Santa Cruz Trek (Cordillera Blanca)

Located in the Cordillera Blanca mountains in the Peruvian Andes, the stunning 4-day Santa Cruz Trek is one of the most beautiful hikes in the world.

This trek winds through the valleys of the Cordillera Blanca, passing beautiful turquoise lagoons, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains like Alpamayo and the mountain from the Paramount Pictures logo on its way to the highest and most spectacular viewpoint of the hike, Punta Unión.

DAY 1 - Huaraz – Llanganuco Lakes – Vaquería – Camp Paria

We depart by private bus from Huaraz around 6 AM. We follow the Rio Santa river and pass by a village where you may have breakfast before we visit the stunning sister lakes of Llanganuco. The drive continues past Portachuelo Pass, the highest point of the trip (4,767 m). From here, we have some of the best views to observe the highest mountains of the Cordillera Blanca.

After arriving in the village of Vaqueria, we load the donkeys with everything except what you wish to carry in your small daypack. Once on the trail, we pass through the small villages of the Huaripampa Valley before reaching the Huascarán National Park office. Then, we hike for another easy couple of hours to our first camp, Paria, located in the Huaripampa Valley.

Meals: Lunch, Tea, Dinner
Accommodation: Tent (2 people)
Altitude Climb: 400 m
Distance: ~10 km

DAY 2 - Paria – Punta Union – Camp Taullipampa

We leave camp after breakfast for a beautiful and challenging 4-hour hike up to the stunning highlight of Punta Union (4,750 m) where we enjoy our lunch having 360° views of countless mountain peaks surrounding us that will stay with you forever!

From here we then take a 2-hour descent past a turquoise lagoon down to camp Taullipampa (4,174 m), an idyllic and picturesque camp site surrounded by small rivers and tall mountains. Here we have a well-deserved tea and dinner. In between we can rest and recharge, read, meditate or just breathe in our marvelous surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Tea, Dinner
Accommodation: Tent (2 people)
Altitude Climb: 970 m
Distance: ~11 km

DAY 3 - Taullipampa – Lagoon Arhuay – Lagoon Jatun – Camp Llamacorral

After breakfast we head up towards the stunning lagoon Arhuaycocha (4,420 m), nestled in a valley with famous mountain peaks like Alpamayo (5,947 m) and Artesonraju (Paramount Pictures) surrounding us. It’s situated below a dying glacier that reminds of how finite our existence really is.

A 3-hour descent through valleys follows, to the beautiful green lagoon Jatuncocha (3,886 m) which we can calmly breathe in as we eat our box lunch before continuing through the valley for 2 more hours to our 3rd and final encampment; Llamacorral (3,777 m).

Meals: Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Tea, Dinner
Accommodation: Tent (2 people)
Altitude Climb: 300 m
Distance: ~22 km

DAY 4 - Llamacorral – Honda Ravine – Huaraz

The fourth day we spend strolling along the captivating river in the Honda Ravine as we make our way past waterfalls, flora and fauna as cows stare us down and birds chirp wonderful songs to celebrate our victorious trek. After 4 hours and 800 m of descent we reach Cashapampa (2,916 m), where we take our transport back to Huaraz and civilization, with a glorious adventure like no other lingering in our minds.

Meals: Breakfast, Snack
Accommodation: Tent (2 people)
Altitude Climb: 0 m
Distance: ~10 km

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What to Bring

Tips

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