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Preparation
Peru: Cordillera Blanca
On this page: Overview | Itinerary | Pricing
Overview
This is a very beautiful trek in the world's highest tropical mountain range. The Cordillera Blanca trek (Santa Cruz Loop) passes below towering peaks with glacier-carved canyons, including Huascarán, Alpamayo, Taulliraju, Huandoy, Chacraraju, and many others, as it travels through Peru's only National Park in the mountains. If starting in Lima, you will need to travel to Huaraz to begin the trek. Return to Lima at the end, to continue your Peru adventures!
- Itinerary: Day 1 Huaraz/Vaqueria; Day 2 Vaqueria/Tuctu; Day 3 Tuctu/Taullipampa; Day 4 Taullipampa/Llamacorral; Day 5 Llamacorral /Cashapampa/Huaraz.
- Duration: 5 days / 5 nights
- Season: Available all year. Best hiking is April through October.
Groups to Join
- Every Sunday (Minimum 2 persons; single travelers contact us to see if there is a group you can join).
MAP OF CORDILLERA BLANCA TREK >>
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Itinerary
DAY 1: Huaraz/Vaqueria
Leave early in the morning to drive down the Santa Valley, passsing several villages before arriving at the present-day site of the village, Yungay. The road winds slowly up into a gulley between the Huascaran massif and the Huandoy three-pronged peak. At the boundary of Huascaran National Park is the overhanging Llanganuco Valley with its turquoise-colored lakes. Beyond the lakes is the small valley, Quebrada Demanda, perfect spot for a short scenic hike before continuing on the narrow road that twists and turns its way up to Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass (4,750m/15,580ft). From this point there is a spectacular panorama of Mts. Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju (Peru's most difficult mountain to climb). The road decends to a place where the drive ends and there is a short hike to the campsite at Vaqueria (3,700m/12,136ft). (BLD)
 Burros |
DAY 2: Vaqueria/Tuctu
The day starts with a leisurely hike down toward the villiage of Colcabamba, crossing over a small ridge into the Huaripampa Valley. Along the valley are small farmint settlements surrounded by farmland, native Andean vegetation and the snow-capped peaks of Paria and Taulliraju. The trail continues past meadows and fields on the way to the campsite near Paria (or Tuctu), in the heart of Huascarán National Park. (Time: 5-6 hours; Distance: 11 kms) (BLD)
 Peak |
DAY 3: Tuctu/Taullipampa
The trail begins ascending toward Punta Union Pass (4,700m/15,416ft). This old trail was heavily used during pre-Columbian and colonial times for transporting goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley. On approach to the pass, Mt. Taulliraju looms from above and its glacial lake and glacier add color and contrast to the amazing view down the Santa Cruz Valley. The peaks of Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, Artesonaju come into view, as well as the two lakes of Ichicocha and Jatunconcha. The trail descends to the campsite at Taullipampa (or Quiswarpampa) (4,100m/13,448ft). (Time: 7 hours; Distance: 13 kms) (BLD)
DAY 4: Taullipampa/Llamacorral
The decent passes the side-valley of Arhuaycocha, with a view of Mt. Alpamayo, then continues down the Santa Cruz Valley. The valley landscape changes to scree slopes along marshy meadows dotted with rock boulders and ends with a hike out of an ever-narrowing canyon into Llamacorral and the campsite 3,500m/11,480ft). (Time: 6 hours; Distance: 16.5 kms) (BLD)
 Valley Stream |
DAY 5: Llamacorral /Cashapampa/Huaraz
There is a steep descent into Cashapampa where a vehicle transports the group down the slow, winding road to the main valley and back to Huaraz. Dinner on your own. Overnight at a hotel. (Time: 2:30 hours. Distance: 7 Kms.)(BL)
Pricing
2008 prices:
| # In Group | 2 | 3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | 10-12 | Join Group | Single Supplement |
| Price per Person | $780 | $595 | $550 | $485 | $455 | $695 | $40 |
2009 prices:
| # In Group | 2 | 3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | 10-12 | Join Group | Single Supplement |
| Price per Person | Available upon request | Available upon request | Available upon request | Available upon request | Available upon request | $940 | $35 |
SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of trek, large two-person tent; sleeping pad, porters; kitchen crew; commissary gear; meals; bilingual guides. Hotel on last night (Day 5).
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Tips; taxes; laundry service; additional tours; insurance; airfares (where applicable); sleeping bags; hiking boots; other personal gear; additional hotel nights; optional day trips.