CORDILLERA BLANCA TREK CLASSIC

5 DAYS /4NIGHTS
Huaraz – Vaqueria – Tuctupampa – Taullipampa – Capillachuayta – Cashapampa - Huaraz

Trip profile
The Cordillera Blanca in the northern Peruvian Andes is the world's largest concentration of glaciers lying within the tropical zone.

Along its 180 km length twenty to thirty peaks rise above 20,000ft. /6.000 m.

Thirty other peaks are higher than 19,000ft. /5,700 m.

Nevado Huascaran is the world's highest mountain in the tropical zone and second in the Andes. The Cordillera is interrupted by fifteen glacial valleys creating ideal routes, which lead past peaks west of the main crest into the centre of this majestic range.
For this reason the CLASSIC trek is a good asset for those who love good panoramic highlights but at the same time something not hazardous. Though not technically difficult, the trek, which comprises this trip, is challenging, reaching quite high altitudes. The Cordillera Blanca trek is higher, longer and potentially colder at night. Underfoot conditions are moderate and the paths mainly good, but there may be some boggy sections and possibly snow on the passes.

GRADE: B
SEASON: APRIL TO OCTOBER
CODE: HRZ AX-1

At Caraz we join a spectacular rural road to Cashapampa (9,666 ft. / 2900m) with fine views of Huascaran, Huandoy (21,186 ft. / 6356m), Hualcan (20,416 ft. / 6125m) and others. In the afternoon we start our walk up the Quebrada Santa Cruz, and climb steeply up into the canyon. The track leads to some upper meadows with glimpses of Nevado Aguja (19,620 ft. / 5886m) and Caraz (20066 ft. / 6020m). We camp at Capillachuayta by the Santa Cruz river, normally below Ichicocha and Jatuncocha lakes at about 12,000 ft. / 3600m. Camp. (B; BL; TT; D)

DAY 2 CAPILLACHUAYTA - TAULLIPAMAPA
The towering ice-wall of Taulliraju (19433ft. / 5830m), a massively impressive mountain at the head of the valley, gives us superb views throughout the day. We also catch side glimpses of Alpamayo (19,823 ft./ 5947m), and may be able to make a slight detour to gain closer views of its peak, which has been described as the most beautiful mountain in the world. We eventually reach the most spectacular camping spot of the trek in the meadows of Taullipampa at the foot of Taulliraju at 14,033 ft. / 4,210m. The mountains of Rinrihirca (19,366 ft/5810m), Artesonraju (20,083 ft. / 6025m) and Quitarju (20,116 ft. / 6035m) surround the campsite. Camp. (B; BL; TT; D)

DAY 3 TAULLIPAMPA - TUCTUPAMPA
Today we cross our first pass, the Punta Union (15,933 ft. /4,780 m.), the Continental Divide, from which there are some excellent views of the Pucaraju range (16,750 ft./5025m). The climb is steep up and steep down; along the trail we often find the beautiful rima rima flowers that are typical of this area. We camp in the Tuc Tucpampa valley below Morococha (about 14,166 ft. / 4250m) surrounded by mountains: a cold night! Camp. (B; BL; TT; D)

DAY 4 TUCTUPAMPA - QUISUAR
A steep climb brings us to the second pass, Alto de Pucaraju (15,500 ft./4,650m.), which has an even wider view than from the previous one. Our camp is below the beautiful lake Huecrococha, close to the villages of Quisuar and Carhuacasha (12,666 ft./ 3,800 m.). Camp (B; BL; TT; D)

DAY 5 QUISUAR –YAINO - QUISUAR
Today can be a rest day at the camp site, or if you are feeling energetic you have the option of a long and fairly strenuous side trip to the ruins of Yaino, at 13,733ft./4,120m. Probably dating from the Tantamayo or Yaro civilizations, this truly ruined though extensive site enjoys one of the most magnificent panoramas of the whole of the Cordillera Blanca. Camp. (B;BL; TT; D

DAY 6 QUISUAR - CHINGUEL
We ascend to the 14,000ft./4200m Yanagrahirca pass, which offers extensive views of the central and northern part of the range. For the next few days we pass through mountain villages and cultivated land and have opportunities to see the Andean way of life. After descending to the river valley we normally camp on the school playing field on the outskirts of Chinguil village. Camp (B;BL;TT;D)

DAY 7 CHINGUEL - VAQUERIA
On the final day of the trek we ascend to a small pass before undulation downwards, with views of the beautiful pyramidal peak of Chacraraju (20,0003ft. /6001m), to the river. In the village of Colcabamba (11,000ft./3300m) we can buy drinks and have a break before the last few hours of ascent to Vaqueria. Camp (B;BL;TT;D)

DAY 8 VAQUERIA –HUARAZ
We return to Huaraz by private minibus. The road winds its way up and over the 16,667ft./5,000m pass Portachuelo de Llanganuco and down a dramatic zig-zag road to the main Callejon de Huaylas valley near Yungay. The journey gives us wonderful views of Huascaran, Chopicalqui (21,180ft./6354m), Chacraraju (20,373ft./6112m) and Huandoy (21,317ft./6395m) and takes us past the twin Llanganuco lakes. We arrive back in Huaraz with enough time for a few pisco sours and a meal. (B)

Please note that for operational reasons the Cordillera Blanca trek itinerary is occasionally operated in the reverse direction.

INCLUDED :
Camping equipment, cooking gear, English-speaking guide, porter and donkeys, full board, land transportation from Huaraz to the trail-head and back to Huaraz, Entrances fees to the National Park.

QOYLLUR TRAVEL TIP:
- If you request guides in other languages please consult.
- Camp in a magnificient surrounding
- Transport in private bus
- Max. 16 people per group

NOT INCLUDED : Personal equipment, backpacks, sleeping bags and all personal expenses, matresses.

See the complet route map click here