Location: Cordillera Blanca
Duration: 4 days / 3 night
Distance: 54 km
Maximum elevation: 4760 M Above Sea Level (Punta union Pass)
Difficulty: Moderate.
Best season: April – November.
The Cordillera Blanca offers an unforgettable experience on one of the most popular hikes in the area. On this journey, you will have the opportunity to appreciate spectacular mountains and lakes with impressive views and vibrant colors. From the beginning of the trail, you will be amazed by the Artesonraju, Rinrijirca, and Alpamayo mountains.
During the journey towards Vaqueria in the Llanganuco gorge, you will delight in the beautiful Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes. And from the Paso Portachuelo, you will be able to observe the most important mountains of Peru, including Huascarán, the four peaks of Huandoy, Pisco, Chacraraju, and Chopicalqui.
This experience will allow you to connect with nature and live an unforgettable adventure in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Day 1: Huaraz – Portachuelo (4,750 m) – Vaquería (3650M) – Paria (3,800 m).
We pick up the participants at their hotel and transport them by private vehicle through the towns until we reach Vaquería, ascending through the impressive winding road and crossing the Portachuelo Pass, the highest point of our journey at an altitude of 4,750 m. Before reaching Vaquería, we make a stop at the pass to enjoy the stunning views of the highest mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. Once in Vaquería, we load the equipment onto the donkeys and begin our descent towards the town of Huaripampa, where we have the opportunity to meet the friendly locals and take memorable photos of their traditional houses and farmlands. Finally, an easy 5-hour hike takes us to our first campsite in Paria (3800 m).
Day 2: Paria (3,800m) – Punta Union Pass (4780m) – Taullipampa (4250m).
On the second day of our trek, we’ll enjoy a 6-hour hike to the highest point of the route. The trek starts with an ascent towards Punta Union (4780m). As we approach the pass, we’ll have breathtaking panoramic views towards the Santa Cruz valley to the west and the Huaripampa valley to the east. We’ll be able to see the peaks of Santa Cruz surrounded by Andean vegetation of Quenual, the snowy peaks of Paria and Taulliraju, Artesonraju and Huaripampa. We’ll also see the majestic Taulliraju mountain towering above us and its glacial lake on the other side. From this high point, it will be possible to admire the view of Alpamayo, Artesonraju, Taulliraju, Rinrihircas, Chacraraju, Chopicalqui, and Pucahircas. Finally, after a well-deserved rest, we’ll descend to our next campsite in Taullipampa (4250m).
Day 3: Taullipampa (4250 m) – Arhuaycocha (4440 m) – Llamacoral (3750 m).
On this day, we will hike for approximately 7 hours. The group will take a shortcut to the base camp of Alpamayo and visit the Arhuaycocha lake at an altitude of approximately 4,450 meters. After a round trip of approximately 3 hours, we will return to the Santa Cruz valley to continue our hike to our last campsite. Along the way, you can enjoy impressive views of the Jatuncocha and Ichiccocha lakes. After about one more hour of hiking, we will reach the Llamacorral campsite, where our camp will already be set up.
Day 4: Llamacoral (3750m) – Cashapampa (2850m) – Huaraz.
The last day will be a descent, and we will walk for approximately 4 hours to the town of Cashapampa. During this descent, you will be able to appreciate the changes in vegetation and enjoy the stunning views of the Andean landscape as we follow the course of the river. Upon arriving in the town, our private transportation will be waiting to take us back to the city of Huaraz.
Camping equipment.
Kitchen equipment.
Food: (Breakfast, Snack, Dinner).
Cooker
Certified trekking guide.
Donkeys and Donkey Driver.
First aid kit.
Private round-trip transportation.
Unlimited potable water.
DON’T INCLUDE.
Entrance fees to Huascarán National Park.
Medical and emergency insurance.
Sleeping bag (if you don’t have we can help you to rent).
The first breakfast and the last dinner.
Personal expenses.
Essential items to pack!
- Day backpack and (06 Kilos personal Luggage for the Donkeys).
- Hiking poles
- Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Well-worn hiking shoes or boots
- Comfortable clothing (quick-drying), hiking pants, fleece
- Thermal underwear for the night
- Warm fleece or down jacket
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Extra water and snacks
- Water purification tablets.
