Trekking Cedros – Vaqueria

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 other snow-capped mountains that are around the pass, we will continue towards the valley ravine below, descending the path in zigzag until our next camp in Tuctubamba.

Overnight camp Outcast camp

We will leave early in the morning and head down the valley through the Huaripampa ravine, passing through the unique Andean bushes and trees, finding picturesque villages of noble and humble people in the small town of Vaquería where our bus pick up will be waiting and to say goodbye to the muleteers. Finally, the whole trip will be done by bus, passing by the Portachuelo pass at 5760 meters above sea level, we will stop to observe the Llanganuco ravine downstream, which has two beautiful lakes, these are the Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes; we will also observe the Chacraraju, Pisco, Huandoys, the majestic Huascaran and Chopicalqui snow-capped mountains.

Finally, we will arrive in the city of Huaraz.