Leaving the city on the main road along the Callejon de Huaylas we get beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks, passing many villages along the way until reaching Yungay. From here a dirt road begins to wind uphill reaching the overhanging valley of Llanganuco and one of the main entry points into the Huascaran National Park, where we register at the Park check-point. Continue up this side-valley passing the two lakes and the winding road up to the Llanganuco Pass at 4,750 mts (15,908 ft). Beautiful views of Mt. Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju. From here the road winds downhill into the Vaqueria valley where we camp.

Next morning we hike down Quebrada Vaqueria over the ridge and into the Huaripampa Valley, leaving the road behind. We pass farmer's plots with small houses, mostly cattle herders. We approach the head of the valley near Paria and camp below the looming figure of Mt. Taulliraju (5,829 m/19,120 ft) at Tuctu (Time: 5-6hrs/Distance: 11 kms)

From camp a slow ascent to the right of the valley brings us to the Pucahirca Pass. As we look behind we will view Mt. Contrahierbas (6,036 m/19,798 ft) and Taulliraju with the Punta Union Pass - another trail that descends into the Santa Cruz Valley. From here the Pass on a clear day we'll see Mt. Piramide, Pucahirca, Paron, Chacraraju and Huascaran. We descend slowly to a small lagoon called Huecrococha with a chance to see waterfowl. (Time: 6hrs Distance: 7 km).

As we cross a grassy slope we arrive at a brigde (4,100 mts/13,366 ft) from where one can see Mt. Pucahirca and its glacier. Cross and skirt a marshy pampa and arrive at Jancapampa below the massif where we camp at  3,850 m / 12,628 ft. (Time: 6hrs Distance: 9 Km).

From our campsite we ascend steeply through a sparse forest, past grassy meadows to finally reach a scree slope below the Yanajanca pass (4,400 m/14,600ft) with glacially polished cliffs on either side. From the narrow pass we descend to the settlement of Huillca at 3,600m/13,400 ft, where we camp (Time: 7 hrs, Distance: 7 kms).

Opposite the settlement there is a ridge which we cross into the Tayapampa Valley with beautiful views of the northeast face of Mt. Alpamayo. We continue to the head of the valley and camp at Moyopampa at 4,200 mts (13,776 ft) (Time: 7 hrs, Distance: 7 kms).

A steep ascent brings us to the Caracara Pass (4,830 m/15,842ft). From here the view South is amazing, the Cordillera Blanca stretches out and to the south east we will see the cirque of Mt. Alpamayo, named the most beautiful mountain in the world due to it's perfect pyramid structure and its beautiful cone top. We camp at Jancarurish (4,250m, 14,596ft) in the early afternoon, with a chance to wander up the valley. (Time: 4hrs / Distance: 5 kms).

We descend slowly down the valley until it becomes the Quebrada Cedro and then hike up to the Juan Viento pass (4,400 m /14,432 ft). From here we descend to camp at Osoruri (4,200m/14,104ft), our highest camp of the trip at (4,512 m. /14,800ft), (Time: 7 hrs, Distance: 8.5kms)

Leaving early we hike over our highest Pass, Toro Pishtañan at 4,850 m (15,912.7 ft), and descend into the magnificient cirque of Mt. Santa Cruz, Piramide and Paron overlooking the deep blue turquoise Cuillicocha Lake, a jewel of the National Park of Huascarán. From here the trail descends slowly at first to Huishcash. (Time: 8 Hrs, Distance: 9 kms)

From camp we first descend steeply and then walk accross a slope to Hualacayan to reach the roadhead.  A vehicle will meet us to transport us back to Huaraz with a drive through the Santa Valley and our hotel (overnight and dinner not included).