4-Day Santa Cruz Trek in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru
Join a certified mountain guide on a hike through the Cordillera Blanca and experience the wonder of a South American mountain trek.
Andes, Cordillera Blanca
4 Days
May - Sep
High
Beginner
Highlights
- Discover the Andes Mountains on a classic Santa Cruz trek.
- See the amazing wildlife and plantlife up native to the Andes.
- Spend four days fully immersing yourself in the Cordillera Blanca.
Description
Visit the stunning Cordillera Blanca in Peru on a four-day Santa Cruz trek! See the amazing world high in the Andes and enjoy a remarkable destinations in South America!
The Cordillera Blanca is a mountain range in the Andes Mountains, home to many summits over 6,000 meters and a vast number of glaciers. It is infamous for being an ice-covered tropical mountain range – the most extensive one in the world!
The wildlife and plantlife of the region are unique and astounding. The mountain air is filled with birds. Over 120 species can be found within Huascaran National Park, including the Andean condor and the giant coot. The flora is exposed to intense solar radiation, and has adapted to endure the unusual environment.
We will embark on the classic Santa Cruz trekking route, featuring the best of the Andes. Beginning with our journey to Huaraz, we will pass through villages each with their own cultural differences. We will experience the local level of Peru while taking in its beauty. We will have the rare opportunity to learn about the history that makes this region compelling.
Marching into the mountains, our prime vantage points reveal rivers, lagoons, valleys, and peaks. The landscape is as vast as it is evocative, and will leave you breathless at every turn. You will feel on top of the world as you cross Punta Union – at an elevation of 4,760 meters – and look over the mountainsides.
The highlight of our trip will of course be the Andes Mountains. With so many summits within reach, you will glimpse their majesty every step of the way. Artesonraju, Piramide, Pucajircas, and Alpamayo are among the peaks you will see along the trek.
It would be my pleasure to guide you on a safe and exciting hike through this remarkable region. The Santa Cruz By camping along the route and immersing ourselves in the mountains, we will have a captivating trip that will stay with you long after you leave Peru.
This trip is for anyone with a passion for hiking and a curiosity for the Andes. While no extensive experience is necessary, you should be prepared for long days of walking and trekking, and the sustained fitness that these activities will require.
Book this four-day Santa Cruz trek NOW and discover the magic of the Cordillera Blanca of the Peruvian Andes!
We can also partake in a six-day Santa Cruz trek for a little more magic! Or we can take the Quilcayhuanca Trek over three days!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
Price details
- The price includes meals, transportation, shared personal tent, dining tent, cook and eating equipment, restroom tent, and horsemen and pack animals.
- The price does NOT include airfare, transportation before and after the trip, meals outside of the trek, tickets, park fees, tips, personal items, and anything not specifically mentioned as ¨included.¨
Itinerary
Day 1: Cashapampa
Our journey begins by heading to Huaraz and passing through small towns of cultural significance. Each town has its own niche – from ecological ice cream to natural steam caves. Crossing the Callejon de Huaylas boasts epic panoramas of the high peaks and gorgeous valleys.
This day includes roughly 4 – 5 hours of hiking, and an elevation gain of 700 meters.
Day 2: Alpamayo
This day starts with the observation of the area and its flora. From rivers and lagoons, we will be accompanied by incredible scenery along the way. While we will have intriguing views of the mountains, including Alpamayo and Pucarashta, you may also see deer and Andean foxes.
This day includes roughly 6 – 7 hours of hiking, an elevation gain of 600 meters, and a descent of 150 meters.
Day 3: Punta Union
After a few hours of walking, we will reach the highest point of our journey – Punta Union. Taking in the surrounding valley will give you perfect photographs and leave you with lasting memories of the Andes Mountains and their beauty.
This day includes roughly 6 – 7 hours of hiking, an elevation gain of 510 meters, and a descent of 1,010 meters.
Day 4: Conchucos
An exploration of the eastern part of the Cordillera Blanca reveals a hidden gem that is a pleasure to find. We will visit charming villages on our route home, returning to Huaraz and the end of our trip.
This day includes roughly 4 – 5 hours of hiking, an elevation gain of 300 meters, and a descent of 200 meters.
What people are saying about Explore-Share
Man
Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!
Maxine
Luis Silva was a great climbing guide and belayer! He taught me how to do moves that were difficult and encouraged me to try routes that were challenging for me! Because of his encouragement, I managed to complete these routes! I really enjoyed the climbs and completed 8 routes in the Sesimbra/Azoia area. The weather was perfect, no direct sun and cool enough to enjoy the climbs. Explore-Share made booking an outdoor climbing experience in Lisbon extremely easy. Luis, our guide, was fantastic, and the platform’s organization was flawless.
Valeriya
You’re simply the best!!! :))) Explore-Share made everything easy and stress-free. Will definitely use again.
Joshua
We had Léo as a guide for our day climb in Fonty. We were blessed with a knowledgeable, warm, and instructive guide. Communication with Léo and Ivan was smooth and swift. Explore-Share was excellent in arranging everything for our day climb. The communication was quick, and the platform was easy to use, making our adventure stress-free.
Cami
Patrick was a great guide. He took us on an intermediate Via Ferrata at Passo Sella. Renato was quick to respond with any outreach on the Explore-Share platform. The booking process was straightforward, and once Patrick was confirmed, all went well. It was a wonderful experience, and I’d highly recommend the platform.
4.8
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