|
|
| Other sites of interest |
|
|
|
 Alpamayo
Another popular circuit is around the Alpamayo, named “the Most Beautiful Mountain in the World” in the 1996 World Contest of Scenic Beauties, held in Munich, Germany, because of the perfect pyramidal shape of its snow-covered peak. The spectacular 92 km journey among the snow-capped peaks along Los Cedros gorge takes between 8 and 9 days and affords a view of the mountains in the northern part of the Huascarán Park.
|
|
 Santa Cruz Gorge
The White Cordillera has a countless number of trekking circuits, some of them world famous. The Santa Cruz Gorge route is perhaps the most popular of all. It starts at Cashapampa and ends in the Llanganuco gorge, at the edge of some beautiful emerald colored lakes. The entire circuit usually takes between four and six days, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains and the variety of plant and animal life.
|
| *Photographs: PromPerú |
|
|
|
 |
|
An impressive range of snow-covered mountains comprises the White Cordillera in the Peruvian Department of Ancash, offering a natural site for mountain climbing and hiking. A large part of this range is situated within the Huascarán National Park, which was established to safeguard the country’s natural wealth and the biodiversity of its 340 000 hectares. Its most important attractions include glaciers, lakes and natural springs, as well as a wide variety of plant and animal species, like the Puya de Raimondi and the quejual, condors, white tailed deer, tarugas, vicuñas, pumas, viscachas and Andean foxes.
The Park is considered by UNESCO to be a World Natural Heritage Site
|
 |
Access |
 |
|
To reach the zone, drive along the Northern Pan American Highway to the turnoff at km 206 and proceed from there to the city of Huaraz 201 km further. Several paved roads leads eastward from the towns in the valley to the Cordillera. The most frequently used are the roads from Yungay –the point of entry to the Llanganuco Lakes-- and from Pachacoto, which leads to the snow-capped Pastoruri.
|
|
Tourist Attractions |
|
|
 Pastoruri
This is the first spot to be visited in the National Park after taking the turnoff from the town of Pachacoto. On the way up are Lakes Patacocha and then Pumapampa, where mineral water gushes from the ground, and the famous Puya de Raimondi stands beside the road. Pastoruri is a glacier rising 5 240 masl covered by eternal snows. Its ice caverns are a short distance by foot or on horseback from the parking area for cars and buses. This is the most visited site because it is easy to reach and gives visitors a chance to play in the snow.
|
|
 Llanganuco Lake
This deep emerald green lake is a two-hour trip by bus from Huaraz. The lake was formed from the meltwater of the surrounding glaciers, which in this region rise above 6 000 masl. Visitors can take boat rides and walk or ride in the nearby tropical forest, considered the highest in the world at over 5 000 masl. There is a very good view of the Huascarán, Peru’s highest mountain (6 768 masl) from that site.
|
|
 The Huayhuash Cordillera
The town of Chiquián ( 3 374 masl) near the White Cordillera, 110 km south of Huaraz, is the starting point to the Huayhuash Cordillera. With a total length of 30 km, this range is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It contains snow-covered mountains like the Yerupajá (6 634 masl), dozens of lovely lakes and a variety of wildlife. The Cordillera is ideal for experienced mountain climbers and trekkers. The only way to reach it from Chiquián is on foot. The total circuit is 165 km long and takes an average of 12 days to cover. The ascent to the snow-capped peaks is difficult and requires a great deal of careful preparation.
|
|
|
