Leaving early in the morning we drive down along the Santa Valley passing several villages until we reach present-day Yungay. The road winds slowly up into the gulley between the Huascaran massif and the Huandoy three-pronged peak.  As we reach the overhanging valley we arrive at the boundary of Huascaran National Park. Llanganuco, as the area is known, has two lakes, Chinancocha and Orconcocha with beautiful turquoise waters. We continue on this narrow road as it twists and turns to the pass at Portachuelo of Llanganuco at 4,750m.a.s.l. (15,580ft.)  From this point, if the evening is clear, we will get a spectacular view of Mt. Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju, We continue down until about 40 minutes before our first campsite at Vaqueria 3700m.a.s.l. (12,136ft) where will undertake a short hike.

The day starts with a leisurely walk down towards a trail which makes its way to the left, over a small ridge into the Huaripampa Valley. As we slowly head up this valley we pass a small settlement of farmers, going by their agricultural activity and Andean vegetation. The snow-capped peak of Chacraraju, Taulliraju will come into view passing meadows and fields along the way. Camp in the vicinity of Paria or Tuctu. (Time 5-6 hours, Distance 11Km)

The trail starts ascending towards Punta Union, a pass at 4,750m.a.s.l. (15,580ft.).This old trail was heavily used in pre-Columbian and Colonial times as a route for transporting goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley.  As we approach the pass, Mt. Taulliraju will loom above us and on the other side its glacial lake and glacier will add color and contrast to the amazing view down the Santa Cruz Valley.  The peaks of Quitaraju, Artesonaju and Rinrijirca will come into view as well as the two lakes of Ichicocha and Jatunconcha.  The trail descends into Taullipampa where we will camp at 4,100m.a.s.l (13,448ft.). (Time: 7 hours.  Distance:  13 Km)

Today we continue our hike down the Santa Cruz Valley, past the side-valley of Arhuaycocha with great views of snow capped mountains including Mt. Alpamayo.  The landscape changes, and scree slopes appear on each side of the now marshy meadow as well as rock boulders fallen from the eroded walls above us.  Finally towards the end of the day we walk out of the ever-narrowing canyon into Llamacorral, where we will camp at 3,500m.a.s.l. (11,480ft) (Time: 6 hours.  Distance: 16.5 Km)

A steep descent brings us to Cashapampa in the early morning.  We meet a vehicle that will take us back to Huaraz saying good-bye to our camp crew as the road winds slowly down to the main valley, arriving in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel and dinner on your own. (Time: 2:30 hours.  Distance: 7 Kms.)