Trekking Cedros Alpamayo

 5/5

A 9-day adventure, passing by many different passes, going from 4,400m to 4,850m, from which you will enjoy great views over mountains such as Alpamayo, Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, Jancarurish, Cadena Caraz, Artesón, Quitaraju, Paria, Taulliraju, and many more.

Day 1: Huaraz – Llanganuco – Vaqueria – Tuctu (4,200m/13,780ft)

After breakfast in the hotel, you will board our private bus, and drive along the Callejon de Huaylas, north of Huaraz. Passing by different traditional Andean villages, we will make our first stop at Carhuas (2650m), to enjoy a delicious homemade ice-cream. We will continue our bus trip and stop in the ancient town of Yungay, a city that was burried under snow in 1970, following an avalanche in Huascarán Mountain, the New Yungay (2500m). From there, we will head up to the entrance of the Llanganuco Valley, where we will register in the National Huascaran Park Control. We will then have our lunch break at the beautiful lakes of Llanganuco (Chinancocha and Orconcocha). We will then go up to the Portachuelo Pass (4750m), where we will enjoy great views over the peaks of: Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Pisco, Huandoys, and others. Then we will head down to Vaqueria, which will take us about 1h20. There our donkey driver and donkeys will be waiting for us. We will then hike for about 5h to reach our first camp, Tuctu, arriving around 3-4pm. Overnight camping at 4200m.

Day 2: Tuctu – Pucajirca Pass (4,640m/15,223ft) – Quisuar (3,900m/12,795ft)

After breakfast, we will hike up to Pucahirca pass (4640m), arriving around 11am. We will then go down on a zigzag path, passing by great landscapes along the way. We will stop for lunch at Huegroncocha Lake. We will then walk to a village close by, Quisuar, where we will spend the night. Overnight camping at 3900m.

Day 3: Quisuar – Tupa tupa Pass (4,400m/14,436ft)– Jancapampa (3600m/11,811ft)

After breakfast, we will hike through a beautiful path, and reach Tupatupa pass (4400m). We will then hike down through an easy path, to the base of the Pucajirca Mountain, and to our next camp place, Jancapampa. Overnight camping at 3,600m.

Day 4: Jancapampa – Remate Pass (4,600m/15,092ft) – Huillca (4,000m/13,123ft)

We will have an early breakfast, and start our ascent to the Remate pass (4600m), enjoying great views all along the way. We will then head down to our next camp, Huillca. Overnight camping at 4000m.

Day 5: Huillca – Mesapata Pass (4,460m/14,632ft) – Tayapampa (4,500m/14,763ft)

After breakfast, we will hike up for about 2 hours to get to the Mesapata pass (4460m). We will then hike on a flat section, in Moyobamba valley. We will stop for lunch near a water stream, and then continue to hike to reach the camp of Tayapampa. Overnight camping at 4500m.

Day 6: Tayapampa – Caracara Pass (4,800m/15,748ft) – Jancarurish – Ruinapampa (4,025m/13,205ft)

After breakfast, we will start a 1h30 hike up to Caracara pass (4800m). There we will enjoy breathtaking views of Alpamayo and Quitaraju Mount. Then we will hike down for about 1h30 to Jancarurish, where we will take our lunch break. Then we will walk in the valley for 2h, enjoying the view of the west face of Alpamay. We will finally reach the camp of Ruinapampa, where we will find beautiful inka terraces. Overnight camping at 4025m.

Day 7: Ruinapampa – Jatunvientona Pass (4,750m/15,584ft)– Osoruri (4,560m/14,961ft)

After breakfast, we will hike up for about 4h on a zigzag path, and reach Jatunvientona pass (4750m). There, we will enjoy great views over the mountains of Santa Cruz and Milluaraju. Then we will hike down for about 40min to reach the camp of Osoruri. We will arrive around 1pm, have lunch and enjoy a free afternoon to get some good rest. Overnight camping at 4560m.

Day 8: Osoruri – Cullicocha Pass (4,850m/15,912ft) – Calamina (3,650m/11,975ft)

After breakfast, we will start a 1h hike to reach the Jatunvientona pass (4860m). We will then hike a bit down to reach the beautiful turquoise lake of Cullicocha, at the base of the Santa Cruz massif. We will take our lunch break in that stunning spot. Then we will continue to hike down to reach Calamina camp, from which we will hopefully enjoy a great sunset over the Black Mountain. Overnight camping at 3650m.

Day 9: Calamina – Hualcayan – Huaraz

After breakfast, we will start heading back, passing by the small village of Hualcayan (where we could buy some extra snacks), then by the National Park entrance to register. We will stop for lunch. Estimated arrival time in Huaraz: 3-4pm. Transfer to your hotel.