7 days hike from Llanganuco to Santa Cruz

In a comfortable vehicle, we travel along the northern coast of the Pacific Ocean, crossing the coastal desert and the transverse valleys. From the Pativilca Valley we ascend to the Andes, up to the Conococha Pass (4,100 meters above sea level). The impressive view announces that we have arrived at the Callejón de Huaylas, located between the White and Black mountain ranges. We descend to Huaraz (3,090 meters above sea level). Reception and transfer to the hotel.

In private transport we head to the northern part of the Santa River valley, known as Callejón de Huaylas. Along the way you will see picturesque towns of the Callejón de Huaylas such as: Carhuaz, Mancos and Yungay – destroyed by an avalanche in 1970. You will see the most important snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Blanca such as Huascaran (6,768 masl), Huandoy (6,356 masl) and Hualcan (6,162 masl). From Yungay we ascend to the Cordillera Blanca to visit the Llanganco gorge, protected by the Huascaran National Park, where we will appreciate the beautiful lagoons: Chinacocha and Orcocha, with their turquoise blue waters and the varied flora and fauna of the high Andean region. We will continue our journey ascending to Portachuelo (4,767 masl), from where we will have a spectacular view of the glacial cirque formed by the snow-capped mountains, Huascaran, Chopicallqui (6,354 masl), Yanapaccha (5,460 masl), Chacraraju (6,112 masl), Pisco (5,747 masl) and Huandoy. We will begin our walk observing the high Andean landscape and crossing quenuales forests, to reach Pampa mache. Camp (3,760 masl).

Hike along the Huaripampa gorge, passing through the towns of Collo, Yanachaca and Huaripampa. In the distance we can see the towns of Yanama and Colcabamba. We continue our hike crossing the Ranincuray gorge which offers a magnificent view of the Chacraraju snow-capped mountain (6,112 masl). Continuing we will pass by small lakes and forests of quenuales from where we will appreciate the Taulliraju snow-capped mountain (5,850 masl). Camp (3800 m). View of the Paria snow-capped mountains (5,519 masl) and the Garcilazo Pyramid.

Ascent along the pre-Inca trail to Punta Unión (4,750 masl). View of the snow-capped mountains of Chacraraju, Paria, Taulliraju, the Garcilazo Pyramid, Artezonraju, Pucahirca, and Quitaraju. Camp at Taullipampa (4,250 masl).

Hike to Arhuaycocha Lagoon (4,450 masl) to see the snow-capped Alpamayo (5,947 masl) as well as Quitaraju (6,036 masl), Artesonraju (6,025 masl), Gracilazo Pyramid (5,885 masl) and Paria (5,510 masl) among others. Descent to Santa Cruz Ravine, passing by Hatun Cocha and Ichic Cocha Lagoons (3,850 masl) where you can see several varieties of ducks. Camp at Llama Corral (3,780 masl).

Our path runs along the left side of the Santa Cruz ravine, giving us the opportunity to appreciate the varied vegetation and mountain ecosystems, from high altitude areas to tropical zones where orchids and bromeliads cover the steep rock walls. We will descend to the town of Cashapampa (2,900 meters above sea level) appreciating the variation of the ecological levels and the beautiful Andean panorama. Return to Huaraz in private transport and transfer to the hotel.

After a relaxing morning, we will return to Lima, taking with us the memories of our experiences in the highest tropical mountain range in the world, and its varied mountain ecosystems that we have enjoyed on the trails of the Cordillera Blanca and the Huascaran Biosphere Reserve. In the evening, we arrive in Lima.