6 days trekking
Grade: Medium
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Huaraz
Day 2: Acclimatisation walk
Day 3: Drive from Huaraz to the village of Cashapampa (2900m) 3 hours. Approaching Cashapampa we have our first view of Santa Cruz, the huge pyramid shaped mountain that gives the trekking circuit it’s name. Walk up the Santa Cruz Valley, following the river. The first 2 hours we are in a steep sided river gorge, and then the valley opens out to grassland. We camp near the river at Llamacorral (3750m) 4 to 5 hours.
Day 4: An easy walk up the open valley to our camp at Taullipampa (4250m). 4 hours. During the walk up the valley the twin peaks Quitaraju and the famous Alpamayo come into view. We walk past two lakes, first the small Ichiccocha then the larger Jatuncocha. Our camp is situated almost at the base of the beautiful mountain Taulliraju and we are also surrounded by others - Paria, Artseonraju, Rinrijirca, Quitaraju and Alpamayo.
There is time on the walk to camp to take a diversion and climb for 40 minutes on a zig zag track to visit Alpamayo Base Camp, making the day around 5˝ hours.
Day 5: Climb for around 2˝ hours on a good path to the pass of Punta Union (4750m) from where there are very close views of the surrounding mountains. We also look back down the Santa Cruz Valley from where we have walked and can see Lake Jutuncocha in the distance. From the pass descend past two small lakes to camp on a flat plateau away from the main trail in the Valley Paria (3900m). 7 hours.
Day 6: We follow the main Punta Union trail down the valley passing through intensive farmland to the village of Colcabamba. On the way we will meet many local children. Then climb steadily for about 1 hour to another village Challhua before traversing easily to our campsite at Molino Pampa in the narrow valley Quebrada Keshu (3600m), 7 hours.
Day 7: A steady climb up the Quebrada Keshu, first passing through ancient Quenual forest. The last hour we take a high zig zag path up to a high campsite perched on a small plateau on the side of the mountain called Avalanche Campsite at 4650m. Directly across the valley from our camp is the long snow covered mountain range of Contrahierbas (6037m) . There are frequent avalanches from the glaciers of Contrahierbas crashing into the lake below and we spend the afternoon resting and avalanche watching. 4 hours
Day 8: Our last and most spectacular pass Punta Yanayacu (4850m) a 1˝ to 2 hour climb to the pass from camp. The pass is a narrow ledge from where we have close views of Nevada Chopicalqui, then the path is a zig zag down to the valley below. We walk past lakes and again are surrounded by snowcapped peaks, the highest being Huascarán. We finish the trek in the beautiful valley Quebrada Ulta, where the bus will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz. Around 5 hours walking.
Acclimatisaton
We do recommend that you arrive in Huaraz at least 2 days before the trek departs to help you become acclimatised to the altitude. It is good to have a full day or 2 in Huaraz to recover from the 8 hour bus trip from Lima and to take a day hike to help with acclimatisation. We can organise day hikes for you.
On Trek
You will be accompanied by a qualified trekking guide, a cook, a donkey driver and donkeys, and assistants for larger groups. Donkeys carry your main luggage and all the food, tents and equipment. You only carry a day pack with raincoat, warm jacket, hat and gloves, water bottle, snack, camera, sunscreen etc.
We provide full information and a suggested gear list when you book for the trek. We can organise a private trek for you, or you can join one of our groups. Contact us for details and prices.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Our Service Includes:
- Qualified & licensed Guide
- Cook
- Donkeys and donkey drivers
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, large dinner) during the trek
- Tents (personal tent, dining tent with table & chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent)
- All cooking equipment, plates, cups, utensils etc.
- Private transfer during the trek.
Not Included:
- Accommodation (Lima and Huaraz)
- Meals and drinks in the city
- Sleeping bags and mattresses (available for hire)
- Entrance to the National Park and community fees
- Transfer from Lima / Huaraz / Lima
- Guide & transport for acclimatization walks extra.
- English speaking guides available.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Hiking & Trekking
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