The ultimate, complete Los Cedros – Alpamayo – Santa Cruz trek in Cordillera Blanca starts in the Los Cedros valley, takes you through to the Alpamayo base camp and concludes with the classic Santa Cruz Trek.
Get away from the busier hiking routes with a trek to the quieter, more remote southern flanks of the Cordillera Blanca. The Olleros – Carhuascancha trek is a longer, slightly more challenging version of the 3D2N Olleros – Chavin trek (see here) as it includes ascents to three separate passes, giving you uninterrupted access to magnificent views of Mount Uruashraju (5,722m/18,773ft), Mount Huantsan (6,395m/20,981ft), Mount Rurec (5,700m/18,701ft) and more, as well as the glacial iridescent lakes formed at the base of these peaks
This is a challenging trek as the trails are often narrow, unmarked and steep and you will ascend to two passes (i.e. Huapi pass (5,050m/16,568ft) and Ishinca pass (5,350m/17,552ft)) at high altitudes in a short amount of time. Accordingly, trekkers must be well acclimatised and bear a good degree of fitness. From these passes, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of some of the best peaks the Cordillera Blanca has to offer: Mount Ishinca (5,550m/18,209ft), Mount Ranrapalca (6,612m/20,217ft) and many others.
The Santa Cruz trek has been touted as one of the “holy grails of trails across the world” by the National Geographic as it serves up a bit of everything the Cordillera Blanca has to offer in a short amount of time. Views along the trek include dramatic sights of deep blue lagoons, glaciers and Andean flora and fauna, with many of the imposing snow-capped peaks that line the Cordillera Blanca serving as the perfect backdrop. It is no wonder that this trek is one of the busiest trekking routes in the range.
The Quilcayhuanca – Cojup trek is a challenging one as you are taken through steep inclines and narrow, often unmarked trails during the course of the journey. This less commonly visited trek enables you to gain a deeper, more intimate appreciation for the beauty of the Cordillera Blanca through observation of the spectacular collection of glacial summits along the way and camping by the beautiful lakes of Cuchillacocha and Cojup.
The Olleros – Chavin trek is a relatively easy one, ideal for people of all ages and those who favour a change from the other busier trekking routes.
The Ishinca – Cojup trek provides ample opportunity for hikers to revel in the splendour of the Cordillera Blanca and its majestic landscape within a short time frame, suitable for trekkers with limited time.