SANTA CRUZ - CEDROS ALPAMAYO | Unlimited Expedition

OVERVIEW:

This is one of the most beautiful circuits that we have within the Blanca Range, it is very suitable for people who love nature and who want to dive for longer in the mountain to see the 4 incredible faces of the Alpamayo Mount, including the pyramidal face which is considered the most beautiful mountain in the world; In addition to appreciating several lagoons of different colors just at the foot of the snowy mountains, you can enjoy a unique and unforgettable sunrise and sunset in almost all camps. In some sections we can also see wild animals typical of the area, among mammals and birds of variety, among them the Andean Ganzos (wachwua), Cara Cara, flicker, coots, Azulito de los Andes (bird whose color is dark blue, reason by which it takes this name), Andean fox, deer, Taruka (different type of deer), vizcacha (Andean Rabbit), Ducks and of course the Andean Condor, considered the largest bird in the Andes with an approximate measure of three meters from wing to wing, and although it is in danger of extinction, we can still appreciate if we walk with enthusiasm and good luck.

Route: Trekking Santa Cruz- Cedros Alpamayo
Duration: 10 Days/09 Nights
Recommended Season: Early April to late October
Highest Point: 4880m. Osoruri pass
Difficult: Moderate- Difficult
Average hours to walk: 5- 8 hours per day

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Huaraz - Cashapampa - Llamacorral 3760m.
After the breakfast in your hotel we will come to pick up you with our private transport and take to you to the north side of Huaraz city into the Callejón de Huaylas valley. We will travel through the Districts of Carhuaz 2650m., Yungay 2500m., and Caraz City 22500m. After 3 hours driving, we will arrive around 10:00AM to our destination Cashapampa. Our donkey driver will be waiting for us to transport our camping equipment, and therefore make our backpacks very light. From the trail head we will hike for 2 and a half hour and then we have a break for lunch. Another 3 more hours of hiking will get to our first Campsite which is Llamacorral 3760m., we will be here around 4:00pm.

Day 2: Llamacorral – Alpamayo view point – Taullipampa 4250m.
This day will be a full day hiking and breathtaking views. After the breakfast we will begin the two-hour hike that will take us to Ichiccocha Lake and Jatuncocha Lake. From here we continue for another two hours walking takes us to the view point of Alpamayo. From this point we have a wonderful panoramic view because we can see several mountains around including the Alpamayo which is very well known as the most beautiful mountain in the world, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, which is also very well known as The Paramount Pictures Mountain, Paron or Paria, and Aguja and Millishraju. Try to maxing your camera’s memory card at this location because there is much more to see. From here one hour more of hiking will bring us to our second camp site, Taullipampa 4250m.

Day 3: Taullipampa– Punta Union Pass 4750m. - Tuctubamba
After breakfast we will start hiking at 8:00am. A four-hour hike will bring us to the Punta Union Pass 4750m. where we will have lunch while we enjoy the splendid scenery. Complete panorama views of glaciated mountains, blue skies, and unique landscapes will be our companion during this high altitude picnic. After lunch we descend for approximately two and half hours to our next campsite, Tuctubamba 4350m.

Day 4: Tuctubamba – Pucajirca Pass 4640m. – Quisuar
Today, we will start climbing up to get the Pucaraju pass 4640m. We will get there around 11am, and then we go down in zigzag path and nice landscape surrounded by highlands straw and many trees. We will get to the Huecroncocha Lake to have Lunch in the nice spot. Then after 25 minutes walking down we will get small village called Quisuar, where we will camp in the left side of the river at 3900m.

Day 5: Quisuar – Tupatupa Pass 4400m. – Jancapampa
We will start our hiking going up moderate path, enjoying field of sheep and we have a nice landscape and the view of the Tulliraju Mountain accompanying us, after couple hours walking up we will get the Tupatupa pass 4400m., easily, then we will go down by the base of the Pucajirca Mountain and then we will arrive to the next camping place of Jancapampa 3600m., overnight here.

Day 6: Jancapampa – Yanacon Pass 4600m. – Huillca
We will start climbing up early in the morning to get the pass on time, Yanacon pass 4610m., as always we will be surprised by nice different landscapes, in a gradual ascending we are on the pass around 11 AM, after the pass we will go down to the next camp place called Huillca, here we can see very close to our tents the Alpacas and goats which belong to one of the community of Pomabamba Province, overnight Camping at 4000m.

Day 7: Huillca – Caracara Pass 4800m. – Jancarurish
Moderate walking the first 2 hours to get the Mesapata pass at 4460m. Then we will walk flat area to the water stream in Moyobamba valley to have lunch, and then we will continue to the base of the caracara pass, from where we will start our gradual ascend for one hour until the Caracara pass 4800m, after the pass is easy walk down to Jancarurish which is our next campground at 4250m and from here we have the best view of the perfect ice Pyramidal shape of Alpamayo Mount and of course we can even have a nice sunset and the Alpamayo Mount get orange coluor.

Day 8: Jancarurish –Mirador Alpamayo- Ruinapampa
After the breakfast in Jancarurish we will start climb up to to the Mirador or view Point to see the most beautiful mountain Alpamayo, from here we will enjoy the nice views of Alpamayo and Quitaraju Mount, after that we will start go down and we will have lunch on the way, after that we will continue to Ruinapampa, along this valley we can see the west face of Alpamayo, after 2 hours more we will arrive to Ruinapampa where we will appreciate the inka – Terrazes, overnight Camping over 4025m.

Day 9: Ruinapampa – Osoruri Pass 4880m – Huishcash
After the breakfast in Ruinapampa we will start climb up on zigzags until Ichic vientunan pass 4770m for about 3 hours, where we will enjoy the nice views of Santa Cruz, Pilanco and Milluaraju mount, after that we will go down to Osoruri for about 40 minutes, then we will start walking up toward our last Pass Osoruri 4880m, then we will go down, after a few meters down we will be surprised by a nice spot, a beautiful blue lake of Cullicocha in the base of Santa Cruz massif, we will get offshore the lake to have lunch. After rest in the lunch time we will continue going down to our last camp place of Huishcash, from this camping place we will appreciate a very nice sunset over the Black Mountain Range in front us. Overnight at 4320m.

Day 10: Huishcash – Hualcayan – Huaraz
Today is our last hiking day, and is only downhill walk, we will arrive first to the small village of Hualcayan where our private transport will be waiting for us, and here we also find a very basic shops and the National Park entrance control to check out, before leave the village we will have the lunch. After the lunch break will continue by bus to Huaraz, we arrive between 3 to 4 PM and transfer to the hotel – Huaraz.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

All private tours, all private transport and the price system guarantees your departure and only with your team members.

Official bilingual guides with good manners and social behavior

Official mountain cooks (Our expeditions always go with guide & cook, amount depending on the amount of participants).

Good and varied food - best quality (vegetarian option).

Climbing in the Cordillera Blanca always with accredited guides, no exceptions.

Porters, donkeys and donkey drivers, amount depending on the amount of participants and nature of your expedition.

We respect working conditions and local tariffs of staff - no exploitation

Imported tents from Eureka, Mountain Hard ware, North face and Ferrino brand, 3 person tents for every 2 customers, 2 person tent for every single person.

All camping equipment and cooking/eating utensils.

Self inflating Matresses (Thermarest)

Clients carry day pack only, approx. 12 kg per client on the donkeys

Safety horses in case of emergency or fatigue (until 6 pax -> 1 horse, until 12 pax -> 2 horses, until 18 pax -> 3 horses …).

All entrance fees

First aid kit and oxygen bottle

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Not mentioned or additional beverages or meals in villages

Sleeping bag (rental US $ 7.00 per day + US $ 5.00 for obligatory laundry)

Breakfast on the 1st day (hotel) and dinner on the last day.

Tip for the staff

Travel accidents and health insurance

Return or abortion otherwise as planned itinerary: transport & possible accommodation costs (also for staff)

Personal mountain equipment.

TREKKING EQUIPMENT LIST

Dear client,
We understand how important it is for our clients to have the right equipment on their trips. That’s why we provide you with this Trekking Gear List, which gives you a detailed inventory of all the items you need during your excursion.

CLOTHING
- Walking Boots
- Socks
- Lightweight long underwear bottoms
- Comfortable and lightweight cotton or synthetic pants
- Water/windproof pants
- Lightweight long underwear tops
- Mid weight top layer
- Down or synthetic fill parka or sweater with hood
- Water/windproof jacket
- Lightweight gloves
- Shelled gloves
- Warm hat
- Neck gaiter and/or balaclava
- Ear band
- Sun hat
- Light cotton long sleeved shirt

MISCELLANEOUS
- Trekking Poles
- Headlamp
- Sunscreen: At least 30 SPF or higher.
- Lip balm: With sunscreen.

First Aid Kit:
- Insect Repellent
- Repair Kit
- Personal Toiletries
- Ear Plugs
- Water Bottles
- Water Purification
- Snack food
- Sun glasses
- Duffel Bag - Day Pack: A large-is (30 liters) day pack is recommended.
- Stuff Bags: A few assorted stuff sacks to help organize your gear
- Entertainment Selection
- Camera
- Passport: Make a photocopy or two and keep apart from your passport.
- Solar charging panels