Santa Cruz - Huayhuash Circuit trekking excursion

Arrival in Lima city from the country of origin, same day transfer to Huaraz city and hotel.

Transfer from Huaraz (3,100 masl) by private transport to Cashapampa (2,930 masl). There we meet the muleteer and pack animals to transport trekking equipment. After paying the 10 soles entry fee to the village of Cashapampa for trail maintenance, we begin walking through the Santa Cruz valley along the banks of the Yuracmayu river until reaching Llamacoral camp (3,760 masl). Hike lasts 4 to 5 hours.

Llamacoral (3,760 masl) to Taullipampa (4,250 masl). We continue through the Santa Cruz valley, climbing 490 m. On the way, we visit Jatuncocha and Ichiccocha lagoons, then detour to the Alpamayo viewpoint to observe peaks like Alpamayo, Quitaraju, Potaca, Aguja, Caraz, Artesonraju, Piramide, and Paria. Hike lasts 5 to 6 hours.

Taullipampa (4,250 masl) to Cachinanpampa (3,600 masl). Today we cross the Punta Union pass (4,750 masl), climbing 500 m from camp. From the pass, we observe the entire Santa Cruz valley and the mentioned peaks. Then we descend 1,150 m through the Huaripampa valley to camp. Hike lasts 7 to 8 hours.

Cachinanpampa (3,600 masl) to Vaqueria (3,900 masl). At this location, transport awaits us for the transfer back to Huaraz city and hotel.

Rest day in Huaraz city. You can visit the Chancos thermal baths (22 km north of Huaraz) and/or Monterrey (7 km from Huaraz).

Transfer Huaraz - Chiquian - Llamac (3,300 masl). From here we begin walking to Matacancha (4,180 masl), an 880 m climb from Llamac. Hike lasts 5 to 6 hours. We will meet the muleteers and pack animals here.

Matacancha (4,180 masl) to Mitucocha (4,230 masl). Today we cross the first pass of the Huayhuash Cordillera, Cacanampunta (4,700 masl), climbing 520 m from camp. After the pass, we observe Pucacocha and Yanacocha lagoons. Hike lasts 4 to 5 hours to the camp next to Mitucocha lagoon with views of Ninashanca, Rondoy, and Jirishanca peaks.

Mitucocha (4,230 masl) to Carhuacocha (4,280 masl). Today we cross the second pass, Carhuac (4,650 masl). From camp, it's a 420 m climb. From the pass, we observe the north face of Carnicero, Siula, Yerupaja, and El Toro. Hike lasts 5 to 6 hours to Carhuacocha camp.

Carhuacocha (4,280 masl) to Huayhuash (4,300 masl). This is the toughest day of the trek, walking 7 to 8 hours. The path leads between four colorful lagoons (Siulacocha, Quesillococha Chico and Grande, Azulcocha) to a viewpoint. Then a 1.5-hour climb takes us to Siula Pass (4,800 masl). Descending, we see Carnicero, Jurao, and Trapecio peaks.

Huayhuash (4,300 masl) to Viconga (4,430 masl). Today we reach Portachuelo pass (4,750 masl), a 450 m climb. Hike lasts 5 to 6 hours to the Viconga thermal springs to enjoy the baths in the afternoon with coca tea.

Viconga (4,430 masl) to Cuyocpampa (4,600 masl). Today we cross Cuyoc pass (5,000 masl), climbing 570 m from camp. From the pass, we observe the Raura and Huayhuash cordilleras in their entirety. Hike lasts 5 to 6 hours.

Cuyocpampa (4,600 masl) to Huayllapa (3,630 masl). We cross San Antonio pass (5,200 masl), a 600 m climb. From the pass, the south faces of the peaks mentioned in the trek are visible. Hike lasts 6 to 7 hours.

Huayllapa (3,630 masl) to Angushcancha (4,320 masl). Today we conquer Tapush pass (4,800 masl), an 1,170 m climb from Huayllapa. Near the pass, we see the famous Diablo Mudo peak (5,350 masl). Hike lasts 6 to 7 hours to camp.

Angushcancha (4,320 masl) to Jahuacocha lagoon (4,100 masl). We cross the penultimate pass, Yaucha (4,800 masl), climbing 480 m. Hike lasts 4 to 5 hours to Jahuacocha lagoon, where peaks from the first day are visible.

Jahuacocha (4,100 masl) to Llamac (3,300 masl). We cross the final pass, Pampa Llamac (4,300 masl), followed by a 1,000 m descent to Llamac. Our transport will be waiting for the transfer back to Huaraz. End of our service with hotel to bus terminal transfer as scheduled.