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Located in the department of Ancash, the Cordillera Blanca is the
world's highest tropical mountain range. It runs for 180 km
from North-South and divides the western and eastern watersheds
of the Andes. Every year, the Cordillera Blanca receives thousands
of mountain climbers bent on climbing the snow-capped peaks
or hiking through the spectacular landscapes. Almost the entire
mountain chain is protected by the Huascarán National
Park, an area home to 663 glaciers, 269 lakes and 41 rivers,
in addition to 33 archaeological sites.
The Cordillera Blanca is riddled with countless trekking circuits.
However, some of them have become world-famous: the route
of the Quebrada Santa Cruz gully is possibly the most popular
of all. The trek sets out from Cashapampa and ends up in
the gorge of Quebrada Llanganuco, at the edge of the emerald-green
waters of the Llanganuco lakes.
The hike takes four to six days. Other popular circuits
include the tour of Mount Alpamayo, a spectacular 12-day
hike along the mountaintops; the Quebrada de los Cedros,
a trail that gives visitors views of the mountains in the
northern sector of the Huascarán Park during a four-day
hike; Llanganuco-Portachuelo, a simple, day-and-a-half trek;
and Quebrada Quilcayhuanca, which is gently sloping and lasts for two-and-a-half
days.
Climate in the Cordillera Blanca:
Heavy rains from December to March and a well-defined dry
season, with sunny days and temperatures reaching 25°
C, while nights are cold.
Access to the Cordillera Blanca:
From the city of Huaraz, one can reach the towns of Carhuaz
(32 km / 30 minutes), Yungay (39 km / 40 minutes) and Caraz
(67 km / 50 minutes), all of them towns at the foot of the
Cordillera Blanca range.
Services: Nearby towns provide
a full range of services. In the area of the Llanganuco
lakes there is a campsite with some services.
Visitors should go warmly dressed; in the evening, the cold
is intense and the winds pick up. |
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