid kit
- Oxygen tank
NOT INCLUDED
- Air ticket 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 day the expedition starts
- Extra costs for leaving 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, cost S/. 40 per day)
- Tips for the staff
NECESSARY GEAR 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
- Goretex windbreaker jacket
- Goretex windbreaker pants
- Socks (minimum 3 pairs)
- Personal first aid kit
- Sleeping bag -18°C
- Sleeping pad
- Headlamp
- Personal hygiene items such as towel, face soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
- 1-liter thermos
- Solar charger for batteries
Mapas
