A classic four-day trek through the Cordillera Blanca, in the Huascarán National Park, from the Llanganuco lakes to the Santa Cruz valley.
From Huaraz, the route runs along the Callejón de Huaylas with views of Huascarán (6,768 m), Peru's highest mountain, and climbs the Portachuelo de Llanganuco (4,767 m), between the Chinancocha (3,850 m) and Orconcocha (3,870 m) lakes. The trek crosses the Huaripampa ravine and the Punta Unión pass (4,750 m), with views of Chacraraju, Taulliraju and Artesonraju, and reaches the Alpamayo (5,947 m) base camp by Lake Arhuaycocha (4,450 m). The descent follows the Santa Cruz ravine to Cashapampa (2,900 m) to return to Huaraz. All three nights are spent camping.
Highlights
The Llanganuco lakes: Chinancocha (3,850 m) and Orconcocha (3,870 m)
The Portachuelo de Llanganuco (4,767 m)
The Punta Unión pass (4,750 m)
The Alpamayo base camp (5,947 m) and Lake Arhuaycocha
The Santa Cruz valley and the peaks of Huascarán (6,768 m)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Huaraz / Llanganuco / Vaquería / Paria Ravine
From Huaraz (3,100 m), travel along the Callejón de Huaylas, with views of Huascarán (South 6,768 m – North 6,655 m), Hualcán (6,162 m), Copa (6,188 m), Chopicalqui (6,354 m) and Huandoy (6,356 m), through Carhuaz (2,638 m) and Yungay (2,600 m), buried by a landslide in 1970. Climb to the Llanganuco ravine, in the Huascarán National Park, with the Chinancocha (3,850 m) and Orconcocha (3,870 m) lakes, and to the Portachuelo de Llanganuco (4,767 m), with views of the glacial cirque. Descend to Vaquería (3,670 m) and Collo (3,480 m) and begin the walk through the Huaripampa ravine, passing Yanachaca (3,450 m) and Huaripampa (3,540 m), to the Paria campsite (3,800 m). Overnight in campsite. Meals: lunch, coffee break and dinner.
Day2
Day 2: Paria Ravine – Punta Unión – Taullipampa
Skirt a queñual forest and climb towards the Morococha lakes (4,410 m), with views of Pucaraju (5,025 m), Taulliraju (5,850 m) and the Contrahierbas massif (5,956 m). Along an old pre-Inca stone path, reach Punta Unión (4,750 m), one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the Cordillera Blanca, with views of Chacraraju (6,112 m), Paria (5,519 m), Taulliraju, Artesonraju (6,025 m), Pucahirca (6,046 m) and Quitaraju (6,036 m). Descend past Lake Taullicocha to the Taullipampa campsite (4,250 m). Overnight in campsite. Meals: breakfast, lunch, coffee break and dinner.
Day3
Day 3: Taullipampa – Alpamayo Base Camp – Llamacorral
A trail leads to Lake Arhuaycocha, with views of Alpamayo (5,947 m), Quitaraju (6,036 m), Artesonraju (6,025 m), the Pirámide Garcilaso (5,885 m) and Paria (5,510 m). At the moraine of Lake Arhuaycocha (4,450 m) stands the base camp for Alpamayo expeditions, with views of the Rinrijirca glacier (5,810 m). Return to the main trail, descending through the Santa Cruz ravine past the Hatun Cocha and Ichic Cocha lakes (3,850 m), to the Llamacorral campsite (3,780 m). Overnight in campsite. Meals: breakfast, lunch, coffee break and dinner.
Day4
Day 4: Llamacorral – Cashapampa / Huaraz
A final day walking through the Santa Cruz ravine, descending from high-altitude zones towards warmer areas where orchids and bromeliads cover the rock walls. Reach Cashapampa (2,900 m), where private transport takes the group to Caraz (2,256 m) and Yungay for lunch, and back to Huaraz. Meals: breakfast and lunch.
What's included
Included: Camping equipment: two-person sleeping tents and inflatable mattress
Included: Dining tent, kitchen tent, kitchen and dining utensils
Included: Private-vehicle transfer to the start of the trek and return to Huaraz
Included: Muleteer and pack animals (donkeys)
Included: Full board during the trek (breakfast, refreshment and dinner)
Included: Entrances to the Huascarán National Park
Included: Trekking guide in Spanish / English and cook
Included: First-aid kit, permanent assistance and advice
What's not included
Not included: Lima – Huaraz – Lima transport
Not included: Bus terminal / hotel transfer and vice versa
Not included: Sleeping bag
Not included: Emergency horse
Not included: Hotel in Huaraz
Not included: Domestic and international airfare
Not included: Domestic and international airport taxes and visa fees
Not included: Excess baggage fees
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks not included with meals
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses and optional excursions
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included