Santa Cruz 4 or 5 Day Trek
Trek through the mighty Cordillera Blanca in this National Geographic’s ”World’s best treks”.
Santa Cruz is one of the most famous treks in the world. It is an easy, short and beautiful trek. You will get a concentrated dose of mountains, landscapes, fauna and flora to perfectly enjoy this natural jewel.
The Cordillera Blanca, is home to Peru’s highest mountains and glaciers. It is one of the regions with the greatest water reserve in the world. It is the best place for trekking, ice climbing and mountaineering. Don’t miss out on the opportunity of discovering this amazing Cordillera.
Don´t wait anymore and book your trek with us now!
Highlights
- Enjoy the scenic views of the Cordillera Blanca
- Visit Llanganuco Laguna and Portachuelo Viewpoint to admire a panoramic view of the Cordillera and Huascaran peak
- Enjoy hot springs in Cashapampa on the last day to relax after trekking
- See famous Huascaran, Peru’s highest mountain, at 6,768
- Learn about the local culture, discover myths and beliefs about Cordillera Blanca
- Observe spectacular fauna in their natural habitat (foxes, deer etc.)
- Enjoy our helpful staff and knowledgeable guides
- Enjoy tasty meals that are freshly made and offer vegan, vegetarian, or other dietary preferences without paying any additional fees.
- Hike through the different types of landscapes, such as rocky valleys, grassy hills, turquoise lagunas and snowy peaks
- Reach 4,750 meters (15,580 feet) in elevation along the Punta Unión Pass
- Hike one of National Geographics’s ”World´s best treks”
- Sleep in comfort under the stars in our premium quality mountain gear
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights or 5 Days / 4 nights
Maximum Altitud: 4,750 meters above sea level Punta Unión
Distance: 42 kilometers
Price: s/ 750
Itinerary
Day 1 – Vaquería to Paria
We come pick you up with our private tranportation service at 6am directly at your hostel to bring you to Vaquería. We will stop at Llanganuco Laguna, our first point of interest of the trek, to admire the turquoise water. And, you will have the opportunity to stop at Portachuelo Viewpoint at 4,790m. We will then start walking from Vaquería to Paria, a nice path lined with Quenual trees, a native species of the region. We camp at 3,870m.
Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 2 – Paria to Taullipampa
We hike up to Punta Unión Pass at 4,750m, we will see Morococha Lakes on the way. We then descend into our camp at Taullipampa situated at 4,250m.
Hiking time: 8 hours
Day 3 – Taullipampa to Llamacoral
On this day we hike up to Arhuaycocha Lake and Alpamayo Base Camp at 4,430m. Then we go to Llamacoral Camp to spend the night at 3,760m.
Hiking time: 8 hours and 30 minutes
Day 4 – Llamacoral to Cashapampa
From Llamacoral we will hike down to 2,900m in Cashapampa where we will be able to enjoy hot springs to relax after our hard efforts trekking.
Hiking time: 4 hours
What the 5 Day Trek itinerary changes
The 5 day trek follows the same itinerary as the 4 Day Santa Cruz Trek but it allows you to camp one night in the Alpamayo Base Camp to enjoy the panoramic views of Alpamayo. It is a strategic place to see the greatest mountains of the Cordillera Blanca.
Includes
- Every morning coca tea when you wake up
- 5 meals per day: Breakfast, Snack for hiking, Lunch, Tea time, Dinner.
- Vegetarian food is available
- Sleeping tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and warm blanket
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent
- Washroom tent
- Certificated Trekking guide (English speaking)
- Cook
- Arrieros (donkey driver) and donkeys
- 8 kg of personal belongings to be carried by the donkeys
- Kitchen and dining full utensils
- First aid kit and oxygen tank in case of altitude sickness
- Private transport from hotel the first day and bqck to Huaraz on the last day
- Boiled drinking water every morning after the first day
Doesn’t include
- Personal Trekking gear
- Entrance fee (s/ 60)
- First day breakfast
- Last day lunch and dinner
- Transfer from Lima
- Any food and beverages sold on the way
- Tips