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This trek in this part of the range is broken by the most brightly colored turquoise lakes. I’ve ever seen and claim some of the most beautiful snow-covered mountain spires in the world. The perfect white pyramid of Alpamayo (5,947m), often voted the world’s most beautiful peak, is surrounded by the less well-known horns of Huandoy (6,395m), shear-sided Artesonraju (rumored to be the model for the Paramount Pictures mountain) and towering, fluted Taulliraju. All this is complemented by the beautiful hiking traverse to 69 Lake, and LLanganuco valley, getting the trek in spectacular.
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 Cordillera Blanca. We visit the lake to after descend to Cebollapampa camp site, where we spend the night at 3900 masl.
Day 06: Cebollapampa – LLanganuco – Huaraz
We start the day going down by the LLanganuco valley, where we are appreciating the twin crystal blue lakes (Orconcocha and Chinancocha). From there we start to walk by a Pre-Inca trail which is call Maria Josefa, a good trail with fabulous landscapes. Definitely a trip where we´ll be immersed in a green forest, very rich in different kinds of local trees, bushes, mushrooms, moss and lichens. In this area is possible to find some kinds of Andean Orchids. We will end the walk at 3 570masl, where we are taking our transport to go back to Huaraz.
Note: Minimum 2 hikers.
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