When: APR-NOV
Where: Perú
Length: 16 days
Level: Intermediate
From: $2,400
Overview
The mountain trekking experience of a lifetime
You can go a full week on this trail without seeing a single soul. This is real adventure.
Almost endless trekking options beckon adventurers from all over the world to come to Perú. For those hoping to experience something different and to go further into truly wild areas, the Alpamayo Circuit offers the ultimate adventure.
Sometimes called the Los Cedros Trek, this is a unique trail following a number of high passes from the west of the Cordillera Blanca into the heart of the northern sections of this exceptional mountain range.
The route begins in the hamlet of Hualcayan passing over the huge western walls of the Blanca. There are a number of ways to complete the route, taking one of the earlier exits out of the mountains or circling Alpamayo and coming back in the eastward direction through the Santa Cruz Valley.
This route is enviable for its dazzling alpine lakes, high and windy passes, stunning views of the towering Alpamayo, rural farms set deep in the valley below gigantic glaciated peaks, and small communities ready to welcome you in for a cup of tea.
"I had the opportunity to visit the local community and youth initiatives. It was great to see where the profits from the trips are directly going." Marie Cheng, London, UK
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 -
Private pick-up at the Lima Airport. Transfer to hotel in Lima for a nice meal and a good night's sleep.
Day 2 -
Private transfer to the coach station and a comfortable first class ride to Huaraz, approximately an 8-hour journey. Move into your hotel and relax.
Day 3 -
Orientation meeting in your hotel in the morning, then head out on a 4-hour acclimatization hike to the Puka Ventana (“red window”) outside of town, where you’ll get great views of the entire Cordillera Blanca range. Spend the night in your Huaraz hotel.
Day 4 -
Day hike to the turquoise waters of Laguna Churup (4,500m), approximately a 5-hours round trip. Return to Huaraz, night in hotel.
Day 5 -
Depart early for the small town of Cashapampa and the beginning of the Santa Cruz / Cedros Trek. Meet your donkeys, load up the equipment, and hike 5-6 hours this day to arrive to the first camp in Llamacorral (3,800m).
Day 6 -
A 4-6 hour hike to Taullipampa (4,200m). Optional hike to Laguna Arheycocha / Alpamayo basecamp (4,200m), 4-5 hours round trip.
Day 7 -
Hike over the Punta Union pass (4,750m), dropping down onto the other side of the Cordillera Blanca to the cap at Tuctu (4,250m).
Day 8 -
Tuctu to Laguna Hercucocha over the Alto de Pucaraju pass (4,725m), 4-6 hours.
Day 9 -
Huercucocha to Jancapampa, below the waterfall of Pucajirca, 5-7 hours.
Day 10 -
Jancapampa to Huillca over the Yanajanca pass, 5-7 hours
Day 11 -
Huillca to Jankarurish over the Caracara pass (4,830m), 5-7 hours.
Day 12 -
Rest day! Go and explore the valley above Jankarurish lake and see the famous Northwest face of Alpamayo, named from this aspect ‘the most beautiful mountain in the world’.
Day 13 -
Jankarurish to the Osoruri campsite, 5-7 hours.
Day 14 -
Osoruri to Wishcash campsite, 4-5 hours.
Day 15 -
Wishcash to the town of Hualcallan to meet your transport and return to Huaraz. Night in hotel, Huaraz.
Day 16 -
Last minute shopping for family and friends before departing for Lima at 11:00am, arriving at the airport or your hotel by 7:00pm.
What's Included
Can be included
- All in-country transport during trip
- First class bus tickets
- Hotel accommodations for specified time
- Professional, certified English-speaking guides
- Professional outdoor cook, 3 healthy meals a day plus snacks during the wilderness components of the trip
- All national park entrance fees
- All camping and cooking equipment
- Donkeys or llamas and porters where applicable
- Sleeping tents
- Sleeping mats
- Cook tent, eating tent, tables, chairs, and bathroom tent
- First aid kit stocked for wilderness expeditions
- Celebration banquet at the end of trip
Not usually included:
- International flights and applicable airport taxes
- Personal clothing and equipment
- All food during in-town days except the Celebration Banquet
- Incidental personal expenditures, including emergency evacuations and medical expenditures
- Insurance: personal travel, high mountain and/or medical insurance
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