8-day Los Cedros – Alpamayo Trek in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru

After meeting in Hualcayan, we will climb the steep and winding trail to Wishcash, where we will watch the sunset and spend the night.

This will be a long and challenging day. We will start by hiking past Lake Cullicocha, enjoying excellent views of the Santa Cruz mountains and glaciers. We will then hike up and down a series of mountain passes before descending down into the Cedros Alpamayo valley until we reach Ruina Pampa. Expect to hike for 8 or 9 hours this day.

We will hike for a bit less time today, heading to Cruze Alpamayo. We will then have the chance either to climb Jatunjirca Peak (5030 m) or spend a half-day resting at the camp.

We will head over both Caracara Pass and Mesapata Pass (4460 m), enjoying spectacular views of the northernmost peaks in the range. We will then head down into the Tayapama Valley and continue on to Laguna Safuna.

We continue trekking through the Tayapama Valley and then head up a steep slope to Pucajircas Pass followed by a long descent into the Yanajanca Valley, where we will camp for the night.

We will head out on the right side of Jancapampa Valley and continue to Tupatupa Pass, where we will enjoy some great views of Laguna Huercrucocha and and camp for the night.

We will hike up to Yanagrahirca Pass, from where we will enjoy stunning panoramic views. We then head downhill through increasingly populated areas until we reach the indigenous village of Colcabamba.

We will spend a scenic day driving to Huaraz via Portachuelo Pass (4650 m).