TREKKING · CORDILLERA BLANCA

CEDROS – ALPAMAYO 9 DAYS

Duration 9 days / 8 nights

Season May - September

Difficulty Moderate – difficult

TREKKING DESCRIPTION

A remote, wild and beautiful trekking circuit, and at the same time a demanding one. It crosses 8 high passes and you are always above 4,000 meters. You will be able to admire one of the most emblematic mountains of this range, Alpamayo (5,947 m), as well as the Andean vegetation.

Max altitude 4,860 m · Osoruri Pass
8 high passes Always above 4,000 m
Views Alpamayo (5,947 m)
Guide Certified trekking guide
Route Cedros, Santa Cruz and Llanganuco
Camping Cook, donkeys and muleteers

ITINERARY

Day 1

Huaraz – Hualcayán (2,900 m) – Huishcash (4,320 m)

Departure from Huaraz by private transport heading north through the Callejón de Huaylas to the village of Hualcayán (2,900 m), where we will start hiking up a zigzag trail to the Huishcash camp (4,320 m).

Day 2

Huishcash (4,320 m) – Osoruri Pass (4,860 m) – Osoruri (4,600 m)

We will pass Cullicocha lake, from where you can see the Santa Cruz peaks, and climb to the Osoruri pass (4,860 m), with impressive mountain views. Then we will descend to our Osoruri camp (4,600 m).

Approximate time: 6 – 7 hours

Day 3

Osoruri (4,600 m) – Vientonan Pass (4,770 m) – Ruina Pampa – Jancarurish (4,200 m)

We will climb to the Vientonan pass (4,770 m); then we will descend into the Cedros valley and continue along a flat trail to the Jancarurish camp (4,200 m).

Approximate time: 6 – 7 hours

Day 4

Jancarurish (4,200 m) – Cara Cara Pass (4,830 m) – Mesapata – Huillca (4,100 m)

This day we will cross two passes: first the Cara Cara pass (4,830 m), from where we will have an impressive view of the most beautiful mountain in the world, Alpamayo, as well as Quitaraju, Jancarurish and the Jancarurish lake; then the Mesapata pass (4,460 m), before descending to the Huillca camp (4,100 m).

Approximate time: 7 – 8 hours

Day 5

Huillca (4,100 m) – Yanacón Pass (4,610 m) – Jancapampa (3,600 m)

After breakfast we will start the hike to the Yanacón pass (4,610 m); after crossing the pass we will descend to the Jancapampa camp (3,600 m), where we will spend the night.

Approximate time: 7 – 8 hours

Day 6

Jancapampa (3,600 m) – Tupatupa (4,360 m) – Huecroncocha (3,900 m)

This day we will climb to the Tupatupa pass (4,360 m), with panoramic views of the peaks and snow mountains of the Cordillera Blanca; then we will descend to the Huecroncocha lake camp (3,900 m).

Approximate time: 7 – 8 hours

Day 7

Huecroncocha (3,900 m) – Pucaraju Pass (4,640 m) – Tuctubamba (4,200 m)

Early in the morning we will start uphill toward the Alto de Pucaraju pass (4,640 m), from where you will admire the mountain range. Then we will descend to the Tuctubamba camp (4,200 m).

Approximate time: 7 – 8 hours

Day 8

Tuctubamba (4,200 m) – Punta Unión (4,750 m) – Paria (3,800 m)

This day we hike to the Punta Unión pass (4,750 m), from where you can admire the Santa Cruz valley and the Alpamayo, Artesonraju, Quitaraju, Taulliraju and Rinrijirca peaks. Then we will descend to our Paria camp (3,800 m).

Approximate time: 6 hours

Day 9

Paria (3,800 m) – Vaquería (3,800 m) – Portachuelo Pass (4,760 m) – Llanganuco – Huaraz (3,100 m)

We will walk from the Paria camp through Andean vegetation to the village of Vaquería, where the transport awaits. We will drive up to the Portachuelo pass (4,760 m) and descend past the Llanganuco lakes, Orconcocha and Chinancocha, returning to Huaraz through the provinces of Yungay and Carhuaz.

Approximate time: 3 hours of trekking, 3 hours of transport

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE

Certified trekking guide
Private transportation
Information and recommendations before the trek
Professional outdoor cook
Donkeys and muleteers
Emergency horse for groups of more than 6 people
Meals during the trek: breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea and/or coffee, and dinner.
Camping tent
Kitchen tent, dining tent.
Table, chair
Sleeping mat
All kitchen equipment: plates, cups, utensils.
First aid kit
Permanent agency assistance during your trek

NOT INCLUDED

International flights and applicable airport taxes
Accommodation and meals in Lima and Huaraz
Transfer Lima – Huaraz – Lima
Huascarán National Park entrance fee
Sleeping bag
Acclimatization days before the trek
Travel insurance for accidents and repatriation
Personal expenses
Personal trekking equipment

PERSONAL TREKKING GEAR

40-liter backpack

Long hiking pants, warm (base layer) and rain pants (Gore-tex)

Warm jacket and rain jacket.

Change of clothes during the trek

Sun hat and warm hat

Sleeping bag (-10 °C)

Gloves for the cold

Trekking poles

Sunglasses with UV protection

A headlamp with spare batteries

Personal first aid kit

Travel bag or expedition duffel bag

Water bottle

Note

The proposed itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions or force majeure that put the safety of our clients at risk.

Acclimatization

We recommend doing higher-altitude hikes around the city of Huaraz before any trek and/or ascent. It is one of the most important factors for us and also for you.