Alpamayo Base Camp Short Trek

Timing: 8 days
Grade: Very Hard , good fitness required

This is the same trek route as our Alpamayo Base Camp 9 or 10 day trek, starting from Vaqueria & finishing in Hualcayan, but condensed into just 8 days.

The trek features views of the stunning pyramid shaped Alpamayo, once voted to be the most beautiful mountain in the world and then the crystal blue lake Cullicocha nestled at the base of Santa Cruz mountain.

This is a VERY HARD trek with some long days up to 10 hours hiking and no rest days. You should only consider this option of 8 days if you are very fit and have good endurance. A less physically demanding option is the 9 or 10 day version following the same trek route.

Day 1: Drive from Huaraz past Llanganuco Lakes and over the Pass Portachuelo 4750m to Vaqueria (3600m) 3 ½ hours drive. From Vaqueria we have a relaxing trek about 4 to 5 hours on a gradually rising path to a secluded campsite in the Paria Valley 3800m.

Day 2: Long Day. Start with a 3 hour gently rising hike up the Huaripampa to Tuctubamba (4200m). Then climb steeply on a rocky trail to our first high pass Alto Pucaraju (4650m) from where we have magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. A long descent down to our camp at Huecrococha lake (3950m) 9 to 10 hours

Day 3: We climb to another pass Tupatupa 4400m & descend to camp at the top of a wide valley at Jancapampa (3600m). Directly behind camp we have views of a huge hanging glacier 7 to 8 hours.

Day 4: A long gradual climb up a forested valley and past the lake Laguna Sactaycocha, then we climb steeply to the top of the rocky Pass Paso Pucajirca 4600m. Descend to camp at Safuna in the Quebrada Tayapmapa. 4200m. A long day 8 to 9 hours.

Day 5: We cross two passes today. The first pass is a gradual ascent to the low pass of Mesapata 4500m, then we cross the sometimes windy pass Cara Cara (4830m) from where we have our first great views of the pyramid shaped Alpamayo. We camp below the majestic Alpamayo at the camp named Cruze Alpamayo 4150m. 7 to 8 hours

Day 6: Start with an easy down valley hike 2.5 hours before climbing again on a steep zig zag trail to Paso Vientun (4770m) before descending to our camp nestled at the foot of the pass at Osoruri (4511m) 7 to 8 hours

Day 7: We climb immediately from our camp to yet another pass Paso Osoruri (also called Cullicocha) at 4860m, arriving at the beautiful crystal blue Cullicocha Lake (4650m). We stay a while to admire the views, especially of the towering Santa Cruz mountain at the head of the lake, before descending to our final campsite Huishcash b(4300m). 6 to 7 hours

Day 8: A long descent on a zig zag trail 4 hours down to the village of Hualcayan (2900m) where our private transport will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz

Map – trek route
Download PDF for climb description & notes
Adobe Acrobat Reader

Contact us for more information and prices.

If you know, tell us the approximate dates that you would like to be trekking and the number of people in your group, as well as if you prefer a private Trek or would be happy to join with other people.

 

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