Santa Cruz Classic Trek

4 Day Trek

Fully Supported

Small Groups Only

Hike the most popular trekking circuit in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca Mountain Range, Huascaran National Park. Our Santa Cruz Trek is one of the most popular and famous circuits in the Cordillera Blanca and it can be done between three to four days. It heads up the spectacular Quebrada Huaripampa Valley through little villages, native Quenual forest, crosses the Punta Union Pass at 4750m, below stunning peaks of the Cordillera Blanca such as Taulliraju, Alpamayo, Santa Cruz and Artesonraju mountains and skirting turquoise glacial lakes.

Natural History
The valleys are great places to observe native Andean alpine flora, especially the many wildflowers that bloom during the trekking season, including buttercups, ranunculus, lupines and several species of orchids. Many encrustations of deep-red bromeliads can be seen along the track, sprouting from boulders and on rock faces.
Fauna includes few llamas, mountain caracaras, falcons, Andean geese and ducks, hawks, hummingbirds, American kestrels, puna ibis, Andean swifts, Andean foxes and mountain vizcachas.

Trip Highlights

Unique Mountain Views
Deep Glacial Lakes
U–Shaped Valleys
World Class Trek

Departure Dates

Sept 14 to Sept 17

Trekking Details

Grade:	Moderate
Distance:	50 Km
Maximum altitude:	4750m
Price:	Contact us for prices.
Season:	April – November
Pickup and Drop-off:	We will collect and return you to any hotel located within Huaraz City.
Price Includes:	Click here for further details. Professional English Speaking Mountain Guide Professional Cook Donkeys and donkey driver Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner during the trek Tents: 4 season tent (3 person tent for 2 people), dining tent with tables and chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent Foam & air mattress First Aid Kit All cooking equipment, plates, cups, utensils etc. Private transport Each participant is allowed to bring 6kg to be loaded on the donkeys
Not Included:	Click here for further details.
What to Bring:	We will provide a full gear list info upon booking the trek.

TREKKING ITINERARY

Lets Go! Vamos!

Day 1: Huaraz – Llanganuco Lakes – Portachuelo Pass – Vaqueria – Paria

You are picked up at your accommodation and begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Callejon de Huaylas Valley and then into the Huascaran National Park, past the turquoise Llanganuco Lakes and over Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass 4785m and then down to Vaqueria (3700m) which is the starting point of the trek 4 hours drive. There are opportunities for photo stops along the way. From Vaqueria our equipment is loaded onto the donkeys and we have a 5 hours hike on a gradually rising path to our campsite in the Paria Valley 3890m. Today we will have the opportunity to see local shepherds and farmers working on the fields using traditional methods.

Day 2: Paria – Paso Punta Union Pass – Taullipampa

Today is a demanding day. We ascend gradually for about 4 hours and then we make a steep ascend for one hour to the pass Punta Union at 4750m. From the pass, we have very close views of the big mountains of the Cordillera Blanca such as Nevado Taulliraju, Pucajirca, Rinrijirca, Artesonraju and many others and fantastic views down into the Santa Cruz Valley. From the pass, we descend to our camp at Taullipampa 4250m. 7 to 8 hours walk.

Day 3: Taullipampa – Alpamayo Lookout – Llamacorral

Today we can do a side trip up to a viewpoint in the Quebrada Arhuaycocha valley, from where there are great views of Nevado Alpamayo, Quitaraju and Artesonraju mountains. We then have a long descend along the Santa Cruz valley passing a big lake to our last campsite at Llamacorral 3750m. 6 to 7 hours hike.

Day 4: Llamacorral – Cashapampa – Huaraz

We walk down Quebrada Santa Cruz Valley to the village of Cashapampa at 2900m and then drive back to Huaraz. 3 hours walk and 3 hours drive.

Altitude and Acclimatization

This is a major factor on this trek and we strongly recommend that you arrive in Huaraz at least 3 days before the trek departs and spend time doing day hikes to higher altitude, this will help with acclimatization to the new altitude.

Grading & Fitness

In order to get the most out of the trek you should be in reasonably good physical condition. It is not easy to grade the fitness level required for the trek, since it is a subjective matter. However, we have classified this trek as moderate. We trek approximately five to seven hours per day with a long ascent to 4750m and a long descent.

Trip Highlights

Unique Mountain Views
U–Shaped Valleys
Deep Glacial Lakes
World Class Trek

Departure Dates

Sept 14 to Sept 17

TRIP REVIEWS

Rodolfo, I really appreciated your easy going nature. Thank you for a great trip and great service. Hayden, Australia

Rodolfo and his crew were totally professional, knowledgeable and energetic, always willing to help. They could not have made the trip any better. Evans, USA

I had a really great time in Peru! Thank you again for being a great guide. Illiana, USA

A trek with a 10 out of 10 Wow factor! From start to finish Rodolfo and our trekking team were amazing. Sonia, Australia