Santa Cruz Trek

Daily Tour 10 days
Peru Huaraz

Descriptions

Santa Cruz Trek. This is the extended version of one of the most popular trekking routes in the Cordillera Blanca. On the one hand, you will depart from Caraz and arrive at Cashapampa. Then you will pass through the valleys of Santa Cruz – Huaripampa and Llanganuco. And finally, you will have a visit to the ‘viewpoint’ of the Alpamayo Base Camp. Between the spectacular peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, the valleys are dotted with stunning turquoise glacial lakes. Most of the treks pass through these valleys, running from west to east through the mountains.

On the other hand, it is between these mountains and valleys where most adventure trips and tours take place. Activities such as: trekking, hiking, mountaineering, climbing, mountain biking, horse riding and others. The impressive views of the Huascarán, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Pisco, Yanapaccha and Chacraraju hills are the reward of a long ascent. The one that flows into the shores of the upper Llanganuco lake.

Why to choose Culturandes Travel & Adventure for this Santa Cruz Trek?

Are you looking for unforgettable memories for this adventure? Culturandes Travel & Adventure want you to have a hassle-free planning and an unforgettable travel experience without any stress and unexpected situations by the hand of its experts travel advisors and knowledgeable local guides providing you:

  • Reliable and top services
  • Certified Peruvian tour operator
  • Safe transportation according the highest standards
  • Professional drivers
  • Excellent camping equipment
  • Balanced meals during the trek
  • Detailed and personal pre-departure information
  • 24 hours support during your trip
  • Excellent local official English/Spanish guides who will turn out the star of your trip

We are experts in private and customized tours all around Peru, ask our expert travel advisors to upgrade your experience with additional activities and extensions.

Group services versus Private services?

This is a question we all need to ask ourselves when planning a trip. The answer depends largely on the age, the particular interests of each person and, above all, the economy of each passenger. Below, we list the differences between conducting a group service versus a private service. It should be noted that, in either of the two modalities, you will receive top quality care from the entire team of professionals who will make your trip unforgettable

Group Services

  • The driver follows the stops designated by the tour
  • Groups can have between 15 and 20 people
  • Guidance is simultaneous in English and Spanish for the entire group
  • The itinerary has to be strict to fulfill the daily plan
  • Guidance is available at the same time for the entire group
  • The main advantage of group services is the affordable price

Private Services

  • The driver will make the necessary stops where you indicate
  • Of 5 or more people, the private service has a similar price to the group service.
  • You own the time you want to have at each stop
  • Guidance is in only 1 language and at the passenger’s choice (prior consultation for rare languages)
  • The guide will be available only for you and attentive to your requirements
  • The travel experience becomes much more personal and deep in knowledge

We urge you to get in touch with us so we can design your trip to Peru together, probably combining some excursions in private and some in group services. Our team of experienced voyagers knows what it means to plan a trip of a lifetime as well as the investment that implies, therefore, we want everything to go perfect.

Highlights

HUASCARAN NATIONAL PARK

  • Visit Huascarán National Park, designated as a World Heritage Sitein 1985 by UNESCO, is also a well-known mountaineering spot and harbors a unique biodiversity with emblematic species of plants and animals.
  • Enjoy an incredible view of the Huascarán, the highest mountain in Perú.  (6768 m)
  • Observe the growth of the Puya Raimondi or Queen of the Andes, one of the park’s main attractions.

COORDILLERA PARK

  • Dare to hike The Santa Cruz trek on the Cordillera Blanca, which is one of the World’s Best Hikes: Epic Trails by National Geographic.
  • Discover the Cordillera Blanca, the world´s highest tropical mountain range, located in the north of Perú. It has a tremendous concentration of 6000m peaks. The mountains run roughly north to south and are easily accessible from the Callejon de Huaylas (Huaylas Valley), which lies to their west.

Gallery

Itinerary

After arriving Lima and clearing customs, meet our representatives and transfer to your hotel.

View other hotel options

Breakfast

Today you will start a journey passing through the dry desert coast and the giant sand dunes. Then, a mountain road will take you to the high pass of Conococha at 4100m. From this point you will enjoy the view of the Cordillera Blanca, countless snow peaks and glaciers, arriving to the city of Huaraz at 3100m after some 8hrs. Upon arrival, we are met, transferred and accommodated a tour chosen hotel and enjoy the rest of the day free.

View Hotels

Breakfast

Free days to acclimatize to the altitude on this spectacular Valley that separates the soaring Cordillera Negra and Cordillera Blanca mountains. There are several options to get used to the altitude, some may include a day visit to any of the surrounding lakes, or the pre inca site of Chavin de Huantar. You can also relax in the Monterrey hot springs after a full day hike to Churup. The days are yours to enjoy the panoramic views and unique cultural treasures of the region.

View Hotels

Breakfast, box lunch, complete lunch, tea time, dinner

Set off this morning for Cashapampa (2900m)  by car to start your adventure and meet our mule drivers and their pack animals. Steep, dusty, hot climb for 2hrs approx. to reach the Paccharuri waterfall, then we walk up to camp at 3850m. (Today’s hike is 10km, +900m, 4-5 hours).

Camping.

Breakfast, box lunch, complete lunch, tea time, dinner

The day breaks with mount Taulliraju silhouetted on the far background and it gets closer as we walk uphill to the Ichic and Jatun Cocha lakes. The wildlife diversity here counts several water birds. A short side trip to the north will lead us to the upper valley to the ´mirador´ of mount Alpamayo, an almost perfect pyramid of ice;   then down to camp at Taullipampa, dwarfed by peaks such as Quitaraju, Alpamayo, Artesonraju and Taulliraju. (Today´s hike is 12km, +400m, 4-5 hours).

Camping.

Breakfast, box lunch, complete lunch, tea time, dinner

Start the day with ascending by a steep zig-zag pass to the second highest point in the trail, the Punta Union Pass 4750m (3km, +550m, 2-3hours), at the food of the impressive Taulliraju mountain and overlooking the Taullicocha turquoise lake.  From this point you will have an impressive view of the snow-capped peaks of Chacraraju, Artesonraju, Huandoy, Alpamayo, Santa Cruz, Rinrihirca and Taulliraju among others.  Now you will cross to the east side of the Cordillera Blanca and begin to descend passing the Morococha lake and then into the green Huaripampa Valley, passing by red-barked quenual forest where the campsite will be settled. ( Today´s hike is 7km, -1000m, 4-5hours)

Camping.

Breakfast, box lunch, complete lunch, tea time, dinner

Getting a touch of civilization as houses and villages are found along the trail. We reach Vaqueria, from where we will follow the dirt road for a while and then take the shortcuts to reach the campsite at the feet of mount Yanapaccha. (Today´s hike is 13km, -350/ +720m, 5-6hours)

Camping.

Breakfast, lunch.

This last day of the trek a final climb to the highest point of our journey will be made, the Portachuelo de Llanganuco pass (4765 m) where the best views along the trail are found:  staring the East faces of mounts Huascaran, Chopicalqui, Huandoy, Pisco, Chacraraju and Yanapaccha (4,5 kms, +830 m., 3 hours)  After enjoying the view, a gently descend along a pre-Inca trail will take you to the shores of the beautiful Llanganuco lake (5 km, -900 m., 2:30 hours) .  You return to Huaraz arriving in the evening.

View Hotels

Breakfast

Return to Lima to catch your red-eye flight.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT!
Ask our experts travel advisors to complete your trip including a visit to the majestic Colca Canyon, the mysterious Nazca lines, the enigmatic jungle or the Kingdom of the Chachapoyas

Location

Other Tours