Peru
Blanca mountain range

The "Cordillera Blanca" is located Northeast of the city of lima, it is the tallest mountain range in Peru. It extends throughout 180 km, in the North-South direction, parallel to the Callejón de Huaylas, an immense valley that separates the Blanca and Negra (White and Black) mountain ranges. These are located in the Huascarán National Park, created in 1975 with the objective of preserving the region, its flora an fauna and its pre-Inca arqueologic sites.

Starting point

The starting point that leads to the Blanca mountain range is the city of Huaraz, the capital of the Ancash department. This city, at the head of the Callejón de Huaylas, 400 km from Lima, is considered the mountain sport capital of Peru. Its actual population is 120.000 people.

The adventure

To practice any of the activities, a vehicle is necessary for transport from Huaylas to one of the mountain villages. Along the main road to Huaylas are the populations of Caraz and Yungay, connecting to Mount Alpamayo and the Llanganuco lagoons, respectively.

The Blanca mountain range is crowded with climbing and trekking circuits. There are also good places for skiing, rafting and cycling. Here are some of the main options:

Trekking in the Santa Cruz Ravine

It is the most famous and active trekking route in the region. It begins in the small town of Cashapampa and ends in the Llanganuco ravine, where two famous lagoons are to be found: Chinaconcha ("female lagoon") and Orconcocha ("male lagoon"). This tour demands several days and good equipment, as well as enough warm clothes to stand the cold and the strong winds.

Trekking in the Llanganuco lagoons

To get to see the Llanganuco lagoons´ beautiful landscape, travelers must pass by the town of Yungay. A 25 km trekking starts towards the East. This is one of the easier trekking routes in the region.

Skiing in Mount Pastoruri

Mount Pastoruri, Southeast of Huaraz, is the most important skiing peak in the mountain range. This mountain is 5240 meters high, and its access is quite easy. Driving up its slopes in a car, travelers can reach 4800 meters of height. The trip is about three hours long. After that, a one hour walk to arrive at the rich skiing slopes. Several agencies in Huaraz organize tours to the mountain, to practice skiing and snowboarding. During the "Semana del Andinismo" (Mountain Sports Week), snow competitions are organized, featuring skiers from Peru and abroad.

Ascent of Mount Alpamayo

The city of Caraz, 67 km away from Huaraz, 2.270 meters high, is the starting point to many excursions in the Blanca mountain range. Among others, the ascent of Mount Alpamayo (5947 meters high). Many consider this peak the most beautiful mountain in the world. That is why no mountaineer would want to miss the opportunity of climbing it, or at least taking a look.

There are many beautiful landscapes on the way to the mountain. Nearby is the town of Cashapampa, 2000 meters above the sea. From there, climbers set out to the base camp, 4300 meters high. This usually takes at least two days of hiking. From base camp, climbers approach camp I, which can be built in one of two spots. One is at the foot of a glacier, approximately 4800 meters high. The other option is setting up camp closer to the summit, in a protected area at 5300 meters above the sea. This is the more tiring option, and although the place is incredibly beautiful, it makes it very hard to get used to the height.

The ascent is progressive, and reaching the summit does not demand too much technical skill. It is important to take your time to get used to the height. The summit is a reward worth the patience and hard work.

Ascent of Mount Huascarán

It is the highest peak in Peru and the origin of the park's name. It offers several different ascent routes on ice, rock and snow. It is not very tough in a technical sense, but its 6.768 meters are worth taking the climb seriously. The trip begins Huaraz, and carries on through the population of Mancos, at a height of 2.530 meters The road until here is paved. The next stop is the population of Musho, 3000 meters high. The base camp is found at a height of 4.100 meters. Staying at the base camp for at least two nights is recommended to get used to the height. From there, climbers ascend to 5.100 meters and build camp 1. Camp 2 is built at 5.400 meters, at the foot of a glacier. At 6.000 meters, climbers reach the "Garganta" (the Throat), after leaving behind a short 60º ice wall. Later on, climbers reach the area between Huascarán´s two peaks: North and South. To reach the summit of South (the tallest), there are 6 or 7 hours of hiking a 30º slope.

Santa river Rafting

The access to Santa river is located 30 km away from Huaraz. This mighty river, which runs from North to South, has sections that involve Class V difficulty, inconvenient for beginners. There are also parts ranging from Class II to III, ideal for people with little experience, as long as they are accompanied by a guide. The rafting season starts in May and ends in September, when the water is low and insufficient for the sport.

El Tajo: A new route up Mount Taulliraju

Marcelo Donozo, an Aventurarse Expert, traveled to the Santa Cruz ravine, in the Blanca mountain range, to experience an exciting adventure in mount Taulliraju. After a complicated ice ascent, he reached the summit, opening a new route in the mountain (more information).