Route: Cedros Valley -Ulta Valley.
Level of Difficulty: Medium difficulty
Suggested trekking season: The best time to do this trek is from the first week of May until the second week in November.
Duration: 10-day expedition
Description:
The Cedros-Ulta circuit is one of the most exciting in Cordillera Blanca. It leads us through four natural regions: Yunga, Quechua, Suni or Janca and Puna ranging from 2,400 m .(7,72 ft.) to 4,850 m .(15,908 ft.) of altitude, in the north area of Cordillera Blanca. In order to arrive there, we will head to a city named Caraz, where the road to Hualcayan begins. The trip will last approximately four hours. Once in Hualcayan, the muleteers and their donkeys will transport all the loads along the circuit. As we approach the area, we walk along a dusty, winding trail on the mountainside towards Huishcash, which provides us an excellent view of Cordillera Negra and the northern end of Cordillera Blanca . We will witness wonderful sunsets and a striking view the Yanacocha and Lakes Azulcocha , which will accompany us on this part of our adventure. The road takes us over steep slopes to a pass at 4,850 m. (15,520 ft.) The view of Punta Toropishtanan is simply magical. This place allows us to see beautiful, immense lakes called Cullicocha and Rajucocha. The imposing outline of majestic Santa Cruz Grande is reflected on turquoise water. As we descent, we leave the view behind and see new natural scenes which will join us on our way to Osoruri.
We continue heading north and ascend a steep slope which is decreased by the multiple zigzags leading us to Punta Alpamayo at 4,750 m .(15,416 ft.). This becomes an excellent balcony overlooking the valley of the same name. This view is further enriched by snowcapped mountains Milluacocha, Pilanco and the Cordillera Champara which can be made out clearly. We descend to this valley and find its plains covered with vegetation, clear rivers and granite towers. In certain areas, they serve as springboards to impressive waterfalls which go down from the highest part of the valley. They join us throughout our trek until we arrive to an open field which will touch our emotions deeply since we will find ourselves in a natural area of indescribable beauty. It is somewhat difficult to describe the splendor of the summits that surround this area, but we can say that the view of Alpamayo from Lake Jancarurish is picture perfect. Let us recall that the photograph that made this mountain famous was taken exactly from this point and won a contest in Munich , Germany in 1976, where it was declared the Most Beautiful Mountain in the World. Snowcapped mountains Jancarurish, Tayapampa and Quitaraju can also be enjoyed in all their magnificence from this spot.
We feel sad upon leaving the Alpamayo Valley and heading to Paso Cara Cara. At 4,830 m .(15,842 ft.) Punta Cara Cara appears to be very close. While gaining altitude, we feel comforted by the view of impressive glacial massifs such as Alpamayo, Quitaraju, Jancarurish, Rinrihirca, Pucahirca, Santa Cruz Grande, true guardians that protect the tranquility of these valleys. Strong gusts of wind guide us to a wide, open field from which we spot a ridge shaped like a blade. This spot shows the way down is by crossing small mountain streams produced by melting glaciers to then continue towards the Moyobamba Valley . Its greenness is interrupted by a crystalline river. We enjoy the view and will appreciate it even more so upon arriving to Punta de Mesapampa at 4,500 m .(14,760 ft.) from which we will be able to appreciate several majestic summits such as Pucahirca, Rinrihirca, Jancarurish and some which cannot be seen completely. From here, we can also see Lake Safuna , a true water looking-glass which irradiates beauty from its emerald-green waters .
We cross a small town named Huillca on our way to Punta Yanacona at 4,600 m .(15,088 ft.) , a pass located at a calm slope that rises up to snowcapped Pucahirca Norte, where if we are lucky, we will witness the majestic flight of the Andean condor. We will also be impressed by the amazing landscape provided by Pucahirca Norte and its imposing glacial wall dominating the entire valley. We will continue to see it as we descend to Lake Sactaycocha , which we will later border to descend along the valley, leaving behind this magnificent spot and heading to Jancapampa. We arrive to Pingoshpampa, a typical Cordillera Blanca village inhabited by indigenous people. These people are farmers and make a living from what the land provides them. They live in unique buildings made from quincha and adobe. They preserve rich customs and traditions inherited from their ancestors. Their lifestyle is peaceful and devoted to agriculture. These small towns are friendly to tourists. After remaining for a few moments and traveling a certain stretch on this Andean town, we ascend until we reach our goal, Punta Tupatupa, at 4,400 m .(14,432 ft.) and enjoy a landscape of the entire southern area of Cordillera Blanca, Taulliraju and Pucahirca. After enjoying these moments, we take the descent route towards Lake Heucrucocha , which gives life to pastures, forests and rivers that pour their waters into the Amazon River . Lake's Huecrucocha waters are incredibly green and clear. It is the starting point for our ascent among Andean ichu fields, which lead us to Punta de Alto Pucaraju at 4,850 m .(15,908 ft.) of altitude. Its beauty is beyond description and can only be fully grasped after having witnessed it personally. It is difficult to describe the majestic, imposing beauty of the highest peaks in Cordillera Blanca. Huascaran is one of the dominant and outstanding mountains. Others include Chopicalqui, Chacraraju, the Garcilazo Pyramid and Taulliraju, monuments of beauty and greatness which mark our descent route down a slope leading to the Huaripampa Valley . It is filled with granite towers, abundant vegetation and quenual forests. Crystalline rivers and waterfalls caress impressive rock walls as they descend to the valley. They encourage us as we continue on our way to the Quenualpampa field, a place with open plains and quenual trees.
The plains indicate us which way to go on our trek. We descend until we find farmland worked by indigenous people. Their lifestyle is similar to that of Pingoshpampa. After traveling a considerable stretch in these Andean towns, we ascend a bit until we reach our goal, a little town called Colcabamba. It welcomes us with a unique lifestyle which we will enjoy momentarily to then continue on our way toward Keshu Valley . Its open prairies will gradually lead us into forests, ichu fields and rivers. The water's noisy chatter becomes a melody produced by sudden drops and stair-like formations along a silent, green valley that gradually narrows, compelling us to ascend. This strech leads us to Chopicalqui and Yanayacu's glacial slopes, so that as we gain altitude, the giants of Cordillera Blanca make their appearance, filling us with profound emotion. As we arrive to Punta Yanayacu at 4,850m .(15,908 ft.) , we find ourselves closely surrounded by the highest, most imposing and majestic summits of the Cordillera. This is without a doubt one of the most impressive sights of Cordillera Blanca: Huascaran and Chopicalqui's gigantic glacial masses. From this spot, we can appreciate so many snowy peaks that it is difficult to name them all. Some of them are Chacraraju, the Huandoys, Pisco, Ulta, Taulliraju and the Pucahircas. Our descent leaves many of them behind but the imposing Huascaran , Chopicalqui and Ulta bring joy to our last day of expedition, which is about to reach its apex in the Ulta Valley . It is a spot of exuberant beauty, impressive lakes and abundant vegetation. After an easy descent, we will take our transportation service back to Huaraz.
First Day: Huaraz - Hualcayan - Huishcash.
Second Day: Huishcash - Punta Toropishtanan - Osoruri.
Third Day: Osoruri - Punta Alpamayo - Jancarurish.
Fourth Day: Jancarurish - Tayapampa - Jancarurish.
Fifth Day: Jancarurish - Punta Cara Cara - Huillca.
Sixth Day: Huillca - Punta Yanacon - Jancapampa.
Seventh Day: Jancapampa - Punta Tupatupa - Quisuar.
Eighth Day: Quisuar - Punta Alto Pucaraju - Huaripampa.
Ninth Day: Huaripampa - Keshu.
Tenth Day: Keshu - Punta Yanayacu - Ulta.
Eleventh Day: A rest day, which can be included within the program at some point which would allow us to do a short approximation trek with a pleasant view. (Arrangements can be made with those interested in keeping or omitting this day. However, in this case, it is recommended.)
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