Cordillera Blanca — Classic circuit
The circuit, day by day
One of the most popular treks in the Cordillera Blanca — 49km of spectacular views of mountains and lakes with striking colors, difficulty 6/10. From the trailhead you can already see Artesonraju, Rinrijirca and Alpamayo, and at the circuit's highest point, Punta Unión (4,750m), the view opens up over Taulliraju. Tap a day to see it on the map.
Huaraz → Llanganuco Lakes → Portachuelo (4,768m) → Vaquería → Paria
Departure by private bus around 6am, following the Santa river through several villages to Vaquería. Stop at the twin Llanganuco lakes before crossing Portachuelo Pass (4,767m), the highest point on the road, with the best views of the range's tallest mountains. At Vaquería, the mules are loaded and the trail begins through the Huaripampa valley — an easy hike of about 4h to the first camp at Paria.
Paria → Punta Unión (4,750m) → Taullipampa
Breakfast around 6:30am after waking up to tea in the tent, followed by about 5h of hiking to the trek's highest point: Punta Unión Pass (4,750m), an ancient pre-Inca and colonial route used to transport goods from the eastern side of the Andes. Panoramic views of the Santa Cruz valley to the west and the Huaripampa valley to the east, the Paria and Taulliraju peaks, Artesonraju, the glacial lake beneath Taulliraju and, on clear days, the entire Santa Cruz canyon along with Chacraraju, Chopicalqui and the Pucajircas. Lunch and 2h more of descent to the Taullipampa camp.
Taullipampa → Arhuaycocha Lookout (Alpamayo) → Jatuncocha and Ichicchocha Lakes → Llamacorral
After breakfast, a shortcut to the Alpamayo base camp and a visit to Lake Arhuaycocha (4,450m, about 3h round trip) — one of the most spectacular views in the entire Cordillera Blanca. Return to the Santa Cruz valley passing by Lakes Jatuncocha and Ichicchocha (ducks and Andean geese), and one more hour to the Llamacorral camp. Mountains visible during the day: Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, Alpamayo, Taulliraju and the Rinrijircas.
Llamacorral → Cashapampa → Huaraz
Final day inside Huascarán National Park. After breakfast, a descent of about 3h to the village of Cashapampa, with a gradual change in vegetation following the river, followed by 2 to 3h by bus back to Huaraz.
Before you book
Everything you need to walk the circuit worry-free — personal gear is on you.
