Alpamayo Circuit (10 days)

Day 1 Drive N along Callejon de Huaylas & turn E near Caraz, driving towards snow peaks & Hualcayan village (3,000m). Here, donkeys loaded & trek starts with steep ascent. Deep Cedros gorge to W. Camp at Huishcash (4,100m).

Day 2 Continue up past Laguna Cullicocha and the 3 spectacular peaks (6,259m) to Cullicocha pass (4,850m). Briefly descend then ascend to Osoruri pass (4,750m). Dop to Alpamayo Valley & camp (4,100m).

Day 3 Up Alpamayo valley. Waterfalls tumble off Milluacocha (the Blanca’s Nmost snow peak). Set up camp near Lake Jancarurish (4,250m). Impressive view of the impeccable pyramidal form of Alpamayo (5,947 m).

Day 4 Long ascent to Caracara pass (4,830m – views of Alpamayo, Quitaraju etc). Descend Mesapampa valley, up to low pass (Pucajirca (6,050m) seen clearly to NE) & descend Safuna Valley to camp at Huillca (4,200m).

Day 5 Steep ascent to Huillca pass (4,600m). Pucajirca towers above pass to S & the picturesque Laguna Sactaycocha seen below. Beautiful long descent to camp in broad Jancapampa valley (3,500m) at foot of Rinrijirca (5,810m).

Day 6 Today you’re free in this beautiful valley of Andean prairies for R & R or further exploration.

Day 7 We walk through small Indian farming community then climb to Tupatupa pass (4,400m), stunning viewpoint with several Blanca peaks in view. Descend towards Lake Huecrococha. Camp near community of Quisuar (3,800m).

Day 8 Up to Alto de Pucaraju pass (4,650m) - great views; weather permitting, we see Taulliraju (5,830m), Chacraraju (6,112m), Piramide & several other peaks. Descend steep zigzag path to Huaripampa valley and camp (3,800m).

Day 9 Down valley & up to Vaqueria (3,700m). Meet vehicle & drive via Portachuelo de Llanganuco pass (4,765m) - great views of Huascarán (6,768m), Chopicalqui (6,354m) & Huandoy (6,395 m) - to Huaraz via Llanganuco Valley.