16-day Santa Cruz Trek with Alpamayo Circuit in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru

After getting picked up at the airport, you will take a 400 kilometer bus ride to Huaraz, which will include passing through the coastal desert and the Andean Highlands before descending down to our destination.

We will spend this day acclimatizing to the altitude. A trip to Puya Raimandi National Park is a great way to get used to the atmosphere. This day hike along the Pumapampa River allows us a compelling experience with the flora and fauna while reaching heights of 4,780 meters above sea level before returning to Huaraz.

You will also get to see first-hand glaciation from the Pastoruri Glacier.

We tour the Santa Cruz Valley and Cashapampa and its amazing scenery. Ultimately, we will finish the day at our campsite in Llamacorral.

Visiting glacial lakes is a big part of this day, including Ichiccocha and Hatuncocha. Quenua trees and wild lupins in bloom accompany this portion of the journey, keeping our eyes peeled for the vibrant fowl of the region.

Once we reach Arhuaycocha Lake, we reach the trail head for Alpamayo. In the shadow of surrounding peaks like Quitarahu, Artesonrahu, and Paria, we will make our way to camp at Taullipampa.

Alpamayo Base Camp – We will spend two days at Taullipampa to get accustomed to the altitude and prepare for our Alpamayo Circuit. We will hike to the Alpamayo Base Camp and possibly watch some falling ice from Arhuay Glacier and another trip to Arhuaycocha Lake.

Pukahirca Sur and Rinrihirca are both outstanding sights from our vantage point.

This is a demanding day to Punta Union Pass at 4,780 meters, looking at at Huaripampa Valley. Our camp will be set up at Tuctupampa.

We hit the trail and head to the switchbacks at Pukarahu Pass. This is where the Cedros – Alpamayo Circuit connects with our trail, including wonderful mountain views of Contrayerba and Paria. We will descend down past Huecrucocha and set up camp.

Immersing ourselves in local villages, we will come to understand traditional culture in the Andean Highlands. Stunning views from Tupa Tupa Pass will take us to camp at the village of Jancapampa for the night.

Yanacon Pass and Sactaycocha are our goals for the day while admiring immense peaks and the wildlife. Condors are common here. The trail will take us to Tayapampa Camp.

Two passes, Mesapata and Caracara, will make this a challenging day. It also includes a river crossing before the steep ascent, so once we complete the passes and head into the Jancarurish Valley and the Alpamayo Crossing.

We can use this day to rest, or enjoy an optional hike to Jancarurish Lake to take in the wondrous mountains around us. We will hit 5,000 meters before making camp at Ruinapampa.

Another two pass day, but this time we cross Vientunan and Osoruri Passes. The glacial lake of Cullicocha is a pleasant reward, as is the view of Lake Milluacocha from our descent to camp at Wishcash.

Our final day includes a visit to an old community that was destroyed by an avalanche from an earthquake. The immersion in Yungay is another opportunity to delve into Peruvian culture.

We will transport back to Huaraz for a big dinner to culminate our trek.

This is a transport day for a flight or bus trip back to Lima.

This day is reserved for extra time spend at Taullipampa, Huaraz, Lima, or another camp along the trail. Placement is at the discretion of the guide.

On the last day, you will leave Peru with a wealth of new, incredible memories.