The Alpamayo Circuit 13 day Trek

Astonishing view from Alto de Pukahirca Pass at 4650m

Timing: 12/13 days
Grade: (Effort output) moderate to strenuous

Alpamayo is considered by most climbers and trekkers to be the most beautiful mountain in the world.  Trek the Alpamayo circuit to view and enjoy an experience in one of the most awesomely breathtaking scenes in the pristine Peruvian Andes.   This circuit leads us through the Los Cedros valley which remains a sparsely traveled trekking trail in the Cordillera Blanca range.  Our trek begins in the village of Hualcayan, located beyond the village of Cashapampa where the renowned Santa Cruz Trek originates. This 13 day trek has, and delivers to you, from its pristine rich aqua blue Andes lakes, up close photo capturing views of view of beautiful Alpamayo, spiraling glaciated peaks, high altitude windswept passes and small villages where native community members warmly great you and you observe and interact with them in their ancient Quechua culture setting. The trail you’ll follow leads from east to west crossing over the Cordillera Blanca (white mountain) range before crossing over again where it converges with the renowned  Santa Cruz trail and then concluding our memorable trek at the Andes  at Quebrada Ulta.

The Alpamayo circuit represents a fairly demanding trek suggested for clients who are in at least average to above average fitness. Exercise preparation is your best wellness routine so that you can fully enjoy this amazing Andes trekking experience.

Itinerary description:

  
Day 1: We start with our 5 hour comfortable van ride heading to the village of Hualcayan (2900m).camp at Hualcayan. where our donkeys and Arrieros will be waiting to load our gear.

Day 2:  We begin our continuous climb up a “switch back” (zig-zag) trail from the village of Hualcayan to the village of Wishcash (4300m) trekking for approximately 4.5 hours.

Day 3: From the village of Wishcash we continue our trek ascending to the spectacular lake Laguna Cullicocha (4850m), where cross our first high Paso Osoruri (4750m). From this beautiful high pass, we begin our long descent to our next camp at Ruinapampa (3800m), approximately an 8 hour trek.

Day 4: A fairly easy day trekking ascending easily up the valley to our next camp at Cruze Alpamayo (4150m) approximately 3 to 4 hours of trekking this day.

Day 5:  This can be an optional day on the trek so as to spend an additional night at our Cruze Alpamayo camp to chill-out appreciating the superb views of Alpamayo. With this additional day in the high Andes, we can trek to Laguna Jancarurish or visit the Alpamayo Base Camp (4500m),

Day 6: This sixth day we ascend up to the windswept Paso Cara Cara (4830m) from where we capture even more breathtaking panoramic views of Alpamayo and the surrounding lakes, then we continue our trek to our next Paso Mesapata (4500m) before descending to our next camp at Laguna Safuna (4200m) with approximately 7 hours of trekking this sixth day.

Day 7: From Laguna Safuna we trek up to Paso Pucajirca (4600m) and next camp in the grassy valley of Jancapampa (3600) after approximately a 7 hour trek. From the local Quechua farm families living in this valley, we have the opportunity to meet and interact with the warm and welcoming village people.

Day 8: This eighth day we pass by several farming communities with their sheep and live stock as we continue our ascent up to our next Paso Tupatupa (4400m) before descending to our next camp alongside Laguna Huecrococha (3950m) concluding after approximately 7 beautifully scenic hours of trekking this day.

Day 9: On our ninth day we ascend up to Paso Alto de Pucaraju (4650m)) from where we are treated to an absolutely stunning panoramic views of mount Taulliraju, the majestic massif spiraling to (5791m) before we begin our steep descent to our next camp at the peaceful Tuctubamba valley (4250m) arriving after an approximately 7 hours of trekking this day.

Day 10:  On our tenth day we have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular ice capped Andes’ surroundings by spending an additional restful night at our Tuctubamba camp. From our Tuctubamba camp we can ascend up to the renowned Santa Cruz trail climbing to Paso Punta Union 4750m from where we capture the panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Valley with its stunningly beautiful Laguna’s, or just chill-out this day and enjoy the sun’s warmth on this tenth day.

Day 11: At first we trek down the rich lush valley of Huaripampa passing by farms as we head towards the settlement of Colcabamba which provides us a photo rich opportunity to again meet and interact with the local Quechua villagers.From here we climb up to Molino Pampa in the Quebrada Keshu 3600m. 6 to 7 hours.

Day 12: A short day where we climb steadily upwards to a high campsite called Avalanche Campsite at 4650m reaching here in about 4 hours. We spend the afternoon watching avalanches crash down from the glacier with their thundering sound bouncing off the opposite side of the valley

Day 13: We complete our trek with our final gentle ascent for approximately 2 hours to the high and narrow pass of Punta Yanayacu (4850m). From this vantage point we have close views of the glaciers on Nevado Contrahierbas and the massive peaks of Chopicalqui and Huascarán.  We then descend to Quebrada Ulta where our private van will be waiting for us for our return drive to Huaraz.

If our clients elect to conclude with the 12 day trek option, then one of the rest days will be dropped.

Contact Us for a detailed information and prices.