Travel Huaraz Trekking Llanganuco Santa Cruz | Huaraz Tours

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 masl). 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 masl), the “Capital of Mountaineering and International Friendship.” We overnight at our hotel in Huaraz City.

This morning we driving along the magnificent Callejón de Huaylas Valley watered by the Santa River and located between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra mountain ranges. On the way, you visit picturesque towns such as Mancos and Carhuaz and Yungay. Turning east the mountain scenery becomes increasingly spectacular as you ascend the slopes of the Cordillera Blanca. Exacting peaks such as Huandoy (6,162 masl) and Huascarán (6.768 masl) form the granite walls of this U-shaped glacial-eroded canyon with its two turquoise Llanganuco lakes. This is a giant natural history laboratory where you learn about high tropical Andes species and ecosystems. Forests of silk-paper-barked Queñua and Quishuar trees cover the canyon floor. Colorful bromeliads, orchids and cactus, among other plant species, grace the granite boulders and cliffs, and then continue beyond them ascending up to Portachuelo de Llanganuco (4,767 masl). The view of the spectacular iced amphitheater formed by some of the highest peaks of the tropical Andes -Huandoy, Pisco (5,947 masl), Chacraraju (6,112 masl), Chopicallqui (6,354 masl), 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 (3,760 masl).

This morning we hike along the Huaripampa Gorge crossing the local villages such as Collo, Yanachaca and Huaripampa. 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 (6,112 masl), swampy meadows, small lakes and forests, with view of Taulliraju mountain (5,850 masl). Our second camp is installed at 3,780 masl. Scenic peaks such as Paria(5,519 masl) and Piramide de Garcilazo (5,885 masl) provide great opportunities for photographing pictures

Today is filled with pleasant surprises and gorgeous views as we walk through grassy areas and along the Morococha Lakes. Climbing pre Incan stone-carved steps, we arrive at Punta Unión Pass (4,750 masl). The panorama is dominated by the impressive iced walls of Taulliraju (5,830 masl) above Taullicocha Lake. We camp in Taullipampa at 4,250 masl.

We hike along Taullipampa Gorge, observing various vegetation ecosystems. The iced peaks of Artesonraju (6,025 masl), Paria (5,510 masl), and Quitaraju (6,036 masl) are visible from many different sites. A glimpse of the rocky, iced and fluted south face of Alpamayo Peak (5,947 masl) in all its rugged grandeur is a feast for the eyes. We climb at Arhuaycocha Lake (4,450 masl) enjoying the magnificent view of Alpamayo Peak. Then, we descend hiking along Jatuncocha and Ichic cocha Lakes (3,850 masl) and set up camp at Llama Corral at 3,780 masl.

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 (2,900 masl), from where we transfer to Huaraz and our hotel.

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. We arrive in Lima in the afternoon.