Cordillera Blanca Trek

Byvpadmin

Overview

This classic Cordillera Blanca route is the most popular trek in northern Peru.  We offer this trek on a custom or private basis. Traversing a challenging 5-day route, you enjoy one of the Peruvian Andes most spectacular experiences. We include 2 acclimation day hikes before you set off on the main route.   This allows your body to slowly, properly adjust to the altitude.  All around you, the mountain summits reach heights exceeding 6,000 meters. Close by you are beautiful turquoise lakes, native queñual forests, and the golden bunches of ichu grass of the high Andes moorlands.  We cross the Punta Union Pass (4,750m) and the Llanganuco Pass (4,765m), enjoying the views of the most famous peaks in the Cordillera Blanca.

Itinerary

The Standard Route, 4 days/3 nights

Note: We recommend an acclimation package including 3 nights in Huaraz prior to starting the trek. See details at the end of the itinerary.

Leaving Huaraz (3,052 m/10,013 ft) by van, we head north, following the Santa River along the Callejon de Huaylas, with the great peaks of the Cordillera Blanca to the east and the lower range, the Cordillera Negra, to our west. After an hour of gradual descending in elevation, we reach the town of Caraz (2,300 m/7,546 ft). Here we turn east, and begin to ascend into the Cordillera Blanca, switchbacking up a secondary road for two hours to the village of Cashapampa (2,900 m/9,500 ft). Here we meet our mountain personnel: guides, cooks, muleteers, etc. who commence loading the gear on mules. We begin the trek heading up the Santa Cruz valley through high pasture lands, and after three hours walk we set up our first camp in Llamacorral (3,650 m/11,975 ft).

We continue up the wide valley of Santa Cruz, passing Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes (“cocha” means lake in Quechua, the local Andean language). We have lunch at Quishuar, where we can make a diversion towards Alpamayo base camp via the Arhuaycocha valley, with splendid views of the peaks of Quitaraju (6,040 m/19,816 ft), Alpamayo (5,947 m), Artezonraju (6,025 m) and others. Tonight we camp surrounded by snow peaks in Taullipampa (4,000 m/13,123 ft) at the foot of the impressive Taulliraju peak (5,830 m/19,127 ft).

We begin today challenging the steep zig-zag path to arrive after three hours at Punta Union (4,750 m/15,584 ft). We pause to enjoy the peaks of Chacraraju (6,112 m/20,052 ft), Artezonraju (6,025 m), Pyramid (5,885 m), Huandoy (6,395 m/20,981 ft), Alpamayo (5,940 m), Santa Cruz (6,259 m), Rinrihirca (5,810 m), Taulliraju (5,830 m/19,127 ft) and others. During our descent on the east side of the Cordillera Blanca we pass Morococha lake and then enter the long, broad Huaripampa valley, passing through red-barked queñual forests and the Andean paramo vegetation of ichu bunch-grass. Four hours from the pass we make our camp in Huaripampa (3,600 m/11,811 ft).

After an easy one-hour descent to the village of Colcabamba (3,350 m/10,990 ft), we climb two hours up to the roadhead village of Vaqueria (3,700 m/12,139 ft ). Our vehicle awaits here. We drive switchbacking up to the Portachuelo de LLanganuco (4,765 m/15,63 3ft) with splendid views of Huascar·n Norte (6,768 m/22,205 ft), Huascar·n Sur (6,650 m), Chopicalqui (6,354 m), Huandoy (6,395 m), and Pisco (5,752 m). Then we descend the Llanganuco valley, past a succession of turquoise glacial lakes: Llanganuco, Orkoncocha and Chinan-cocha. We descend steadily until we rejoin the main highway in the Santa valley, and turn south and return to our hotel in Huaraz.

The Alpamayo Version, 5 days/4 nights

Same as DAY 1 of the Standard Route (above)

We continue up the Santa Cruz valley, passing Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes. At Quisuar we turn north, and ascend via the Arhuaycocha valley towards Alpamayo base camp (4,000 m/13,123 ft). We spend the night with splendid views of the peaks of Quitaraju (6,040 m/19,816 ft), Alpamayo (5,947 m), Artezonraju (6,025 m) and others. Enjoy optional scrambles in the afternoon.

We return down the side valley to join the main Santa Cruz valley, and continue the trek up towards Punta Union. Tonight we camp in Taullipampa (4,000 m/13,123 ft) at the foot of the impressive Taulliraju peak (5,830m19,127ft) and surrounded by snow peaks.

Same as Day 3 on The Standard Route (above)

Same as Day 4 on The Standard Route (above)

Climb Nevado Pisco, 3 Days (5,725 m/18,867 ft)


You may add this moderately technical ascent to either the base trip or the Alpamayo version. The version here takes off from the final day of your trek.

From Vaqueria, we ascend by van to the Portachuelo de Llanganuco and descend close to Llanganuco Lake. We meet our climbing team and trek 3 hours north up an access valley to camp at Cebollapampa.

We continue up the valley and establish our high camp next to the moraine around 5,000 m/16,404 ft.

We rise at midnight and spend the night climbing. We traverse a moraine to reach the glacier, and follow a moderately technical route. We expect to summit at 7 AM. After the usual celebrations, we commence our descent to the road. Return by van to Huaraz.

Huaraz Access and Acclimation Package, 4 Days 

Arrive into Lima either from overseas or from other destinations in Peru. Pickup on Day 1 is from our hotel in Lima (not included in the pre-paid package)

We pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the bus station for the 8-hour trip in a comfortable inter-city bus to Huaraz (3,052 m/10,013 ft). You’re met on arrival and transferred to Olaza’s B&B, a small, comfortable hotel in the heart of Huaraz for three night’s accommodation. Meet with your guide tonight for a trek briefing. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.

Huaraz is a bustling small highland town. Visiting the market is an excellent introduction to your cultural surroundings. Take it easy today, and drink plenty of fluids. In the afternoon our guide meets you for a 3-hour hike to a nearby viewpoint.

We have two options for this acclimation day. The first is a group tour to the important archeological site of Chavin de Huantar (500 BC). The site is an underground temple, the most sacred pilgrimage site of the first great Pan-Andean cultural horizon. To reach Chavin we drive up and over the Cordillera Blanca to a valley on the eastern side of the range. The trip includes site fee and lunch. Our second option is a full-day hike in the Cordillera Negra, west of Huaraz. We choose a route which gives us wonderful views toward the full expanse of the peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, marching south to north along the horizon.

Following your trek, we include a final night in Huaraz hotel, and then:

We transfer you to the bus station for the 8-hour bus trip to Lima. Transfer from the bus station to the airport for your flight home (or transfer to hotel, for your continuing services).

Option: Daily flights on LC Busre commuter propjet depart Huaraz airport around 8:30 AM; you reach Lima in time to connect to a flight to Cuzco, ending your Cordillera Blanca tour.

DEPARTURES: Custom departures on request May through October

4 to 7 Days

4-DAY BASE PROGRAM

US$940 (4-6 passengers)

US$1,067 (3 passengers)

US$1,387 (2 passengers)

Rates are per person and subject to change

Rates for larger groups on request

2025 DATES & RATES:

DEPARTURES: Custom departures on request May through October

4 to 7 Days

4-DAY BASE PROGRAM

US$940 (4-6 passengers)

US$1,067 (3 passengers)

US$1,387 (2 passengers)

Rates are per person and subject to change

Rates for larger groups on request

Requested single tent and hotel: $98

Sleeping bag rental $36

National Park Fee is a local payment, approximately $20

5-DAY ALPAMAYO VERSION

US$1,080 (4-6 passengers)

US$1,227 (3 passengers)

US$1,533 (2 passengers)

Rates are per person and subject to change

Rates for larger groups on request

Requested single tent and hotel: $98

Sleeping bag rental $36

National Park Fee is a local payment, approximately $20

3 DAY NEVADO PISCO ADD-ON

Rates available on request

ACCESS/ACCLIMATION PACKAGE

4 Nights hotel, transfers and touring

US$395 (4 passengers)

US$410 (3 passengers)

US$430 (2 passengers)

Rates are per person and subject to change

Quick Facts

  • Cashapampa to Llanganuco, 6 Days
  • Custom trek, on request
  • Two 1-day acclimation hikes
  • Challenging trek amid high mountain scenery
  • Splendid surrounding peaks 20,000 ft & higher
  • Custom program

Similar Posts