Climbing Cordillera Blanca, Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, Santa Cruz, Huascaran, Mateo, Pisco, Huaraz, Peru

TREKKING CEDROS - VAQUERIA

Overview:

One of the most impressive and beautiful treks in the Cordillera Blanca, where the pyramidal face of the majestic Alpamayo mountain (5947m) can be visible and is considered by Alpinismus magazine in 1966 as "the most beautiful mountain in the world" with its particular shape making it quite attractive and unique in the Cordillera Blanca range. Along the route you can appreciate a great variety of flora and fauna as well as the surrounding snow-capped mountain peaks that provide a one-of-a-kind picture-perfect view.

• Duration: 9 days/ 8 nights
• Maximum height: 4860masl
• Difficulty: moderate
• Starting point: Hualcayan 3139masl
• Ending point: Vaqueria 3700masl

FYI:

• The itinerary is a model to follow, however, situations such as natural disasters, climate change, landslides, political unrest, strikes, demonstrations, changes in government regulations or another force majeure may cause this program to vary.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Huaraz - Caraz (2.400masl) - Hualcayan (3140masl) - Calamina (3980masl)
Our trek begins in the city of Huaraz with a private bus pick up from the hostel to drive us north along the Callejón de Huaylas passing through the provinces of Carhuaz, Yungay, and Huaylas (Caraz). We continue to Huascaran, a small town located at 3140 masl, from where we start our hike. As we trek uphill we will have magnificent views of the neighboring Cordillera Negra, then we arrive to Calamina where we will camp for the night.

Overnight camp Calamina field

Day 2: Calamina Camp (4.200masl) - Osoruri Pass (4.850masl) - Osoruri Camp (4.350masl).
This day we will continue ascending uphill passing the Cullicocha lakes (Yanacocha and Azulcocha), beautiful lagoons with a view of the impressive Santa Cruz snow-capped mountains (6.259m), later we will pass through Osoruri pass 4850 masl and then arrive at the camp of the same name where we will set up camp.

Overnight camp at Osoruri

Day 3: Osoruri camp (4.300masl) - Vientunam pass (4.750masl) - Jancarurisch camp (4.200masl)
Continuing our trek now towards Los Cedros ravine from where we will have to ascend to the Vientunam pass at an altitude of 4,750m. From this point we can observe the Milluacocha and Pilanco mountains to the north, then we will descend by several zigzagged paths to the ravine Los Cedros to take the way up the valley to the camp of Jancarurisch where the pyramidal form of the Alpamayo mountain can be observed. We will also appreciate the Jancarurisch and Tayapampa mountains.

Overnight camp at Jancarurisch

Day 4: Day of rest
A day of rest to appreciate the impressive pyramidal shape of the Alpamayo Mountain, considered by Alpinismus magazine in 1966 as "the most beautiful mountain in the world". Another option is to take a short walk to the Jancarurisch lagoon if the occasion allows it.

Overnight camp at Jancarurisch

Day 5: Jancarurisch (4.200masl) - Qara Qara pass (4.830masl) - Mespata pass 4350 masl - Huillca (4000masl)
We start the hike by a marked path up the valley which will take us to two passes. The first pass, called Qara Qara at 4830 meters above sea level or also called the continental divide, usually encountering strong winds and snow fall depending on the season. Here you have front seat views of the imposing snowy Quitaraju (6.036m), then we will descend down to the valley of Mesapampa, thus arriving at the second pass of Mesapata at an altitude of 4350masl. Here you can see the Sajuna lake and as we continue down the valley of Tayapampa we will finally arrive at the Huillca campsite, generally we will see llamas grazing around the camp.

Overnight camp at Huillca

Day 6: Huillca (4.000masl) - Yanacón pass (4.610masl) - Jancapampa (3.600masl)
Now we will go up valley by Yanta quenua, valley conformed of plants of ichu that spread along the footpath and with a bit of luck it may possible to see vizcachas hidden between the rocks. We will also observe the snowy Pukajirca (6,050masl) then we will descend down to the valley of Yanayacu, observing Sactaycocha lake and finally arriving at our campsite in Jancapampa.

Overnight camp at Jancapampa.

Day 7: Jancapampa (3.600masl) - Abra de Tupa Tupa (4400masl) - Huecrucocha (3.950masl)
Our day begins, crossing the picturesque village called Pishgopampa where people are usually quite friendly and cordial, this day we will ascend to the Tupa Tupa pass 4450 masl observing the snow-capped mountains that surround the area and then descend to the valley below of Tuctubamba; finally, we will arrive at the Huecrucocha lake where we will set up camp.

Overnight camp at Huecrucocha

Day 8: Huecrucocha (3.950masl) - Abra de Pucaraju (4.650masl) - Campo Paria (4160masl)
Now we will continue the hike to the opening of the Pucaraju hill, from where we will observe the Taulliraju snow-capped mountains and other snow-capped mountains that are around the pass, we will continue towards the valley ravine below, descending the path in zigzag until our next camp in Tuctubamba.

Overnight camp Outcast camp

Day 9: Paria Camp - Vaquería 3700 masl - Portachuelo pass at 4760 masl - Huaraz
We will leave early in the morning and head down the valley through the Huaripampa ravine, passing through the unique Andean bushes and trees, finding picturesque villages of noble and humble people in the small town of Vaquería where our bus pick up will be waiting and to say goodbye to the muleteers. Finally, the whole trip will be done by bus, passing by the Portachuelo pass at 5760 meters above sea level, we will stop to observe the Llanganuco ravine downstream, which has two beautiful lakes, these are the Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes; we will also observe the Chacraraju, Pisco, Huandoys, the majestic Huascaran and Chopicalqui snow-capped mountains.

Finally, we will arrive in the city of Huaraz.

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Recommendations:

• If you want to do this type of climbing, it is necessary to acclimatize previously for several days and be in good physical/technical conditions.

It includes:

• Private transportation for the beginning and end of the Cedros-Vaquería trekking
• Certified bilingual trekking guide.
• Assistant guide with more than 6 clients
• Mountain Cook
• Kitchen assistant (large groups)
• Kitchen utensils
• Food according to the program (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Collective first aid kit
• Huascarán National Park Entrance Ticket
• Luggage allowance up to 8 kg per customer
• Donkeys/horses for carrying camping equipment and luggage
• Donkey driver (person who drives the donkeys)
• Emergency horse for any eventuality (large group)
• Kitchen tent, dining room, bathroom, camping tables and chairs
• Sleeping tent (2 to 3 people per tent).

Not included:

• Bus or plane ticket reservation for transfer.
• Hotel reservation for accommodation in Huaraz
• Acclimatization before trekking
• Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day
• Lunch and drinks during the stay in Huaraz
• Personal trekking equipment
• Additional tours.
• Sleeping bag
• Travel Insurance Assistance
• Mattress (waterproof fabric or plastic mattress that inflates with air and is placed on the ground)
• Laundry service
• Personal Toiletries
• Evacuation, medical and rescue costs
• Tips to staff
• Additional expenses not specified in this travel program

What to wear:

• Personal First Aid Kit
• Hiking shoes (Gore-Tex)
• Canes
• Socks
• Spats
• Short-sleeved/long-sleeved cotton shirts or t-shirts
• Lightweight trousers
• Regular and long underwear
• Light hat and wool cap.
• Water bottle
• Light gloves
• Sleeping bag (-15 ºC)
• Small trekking backpack
• Strong waterproof canvas bag
• Personal Toiletries
• Sunglasses (100% UV, dark), sunscreen, lip balm
• Mosquito repellents
• Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb.
• Trekking poles
• Camera (optional)
• Extra meals.

Prices & Dates:

• This program is designed exclusively for private groups in order to provide you a better experience. We have local certified guides and support team at your disposal. If you have any questions regarding our packages and pricing options please feel free to contact us.

Note

• Receive a special discount for groups of more than 5 participants.
• Additional information is available upon request at the time of booking.