Guided Treks · Cordillera Blanca

Llanganuco to Alpamayo Base Camp Trek

Our Alpamayo Base Camp Trek is a challenging trekking circuit that ascends through Andean environment with panoramic views of the highest mountains of the Cordillera Blanca Mountain Range, crossing several passes, spectacular valleys with abundant flora and fauna and the opportunity to see the famous Nevado Alpamayo Mountain 5947m, the most beautiful mountain in the world.

The Journey

Trip Overview

Natural History
The valleys are great places to observe native Andean alpine flora, especially the many wildflowers that bloom during the trekking season, including buttercups, ranunculus, lupines and several species of orchids. Many encrustations of deep-red bromeliads can be seen along the track, sprouting from boulders and on rock faces.
Fauna includes few llamas, mountain caracaras, falcons, Andean geese and ducks, hawks, hummingbirds, American kestrels, puna ibis, Andean swifts, Andean foxes and mountain vizcachas.

Duration
9 Day Trek
Format
Private
Activity
Guided Treks
Grade
Challenging
Distance
102 km
Maximum altitude
4,860 m
Season
May to September
Service

What’s Included

Professional English Speaking Mountain Guide

Professional Cook

Donkeys and donkey driver

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner during the trek

Tents: 4 season tent (3 person tent for 2 people), dining tent with tables and chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent

Foam & air mattress

First Aid Kit

All cooking equipment, plates, cups, utensils etc.

Private transport

Entrance Fee to Huascaran National Park

Each participant is allowed to bring 12kg to be loaded on the donkeys

Service

What’s Not Included

Sleeping bag

Personal gear

Travel Insurance

Gratuities

Preparation

What to Bring

We will provide a full gear list info upon booking the trek.

Logistics

Pickup and Drop-off

We will collect and return you to any hotel located within Huaraz City.

Day by Day

Itinerary

1 DayHuaraz – Llanganuco Lakes – Portachuelo Pass – Vaqueria – Huaripampa
You are picked up at your accommodation and begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Callejon de Huaylas Valley and then into the Huascaran National Park, past the turquoise Llanganuco Lakes and over the Paso Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass 4785m and then down to Vaqueria (3700m) which is the starting point of the trek 5 hours drive. There are opportunities for photo stops along the way. From Vaqueria our equipment is loaded onto the donkeys and we have a 2 hours hike on a gradually rising path to our campsite in the Huaripampa Valley at 3700m.
2 DayHuaripampa – Tuctubamba
An easy hike today. We walk up the valley for 4 hours to camp at Tuctubamba 4100m.
Day 3Tuctubamba – Alto de Pucaraju Pass – Huecrococha Lake - Quishuar
We ascend steeply on a rocky path to the top of Paso Alto de Pucaraju Pass 4640m. From the top of the pass there are lovely views of many mountains such as Taulliraju, Chacraraju, Paria and many others. We then walk down through lupin covered hillside to camp at Quishuar passing laguna Huecrococha lake. 4000m. 7 to 8 hours walk.
4 DayQuishuar – Tupa Tupa Pass – Jancapampa
We ascend towards Paso Tupatupa Pass 4360m with views of the massive snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca and then we have a long descent to camp at the head of the Jancapampa Valley at 3700m. 7 to 8 hours hike. We will see many local people and kids wondering around the campsite.
5 DayJancapampa – Yanacon Pass – Huillca
We ascend a long gradual valley for 3 hours and then we climb steeply to reach the rocky Pass Paso Yanacon 4610m for another 2 hours. We go down to our camp at Huillca 4100m. 7 to 8 hours hike.
6 DayHuillca – Mesapata Pass – Gara Gara Pass – Jancarurish
We have to cross two passes today. The first pass is a gradual climb to the lower pass of  Mesapata 4460m, we then traverse and continue climbing to the higher pass Paso Gara Gara 4830m from where we have great views of the big mountains Jancarurish, Quitaraju, Alpamayo and Laguna Jancarurish lake. We descend to camp at Jancarurish 4250m at the foot of the majestic Alpamayo. 7 to 8 hours
7 DayJancarurish – Ruina Pampa – Vientunan Pass – Osoruri
We descend a flat valley for about 2 hours before hiking up on a well-used trail towards Paso Vientunan Pass 4770m and then descend to our camp at Osoruri 4550m. 6 to 7 hours walk.
8 DayOsoruri – Cullicocha Pass – Cullicocha Lake – Wishcash
We start with an easy climb up to Paso Cullicocha 4860m pass from where we have lovely views of the surrounding mountains. We then descend to the fabulous lake Laguna Cullicocha 4650m from where we can admire the majestic peaks of Nevados Santa Cruz before descending to our last camp at Wishcash 4350m. 6 – 7 hours walk
9 DayWishcash – Hualcayan – Huaraz
We descend a long zigzag trail to the village of Hualcayan 2900m and then drive back to Huaraz. 4 hours walk and 3 hours drive.