Amazing 1 week Llanganuco – Santa Cruz trek

Travel in a regular bus from Lima to Huaraz, our comfortable vehicle takes us via the pan american highway along the pacific ocean coast, across sand deserts and through coastal valleys to Pativilca. Here we take the Pativilca – Huaraz highway and drive up into the Andes until we reach Conococha Lake (4,100 m.a.s.l).

Scenic mountains capes announce our arrival to the Callejón de Huaylas Valley between the Cordillera Negra (Black Mountain Range) and the Cordillera Blanca. We continue to Huaraz (3,100 m.a.s.l), the “Capital of Mountaineering and International Friendship.”

We stayed overnight at our hotel in Huaraz City.

This morning we transfer to the Llanganuco Canyon, formed by the granite walls of Peru’s highest tropical peaks – Huascarán (6767 m) and Huandoy (6395 m). Forests of silk-paper-barked Queñua and Quishuar trees cover the canyon floor, and colorful bromeliads grace the granite boulders and cliffs.

We arrive at Llanganuco Lakes, then continue beyond them ascending up to Portachuelo de Llanganuco (4760 m). The view of the spectacular iced amphitheater formed by some of the highest peaks of the tropical Andes (Huandoy, Pisco, Chacraraju, Chopicallqui, and Huascarán) is a breathtaking surprise. Here we start our hike descending along small lakes and streams to Pampa maché, where we set up our first camp (3760 m).

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

This morning we hiked along the Huaripampa Gorge. In the distance we can see the andean villages of  Yanama and Colcabamba. Continuing our hike, we cross Ranincuray Gorge with its magnificent views of the towers of Chacraraju East (6111 m), swampy meadows, small lakes and forests.

Scenic peaks such as Huascarán, Chopicallqui, Ulta, and Contrahierbas provide great opportunities for photographing pictures.

Our second camp is installed at 3780 meters.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today is filled with pleasant surprises and gorgeous views as we walk through grassy areas and along the Morococha Lakes. Climbing Incan stone-carved steps, we arrive at Punta Unión Pass (4750 m). The panorama is dominated by the impressive iced walls of Taulliraju (5830 m) above Taullicocha Lake.

We camp in Taullipampa at 4150 m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We hike along Taullipampa Gorge, observing various vegetation ecosystems. The iced peaks of Artesonraju, Paria, Quitaraju and Pukajirca are visible from many different sites. A glimpse of the rocky, iced and fluted south face of Alpamayo Peak (5947 m) in all its rugged grandeur is a feast for the eyes. We climb at Arhuaycocha Lake enjoying the magnificent view of Alpamayo Peak. Then, we continue hiking along Jatuncocha Lake and set up camp at Llama Corral at 3780 m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. 

A trail down the left ridge of the deep Santa Cruz Canyon provides us with opportunities to appreciate various vegetation ecosystems as we pass from areas with high altitude plants to tracts with tropical species such as bromeliads and orchids covering the granite walls. The rocky silhouette of the Cordillera Negra on the horizon announces our approach to Cashapampa Village (2900 meters), from where we transfer to Huaraz and our hotel.

Breakfast and lunch included.

After a relaxing breakfast we return to Lima, carrying with us unforgettable memories of our experiences in the world’s largest tropical high-mountain ecosystems and the friendships we built with our adventurous companions on the trails of Cordillera Blanca and the Huascarán Biosphere Reserve. Regular bus from Huaraz to Lima.