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Tour Details: Santa Cruz Trek
***One of the best hikes in the world***
Nestled in the white-peaked Cordillera Blanca range in the Andes, the classic 4-day Santa Cruz backpacking trip may be one of the most beautiful treks in the world.
While many people flock to the trails near Machu Picchu, this overlooked hiking mecca north of Lima has a fraction of the visitors, offering relative solitude for such a spectacular place. This trek winds its way through the valleys of the Cordillera Blancas while passing beautiful turquoise lakes on its way to the highest point on the trek, Punta Union.
ITINERARY
During the 4 days you will walk in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca enjoying a beautiful view of the Andean landscapes, passing through ancient Inca trails surrounded by quenuales forests and exotic high Andean flora; as well as rivers with crystalline waters, lagoons and the impressive view that the “Punta Unión” pass offers us of the snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Blanca.
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 42 km.
Highest point: 4,750 m (Punta Union Pass)
Difficulty: moderate
| Departure Point | Pick up from your hotel |
| Departure Time | 7am |
| Return Time | 8pm (+3 Days) |
| Duration | 4 Days & 3 Nights |
| Language | Spanish – English |
Itinerary: Santa Cruz Trek Tour
Day 01: Huaraz – Cashapampa – Llamacorral (3750m)
- Walking time: 4 to 5 hours approx.
- Campsite: Llamacorral (3750 m)
- Departure 7:00am in private vehicle, we will move to the Valley from the Callejón de Huaylas passing through the provinces of Tarica, Marcara, Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz (2290m.) (3 hours approx.), point from where We will begin our walk through a valley flanked by walls of rock covered by unique vegetation, with a warm climate.
As you ascend through the valley it widens showing us the incredible mountainous landscape with unique species of flora and fauna, to reach the Llamacorral camp (3760m.), where we will spend the night.
Day 2: Llamacorral – Taullipampa (4250m)
- Walking time: 5 to 6 hours approx.
- Campsite: Taullipampa (4250m)
- Start of the day with breakfast at 7:00am then we continue through the Valley of Santa Cruz passing through the Ichiccocha lagoons (3735m), Hatuncocha (3880m) (small lagoon and large lagoon).
Continuing along a long path until reaching the Alpamayo crossing, from where we will ascend to the Arhuaycocha valley, where we will visit the Alpamayo Base Camp (4330m) and the Arhuaycocha Lagoon (4500m), where we will get wonderful views around this point to the snow-capped mountains of Caraz, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, Alpamayo.
Then we descend towards the Taullipampa camp
Day 03: Taullipampa – Punta Union (4750m) – Cachinapampa (3750m)
- Walking time: 7 to 8 hours approx.
- Campsite: Cachinapampa (3750m)
- We will start the day with breakfast at 7:00am then we ascend a well-marked zig zag path.
It is the most difficult day since the walk is ascending to the Punta Unión pass 4750m.From there, the maximum height of the trekking, we can have panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca mountains like Artesón, Quitaraju, Santa Cruz, Pucajirca,Taulliraju, etc., from the pass we will begin to descend to the Huaripampa valley to the Paria camp (3870m), continue for one hour further to the Cachinapampa camp (optional).
Day 04: Cachinapampa – Vaquería – Huaraz
- Walking time: 2 to 3 hours approx.
- Breakfast at 7:00am, a short day of walking where we will descend along a local road, passing through the Huaripampa valley, observing rustic constructions based on mud, stone, local people, children who came to the road to ask for candy, chocolates, etc.
We will have a short walk to Vaquería where our transport awaits us for the transfer to Huaraz.
What’s Included?
What’s Not Included?
Trip Recommendations
Specific Policies
- If automatic reservation is no longer available on our website, please contact us to check if it is still possible to make a last minute reservation (+51 983 187 354).
- Depending on the progress or the weather, the order of activities may change to optimize the smooth running of the day
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