This trip dossier contains all the information you require for booking this trip. Please print off and read carefully before booking.

Length: 6 days
Grade: Moderate. Up to 5-7 hours physical activity each day. Some exposure to heights
Pre-trek Briefing: The guide will meet you the day before departure at 4.30pm at 777 Bello Horizonte Passage, Huaraz to do a full gear check and finalize last minute details.
Start: 7:30am Huaraz
Finish: Huaraz
Departs: April to September

Join a scheduled departure or book a private or custom trip with dates to suit you.

ITINERARY

This popular trek ascends the Santa Cruz Valley and crosses the Punta Union Pass at 4750m and Paso Yanayacu 4850m, below spectacular peaks of the Cordillera Blanca and skirting turquoise glacial lakes. Beautiful Andean wildflowers are prolific during the trekking season.

Day 1: Huaraz – Cashapampa – Llamacorral

You are picked up at your accommodation and begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Callejon de Huaylas Valley to the village of Cashapampa 2900m which is the starting point of the trek (3 hour drive). There are opportunities for photo stops along the way. From Cashapampa we start to ascend steeply for about 2 hours and then the track levels out, we climb steadily along the Quebrada Santa Cruz to camp at Llamacorral 3750m. 5 hours walk.

Day 2: Llamacorral – Taullipampa

An easier hike up the Santa Cruz valley to our camp at Taullipampa 4250m. 5 hours walk. It is generally flat and we ascend just the last hour towards the camp. We walk past the beautiful Jatuncocha Lake. Our camp is situated near at the base of the beautiful nevado Taulliraju Mountain and we are also surrounded by other peaks such as Paria, Artseonraju, Rinrijirca, Quitaraju and Alpamayo.

Day 3: Taullipampa – Punta Union Pass – Paria

We ascend steadily for about 3 hours on a good trail to the Punta Union Pass 4750m. We can feel the effects of the altitude as we reach the pass. From the pass we have very close views of the big mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. From the pass, we have a long descent passing two small lakes and then coming down into the Huaripampa Valley to camp at Paria 3890m. 7 hours walk

Day 4: Paria – Colcabamba – Molinopampa

An easy walk down the Quebrada Huaripampa Valley where we pass by many farm houses and see a lot of local people, children, sheep, caws, goats and donkeys on the path and then we walk along the road to our camp at Molinopampa 3600m. 6 hours walk.

Day 5: Molinopampa – Campo Avalancha

We ascend steadily, passing through a Quenual forest, small lakes and then we climb up a zigzag trail to our last campsite at Avalanche 4600m. From our campsite we have views of Nevado Contrahierbas Mountain. 4 hours walk.

Day 6: Campo Avalancha – Paso Yanayacu Pass – Ulta Valley – Huaraz

We ascend to our last pass Paso Yanayacu 4850m from where we have spectacular close-up views of Nevado Chopicallqui and Huascaran mountains. We then descend to Ulta valley passing small lakes and enjoying views of the big mountains. At Quebrada Ulta our private vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz. 5 hour walk and 2½ hours drive.

Grading & Fitness

Grade: Moderate

Most people who enjoy a weekend in the hills or mountains at home are capable of undertaking a trek at this level: you need to be in good health and reasonably fit, and you will almost certainly be taking regular exercise. Walking at higher altitude and the occasional longer or more difficult day may be involved, but generally conditions underfoot will be fair. A walking day would normally be between 5 to 7 hours, and no experience is necessary.

Acclimatization

We highly recommend that you arrive in Huaraz at least 2 days before the trek departs and spend time doing day hikes to higher altitude, this will help with acclimatization to the new altitude. We can help organise day hikes for you.

Our Service

We offer full service trekking holidays, which basically means we do the work and you walk. We provide full support so all you have to carry is a daypack with whatever you require for that day's walk. Our staff will also erect and take down the tents, cook, wash up and even supply bed tea in the morning. This allows you plenty of free time to relax or explore your surroundings as you wish.

Guides & Safety

The mountain guides are qualified through the Peruvian Mountain Guides Association. The AGMP are affiliated to the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association – UIAGM/IFMGA who governs mountain guiding worldwide. All have strong first-aid skills and a wealth of local experience on the routes guided.

INCLUDED
  • English speaking UIAGM Certified Mountain Guide
  • Cook
  • Assistants (for more than 3 people)
  • Donkeys and donkey drivers
  • Rescue horse (for more than 3 people)
  • Meals and snacks on trek
  • Personal Tent, Cooking Tent, Dining Tent, Toilet Tent
  • Cooking Equipment
  • Regular sleeping mats
  • First Aid Kit
  • Private Transport
  • Single tents available on request
  • Entrance to Huascaran National Park


Not includes

  • Hotels in Lima & Huaraz
  • Meals and drinks in the city
  • Personal gear
  • Any hire of gear
  • Transfers Lima - Huaraz – Lima
  • Acclimatization Hikes


What to take

You will only carry a daypack with whatever you require for that day's walk. All you need is appropriate clothing, a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots (and a spirit of adventure with a good dose of endurance for this trip!!).

Essential Items

  • 4 Season Sleeping Bag
  • Thermarest - Sleeping mattress
  • Day backpack
  • Large trek bag or backpack – to carry your main gear on donkeys
  • Hiking boots
  • Gaiters (optional)
  • Waterproof jacket and over-pants
  • Warm hat
  • Gloves
  • Walking poles (optional)
  • Water bottle
  • Trainers or sports sandals
  • Lightweight quick drying trousers or shorts and shirt for warm weather
  • Thermal Tops
  • Thermal long johns
  • Fleece tops
  • Thick fleece top or Down Jacket for cold nights
  • Fleece Trousers for cold nights
  • Warm Socks
  • Sunhat or cap
  • Small towel
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun cream and lip cream
  • A small bottle of hand disinfectant
  • Insect Repellent
  • Head torch
  • Camera and spare batteries
  • First Aid Kit
  • Optional: books or magazine
  • Optional: Earplugs


Transport

Private trek transport from Huaraz to Queropalca and Llamac to Huaraz.

Food

Energy snacks and nutritious meals are an essential ingredient in helping you perform to your highest standard. Good wholesome meals are provided and plenty of it. Specific dietary requirements are catered for.
Note: You can book as a single and we will try to match others to your dates.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that all our clients carry travel insurance which covers you while travelling to and from Peru, luggage mishaps, evacuation and/or medical treatment/rehabilitation in the unlikely event of an accident occurring and in case you have to cancel your trip.
Whilst our focus is on safety we will not be responsible for any evacuation or medical costs resulting from any accident. Likewise equipment damage or loss remain your responsibility. Some insurance companies can provide adventure activities cover.

World Nomads Travel Insurance provides online quotes.

Itinerary Changes

Please note that this itinerary is a sample only and the actual itinerary may vary at the discretion of your guide. Weather, conditions and personal ability and needs may make changes necessary or advantageous to the participants.

map
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PHOTO GALLERY

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CONTACT FORM

For reservations or more information please fill up the following client/guest form:

(our staff will call you back)