Cedros Alpamayo Circuit 12 Days
The grand 12-day alpine trek: circumnavigate Mount Alpamayo and the Pucahircas, crossing 9 high mountain passes and linking Cedros with Santa Cruz.
The art of mountain walking is loving to walk in the mountains.
The 12-day Grand Cedros Alpamayo Circuit is the most comprehensive and awe-inspiring alpine trekking expedition in the Cordillera Blanca. This monumental journey circumnavigates the glaciated massifs of northern Peru, linking the untamed Cedros watershed with the classic Santa Cruz valley across more than 120 kilometers of Andean wilderness.
Itinerary
12 days · 70h hiking · 11 nights overnight at camp1Day 1Huaraz (3,052 m) – Hualcayan (3,140 m) – Huishcash (4,300 m)
Huaraz (3,052 m) – Hualcayan (3,140 m) – Huishcash (4,300 m)
Private transfer to Hualcayan. Meet muleteers and begin steep climb up to Huishcash camp overlooking Huaylas Valley.
2Day 2Huishcash – Lake Cullicocha (4,620 m) – Osoruri Pass (4,850 m) – Osoruri (4,400 m)
Huishcash – Lake Cullicocha (4,620 m) – Osoruri Pass (4,850 m) – Osoruri (4,400 m)
Hike past Lake Cullicocha and ascend to Osoruri Pass (4,850 m). Descend into Osoruri valley.
3Day 3Osoruri – Vientunan Pass (4,770 m) – Los Cedros Valley – Jancarurish (4,250 m)
Osoruri – Vientunan Pass (4,770 m) – Los Cedros Valley – Jancarurish (4,250 m)
Cross Vientunan Pass into Cedros watershed and arrive at Jancarurish base camp.
4Day 4Jancarurish – Lake Jancarurish & Alpamayo North Face Viewpoint (4,450 m)
Jancarurish – Lake Jancarurish & Alpamayo North Face Viewpoint (4,450 m)
Active rest day and hike up to glacial lake for front-row views of Alpamayo pyramid.
5Day 5Jancarurish – Cara Cara Pass (4,830 m) – Mesapata Pass (4,460 m) – Huillca (4,000 m)
Jancarurish – Cara Cara Pass (4,830 m) – Mesapata Pass (4,460 m) – Huillca (4,000 m)
Ascent of challenging Cara Cara Pass (4,830 m) and Mesapata Pass to tranquil Huillca valley.
6Day 6Huillca – Yanacon Pass (4,610 m) – Jancapampa Valley (3,600 m)
Huillca – Yanacon Pass (4,610 m) – Jancapampa Valley (3,600 m)
Cross Yanacon Pass with views of Jancapampa waterfalls and Pucahirca rock faces.
7Day 7Jancapampa – Tupa Tupa Pass (4,360 m) – Lake Huecruncocha (3,950 m)
Jancapampa – Tupa Tupa Pass (4,360 m) – Lake Huecruncocha (3,950 m)
Climb to Tupa Tupa Pass overlooking Mount Taulliraju. Descend to camp beside beautiful Lake Huecruncocha.
8Day 8Huecruncocha – Alto Pucaraju Pass (4,640 m) – Tuctubamba Valley (4,180 m)
Huecruncocha – Alto Pucaraju Pass (4,640 m) – Tuctubamba Valley (4,180 m)
Cross dramatic Alto Pucaraju Pass at 4,640 m with vistas of Chacraraju and Chopicalqui. Descend to Tuctubamba camp.
9Day 9Tuctubamba – Huaripampa Valley – Lake Taullicocha – Taullipampa (4,250 m)
Tuctubamba – Huaripampa Valley – Lake Taullicocha – Taullipampa (4,250 m)
Link onto the classic Santa Cruz route. Hike through quenual polylepis forests up to Taullipampa camp.
10Day 10Taullipampa – Punta Union Pass (4,750 m) – Paria Valley (3,870 m)
Taullipampa – Punta Union Pass (4,750 m) – Paria Valley (3,870 m)
Ascent to legendary Punta Union Pass (4,750 m) with panoramic views of Taulliraju and turquoise lakes. Descend to Paria.
11Day 11Paria – Santa Cruz Gorge – Ichiccocha Lakes – Llamacorral (3,760 m)
Paria – Santa Cruz Gorge – Ichiccocha Lakes – Llamacorral (3,760 m)
Descent through Santa Cruz valley past glacial lakes to Llamacorral camp.
12Day 12 · SummitLlamacorral – Cashapampa (2,900 m) – Return to Huaraz
Llamacorral – Cashapampa (2,900 m) – Return to Huaraz
Final downhill hike along Santa Cruz river to Cashapampa village. Private transport back to Huaraz.
Included
Not included
Recommendations
- Acclimatize for 2 or 3 days in Huaraz (3,050 m) before tours that ascend above 4,500 m.
- Get a good night's sleep before and eat light meals: easily digestible foods the day before and the day of the tour.
- Altitude sickness medication: consult your doctor before your trip. Acetazolamide requires a prescription, should be started the day before, and is ineffective if you already have symptoms.
- Travel with insurance that covers mountain activities and rescue.
- Do not drink alcohol for the first 48 hours at altitude.
- Drink water constantly, without forcing yourself: drinking too much does not prevent altitude sickness.
- Inform your guide if you experience a severe headache, nausea, or dizziness. The rule is not to continue ascending if you have these symptoms.
- Bring water (2 liters) and water purification tablets if you plan to drink from streams. There is livestock in the area, and these tablets are sold in pharmacies in Huaraz.
- Bring energy snacks.
- Bring sunscreen with SPF 50+, sunglasses with UV protection, and a hat: the radiation at high altitude is very strong.
- Bring layers of clothing and waterproof gear, even during the dry season.
- Bring a personal first-aid kit with your usual medications.
- Bring your passport (there is a checkpoint at Huascarán National Park).
Gallery
View allFrequently asked questions
How many acclimatization days do I need beforehand?
Sample questions and answers, pending review with the guide.
Do I need prior glacier experience?
Sample questions and answers, pending review with the guide.
What happens if the weather doesn't allow the climb?
Sample questions and answers, pending review with the guide.
How do I pay and what's the cancellation policy?
Sample questions and answers, pending review with the guide.
Sample questions and answers, pending review with the guide.
You join the group on the date you choose.
Reviews
What travelers say
There are no reviews for this tour yet. If you've done it, tell us how it went.
Huayhuash 10 Days
Your best photo isn't on the internet: it's at 4,800 m a.s.l. facing Yerupajá. When are you going to take it?
Cedros Alpamayo Trek 7 Days
You don't need to be an expert, you need the will. We bring the route; you bring the spirit.
Santa Cruz Trek 4 Days
We don't sell a tour: we take you to live the dream you'll be telling for the rest of your life.