Our standard trek is a 4 day circuit, but we can make a 5 day independent trek by spending an extra day at Taullipampa campsite and hiking up nearby Centillo Peak for views of the surrounding mountains, or taking a rest day there.
Peruvian Andes Adventures
Santa Cruz Trek
4 or 5 days trekking
Grade: Medium
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Huaraz
Day 2: Huaraz / Acclimatisation walk
Day 3:Drive from Huaraz to the village of Cashapampa (2900m) 3 hours. Approaching Cashapampa we have our first view of Santa Cruz, the huge pyramid shaped mountain that gives the trekking circuit it’s name. Walk up the Santa Cruz Valley, following the river. The first 2 hours we are in a steep sided river gorge, and then the valley opens out to grassland. We camp near the river at Llamacorral (3750m) 4 to 5 hours.
Day 4:An easy walk up the open valley to our camp at Taullipampa (4250m). 4 hours. During the walk up the valley the twin peaks Quitaraju and the famous Alpamayo come into view. We walk past two lakes, first the small Ichiccocha then the larger Jatuncocha. Our camp is situated almost at the base of the beautiful mountain Taulliraju and we are also surrounded by others, Paria, Artseonraju, Rinrijirca, Quitaraju and Alpamayo.
There is time on the walk to camp to take a diversion and climb for 40 minutes on a zig zag track to visit Alpamayo Base Camp, making the day around 5½ hours.
(We can add an extra day here are stay at beautiful Taullipampa Camp. Either hike up Centillo Peak 5000m 4 hours, hike up to a high glacier lake at the base of Artesonraju 4 hours, or have a rest day)
Day 5:Climb for around 2½ hours on a good path to the pass of Punta Union (4750m) from where there are very close views of the surrounding mountains. We also look back down the Santa Cruz Valley from where we have walked and can see Lake Jutuncocha in the distance. From the pass descend past two small lakes to camp on a flat plateau away from the main trail in the Valley Paria (3900m).7 hours.
Day 6:Walk down the valley Quebrada Huaripampa, then climb up to the settlement of Vaqueria 4 to 5 hours walk. We then take a car over a high pass Portachuelo and down a steep zig zag road to the beautiful lake Llanganuco where we can stop for photos. We then return to Huaraz in the afternoon.
Acclimatisation:
We do recommend that you arrive in Huaraz at least 2 days before the trek departs to help you become acclimatised to the altitude. It is good to have a full day or 2 in Huaraz to recover from the 8 hour bus trip from Lima and to take a day hike to help with acclimatisation. We can organize day hikes for you.
On Trek
You will be accompanied by a qualified trekking guide, a cook, a donkey driver and donkeys, and assistants for larger groups. Donkeys carry your main luggage and all the food, tents and equipment. You only carry a day pack with raincoat, warm jacket, hat and gloves, water bottle, snack, camera, sunscreen etc.
We provide full information and a suggested gear list when you book for the trek. We can organise a private trek for you, or you can join one of our groups. Contact us for details and prices.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Our Service Includes:
- Qualified Guide
- Cook
- Donkeys and donkey drivers
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, large dinner) during the trek
- Tents (personal tent, dining tent with table and chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent)
- All cooking equipment, plates, cups, utensils etc.
- Private transfer during the trek.
Not Included:
- Accommodation (Lima and Huaraz)
- Meals and drinks in the city
- Sleeping bags & mattresses (available for hire)
- Entrance to the National Park and community fees
- Transfer from Lima / Huaraz / Lima
- Guide & transport for acclimatization walks extra.
- English speaking guides available.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Hiking & Trekking
Ice Climbing
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