Trekking in the Cordillera Blanca

Arrive in Huaraz

Arrive at Lima airport early (we recommend arriving in Lima the day before) and meet an MT Sobek representative who will assist you with your connecting flight to the Costa del Sol airport in Huaraz around 6am. Transfer to your hotel and meet up with your group for a welcome dinner.

Hike to Huillcacocha Lake

Take in the breathtaking scenery of the Cordillera Blanca as you travel into the mountains by bus. Begin your first acclimatization hike with a walk to Laguna Huillcacocha, aka Willcacocha (12,221') and continuing on to Lake Ararcocha (12,116'). Climb to 12,565' for breakthaking views of the Cordillera Blanca, the Santa River basin, and the city of Huaraz. Descend towards the villages of Purucuta and Quetscapu, then meet your bus for the drive back to Huaraz. Lunch en route and experience what is probably one of the best panorama views of the Cordillera Blanca range.

Trek in Huascaran National Park

Depart by bus, stopping in the charming town of Carhuaz for a visit to the local market. Visit Campo Santo, site of the single worst natural disaster in the Andes. Today, it's a peaceful cemetery, with spectacular views of Huascarán, flower-filled gardens, and monuments honoring the dead. Enter Huascarán National Park, stop for a box lunch, then cross a pass of about 15,580' with a stunning panorama of the northern Cordillera Blanca. From the pass, hike downhill to camp at Vaqueria (12,136') — a short and easy warm-up for the next nine days.

Hike to Tuctu Pampa

Begin your trek in earnest with an all-day hike down Quebrada Vaqueria (10,824'), passing near Colcabamba, then up the Tuctu Valley, passing small settlements and farmland. Camp at Tuctu Pampa (13,500'), with views of Taulliraju and Rinrijirca looming at the head of the valley and the massive wall of Chacraraju's east peak — all over 19,000 feet.

Hike to Laguna Huecrococha

Continue up the Huaripampa Valley on pre-Inca trails, with views of Contrahierbas behind us. Cross Pucaraju Pass (15,252'). If it's clear, take in beautiful views of Piramide, Paron, Chacraraju, and Huascarán. Continue on to Laguna Huecrococha, a lake situated at about 13,000', and camp nearby.

Hike to the Jancapampa Valley

Hike up to the village of Tingopampa, crossing the Tupatupa, a grassy pass at 14,380', and camp at Jancapampa (11,600'), one of the most beautiful valleys on the trek, situated below the Pucajirca massif. In the afternoon and evening, we'll likely enjoy the company of curious children of Tingopampa in camp who might come to visit before getting a good night's sleep in our lowest-altitude camp.

Climb to Huilca

From Jancapampa, climb with ever-changing views of the immense glaciers of the east face of Pucajirca (19,844'). Continue climbing steeply through woods, across grassy meadows, and over glacially polished cliffs while enjoying an array of spectacular wildflowers. Make a steep ascent to the narrow Yanajanca pass (15,088'), then head downhill toward the small settlement of Huilca. Camp just below the pass at 14,000' with spectacular views of Pucajirca.

Hike to Moyobamba

Continue up Quebrada Tayapampa with beautiful views of the northeast face of Alpamayo (19,455') and the three peaks of Pucajirca in the distance. Ascend over a grassy pass, crossing a ridge, and camp at Moyobamba at 14,700'.

Enjoy Views of Alpamayo

Hike over Caracara Pass (15,800'), enjoying fantastic views of Alpamayo's cirque, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the Cordillera Blanca stretching southwards. After lunch, hike up to the moraine — about two hours roundtrip — and enjoy stunning views of Alpamayo's famed classic pyramid shape and the turquoise green lake below the peak. Camp at Jancarurish Valley at 14,000' and take in dazzling views of Alpamayo as the sun sets and rises.

Hike to our Highest Campsite

Begin a long ascent with about 50 vueltas (switchbacks) to arrive at Jatun Viento Pass (15,252'). Descend to camp at 14,800', our highest campsite, and a well-deserved rest.

Reach Huischca

Hike 1.5 hours to our last and highest pass, Toro Pishtanan (15,908'). Descend to Cuillicocha Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in this area of the Andes, with its blue-green waters and view of the three peaks of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the background. Enjoy views of the Cordillera Negra, the snowless mountain range running parallel with the Cordillera Blanca to the west. Continue to Huischca (13,100') and camp near a modern aqueduct that has replaced an old Inca one.

Downhill to Hualacayan & Back to Huaraz

Continue downhill to the ruins of Hualacayan and meet your van for the ride back to Huaraz. As you leave the mountains behind, see farmers working small plots of land overlooking the Huaylas Valley and the Cordillera Negra. After checking into the hotel in Huaraz, meet your group for a final farewell dinner in Huaraz.

Fly to Lima & Depart

Fly to Lima to catch your homebound flight. Most U.S.-bound flights depart in the evening, so a day room is reserved at Wyndham Costa del Sol to rest before meeting your international flights.