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In the hearth of Huascarán National Park we start our hike by visiting the Llanganuco valley, hiking through mountain valleys with impressive views of fluted ice faces and knife edged ridges of the highest tropical range, including Mt. Alpamayo catalogued as the most beautiful mountain of the world. We pass colorful villages as we skirt glacial lakes, high altitude wetlands, screen slopes and imposing views of a unique panorama, whose worthy scenic rival is the Himalaya.
Day 01: Huaraz – Cashapampa – LLamacorral
We drive three hours to Cashapampa enjoying a pictures drive along the Callejon de Huaylas, passing through Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz. From Cashapampa, we start the trek steeply then levels out, climbing steadily along Santa Cruz Valley on the true right bank of the river. After two hours the trail becomes gentler, making the walking easier and after two and a half hours, the extensive meadow area of LLamacoral is reached; this is the first night’s camp site (3 750masl).
Day 2 – LLamacorral – Alpamayo Base Camp – Taullipampa
We will continue our trip along the floor of the valley, passing two beautiful lakes nestled below towering peaks of the White Mountain Range that sit in commanding position above Santa Cruz Valley. When we get the bottom of Santa Cruz Valley we start ascending in zigzag path toward to a beautiful viewpoint from where we will appreciate the South face of Alpamayo Mountain. Also we will have spectacular views to see some snow peaks such as: Quitaraju, Artesonraju, Caraz, etc. Is possible visit the Arhuaycocha Lake, it is optional. We spend the night in Taullipampa at 4 250masl, overlooked by Mount Taulliraju.
Day 3 – Taullipampa – Punta Union Pass – Tuctupampa
We start walking steeply following a zigzag trail to Punta Union pass at 4 750masl, below spectacular peaks and active glaciers such as Taulliraju, Rinrijirca, Pucahirca, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, Pirámide de Garcilazo, etc. Also we can appreciate the beautiful Taullicocha Lake. After reaching the pass we finally descend towards Tuctupampa (4 200masl), where the camp will be set up.
Day 4 Tuctupampa – Alto de Pucaraju Pass – Huecrococha
The day’s walk starts very steeply on a twisting climb to the Alto de Pucaraju pass at 4 640masl, below spectacular peaks such as Taulliraju and Chacraraju. Also we can see the majestic Huascaran and Chopicalqui Mountains. Then we will descend a narrow valley by a zigzag path and nice landscapes. During the journey we´ll be immersed in a beautiful forest, different kinds of local trees, bushes, mushrooms, moss and lichens. Our camp site is beside the Huecrococha Lake at 3 950masl.
Day 5 – Huecrococha – Tupatupa Pass – Jancapampa
Our walk continues along the floor of the Tuctubamba valley. Close to the bottom of the valley, we leave it, to ascent the Tupatupa Pass at 4 360masl, which gives us magnificent views including the other side of Taulliraju Mountain. Then we descend easily into a remote and pretty Jancapampa valley enjoying beautiful landscapes. We spend the night in this valley at 3 550masl, overlooked by Mount Pucahirca.
Day 06: Jancapampa – Huillca Pass – Huillca
This day can be the most difficult day. We start a long and steeply climb to Huillca pass (4 610masl). During the way, we will drop by thick groves of Quenual trees and above pretty Sactaycocha Lake, which is fringed by forest on its southern shores and a steep granite wall of rock to its north. On the pass we get the site of one of the most fabulous views of gorge and forest where the great Pucahirca Mountain surrounded the place. Then we start descending steeply to our next camp site at 4 000masl (Huillca). There are many domesticated alpacas grazing here, which belong to the village farming cooperative.
Day 7 – Huillca – Mesapata Pass – Mayobamba
We start a short walk along the floor of the Tayapampa valley. We leave this valley to go uphill easily to Mesapata pass (4 460masl). This is a magnificent viewpoint to appreciate the Pucahirca Mountain and Safuna Lake nestled below. Also condors can be observed frequently on this area. We descend into the Mayobamba valley where we will continue walking along the floor of the valley until get our camp site. We spend the night at the bottom of the valley at 4 400masl.
Day 8 – Mayobamba – Caracara – Jancarurish
Today is another short day. We continue our trip climbing to the windy pass Caracara (4 830masl). We will be surprised by the fantastic view of snow peaks such as Quitaraju, Abasraju and the peaks of Santa Cruz Mountains. Then we descend steeply to Alpamayo Valley where we spend the night at 4 200masl (Jancarurish). It is possible to appreciate clearly the North Face’s Alpamayo from our camp site (one of the most beautiful mountains on the World). This afternoon we can visit the Jancarurish Lake, which is on the base’s Alpamayo Mountain.
Day 9 – Jancarurish – Los Cedros Pass – Osoruri
We continue our trekking descending along the Alpamayo valley toward to Ruinapampa (4 100masl), from where we will have a solid climb on a zigzag path over Los Cedros pass (4 770masl), from where we can see the Millhuaraju and Pilanco Mountains. During the walk, we can appreciate Inca terraces into the Alpamayo valley. After get the pass, we descend to our highest camp site of the trek which is Osoruri (4 620masl), and so we are close to our next, last and highest pass.
Day 10 – Osoruri – Cullicocha Pass – Calamina
We start the day ascending and passing deep canyons until get the Cullicocha pass (4 860masl), from where we enjoy the view to Millhuaraju and Champara Mountains. Few meters down we will be surprised with a fantastic place, where we can appreciate a great and beautiful blue lake on the base of Santa Cruz massif. It must be one of the most beautiful views in the Cordillera Blanca. After take a good break in this place we follow the footpath which circles the lake to a gradual descending to the base of the lake. Then we will continue descending until get our camp site. We spend the last night in Calamina Camp Site at 3 950masl, and where we enjoying a nice sunset over the Cordillera Negra. Condors can be observed frequently on this area.
Day 11 – Calamina – Hualcayan – Cashapampa – Huaraz
We start our last journey descending a zigzag path toward to Hualcayan village (3 139masl); from where we are going to walk to Cashapampa, and then complete the circuit. During the way, we are passing Huancarhuas and Conay villages. The vehicle will be waiting in Cashapampa to transfer us to Huaraz.
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