Cordillera Blanca Alternatives

In light of the 2026 ban on non-guided groups, I'm sharing some alternate adventure concepts in the Cordillera Blanca, near Huaraz. These are largely in the National Park so a standard permit is required. But guides are not. I am unaware of anyone having done these routes. They are route concepts that I concocted on Google Earth. They are not routes or hikes. They might be show-stopping hard or dangerous. Or they might go. There's only one way to find out. I share them here for those who have the mountaineering skills and spirit for adventure to explore them responsibly. If you do explore them and have any information to share, please reach out to me on the landing page. 

1. SantaLoop

40km; 5600m gain; ~7 days; circumnavigates the incredible Santa Cruz in the northern part of the range.  SantaLoop kmz

2. Churup-Ishinca

38km; 4400m gain; ~5 days; high level traverse from the popular Churup Lake to the Ishinca Valley. Churup-Ishinca gpx

3. Huantsan Loop

The King Traverse of the Blanca. 49k; 6400m gain; ~9 days. A challenging loop around the mighty, reclusive Huantsan. Huantsan Loop gpx

4. Mururaju Traverse

Located at the lower, southern end of the Blanca, where the terrain is more moderate and more amenable to alpine traverses. 30km; 3700m gain; ~4 days. Mururaju Traverse kmz

5. Yanamarey Traverse

Like #4, this one is the gentler southern part of the range. 29km; 3600m gain; ~4 days. Yanamarey Traverse kmz

6. I heart Ranra

A heart-shaped loop around Ranralpaca. 30km; 3500m gain; ~4 days. I heart Ranra kmz