4-day Santa Cruz Classic Trek in the Cordillera Blanca

A certified guide wants to take you across one of the most dazzling hikes in Peru, the Santa Cruz trek in the Cordillera Blanca. Follow him into this amazing adventure.

Group

4 Days

Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Fit

Intermediate

Highlights

* Discover a magical place in the middle of the mountains

* Explore the Huascaran National Park and the Cordillera Blanca

* Conquer one of the most famous treks in Peru, Santa Cruz

Description

This is one of the most amazing and classic trips. The Santa Cruz trek in the Cordillera Blanca is one of the most popular and famous trips for a good reason. It explores a good portion of the Huascaran National Park. And it reaches breathtaking places like the Quebrada Huaripampa Valley, passing through enchanting villages, forests, lakes and mountain passes.

One of the places we’ll explore is the Quenual forest. We’ll also cross the Punta Union Pass (4,750m). And we’ll get the best views of mountains like Alpamayo, Artesonraju, Santa Cruz and Taulliraju. Moreover, we will encounter dazzling glacial lakes, with hypnotizing turquoise shades.

What’s more, all throughout our journey, we’ll run into curious creatures such as llamas, Andean geese, ducks, Andean foxes and the adorable mountain vizcachas. And, if we pay enough attention to the skies, we might even see falcons, hawks, mountain caracaras, American kestrels, puna ibis, Andean swifts and hummingbirds.

Then, we will also see many wildflowers and Andean alpine flora. The colors and scents are so exquisite, it will be difficult to leave behind. Some of them are orchids, buttercups, bromeliads, lupines and ranunculus.

Please note this trek requires you to have a good fitness level. But don’t worry, my main goal is for you to enjoy the sceneries and hike at your own pace. Thus, there will always be someone at the rear of the group to help you continue. Plus, all your belongings, except your day-pack will be carried for you.

So, if you are up for this wonderful journey across the Cordillera Blanca in Peru, just send me a request. Don’t miss the chance to tackle the Santa Cruz trek, one of the best and most famous hikes in the region!

You can also check this trek to Pisco Base Camp & Lake 69 in Peru, 2 days.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

Itinerary

Day 1: Huaraz – Paria

We pick you up and drive you across the Callejon de Huaylas Valley. Then we drive into the Huascaran National Park, passing the Llanganuco Lakes and the Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass. After which, we head to Vaqueria, to start our trek. There, mules we’ll start carrying our belongings as we hike passing the Paria Valley. And, we’ll get the chance to meet local shepherds and farmers.

Day 2: Paria – Taullipampa

Due to the demanding journey ahead of us, we’ll begin early ascending to the Punta Union pass. Upon completion, we’ll descend back to our camp Taullipampa.

Day 3: Taullipampa – Llamacorral

On this day we’ll reach the Quebrada Arhuaycocha valley. Then, we’ll descend along the Santa Cruz valley, as we pass a stunning lake towards our last campsite at Llamacorral.

Day 4: Llamacorral – Huaraz

We will hike down from the Quebrada Santa Cruz Valley to the town of Cashapampa. Finally, we’ll drive back to Huaraz.

Details

More info

We highly recommend that you arrive to Huaraz at least 2 days before the trip and spend time doing day hikes to higher altitude, to help acclimatize. I can help organise day hikes for you.

Meeting point

Huaraz

About the guide

Peru

Request more information

What people are saying about Explore-Share

Kumari

5.00

I’m extremely happy with the ease with which I could book via your site reliable and experienced guide. Thank you so very much, and I’ve started to recommend your site to my friends. Dimitris is not only an awesome guide, but a wonderful person who was always looking out to give me the best experience I can have when he found out how much I love climbing! He is the Best!

Niklas

5.00

I am very pleased with Explore-Share! This was my first international climb, and the communication and response time were great. Herbie is a very skilled guide and very efficient. The entire booking process & payment was smooth. I will definitely use Explore-Share again. Thank you.

Greg

5.00

I was looking for a local guide for a hike I was planning and came across Explore-Share. They seemed to have good reviews and so decided to give them a try. The experience was very positive and completely happy with their service. I will be using them again for next trip.

Colin

5.00

Easy to set up and find the perfect trip. Informative site that is easy to use. Guides are all great to work with and communicate all arrangements needed. As simple as can be!

Lesley

4.00

Thank you explore-share for a wonderful via feratta experience. We have been wanting to learn for a long time but don't have the facilities in Scotland. The guide Mitja was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, answering all my many questions and providing advice. On the day head to take another group but he quickly arranged another guide Borut, who was brilliant. We had a fantastic morning learning via ferrata at Hvadnik in the gorge. It gave us the confidence to later hire our own equipment and go out in Mojstrana. Altogether a five star + experience. Thank you.