Santa
Cruz Trekking Adventure - Itinerary
2-15 August 2005 (14 days)
Prices &Terms : Peru Travel
Info : Equipment List
Breath-taking
view of Alpamayo from the North, near the village of Alpamayo.
This
trek is an adventurous exploration of the Northern Cordillera
Blanca, Peru 's highest mountain range. Starting in the Quechua
village of Cashapampa , we will circumnavigate the high massifs
of the Alpamayo and Santa Cruz peaks, finishing the trek in the
hilltop village of Hualcayan . Crossing high mountain passes
up to 5000M and camping among the alpine lakes makes this trek
a challenge even for seasoned high-altitude trekkers. Burros
will carry our loads, leaving us free to enjoy trekking with only
a light day-pack.
DAY
1 Arrive Lima, Peru. Flights arranged
w/early AM arrival. Transfer via private mini-bus to Huaraz (3100M),
the busy center for local government, education, and tourism.
The 8 hour drive will take us from the modern capital city of
Lima, along the spectacular desert coastline, up winding river
canyons, and finally over the high plains to the foothills of
the mighty Andes mountains. A restfulnight awaits us after dining
on local specialties. Hotel lodging.
DAY 2 We
will relax this morning and let our bodies recover from the long
hours of travel. We can leisurely tour the sights of Huaraz, as
well as check equipment and prepare loads for burros. We will
begin our acclimatization program with an afternoon hike or mountain
bike ride. Hotel lodging.
DAY 3 An
early morning breakfast and private mini-bus transfer to the Quechua
village of Cashapampa. The first stage of our trek takes us up
the steep-walled Santa Cruz Canyon, through an arid landscape
where we will find cactus and parrots, typical of the high tropical
desert. We will make our camp in the ancient herding settlement
of Llamacorral. Tent.
DAY
4 From Llamacorral, our route
continues up the Santa Cruz, past a chain of turquoise lakes.
Our arrieros may even be lucky enough to catch a few rainbow trout
for our dinner. We will camp tonight at Camp Silencio, among a
grove of Quenal trees below the hanging valley which leads up
and north to Alpamayo Base Camp. Tent.
DAY
5 If the group wishes, we will
have time this morning to visit the Alpamayo Base Camp and the
high glacial lakes below the jagged peaks of the Rinrijirca Cirque.
We will then return to Camp Silencio, and continue up the valley
to the foot of the towering peak of Taulliraju and our camp at
the base of the Punta Union Pass. Tent.
DAY 6 Today
is our first of several high pass crossings. A strenuous early-morning
climb takes us up and over Punta Union Pass, 4750M, and into the
valley of the Huaripampa. Here we are on the eastern slope of
the Cordillera Blanca, where the rivers flow to the Amazon, and
will notice slight differences in the local flora and fauna, as
well as a somewhat moister climate. Tent.
DAY 7 Another
high pass crossing awaits us today. We climb up the switch-back
trail to Alto de Pucaraju, 4650M, the pass between the peaks of
Taulliraju and Pucaraju. From the top of the pass, the downhill
trek takes us to the lush lake-shore camp at Laguna Huecrocha.
Tent.
DAY 8 Yet
another pass for us today. From Laguna Huecrocha we climb to 4400M
and cross the Tupatupa pass. The descent takes us down into the
Jancapampa alley, which if followed would lead to the village
of Pomabamba and the Amazon rain-forests. We will follow the valley
up-stream, however, and make our camp at Ichicque, 3900M, near
Laguna Satayoche. Tent.
DAY 9 An
early morning hike past the Laguna Satayoche brings us to the
base of another pass crossing. We cross over the 4600M divide
and descend the valley to Huillca. This crossing brings us once
again to the Western slope of the Cordillera Blanca, where rivers
drain into the Rio Santa, and eventually the Pacific Ocean. We
camp tonight at 4100M, just down-valley from the village of Huillca.
Tent.
DAY 10 Today
is possibly the most demanding of the trek, with two high passes
to cross. We trek up the gentle rise to the first pass at 4500M,
then cross beautiful alpine meadows and heathers to the second
pass at 4850M, the highest point of the circuit. From here we
enjoy possibly the finest views we will get of Alpamayo and the
peaks of the Santa Cruz Massif. Tent.
DAY 11 Today
we have only to walk down the valley to the village of Alpamayo
in the Quebrada de los Cedros. Here we will find some very ancient,
and very peculiar, stone enclosures reminiscent of Stonehenge.
We camp among the ruins and rest for our final day of up-hill
trekking. Tent.
DAY 12 We
start the day with a steep climb up out of the canyon through
wildflowers and rich grazing pastures. A short descent and another
short climb bring us to the final pass crossing of the trek at
Paso de los Cedros,4800M. A very short distance around the corner
is our camp along the clear blue waters of the Laguna Cullicocha
at 4650M. Recent glacial retreat has left exposed polished granite
slabs along the lakeshore. We will be rewarded on our final night
camping with views of the towering Santa Cruz peaks across the
lake glowing in the sunset. Tent.
DAY 13 Today
we have 1600M of down-hill hiking from the Laguna Cullicacha to
the village of Hualcayan, where we meet our private mini-bus.
There seem to be countless switchbacks along the well-engineered
road down into the Rio Santa valley. We soon arrive back in Huaraz,
where hot showers, cold beers, and a celebration dinner are waiting
for us. Hotel lodging.
DAY 14 We
will enjoy our final parting views of the now familiar peaks of
the Cordillera Blanca this morning from the roof-top terrace of
the hotel before our private mini-bus transfer to Lima. Flights
will be arranged with late afternoon departures. (We are happy
to arrange lodging in Lima/ Miraflores if you wish to extend your
visit.)
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