Santa Cruz to Alpamayo Trek

  • 10 Day Trek
  • Fully Supported
  • Small Groups Only
nevado alpamayo mountain

Enjoy a Santa Cruz to Alpamayo guided trek. A complete circuit around Alpamayo Mountain. Ascend through Andean environment with panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca, crossing several passes, spectacular valleys with abundant flora and fauna and the opportunity to see the famous Nevado Alpamayo Mountain 5947m, the most beautiful mountain in the world.

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 alpacas and llamas, mountain caracaras, falcons, Andean geese and ducks, hawks, hummingbirds, American kestrels, puna ibis, Andean swifts, Andean foxes and mountain vizcachas. Sightings of the mighty condor are possible.

Trip Highlights

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

Departure Dates

  • May
  • June
  • July 
  • August
  • September

Trekking Details

Grade: Strenuous, Up to 5 – 8 hours physical activity each day
Distance: 132 Km
Maximum altitude: 4860m
Price: Contact us for prices.
Season: May – September
Pickup and Drop-off: We will collect and return you to any hotel located within Huaraz City.
Price Includes:
Not Included:
What to Bring: We will provide a full gear list info upon booking the trek.

TREKKING ITINERARY

Lets Go! Vamos!

You are picked up at your accommodation and begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Callejon de Huaylas Valley to the village of Cashapampa 2900m which is the starting point of the trek (3 hours drive). There are opportunities for photo stops along the way. From Cashapampa we start to ascend steeply for about 2 hours and then the track levels out, we climb steadily along the Quebrada Santa Cruz to camp at Llamacorral 3750m. 5 hours walk.

An easier hike up the Santa Cruz valley to our camp at Taullipampa 4250m. 5 hours walk. It is generally flat and we ascend just the last hour towards the camp. We walk past the beautiful Jatuncocha Lake. Our camp is situated near at the base of the beautiful nevado Taulliraju Mountain and we are also surrounded by other peaks such as Paria, Artseonraju, Rinrijirca, Quitaraju and Alpamayo.

We ascend steadily for about 3 hours on a good trail to Punta Union Pass 4750m. We can feel the effects of the altitude as we reach the pass. From the pass we have very close views of the big mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. From the pass, we descend to Huaripampa Valley passing two small lakes to camp at Tuctubamba 4100m. 7 hours walk.

We ascend steeply on a rocky path to the top of Paso Alto de Pucaraju Pass 4640m. From the top of the pass there are lovely views of many mountains such as Taulliraju, Chacraraju, Paria and many others. We then walk down through lupin covered hillside to camp at Laguna Huecrococha Lake. 4000m. 7 to 8 hours walk.

alpamayo base camp trek

Day 5: Huecrococha – Tupa Tupa Pass – Jancapampa

We ascend towards Paso Tupatupa Pass 4360m with views of the massive snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca and then we have a long descent to camp at the head of the Jancapampa Valley at 3700m. 7 to 8 hours hike. We will see many local people and kids wondering around the campsite.

We ascend a long gradual valley for 3 hours and then we climb steeply to reach the rocky Pass Paso Yanacon 4610m for another 2 hours. We go down to our camp at Huillca 4100m. 7 to 8 hours hike.

We have to cross two passes today. The first pass is a gradual climb to the lower pass of Mesapata 4460m, we then traverse and continue climbing to the higher pass Paso Gara Gara 4830m from where we have great views of the big mountains Jancarurish, Quitaraju, Alpamayo and Laguna Jancarurish lake. We descend to camp at Jancarurish 4250m at the foot of the majestic Alpamayo. 7 to 8 hours hike.

We descend a flat valley for about 2 hours before hiking up on a well-used trail towards Paso Vientunan Pass 4770m and then descend to our camp at Osoruri 4550m. 6 to 7 hours walk.

We start with an easy climb up to Paso Cullicocha 4860m pass from where we have lovely views of the surrounding mountains. We then descend to the fabulous lake Laguna Cullicocha 4650m from where we can admire the majestic peaks of Nevados Santa Cruz before descending to our last camp at Wishcash 4350m. 6 – 7 hours walk.

We descend a long zigzag trail to the village of Hualcayan 2900m and then drive back to Huaraz. 4 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 4 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 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 strenuous. We trek approximately six to eight hours per day with several long ascents and descents.

Trip Highlights

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

Departure Dates

  • May 
  • June 
  • July 
  • August
  • September

TRIP REVIEWS

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

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