The Alpamayo base camp Trekking is a combination of the Santa Cruz Trek and circuit Cedros Alpamayo in the stunning Cordillera Blanca / White Range in Peru. During this Trek we will see all the faces of Alpamayo peak for different valles as by Santa Cruz valley, Safuna valley and by Alpamayo valley.
The route takes you by massive glaciers, snow-capped mountains, green valleys and we will have opportunity to meet and see indigenous - quechua farmers living in their traditional way at the feet of the mountains.
We can organize this tour on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your trek experience, with the assistance of local guides.
Alpamayo Base Camp trek requires of two or three days of acclimatization before the hike
We recommend Acclimatization hike day:
• Willcacocha Lake 3600m.
• Churup Lake at 4400m
• Llanganuco and 69 Lake at 4600m.
• Shallap lake 4250m.
Thanks for choosing Llanganuco Tours!
Altitude max: Gara Gara Pass 4800m.
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Start Point: Cashapampa
Arrival point: Hualcayan
Hiking Time: 6 – 8 Hours
Best Season: May to September
Day 1.- Huaraz – Cashapampa – Llamacorral
Today in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel, then you will be transferred along the Callejon de Huaylas valley, passing by small towns as Marcara, Carhuaz, Yungay , Caraz then Cashapampa at 2900m. The starting point of the hike there the donkeys and donkey driver will be waiting for you, then the equipment will be carried by the donkeys.
The hike starts by a narrow valley, you will hike up for about 2 hours then we will start going up moderately by almost all the flat area to the first camp place Llamacorral at 3,700m.
Approx. 4 – 5 Hours
Day 2.- Llamacorral – Visit Alpamayo Base Camp – Taullipampa
In the morning, after the breakfast we will continue our hike by an easy and flat area passing the Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes we arrive to Quishuar for lunch then you have the option to head up to the Alpamayo South base camp to get an up-close view. Then return short hike and continue to the next camp place Taullipampa at 4200m.
Approx. 6 – 7 Hours
Day 3.- Taullipampa – Punta Union Pass 4700m. – Tuctubamba
After the breakfast, hike up for three hours to Punta Union pass at 4700m. from there, you will have amazing views of the next mountains: Taulliraju, Pucajirca, Alpamayo, Paria Contrahiervas and the Santa Cruz valley, then go down to the camp.
Approx. 6 Hours.
Day 4.- Tuctubamba – Alto Pucaraju pass – Huecrococha
In the morning climb up to alto Pucaraju pass at 4650m. Along the way there are stands of endangered Queñuales tress along the way. The top of the pass is magnificent and definitely one of the most photogenic areas of the trip. After coming off the pass you drop into a valley and continue to follow a contour line to Huecrococha camp.
Approx. 7 – 8 Hours
Day 5.- Huecrococha – Tupa Tupa Pass 4300m.- Jancapampa 3600m.
In the morning we ascend for two hours to the pass after crossing over Tupa Tupa pass, you will start to make your way down for three hours to Pishcopampa village. There we will meet and see many agricultures and quechuas families. Most of the people speak quechua language.
Approx. 7 – 8 Hours
Day 6.- Jancapampa – Yanacon Pass 4600m. – Willca or Safuna Camp
In the morning, after our breakfast in the camp we will ascend for more than three hours to Yanacon pass, after taking a small stop we continue going down for approx. three hours to Willca or Safuna camp. From here we can see the other face of Alpamayo peak
Approx. 7 – 8 Hours
Day 7.- Safuna – Mesapata and Gara Gara Pass – Jancarurish camp
One beautiful day
Today we will cross two passes: Mesapata pass at 4450m. and the Gara Gara Pass at 4800m. The absolute best views of the trip. The view of Alpamayo is the best you will get - perfect pyramid of Alpamayo peak. Toss in a few blue lakes and the big mountains of Quitaraju, Jancarurish and Pumapampa. Then go down to Jancarurish camp 4100m.
The other climbers prefer to climb to Alpamayo for this west side after the summit they prefer to go down by Santa Cruz valley.
Approx. 7 – 8 Hours
Day 8.- Jancarurish – Vientunan Pass – Osoruri 4500m.
Descend for one hour and a half to Ruinapampa ( Alpamayo Valley ) then ascend for approx.. 2 hours to Vientunan Pass at 4700m. After taking a brief descend, about one hour Osoruri camp 4500m. Which is perfectly adequate but not spectacular.
Approx. 6 – 7 hours
Day 9.- Osoruri – Cullicocha Pass 4800m. – Wishcash 4300m.
In the morning climb up for one hour and half to Cullicocha pass from where we will have spectacular views of Nevado Santa Cruz, then descend to the beautiful lake of Cullicocha, continue to Wishcash our last camp from there we will see the Cordillera Negra.
Approx. 6 – 7 Hours
Day 10.- Wishcash – Hualcayan – Huaraz
After our last breakfast in the camp we continue descending for two hours to the village of Hualcayan 2900 m. Here we will say good bye to our donkey driver and meet our private transfer ready for the 3 hours drive back to Huaraz.