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6-day Santa Cruz Trek to the Ulta Valley in the Cordillera Blanca, from Huaraz

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Join a local certified mountain guide for a slight twist to the classic 6-day Santa Cruz trek with an extra night at the end of the trip in the Ulta Valley.

Private

Cordillera Blanca

6 Days

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Fit

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Cordillera Blanca.
  • Camp in a different yet equally beautiful spot each night.
  • Get the chance to see some of the native wildlife.

Description

Come to Peru’s Cordillera Blanca for one of South America’s most classic hikes, the Santa Cruz trek!

Over the course of 6 days, we will head through the wilderness of this stunningly scenic cordillera, getting the chance to meet local people, see local wildlife and, of course, get some excellent views.

Among the iconic sights we will see are Quitarahu, Artesonrahu, Parón, Aguja and Alpamayo, which is considered by many to be the most beautiful mountain in the world.

In a bit of a twist on the classic Santa Cruz trek, we will finish with a descent through the incredibly beautiful Ulta Valley, where we will take in more excellent views of Huascarán Sur, Chopicalqui, Ulta, and Hualcán, before heading home.

Along with the plethora of natural beauty, we will also get to do some cultural exploration too. We will pass by the mountain towns of Carhuaz and Caraz, in which we can do some shopping, try local ice cream and meet the people!

So what are you waiting for? Book now for this amazing and unique twist on the Santa Cruz trek, heading out from Huaraz and finishing in the Ulta Valley of Peru’s Cordillera Blanca!

If you like the look of this trip then I think you will also enjoy my 10-day trek from Huaraz to Cajatambo in the stunningly scenic Cordillera Huayhuash!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Transportation start and back

- Luggage transfer

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

Price details

Please contact us for an exact price quote and trip dates.


Itinerary

Day 1: Huaraz to Cashapampa and Llamacorral (3.800 m)

We will meet up in Huaraz and drive down through Carhuaz and Caraz before ascending to Cashapampa. Along the way, we will head over a mountain pass and through some rural villages before stopping here for the night.

Day 2: Llamacorral to Hatuncocha and Taullipampa (4.200 m)

We will start the day by hiking up to the glacial lakes at Ichiccocha and Hatuncocha, before continuing our ascent to Alpamayo Base Camp. From here we will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains before heading on to Taullipampa.

Day 3: Taullipampa to Punta Union Pass (4,750 m) and Cachinapampa

We will have a fairly demanding day of hiking as we start the day by heading up to Punta Union Pass where we will stop for lunch. We then descend down into the Conchucos Valley before making camp at Cachinapampa.

Day 4: Cachinapampa to Colcabamba and Molinopampa (3.600 m)

We begin our day by hiking to the rural village of Colcabamba. After lunch, we will continue to hike until we reach our campsite at Molinopampa , enjoying excellent  views of Contrayerbas peak along the way.

Day 5: Molinopampa to Avalancha Lake and Avalancha (4.500 m)

We will hike to Avalancha Campsite passing by Avalancha Lake and keeping our eye out for local wildlife.

Day 6: Avalancha to Yanayaku Pass (4.850 m), Ulta Valley and Huaraz

We start our day with a brief hike to Yanayaku Pass, enjoying spectacular views out over the surroundings, before descending into the Ulta Valley and hiking through it until we reach Cruzepampa. From here, we will transfer back to Huaraz.

 

Details

Meeting point

To be determined upon completion of booking.

About the guide

Peru Expeditions is a Guide Agency and Tour Operator based in Huaraz, Peru.

It's a family-owned travel agency, which was founded more than 35 years ago, and is now managed by IFMGA-guide Juventino and his son, Eric.

We organize trekkings and mountain expeditions in Cordillera Blanca, and all around Peru.

Languages

| English

Certificates

AGMP | IFMGA


What people are saying about Peru Expeditions

Bad Hetterscheid

5.00

September, 2022

William was such a knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient guide! He brought books and support materials to further explain the history of the sites we were seeing, was always ready with an answer to any questions, and had great suggestions of where to take photos. He chose a truly remarkable cook for our trek, who kept us well fed with a huge variety of foods (and an ample supply of it!) and filled with hot beverages at all hours of the day and night. He allowed us to set the pace each day, and was cheerful and helpful and relaxed throughout-he absolutely enhanced a wonderful experience! Many thanks to you, William!

Bad Hetterscheid

5.00

September, 2022

Eric from Peru Expeditions is a fabulous, safe, and conscientious Tour Operator. He chose an incredible guide for us (Darwin) who was highly esteemed by every guide we met at every point along the journey-the respect of one’s peers speaks for itself! We were very well supported, always had perfect timing with seeing sunrises, beating “the crowd” to our destinations, and had ample food. The Peruvian mountains are stunningly beautiful- I’m ready to go back again already! Book with Eric - he’s going to take good care of you.

Connor White

5.00

September, 2022

Great service and trip!

Johannes Besmehn

3.00

August, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Alexey Volegov

5.00

July, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Matt LAIRD

5.00

November, 2021

Our guide was William and he is the one that really made the trip great!

Juliusz Zulauf

5.00

September, 2021

It was really good climbing expedition. The company put good effort to accommodate our needs and requests. Lima Central Office support was outstanding. Edgar, our climbing guide was top notch. Supporting staff during the climb was very helpful and friendly as well. For my personal needs, some modification of an acclimatisation scheme would be beneficial. First week of the trip consisted of various day trips to destinations of increasing altitudes, but all nights were at Huaraz, at 3100 m altitude. For me, to be fully acclimatized I need to sleep at the altitude. My first night at the higher altitude was at Pisco refuge (4800 m) and resulted with mild altitude sickness preventing me from successful climbing the following day. I would prefer spending two nights at high altitude before first high climb. It might not be the case for some other people, but it was for me. If not for this, I would had awarded straight five stars.

Marcela Hronesova

2.00

July, 2021

Disappointed with the whole experience. Didn't climb with Juventino, never met him. Got a different guide. Booked Pisco and Chopicalcui as separate climbs with one day off in between to rest. Agency combined the climbs. They told me to of go from Pisco BC directly to Chopicalcui moraine camp. Got a different guide who didn't tell me that we'll get snowed in at moraine camp. Only found out about the snow once we reached Chopicalcui moraine camp. Spent the night there, next day had to go down. Disappointed rebooked my flight and left Peru. Waste of my time and money.

Marcela Hronesova

4.00

July, 2021

The agency gave me a guide Darwin, not Juventino. Climb was good, easy just walking. There is one dangerous section near the moraine area with very loose gravel. So make sure you don't slip there or you are dead. I stayed in refugio at the base camp which was much more comfy than camping. Darwin was good but give clients some breaks once in a while, not rush too much. It's a high altitude climbing after all.

Tony Hoffman

5.00

September, 2020

The hike was canceled. We didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t even get into the country.

Flormila Pineda Villanueva

5.00

May, 2020

My visit to Huaraz was one of the most beautiful trips of my life. Our days of adventure began with the visit of lagoons in the white mountain range; wilcacocha, churup, paron, lagoon 69 and we finish with the most beautiful Santa Cruz trek. Our trip was a complete success, during the stay in Huaraz we stayed at the ALPAMAYO GUEST HOUSE hotel, an excellent place in the center of Huaraz. I recommend Mr. Juventino to make his trip and his hotel the and if nice family People.

Koseth Saenz

5.00

May, 2020

He was very kind, patient and helped me to reach my goal the citadel of Machupicchu. One day I wanted to quit but he encouraged me to continue and waited for my step.

Pietro Garanzini

5.00

May, 2020

Our experience in Peru was an unforgettable journey, we started a journey in this country to visit Machu Picchu and the surroundings of Cusco as a sacred valley, etc. Afterwards, our next destination was to arrive in the beautiful land of Huaraz, where our main goal was the trekking of Santa Cruz and a not very difficult base climb and after the trekking of Huayhuash. We will be back next year with more customers, friends of our mountain club, thanks for everything and see you soon in Huaraz!

Michael W English

5.00

March, 2020

From the very first emails communication which was dealt with efficiently and provide all the required information and other options for myself to consider. When I arrived the communication was excellent and very well organised. When I return later this year I will without doubt be using Eric and the team. When we arrive at the start point to getting back the local guide was excellent. I have nothing but praise for the set up.

Wolfgang Gratz

5.00

September, 2019

We did the MTB-Huarascan-Circuit (Crossing Punta Olimpica Pass and Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass) with Eric Albinos „Peru Expedition“. All, the transfers, the hotel stays, the acclimatization tours and the circuit itself, was well organized. Eric and his staff were flexible to our wishes and very helpful. Our Guide Joni is an excellent mountain bike-guide and good tailor too if something is torn. The cook prepared delicious meals during the circuit. The camping equipment was in very good condition. We (Karin, Franz. Wolfgang) can fully recommend „Eric´s Peru Expeditions“.


 

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