Explore-Share logo and link to home

Cedros Trek + Vallunaraju Climb, in Cordillera Blanca

Cedros Trek + Vallunaraju Climb, in Cordillera Blanca
Cedros Trek + Vallunaraju Climb, in Cordillera Blanca
Cedros Trek + Vallunaraju Climb, in Cordillera Blanca
Cedros Trek + Vallunaraju Climb, in Cordillera Blanca

Join a local certified guide from Peru Expedition's team on a combination of hiking around the Alpamayo and Huascaran peaks and a challenging climb up to Vallunaraju summit.

Not specified

Cordillera Blanca

18 Days

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov


Description

The Cordillera Blanca (or White Range) is the most important mountain range of Peru. It has 31 peaks exceeding 6.000 meters high. And its trekking circuits among those summits are also great.

That’s why I have planned a 18-day trip that combines hiking and mountaineering across the highlights of the Cordillera Blanca. In a first stage, we will enjoy some hiking days around the Cedros Trek. After that, we’ll venture into a climbing stage up to the top of Nevado Vallunaraju. 

Therefore, during the Cedros Trek you will have the opportunity of hiking through a great and high plateau. The trail will take us around the snow-capped Huascaran as well as the famous Alpamayo. They’re two of the most amazing and popular mountains of Peru.

In addition, and in order to complete a real mountaineering trip, you will also climb the Nevado Vallunaraju. This is a 5686-meter peak near Huaraz. Its perfect location will allow us to do a summit attack through a moderate climbing route.

Once you are at Vallunaraju summit you won’t believe such an amazing viewpoint. The scenery includes Oxshapalca (5.881 m) and Ranrapalca (6.262 m.), the entire town of Huaraz and the central valley between Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra: the “Callejón de Huaylas“.

If you want more details about the day-by-day itinerary, please find the complete program at the bottom of this description. Take into account that, to enjoy this experience without problems, you’ll need a moderate to advanced fitness.

As a local guide with a vast knowledge of the region, I am sure you won’t forget this trip in your life. To book your place or discuss some items of the program, please feel free to contact me now. I am waiting your message!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Transport during the trip

- Luggage transfer

- Permit and entrance fees

- Group porters

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner


Itinerary

Day 1: Lima

Arrival in Lima. You can rest or explore the city on your own. Overnight staying in a hotel.

Day 2: Huaraz

We’ll move to Huaraz city by bus. On the way you’ll pass through the Cordillera Negra at Conococha Pass You can also fly to there by LCPERU. Night in a hotel in Huaraz w/ breakfast included.

Day 3: Laguna Churup Hike

The trail to Laguna Churup is a great acclimatization route and one of the classic hikes of the Cordillera Blanca. We’ll drive to the village of Llupa, and from there we start the hike on an ancient Inca trail to Laguna Churup. At night, we sleep in the hotel in Huaraz.

Day 4: Laguna 69 Trek

Laguna 69 is the most famous lake in the Cordillera Blanca. Our trail winds through picturesque forests and a marshy area, always alongside a steep and daunting ridge. Behind us, the peak of the ice giant Huascarán accompanies. After rest and pictures, we return to Huaraz.

Day 5: Hualcayan (3250 m)

On this day we’ll start the Cedros trek around Alpamayo and Huascarán. We’ll be transferred to the ruins of Hualcayan. We meet our support team and their mules. Night in a campsite.

Day 6: First stage of the trek: Hualcayan to Wishcash Camp (4,520 m)

It’s the first of a total of 8 days of trekking on the Cordillera Blanca. The hiking tour begins by climbing the steep trail to Wishcash Camp. Overnight Camp (B/L/D).

Day 7: Ruina Pampa (4000 m)

This will be a long and difficult day. We pass by the Cullicocha Lake and continue to Osoruri Pass. After a 400-meter ascent, we climb over Vientunan Pass and finally drop sharply into the valley of Cedros Alpamayo. After this 8-9-hour hiking day we reach Ruina Pampa Camp, where we’ll spend the night.

Day 8: Cruze Alpamayo (4250 m)

A short crossing of Cruze Alpamayo. Those who want can climb to Alpamayo Base Camp North (4,500 m) and do an optional summit hike to Jatunjirca Peak (5030 m). Optional: spend a half day resting in the Cruze Alpamayo Camp, with a beautiful view of Alpamayo and overnight staying in the Campsite (B/L/D).

Day 9: Caracara Pass (4830 m) and Tayapama Valley (4150)

Today we hike over two passes, Caracara and Mesapata. We’ll set up camp in the vast flatness of the Tayapampa Valley and then, continue to Laguna Safuna for an afternoon visit. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 10: Jancapampa (3600 m)

We’ll continue our trek a few kilometers from the valley in a wide open grassland. Then, we will pass two houses of local farmers, and keep hiking up a steep slope to Pucahirca Pass, followed by a long descent to a lake on the far side of the densely-vegetated Yanajanca Valley. Camp at Jancapampa.

Day 11: Laguna Huecrucocha (4050 m)

We leave the Jancapampa valley and continue to Tupatupa Pass the forested Tuctubamba Valley. We stay in large tents with a view of Laguna Huercrucocha. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 12: Trekking over Yanagrahirca Pass (4,300 m) to Colcabamba (3300 m)

Our hike of this day will be long but easier up to Yanagrahirca Pass with more panoramic views. Then we have a long downhill through increasingly populated areas and indigenous villages to the city of Colcabamba where we’ll set up our night camp (B/L/D).

Day 13: Llanganuco Valley and Huaraz

Last day of the trekking. From the town of Colcabamba we leave our team of mules very early and via private vehicle set off for Portachuelo Pass (4,650 m) with impressive views of the peaks of Chopicalqui, Huascarán Sur-Norte, Huandoy‘s 4 summits, Nevado Pisco, Chacraraju, and Yanapaccha. Farther along we can see the Llanganuco Valley, where the bus is waiting. End of the Cedros Trek. Overnight staying in the hotel in Huaraz (B/L/-). 

Day 14: Resting Day

We can spend the day in Chancas or do some rock climbing. This is a good place to spend a quiet day in nature and at the end visit the hot springs to relax aching muscles. Lodging in the hotel (B/-/-).

Day 15: Hike to Moraine Camp (4900 m)

We’ll leave from Huaraz in a transfer to the Llaca Valley (3850 m.). From here we begin our ascent on foot to Moraine Camp, spending about two hours on the trail. This climb is relatively long and steep. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 16: Nevado Vallunaraju Summit (5686 m)

We’ll leave Moraine Camp at approximately 3 a.m. in order to reach the summit by about 8 a.m. Once we achieve our biggest goal, we return to our starting point in the Llaca Valley where the bus waits to take us back to Huaraz. Overnight staying in Hotel (B/L/-).

Day 17: Return to Lima

You can take a 50-minute transfer ride to the airport and then, fly to Lima (w/transfer to the hotel). Or you can be transferred to the bus terminal for the 8-hour ride to Lima.
In both cases, overnight staying in Hotel in Lima (B/-/-).

Day 18: Stay in Lima - Transfer to the Airport

Today you’ll be taken to the airport so that you can fly back home.

 

Details

Accommodation

Hotel Casa Andina 2 nights in Lima or other hotel / Hotel San Sebastián 6 nights in Huaraz or other hotel.

About the guide

Peru Expeditions is a Guide Agency and Tour Operator based in Huaraz, Peru.

It's a family-owned travel agency, which was founded more than 35 years ago, and is now managed by IFMGA-guide Juventino and his son, Eric.

We organize trekkings and mountain expeditions in Cordillera Blanca, and all around Peru.

Languages

| English

Certificates

AGMP | IFMGA


What people are saying about Peru Expeditions

Bad Hetterscheid

5.00

September, 2022

William was such a knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient guide! He brought books and support materials to further explain the history of the sites we were seeing, was always ready with an answer to any questions, and had great suggestions of where to take photos. He chose a truly remarkable cook for our trek, who kept us well fed with a huge variety of foods (and an ample supply of it!) and filled with hot beverages at all hours of the day and night. He allowed us to set the pace each day, and was cheerful and helpful and relaxed throughout-he absolutely enhanced a wonderful experience! Many thanks to you, William!

Bad Hetterscheid

5.00

September, 2022

Eric from Peru Expeditions is a fabulous, safe, and conscientious Tour Operator. He chose an incredible guide for us (Darwin) who was highly esteemed by every guide we met at every point along the journey-the respect of one’s peers speaks for itself! We were very well supported, always had perfect timing with seeing sunrises, beating “the crowd” to our destinations, and had ample food. The Peruvian mountains are stunningly beautiful- I’m ready to go back again already! Book with Eric - he’s going to take good care of you.

Connor White

5.00

September, 2022

Great service and trip!

Johannes Besmehn

3.00

August, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Alexey Volegov

5.00

July, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Matt LAIRD

5.00

November, 2021

Our guide was William and he is the one that really made the trip great!

Juliusz Zulauf

5.00

September, 2021

It was really good climbing expedition. The company put good effort to accommodate our needs and requests. Lima Central Office support was outstanding. Edgar, our climbing guide was top notch. Supporting staff during the climb was very helpful and friendly as well. For my personal needs, some modification of an acclimatisation scheme would be beneficial. First week of the trip consisted of various day trips to destinations of increasing altitudes, but all nights were at Huaraz, at 3100 m altitude. For me, to be fully acclimatized I need to sleep at the altitude. My first night at the higher altitude was at Pisco refuge (4800 m) and resulted with mild altitude sickness preventing me from successful climbing the following day. I would prefer spending two nights at high altitude before first high climb. It might not be the case for some other people, but it was for me. If not for this, I would had awarded straight five stars.

Marcela Hronesova

2.00

July, 2021

Disappointed with the whole experience. Didn't climb with Juventino, never met him. Got a different guide. Booked Pisco and Chopicalcui as separate climbs with one day off in between to rest. Agency combined the climbs. They told me to of go from Pisco BC directly to Chopicalcui moraine camp. Got a different guide who didn't tell me that we'll get snowed in at moraine camp. Only found out about the snow once we reached Chopicalcui moraine camp. Spent the night there, next day had to go down. Disappointed rebooked my flight and left Peru. Waste of my time and money.

Marcela Hronesova

4.00

July, 2021

The agency gave me a guide Darwin, not Juventino. Climb was good, easy just walking. There is one dangerous section near the moraine area with very loose gravel. So make sure you don't slip there or you are dead. I stayed in refugio at the base camp which was much more comfy than camping. Darwin was good but give clients some breaks once in a while, not rush too much. It's a high altitude climbing after all.

Tony Hoffman

5.00

September, 2020

The hike was canceled. We didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t even get into the country.

Flormila Pineda Villanueva

5.00

May, 2020

My visit to Huaraz was one of the most beautiful trips of my life. Our days of adventure began with the visit of lagoons in the white mountain range; wilcacocha, churup, paron, lagoon 69 and we finish with the most beautiful Santa Cruz trek. Our trip was a complete success, during the stay in Huaraz we stayed at the ALPAMAYO GUEST HOUSE hotel, an excellent place in the center of Huaraz. I recommend Mr. Juventino to make his trip and his hotel the and if nice family People.

Koseth Saenz

5.00

May, 2020

He was very kind, patient and helped me to reach my goal the citadel of Machupicchu. One day I wanted to quit but he encouraged me to continue and waited for my step.

Pietro Garanzini

5.00

May, 2020

Our experience in Peru was an unforgettable journey, we started a journey in this country to visit Machu Picchu and the surroundings of Cusco as a sacred valley, etc. Afterwards, our next destination was to arrive in the beautiful land of Huaraz, where our main goal was the trekking of Santa Cruz and a not very difficult base climb and after the trekking of Huayhuash. We will be back next year with more customers, friends of our mountain club, thanks for everything and see you soon in Huaraz!

Michael W English

5.00

March, 2020

From the very first emails communication which was dealt with efficiently and provide all the required information and other options for myself to consider. When I arrived the communication was excellent and very well organised. When I return later this year I will without doubt be using Eric and the team. When we arrive at the start point to getting back the local guide was excellent. I have nothing but praise for the set up.

Wolfgang Gratz

5.00

September, 2019

We did the MTB-Huarascan-Circuit (Crossing Punta Olimpica Pass and Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass) with Eric Albinos „Peru Expedition“. All, the transfers, the hotel stays, the acclimatization tours and the circuit itself, was well organized. Eric and his staff were flexible to our wishes and very helpful. Our Guide Joni is an excellent mountain bike-guide and good tailor too if something is torn. The cook prepared delicious meals during the circuit. The camping equipment was in very good condition. We (Karin, Franz. Wolfgang) can fully recommend „Eric´s Peru Expeditions“.


 

 

Find more mountaineering trips in Peru

 

Join our newsletter!

Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.