Peru: Trekking Alpamayo, Huascaran & Climb Nevado Vallunaraju (5686 m)

Walk around the most Beautiful Mountain in the World and Climb an easy 5000 m summit

18 Days/17 Nights May to November Moderate

Highlights of the Cordillera Blanca. The highest tropical mountain range in the world, the Cordillera Blanca is part of the spectacular Andes that form the spine of South America. A mecca for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, the region boasts over 50 peaks that exceed 15,000 feet, 700 glaciers and 300 lakes.

Trekking the Trans Cordillera Blanca: The Cordillera Blanca (White Range) is the largest and most popular mountain range in Peru, with 31 peaks more than 6,000 meters high, and more than half of the 6000 meter peaks in all of Peru. Here you’ll find the highest and most beautiful mountain in the tropics - snowcapped Huascaran (6,768 m) - as well as the popular and spectacular Alpamayo (5,947 m) - the stand outs in a region of superlatives!

This trekking circuit, which winds around the peaks of Huascarán and Alpamayo, is a dream destination for avid high mountain trekkers. It’s a formidable trek due to the altitude and the many passes along the way. This excursion is nine days of fascinating landscapes, including turquoise mountain lakes, high passes between extraordinary ice capped peaks, and endemic plants interspersed with high plateaus.

About Nevado Vallunaraju: The high peak of North Vallunaraju, at 5,686 meters, is close enough to Huaraz to do a summit trek in two days via a moderate climb. Setting out for this peak, you can see other peaks of the northern part of the Cordillera Blanca, including Oxshapalca (5,881 m) and Ranrapalca (6,262 m.) From the summit of Vallunaraju there is a beautiful view of the city of Huaraz and the Callejón de Huaylas (the central area of the valley between the Cordilleras Blanca and Negra.) Between North and South Villunaraju, there are 5 routes via different walls. The first ascent was to the North peak in 1949 via what has come to be called the “normal route“, which is what this trek follows as well. It‘s also a good place to practice ski mountaineering.

Travel Program
Detailed Program
What’s included
Prices & Dates
Maps & Download

Travel Program

Itinerary:

Day 1: Flight to Lima - Lodging in the hotel
Day 2: Travel by bus to Huaraz (3100 m) - 400 km/approximately 8 hours
Day 3: Huaraz - Trekking to Laguna Churup (4450 m)
Day 4: Huaraz - Trekking to Laguna 69 (4650 m)
Day 5: Huaraz - Transfer to Hualcayan (3250 m) - Departure point for trekking routes
Day 6: First stage of trekking: Hualcayan - Trekking to Wishcash Camp (4520 m)
Day 7: Wishcash - Trekking to Ruina Pampa (Pampa Ruins) (4000 m)
Day 8: Ruina Pampa - Trekking to Cruze Alpamayo (4250 m)
Day 9: Cruze Alpamayo - Trekking to Caracara Pass (4830 m) and Tayapama Valley (4150)
Day 10: Tayapama - Trekking to over Pucajircas Pass (4615 m) to Jancapampa (3600 m)
Day 11: Jancapampa - Trekking via Tupatupa Pass (4400m) - Laguna Huecrucocha (4050 m)
Day 12: Laguna Huecrucocha - Trekking over Yanagrahirca Pass (4,300 m) to Colcabamba (3300 m)
Day 13: Colcabamba - Transfer to Huaraz: Over Portachuelo Pas (4650 m) - to the Llanganuco Valley and Huaraz
Day 14: Rest day in Huaraz. Optional: Rock climbing in Chancas
Day 15: Huaraz - Transfer to the Llaca Valley; hike to Moraine Camp (4900 m)
Day 16: Moraine Camp - Nevado Vallunaraju Summit (5686 m) - Moraine Camp - Transfer to Huaraz
Day 17: Transfer to the Anta Airport and 50 minute flight to Lima, or transfer to the bus terminal for the 8 hour ride to Lima. Transfer to the hotel
Day 18: Stay in Lima - Transfer to the Airport

Detailed Program

Day 1: Flight to Lima. Lodging in the hotel
Arrival in Lima - the large city in South America; population approximately 11 million. Rest or explore the city on your own. Overnight Hotel (-/-/-)

Day 2: Travel by bus to Huaraz (3,100 m) - 400 km/approximately 8 hours
This ride follows the Pan American highway north across the impressive Pacific coastal desert. Continuing toward higher terrain, you pass through the Cordillera Negra (Black Range) at Conococha Pass (4020 m) into the Santa Valley and Huaraz (3100m.) Once across the pass, you’ll see a charming view of the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca, without a doubt some of the most impressive scenery in the world. You can also fly via LCPERU - flight duration 50 minutes. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)

Day 3: Huaraz - Day Hike to Laguna Churup (4450 m)
The trail to Laguna Churup is one of the classic hikes of the Cordillera Blanca, challenging but a great acclimatization route. We drive to the village of Llupa, and from there begin our hike on an ancient Inca trail to Laguna (Lake) Churup. The trail narrows and steepens, but also becomes more interesting, including a small climb with fixed ropes. It is one of the most beautiful places in this varied mountain region. Churup Peak rises above the lake, a wild rocky mountain with glaciers and cliffs 5,400 meters above sea level. Here we can continue climbing and do a loop to the Churup summit trail before returning to the trailhead and back to Huaraz for the night. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 4: Huaraz - Day hike Huaraz to Laguna 69 (4450 m)
Laguna 69 has been called the most famous and well known lake in the Cordillera Blanca. Our trail winds through picturesque montane forests and a somewhat marshy area, always alongside a steep and daunting ridge. Behind us, the fortress-like peak of the ice giant Huascarán looms. Winding trails lead us past several wild foaming waterfalls to the lake. Laguna 69 is flanked by glacial moraines. Immediately above the deep blue surface of the lake, we see the steep ice walls of Chacraraju, one of the most beautiful, but also most difficult of the 6000 peaks in the Cordillera Blanca. After rest and pictures, we return to Huaraz. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 5: Huaraz - Transfer to Hualcayan (3250 m) - Departure point for trekking routes
This is the beginning of the "Trans Cordillera Blanca Grande" trek around Alpamayo and Huascarán. We travel by vehicle through the Santa Valley and the villages of Carhuaz, Yungay and Caras to the ruins of Hualcayan, the remains of towers from the Inca age. We meet with our support team and their pack animals. Night in camp. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 6: Huaraz - First stage of trekking: Hualcayan - Trekking to Wishcash Camp (4520 m)
The first of a total of 8 days of trekking on the Cordillera Blanca tour begins by climbing the winding steep trail to Wishcash Camp. In the afternoon we can watch the beautiful sunset over the Cordillera Negra. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 7: Wishcash - Trekking to Ruina Pampa (Pampa Ruins) (4000 m)
This will be a long and difficult day. We pass by the large nearby lake, Cullicocha, with fantastic views of the Santa Cruz peaks and glaciers, and continue to Osoruri Pass (4,860 m.) After a descent of 400 meters, we climb over Vientunan Pass (4,770 m) and finally drop sharply into the valley of Cedros Alpamayo (Alpamayo Cedars.) After this 8-9 hour day we reach Ruina Pampa Camp (4000 m.) Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 8: Ruina Pampa - Trekking to Cruze Alpamayo (4250 m)
A short, scenic stage, amazing because of what is ahead - a beautiful view of Cruze Alpamayo, 4,250 m. Those who wish can climb to Alpamayo Base Camp North (4,500 m) and do an optional summit hike to Jatunjirca Peak (5030 m) allowing you to get above 5000 meters. Fantastic views of Alpamayo (5,947 m) and Quitaraju (6,036 m.) Alternative: Spend a half day resting in the Cruze Alpamayo Camp, with a beautiful view of Alpamayo. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 9: Cruze Alpamayo - Trekking to Caracara Pass (4830 m) and Tayapama Valley (4150 m)
Today we hike over two passes, Caracara (4,830 m) and Mesapata (4,460 m), with spectacular views of the northern part of Alpamayo and the Pucachircas peaks, the northernmost of the 6000 meter peaks in the Cordillera Blanca. Set up camp in the vast flatness of the Tayapampa Valley and then continue to Laguna Safuna (4,200 m) for an afternoon visit. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 10: Tayapama - Trekking to over Pucajircas Pass (4615 m) to Jancapampa (3600 m)
As we continue our trek, a few kilometers from the valley in a wide open grassland we pass two houses of local farmers, and continue up a steep slope to Pucahirca Pass (4,610 m) followed by a long descent to a lake on the far side of the densely-vegetated Yanajanca Valley. Camp at Jancapampa, directly below the ice walls of the peaks of Pucahirca and Taulliraju. In the area around the camp area there are many local rural folks. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 11: Jancapampa - Trekking via Tupatupa Pass (4400m) - Laguna Huecrucocha (4050 m)
We set out on the right side of the Jancapampa valley, continuing to Tupatupa Pass and a long descent to the forested Tuctubamba Valley. We stay in large tents with a view of Laguna Huercrucocha (4,050 m). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 12: Laguna Huecrucocha - Trekking over Yanagrahirca Pass (4300 m) to Colcabamba (3300 m)
Although a long day, our hike is a bit easier up to Yanagrahirca Pass (4,300 m) with more panoramic views of the mountains of Chopicalqui, Taulliraju, Huascarán, and Tocllaraju. Then we have a long downhill through increasingly populated areas and indigenous villages to the city of Colcabamba (3,300 m.) Camp at Colcabamba. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 13: Colcabamba - Transfer to Huaraz: Transfer - Over Portachuelo Pass (4650 m) - to the Llanganuco Valley and Huaraz
Last (8th) day of the trekking portion of our tour. From the town of Colcabamba we leave our team of burros very early and via private vehicle set off for Portachuelo Pass (4,650 m) with impressive views of the peaks of Chopicalqui, Huascarán Sur-Norte, Huandoy‘s 4 summits, Nevado Pisco, Chacraraju, and Yanapaccha among others.. We’ll stop the vehicle to get out for photos in several places. It’s all downhill from here. Farther along we can see Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes in the Llanganuco Valley, where the bus is waiting. End of the Trans Cordillera Blanca Grande Trek. Overnight in the hotel in Huaraz. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 14: Rest day in Huaraz. Optional: Rock climbing in Chancas
A classic location for those who like rock climbing. This area is 40 minutes north of Huaraz. It was developed thanks to the guides of Don Bosco in the Andes - a private organization formed to facilitate tourism - in 1997. It has 8 developed routes of different difficulties. This is a good place to spend a quiet day in nature and at the end visit the hot springs to relax aching muscles. Lodging in the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)

Day 15: Huaraz - Transfer to the Llaca Valley; hike to Moraine Camp (4900 m)
Leave from Huaraz in private transport to the Llaca Valley (3850 m.) From here we begin our ascent on foot to Moraine Camp, spending about two hours on the trail. This climb is relatively long and steep; we proceed very slowly so we don’t get too tired and can adjust to the altitude before our summit day tomorrow. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 16: Moraine Camp - Nevado Vallunaraju Summit (5686 m) - Moraine Camp - Transfer to Huaraz
Leave Moraine Camp at approximately 2-3 a.m. in order to reach the summit by about 8 a.m. After arriving at the summit, we return to our starting point in the Llaca Valley where the bus waits to take us back to Huaraz. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Day 17: Transfer to the Anta Airport and 50 minute flight to Lima, or transfer to the bus terminal for the 8 hour ride to Lima. Transfer to the hotel
Options: Flight or bus. Flights are via LC-Peru and last 50 minutes. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)

Day 18: Stay in Lima - Transfer to the Airport
Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc. Overnight flight (B/-/-)

Day 19: Arrival in Europe or the country of origin
Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc. Overnight Home (-/-/-)

Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner