This Alpamayo Cedros Trek is a shorter version of the famous Alpamayo Circuit in the Cordillera Blanca. It's ideal for those with limited time who still want to explore the Alpamayo Base Camp through the Cedros Valley. It offers breathtaking views of the Cordillera Blanca peaks, including the renowned Alpamayo mountain, known for its pyramidal shape. The trek also features numerous colorful glacial lakes and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local Quechua culture by interacting with the inhabitants dressed in their traditional attire.

We'll start the day by picking you up from your hotel in our private transport, heading north from Huaraz. We'll travel through the enchanting Callejón de Huaylas and picturesque traditional villages with breathtaking views of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range.

Our first destination will be Yungay, from where we'll ascend the road to the beautiful Llanganuco Valley, a main gateway to Huascarán National Park. During the journey, we'll make a brief stop at the Portachuelo Pass viewpoint, at 4,760 meters above sea level, to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks.

Then we'll head to Vaquería, where our muleteers and mules will be waiting to load our equipment. From there, we'll begin our trek, arriving at our first campsite in Paria, at 3,650 meters above sea level.

Then, we descend a long way, first along switchbacks and then along a wider trail, traversing slopes covered with shrubs and quenual trees. We make a brief stop for lunch near Lake Huecroncocha, at 3,950 meters above sea level, before arriving at our campsite on the left side of the small village of Quisuar, located at 3,900 meters above sea level.

After breakfast, we gradually ascend to the Tupatupa Pass at 4,400 meters. We admire the panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca, including Pucajirca Peak.

We descend to the campsite at Jancapampa at 3,600 meters, overlooking a stunning hanging glacier. In this valley, we interact with local farming families, enriching our cultural experience.

We begin with a gradual ascent through a wooded valley with intermittent open spaces, until we reach the enchanting Lake Sactaycocha.

From there, we climb steeply through grassy scrub to the summit of Yanacon Pass, located at 4,600 meters above sea level. On clear days, you can enjoy the imposing view of Pucajirca Norte, rising abruptly to the southwest.

We descend to the Safuna campsite, located in the Tayapmapa Valley, passing by a large herd of alpacas in our camping area. It has been a long day full of experiences.

Today we face the challenge of crossing two passes. The first, the Mesapata Pass (4500 m), leads us through a gradual, grassy ascent. Next, a long traverse skirting marshy lands awaits, followed by a steep climb to the windy Cara Cara Pass (4830 m). From here, we'll enjoy our first breathtaking views of the iconic pyramid-shaped Alpamayo (5947 m) and the Jancarurish Lagoon just below us.

Finally, we'll descend to the campsite nestled beneath the majestic Alpamayo, known as the Alpamayo Crossing (4150 m).

Distance: Approx. 4 km

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

We will spend another night at the Alpamayo Crossing Camp to admire the beauty of Alpamayo.

You will have the opportunity to ascend the nearby moraine for spectacular views of the glacial lake Laguna Jancarurish and the peaks of Alpamayo and Jancarurish (5601 m), a return hike of approximately 3 hours from the camp.

If you are feeling energetic, you can choose to continue upwards and hike to Alpamayo Base Camp (4500 m). Alternatively, if you prefer to rest, you can relax at the camp and enjoy the surroundings.

Distance: Approx. 7 km

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

Today we'll take it easy, enjoying a relaxing hike. We'll begin by descending through the Quebrada Los Cedros valley for approximately 2 hours until we reach Ruinapampa.

Then, we'll ascend a zigzag path to our secluded campsite at Osoruri, a plateau off the main trail, located at 4400 meters above sea level. From here, we can admire the impressive jagged peaks of Milluacocha and Tayapampa.

Distance: Approx. 9 km

Duration: Approx. 6 hours

This day presents a challenge with two major passes to cross. We begin with a long ascent south along a well-trodden trail to reach Vientunan Pass, located at 4,770 meters above sea level.

Then, we descend approximately 150 meters before ascending again to the second pass, known as Osoruri or Cullicocha Pass, at 4,860 meters above sea level. As we begin our descent, we will enjoy fabulous views of the surrounding mountains, especially the magnificent triple summit of Santa Cruz, which rises to 6,259 meters above sea level. We will camp beside the crystal-clear blue Cullicocha Lagoon, located at 4,650 meters above sea level; from the campsite, we will have a phenomenal view of Santa Cruz perched atop the lagoon.

Distance: Approximately 11 km

Duration: 5 hours (hiking), 3 hours (transport)

This day will involve a long descent from Laguna Cullicocha, traversing curves and crossings until reaching the final stretch. We will descend along a long, zigzagging track until we arrive at the village of Hualcayan, located at 2900 meters above sea level.

In Hualcayan, our private transport will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz, a journey of approximately 4 hours and 116 km.

Duration: 4 hours (transport) + 4.5 hours hiking (approx.)

We will begin the day by picking you up from your hotel in our private transport, heading north from Huaraz. We will pass through the enchanting Callejón de Huaylas and picturesque traditional villages with breathtaking views of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range.

Our first destination will be Yungay, from where we will ascend the road to the beautiful Llanganuco Valley, a main gateway to Huascarán National Park. During the journey, we will make a brief stop at the Portachuelo Pass viewpoint, at 4,760 meters above sea level, to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks.

Then we will head to Vaquería, where our muleteers and mules will be waiting to load our equipment. From there, we will begin our trek, arriving at our first campsite in Paria, at 3,650 meters above sea level.

Distance: Approx. 11 km

Duration: Approx. 7–8 hours

Starting from the Paria campsite, we ascend steeply along a rocky trail to reach the summit of the Pacaraju High Pass (4,650 m). From this point, we enjoy breathtaking views of several peaks, including the majestic Nevado Taulliraju, which rises to 5,830 meters.

Then, we descend a long way, first along switchbacks and then along a wider trail, traversing slopes covered with shrubs and quenual trees. We make a brief stop for lunch near Lake Huecroncocha, at 3,950 meters above sea level, before arriving at our campsite on the left side of the small village of Quisuar, located at 3,900 meters above sea level.

Distance: Approx. 10 km

Duration: Approx. 5–6 hours

After breakfast, we gradually ascend to the Tupatupa Pass at 4,400 meters. We admire the panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca, including Pucajirca Peak.

We descend to the campsite at Jancapampa at 3,600 meters, overlooking an impressive hanging glacier. In this valley, we interact with local farming families, enriching our cultural experience.

Distance: Approx. 14 km

Duration: Approx. 7-8 hours

We begin with a gradual ascent through a wooded valley with intermittent open areas, until we reach the enchanting Lake Sactaycocha.

From there, we climb steeply through grassy scrub to the summit of Yanacon Pass, located at 4,600 meters above sea level. On clear days, you can enjoy the imposing view of Pucajirca Norte, rising abruptly to the southwest.

We descend to the Safuna campsite, located in the Tayapmapa Valley, passing by a large herd of alpacas in our camping area. It has been a long day full of experiences.

Distance: Approx. 10 km

Duration: Approx. 6 hours

Today we face the challenge of crossing two passes. The first, the Mesapata Pass (4500 m), takes us on a gradual, grassy ascent. Next, we'll traverse along the edge of marshy lands, followed by a steep climb to the windy Cara Cara Pass (4830 m). From here, we'll enjoy our first breathtaking views of the iconic pyramid-shaped Alpamayo (5947 m) and the Jancarurish Lagoon just below us.

Finally, we'll descend to the campsite nestled beneath the majestic Alpamayo, known as the Alpamayo Crossing (4150 m).

Distance: Approx. 4 km

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

We will spend another night at the Alpamayo Crossing Camp to admire the beauty of Alpamayo.

You will have the opportunity to ascend the nearby moraine for spectacular views of the glacial lake Laguna Jancarurish and the peaks of Alpamayo and Jancarurish (5601 m), a return hike of approximately 3 hours from the camp.

If you are feeling energetic, you can choose to continue upwards and hike to Alpamayo Base Camp (4500 m). Alternatively, if you prefer to rest, you can relax at the camp and enjoy the surroundings.

Distance: Approx. 7 km

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

Today we'll take it easy, enjoying a relaxing hike. We'll begin by descending through the Quebrada Los Cedros valley for approximately 2 hours until we reach Ruinapampa.

Then, we'll ascend a zigzag path to our secluded campsite at Osoruri, a plateau off the main trail, located at 4400 meters above sea level. From here, we can admire the impressive jagged peaks of Milluacocha and Tayapampa.

Distance: Approx. 9 km

Duration: Approx. 6 hours

This day presents a challenge with two major passes to cross. We begin with a long ascent south along a well-trodden trail to reach Vientunan Pass, located at 4,770 meters above sea level.

Then, we descend approximately 150 meters before ascending again to the second pass, known as Osoruri or Cullicocha Pass, at 4,860 meters above sea level. As we begin our descent, we will enjoy fabulous views of the surrounding mountains, especially the magnificent triple summit of Santa Cruz, which rises to 6,259 meters above sea level. We will camp beside the crystal-clear blue Cullicocha Lagoon, located at 4,650 meters above sea level; from the campsite, we will have a phenomenal view of Santa Cruz perched atop the lagoon.

Distance: Approximately 11 km

Duration: 5 hours (hiking), 3 hours (transport)

This day will involve a long descent from Laguna Cullicocha, traversing curves and crossings until reaching the final stretch. We will descend along a long, zigzagging track until we arrive at the village of Hualcayan, located at 2900 meters above sea level.

In Hualcayan, our private transport will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz, a journey of approximately 4 hours and 116 km.