Santa Cruz to Ulta Valley Trek

  • 6 Day Trek
  • Fully Supported
  • Small Groups Only
santa cruz to ulta trek

Our Santa Cruz to Ulta Valley Trek is an extension to the popular and famous Santa Cruz Classic Trek. This trek ascends the Santa Cruz Valley and crosses the Punta Union Pass at 4750m and Paso Yanayacu 4850m, below spectacular peaks of the Cordillera Blanca 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
  • U–Shaped Valleys
  • Deep Glacial Lakes
  • World Class Trek

Departure Dates

  • May 
  • June 
  • July 
  • August 
  • September
  • October

Trekking Details

Grade: Moderate
Distance: 67 Km
Maximum altitude: 4850m
Price: Contact us for prices. 
Season: May – October
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 hour 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.

santa cruz circuit

We ascend steadily for about 3 hours on a good trail to the 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 have a long descent passing two small lakes and then coming down into the Huaripampa Valley to camp at Paria 3890m. 7 hours walk

An easy walk down the Quebrada Huaripampa Valley where we pass by many farm houses and see a lot of local people, children, sheep, caws, goats and donkeys on the path and then we walk along the road to our camp at Molinopampa 3600m. 6 hours walk.

We ascend steadily, passing through a Quenual forest, small lakes and then we climb up a zigzag trail to our last campsite at Avalanche 4600m. From our campsite we have views of Nevado Contrahierbas Mountain. 5 hours walk.

We ascend to our last pass Paso Yanayacu 4850m from where we have spectacular close-up views of Nevado Chopicallqui and Huascaran mountains. We then descend to Ulta valley passing small lakes and enjoying views of the big mountains. At Quebrada Ulta our private vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz. 5 hour walk and 2½ hours drive.

ulta valley trek

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 two ascents to 4750m & 4850m and two long descents.

Trip Highlights

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

Departure Dates

  • May 
  • June 
  • July 
  • August 
  • September
  • October

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

FEATURED TRIPS

You Might Also Like

Pisco Mountain Climb
Nevado Pisco 5752m Mountain Climbing
Tocllaraju Mountain
Nevado Tocllaraju 6032m Mountain Climbing
Chopicallqui Summit 6354m
Nevado Chopicalqui 6354m Mountain Climbing