11-Day Alpamayo Trek from Huaraz with Lake 69 and high mountain passes

• This day is reserved for acclimatisation.

• Depart from Huaraz around 6 am.

• Arrive at Cebollapampa, passing by the Llanganuco Lakes at 3850 masl.

• Stop at the Cebollapampa trailhead and begin the hike up to Lake 69 along a mix of simple and tricky trails.

• Enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and the lake.

• Walk down for about 2 hours to the car, then continue up to Portachuelo de Llanganuco for about 1 hour.

• Experience the sunset behind the mountains.

• Hike down from the pass to the Vaqueria mountain hostel.

Dinner and overnight at the hostel at 3750 masl.

• After breakfast at the hostel in Vaqueria around 8 am, prepare for your transfer to Pomabamba province and feast on the gorgeous spectacle of villages, typical Andean towns, lush landscapes, and white-peaked mountains along the way.

• Arrive in Pomabamba around 2 pm for lunch and explore the town.

• Rest and relax at the hot springs.

Dinner and overnight in a basic hostel in Pomabamba at 2948 masl.

• After breakfast at the Pomabamba hostel, start hiking along the left side of the Pomabamba River and admire the beauty of the Andean houses.

• Observe the diversity of the landscape as you ascend.

• Stop for lunch and replenish your energy.

• Descend a steep slope full of pasture to Garampayoc Lake, a beautiful lake where you will set camp at 3950 masl.

Total distance: 12 km
Duration: 8 hours

• From Garampayoc Lake, walk uphill, have breakfast, and then continue for about 2 hours to reach Patapampa Pass at 4600 masl.

• Continue along a steep trail for about 3 hours to reach Huillca at 4200 masl.

• The walking distance is about 10 km, with approximately 8 hours of hiking.

Total distance: 10 km
Duration: 8 hours

• In the morning, hike to Lake Safuna and then continue to Mesapata Pass at 4500 masl.

Total distance: 10 km

Duration: 7 hours

• Be prepared for an early hike up to Caracara Windy Pass at 4850 masl.

• Savour stunning views of the Santa Cruz massif and the pyramidal Alpamayo mountains as you descend to the campsite at the North Base Camp of Alpamayo, called Jancarurish, at 4250 masl.

Dinner and overnight.

Hiking distance: about 10 km, 8 hours.

• Today is a rest day, and you are free to explore on your own.

• You can hike to the base camp from Alpamayo to Santa Cruz, or simply relax at the campsite, eat, and sleep at Alpamayo North Face.

Dinner and overnight at 4250 masl.

• After breakfast, walk down along the Cedros Valley for a couple of hours to reach Ruinapampa.

• Rest for a while and then follow a zigzag trail for about another 3 hours to the highest pass, Ichic Vientona, at 4750 masl.

• Continue from the pass to the campsite in about 1 hour.

• Spend the night at Osoruri at approximately 4625 masl.

• Witness a surreal sunset over the Black Mountain.

• Walk up from the campsite for about 1 hour to Hatun Vientona Pass at 4850 masl and admire the beautiful blue lake of Cullicocha.

• Have lunch, then walk down to Calamina campsite at about 3800 masl, with around 8 hours of hiking.

• Walk down for about 3 hours to the last village of Hualcayan at approximately 2800 masl.

• Proceed to Huaraz after the trail ends at Hualcayan, with a drive of about 4 hours.

• Arrive in Huaraz around 4 pm.