Trekking Cedros – Santa Cruz

This day we will continue ascending uphill passing the Cullicocha lakes (Yanacocha and Azulcocha), beautiful lagoons with a view of the impressive Santa Cruz snow-capped mountains (6.259m), later we will pass through Osoruri pass 4850 masl and then arrive at the camp of the same name where we will set up camp.

Overnight camp at Osoruri

Continuing our trek now towards Los Cedros ravine from where we will have to ascend to the Vientunam pass at an altitude of 4,750m. From this point we can observe the Milluacocha and Pilanco mountains to the north, then we will descend by several zigzagged paths to the ravine Los Cedros to take the way up the valley to the camp of Jancarurisch where the pyramidal form of the Alpamayo mountain can be observed. We will also appreciate the Jancarurisch and Tayapampa mountains.

Overnight camp at Jancarurisch

A day of rest to appreciate the impressive pyramidal shape of the Alpamayo Mountain, considered by Alpinismus magazine in 1966 as “the most beautiful mountain in the world”. Another option is to take a short walk to the Jancarurisch lagoon if the occasion allows it.

Overnight camp at Jancarurisch

We start the hike by a marked path up the valley which will take us to two passes. The first pass, called Qara Qara at 4830 meters above sea level or also called the continental divide, usually encountering strong winds and snow fall depending on the season. Here you have front seat views of the imposing snowy Quitaraju (6.036m), then we will descend down to the valley of Mesapampa, thus arriving at the second pass of Mesapata at an altitude of 4350masl. Here you can see the Sajuna lake and as we continue down the valley of Tayapampa we will finally arrive at the Huillca campsite, generally we will see llamas grazing around the camp.

Overnight camp at Huillca

Now we will go up valley by Yanta quenua, valley conformed of plants of ichu that spread along the footpath and with a bit of luck it may possible to see vizcachas hidden between the rocks. We will also observe the snowy Pukajirca (6,050masl) then we will descend down to the valley of Yanayacu, observing Sactaycocha lake and finally arriving at our campsite in Jancapampa.

Overnight camp at Jancapampa.

Our day begins, crossing the picturesque village called Pishgopampa where people are usually quite friendly and cordial, this day we will ascend to the Tupa Tupa pass 4450 masl observing the snow-capped mountains that surround the area and then descend to the valley below of Tuctubamba; finally, we will arrive at the Huecrucocha lake where we will set up camp.

Overnight camp at Huecrucocha

Now we will continue the hike to the opening of the Pucaraju hill from where we will observe the Taulliraju snow-capped mountains and the Huaripampa ravine then descend along a zigzagged path until we reach our next campsite in Tuctubamba.

Overnight camp Tuctubamba camp

Continuing with our hike we will now ascend the valley taking the Santa Cruz trekking trail to the Punta Union pass at an altitude of 4750m. Passing through rocky and sloping trails seeing the lakes along the way and observing a unique and wonderful view of the Pukajirca, Taulliraju, Artesonraju, and Quitaraju mountains and also the incredible lakes down in the valley. Now we will descend calmly until we reach our camp in Taullipampa.

Overnight camp Taullipampa camp

Early in the morning after breakfast, we will leave for the valley of Arhuaycocha where the Alpamayo base camp is located and meters above at the foot of the Pukajirca Mountains is the beautiful lake called Arhuaycocha at 4420 meters above sea level. Then we will return by the same route, but this time we make our way down towards the Santa Cruz ravine with the surrounding views of the Artesonraju, Quitaraju, Santa Cruz, Caraz and Aguja mountains; as well with the lakes of Jatuncocha and Ichiccocha along the way until finally we will arrive at our final campsite.

Night camp in Llamacorral

This day we will leave towards the valley below where we will be flanked by plants and a diversity of animals in the area. As we make our way through the trekking route there is a noticeable change of climate with warmer weather until arriving to the town called Cashapampa located to 2990 masl, where our transportation to return to Huaraz waits for us. After driving passed the cities of Caraz, Yungay, and Carhuaz we will arrive to Huaraz which is our final destination.