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 T15 ALPAMAYO This very popular trek takes place in the northern part of the Cordillera Blanca and is also known by a few other names but we chose Alpamayo as this grand mountain is the centerpiece of this unforgettable trekking experience. Starting up the valley of Los Cedros we round the whole mountain massive till we reach the Santa Cruz valley, which takes us back to our starting point. This complete circuit lasts some 2-weeks and we hike through mountain valleys populated by indigenous people, cross many high passes over 4500m, camp at mountain lakes or in fertile pampas and enjoy every day impressive views to the glaciers and sharp pointed peaks, common to this region. We also get to know the animals and vegetation of this high altitude region as we hardly ever drop below 4000m on this trek. T 15 : 15 days / 14 nights Day 1 Arrival in Huaraz and transfer to Caraz. Day 2 Free day in Caraz. Day 3 We leave Caraz at 9 am and drive to Cashapampa, our starting and ending point of our trek. We arrive at this small farming village located at 2900m in 2 hours. We load our stuff on donkeys and start hiking to Hualcayan , our first camp site at 3100m. The hike leads us on easy trails through agricultural fields and villages and gives us a good insight into the rural life of the Peruvian people. It also offers great views to the opposite Cordillera Negra mountain range and the Callejon de Huaylas below. Day 4 The next morning we continue our trek and passing first some pre-Inca ruins we hike up the hill facing us and walk to Huishcash our next campsite located already above 4000m. All our following campsites on this trek will be above this mark and very seldom will we drop below 4000m on our trails. Today's hike lasts 4 hours and gives us ample time to get well acclimatized to those high altitudes. Day 5 Today's hike is longer and lasts some 6 hours taking us to Osoruri, the highest camp on the entire route located at over 4500m. Before getting there we pass some mountain lakes with the Laguna Cullicocha, the largest one situated at 4600m and fed by the mighty glaciers of the Santa Cruz massive with peaks over 6000m. We also have to cross the Osoruri pass of 4850m before dropping down lower to our tent site. Day 6 Starting out in the morning we have to negotiate another pass called Vientunan at 4750m which leads from the Los Cedros into the narrow Alpamayo valley. We move along the river passing some pre-Inca ruins and across the river the snow-covered peaks of Milluacocha and Pillanco accompany us till we reach our next campsite which we put up for the next two nights at Jancarurish. Today's hike is around a 7 hour and at the near end of it, we also get our first glimpse of the north face of Alpamayo, by some considered the most beautiful mountain in the world. Day 7 Today we explore the surrounding area and walk first up to the Laguna Jancarurish. This crystal-clear lake is fed by the glaciers of Alpamayo and we are rewarded by splendid views to its spectacular peak. Afterwards we continue higher passing a waterfall and admiring many high altitude plants of the puna. The afternoon is spent around the campsite resting or exploring on your own. Day 8 After an early breakfast we start the steep 2-hour ascent of the Caracara pass at 4830m which gets us out of the Alpamayo valley. From there we cross another valley to reach another pass at 4600m called Mesapata. From there we have splendid views to the peaks of Pucajirca and the Laguna Safuna. We descend then to the Huillca valley which is populated by indigenous farmers caring for sheep and alpaca herds. On a pasture among the herds we put up our next tent site. Day 9 We hike up to Yanacona pass at 4600m which we reach after 2 hours. We descend then into a beautiful narrow valley covered partially by quenoal forests and other paramo or puna plants. The quenoal tree is one the the highest growing trees in the world along with dwarf pines in the Himalayas. At the Sactaycocha lagoon we have lunch while observing waterfowl like geese and ducks. Afterwards we continue on lower till we reach Jancapampa, our next camp located in a fertile valley populated by more indigenous farmers. From our tents we also have wonderful views to the peaks of Pucajirca, its glacier, moraines and waterfalls. Day 10 We leave Jancapampa and move south to reach the Tupatupa pass which leads into the Quisuar valley. We descend this long valley till we ascend again to arrive at the small lake of Huecrucocha, our next home. This lake is home to many birds and geese, ducks, gulls and ibises can be found on the water and feeding along the shore. Day 11 We start up another pass called Alto de Pucuraju at 4650m which we reach in 3 hours. On top we are rewarded by excellent views to the snow-covered range west of us with peaks like Paria, Piramide, Chacraraju and Taulliraju, a peak which will accompany us now for the rest of our trek. Descending from the pass and crossing the Tuctupampa valley we reach our next camp at the Morococha lake. Day 12 Another pass awaits us in the morning, Punta Union at 4760m with another great panorama. All the peaks mentioned before are seen closer up with Taulliraju very near by. Descending into Taullipampa valley we pass a popular campsite used by many but move on to the base camp of Alpamayo, some two hours farther on. There we put tents up for the next two nights. Day 13 We explore the area around our camp and first hike up to Arhuaycocha Lagoon, where the glaciers reach right into the water. From there we have great views to the south side of Alpamayo and the neighboring peaks of Ririjirca, Jancarurish and Quitarajo. We are now opposite the campsite at Jancarurish and can admire this view of the other face of the Alpamayo. Afternoon is used to rest or if desired we can hike up through moraines to the glaciers. Day 14 We start early morning as we hike some 8 hours all the way from there to Cashapampa, where we started our trek. This hike leads downwards through the long Santa Cruz valley passing lagoons on the way. The valley becomes drier as we get lower and plants change accordingly with many cactus, bromeliads and even some orchids found later on. At 5 pm the van awaits us in Cashpampa and takes us back to Caraz. Day 15 Transfer from Caraz to Huaraz where we end our trekking adventure.
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