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Our rewarding eight days trek and climb in the Cordillera Blanca offers some of the most stunning mountain panoramic in the Andes.
Hike through the very heart of the Cordillera Blanca where Peru’s highest mountains soar thousands of feet above. The Santa Cruz trek works its way over a high mountain pass, catching stunning views of the surrounding glaciated peaks. After end our trek we will spend three days more climbing to the glorious summit of Pisco peak. If it’s a stellar view that you are looking for, Pisco will not disappoint you!
Day 1-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 780masl).
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 Cordillera Blanca 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 – Cachinapampa
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 to Cachinapampa (3 680masl), where the camp will be set up. ). During the walk, we will be immersed in a rainforest, very rich in Quenual (polylepis), bushes, mushrooms, moss and lichens.
Day 4-Cachinapampa – Vaqueria – Morococha Lake
We walk easily going down along the Huaripampa valley, passing through farming settlements with spectacular views of Chacraraju Mountain. We descend to Collo Village to after begin climbing toward to our camp site which is situated beside the Morococha Lake at 4 600masl. During the way up we are enjoying beautiful views of Yanapaccha and the east face of Chopicalqui Mountain..
Day 05: Morococha Lake – 69 Lake – Cebollapampa
We start the day going uphill toward to LLanganuco pass (4 750masl). It is a fabulous high pass with superb panoramic views. Then we begin skirting the Yanapaccha moraine where we will make a break in a spectacular and panoramic viewpoint surrounded by imposing summits of Chopicalqui, the two Huascaran’s peaks, the four Huandoy’s peaks, the two Pisco’s peaks, Chacraraju and Yanapaccha peaks. We will descend to Demanda valley to after go uphill to 69 Lake (4 530masl), which is one of the most beautiful lakes in the White Mountain Range. We visit the lake to after descend to Cebollapampa (3 900masl).
Day 06: Cebollapampa – Pisco Base Camp
We start the day climbing up to the Base Camp at 4 665masl. On the afternoon we have a briefing about the attack with your guide and preparation of your pack for tomorrow.
Day 07: Base Camp – Summit – Base Camp
Very early we start climbing toward to the summit. After two hours we traverse the moraine to arrive in the glacier, which offers excellent views of summits of the Cordillera Blanca. We cross a crevasse to reach the summit, where a 360º view around makes us forget the fatigue. It is a spectacular summit to appreciate beautiful snow capped peaks such as: Huascaran, Alpamayo, Chacraraju, Chopicalqui, etc. Then we return to our base camp where we will spend the second night.
Day 08: Base Camp – Cebollapampa – Huaraz
We start the day descending to Cebollapampa where the transport will be waiting to transfer us to Huaraz.
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