Santa Cruz Trek - 4 Days - Caleb Expeditions

Maximum altitude: 4750 m. (Punta Union pass).
Difficulty: 6/10
Duration: 4 days – 3 nights.
Best Season: April to October.
Location: Cordillera Blanca.
Distance: 49km
Average temperature: Between 13° C – 23° C during the day/ at night -03°C to – 1°C.

This is one of the most popular treks in the Cordillera Blanca. You will see spectacular mountains and lakes with beautiful views and colors. From the trailhead, there are amazing views of the mountains Artesonraju, Rinrijirca and Alpamayo. On your way to Vaqueria in The Gap of Llanganuco, you will pass the famous sister lakes of Llanganuco. And when crossing Portachuelo Pass, you will see Huascaran (the highest mountain in Peru), the four peaks of Huandoy, Pisco, Chacraraju and Chopicalqui. As you reach the highest point of the trek, Punta Union (4,750m), you will have a spectacular view of the mountain Taulliraju.

Price:

Private: S/ 6000 soles (Max. 3 people)
Group 4-7 people: S/ 1200 soles per person
Group 8-14 people: S/ 900 soles per person

Entrance Fee:

60 soles/ per person (National Park prices)

Day 1: Huaraz-Yungay-Llanganuco Lakes-Portachuelo (4768), Vaqueria-Paria (3,100 – 3,700 – 3,870 mt)

We leave by private bus from Huaraz around 6:00. The road follows the river Rio Santa and passes several villages before arriving in the village of Vaqueria. The drive includes crossing Portachuelo Pass, the highest point of the trip (4,767m). From here, we have one of the best views to observe the highest mountains of Cordillera Blanca. On the way to Vaqueria, we stop at the beautiful lake sister lakes called Llanganuco. After our arrival at Vaqueria we load the donkeys with everything, except what you wish to carry in your small day pack. Once on the trail we pass through the small villages of Huaripampa valley. We will hike an easy 04 hours to our first camp Paria.

Day 2: Paria-Punta Union-Taullipampa (3,870 – 4,750 – 4,250 mt)

We wake you up with hot tea in your tent and we will have breakfast ready around 6:30. We pack the tents while you eat and after breakfast the group will walk about five hours before reaching the highest point in this trek. The trail starts ascending towards Punta Union pass at 4,750 m. This old trail was heavily used in pre-Columbian and colonial times as a route for transporting goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley. As we approach the pass, you will enjoy amazing panoramic views down the Santa Cruz Valley to the west, and views of the Huaripampa Valley to the east. The peaks of Santa Cruz surrounded by Andean vegetation of Quenual, the snow-capped peaks of Paria and Taulliraju, Artesonraju and Huaripampa will all come into view. We will see Taulliraju looming above us and on the other side its glacial lake. From this high point, it’s possible to see the all of Santa Cruz Canon, Artesonraju, Taulliraju, Rinrihircas, Chacraraju, Chopicalqui and Pucajircas. After take a break and Lunch we will keep walking down for 02 more hours until our next camp Taullipampa.

Day 3: Taullipampa – Arhuaycocha alpamayo view point – Jatuncocha, Ichicchocha, Llamacorral (4,250 – 4,480 – 3,760 mt)

After your morning tea (or coffee) and, breakfast. We pack the tents while you eat and after breakfast, the group will walk by a shortcut to alpamayo’s base camp and visit the Lake Arhuaycocha at 4,450 mt. about 03 hours return before reaching the valley santa cruz again and walk to our last camp in the way you will see the lake Jatun cocha and Ichic cocha where so many ducks and Huachuas are enjoying freedom then about one more hour we will get to the camp site Llamacorral where our camp will already be set up. During the trek, you can appreciate the following mountains: Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, Alpamayo, Taulliraju and Rinrijircas. We will also pass the lakes Icchicocha, Hatuncocha and Arhuaycocha. The lake Arhuaycocha boasts one of the most spectacular views within the entire Cordillera Blanca!

Day 4: Llamacorral-Cashapampa-Huaraz (3,760 – 2,970 – 3,100mt)

This is our last day inside to the Huascaran National Park. After our breakfast, we will trek downhill to the town Cashapampa which takes approximately 3 hours. As we descend, you will be able to notice a steady change in vegetation as we follow the river to Cashapampa. From there, we load the bus and have a 2-3 hour drive back to Huaraz.

3 Meals per day + 2 snacks.
Breakfast: omelet, pancake, fruit salad, serial, scrambled eggs… coffee, tea, milk, chocolate, butter, jam, cheese etc.…
Snack: fresh fruit, chocolates, crackers, cookies, sweets drinks.
Lunch: salads, soups, rice, chicken, coca tea.
Tea time: different hot drinks, coffee, tea, milk, chocolate, crackers, popcorn, pizza, and Tequeños.
Dinner: different kind of soups, salads, main courses, pasta, chicken, trout, beef, vegetarian options available, dessert, hot wine.
Sleeping tent: Salewa, Doite & King Camp (3 Persons tent, used for 2 persons)
Sleeping mat: Size, 200 cm X 60 cm X 5 cm
Kitchen tent
Dining tent
Toilet tent
Sleeping bag, synthetic.
Certificated Trekking guide (Speaks English/Spanglish)
Certificated cook
Donkeys
Donkey driver
5 Kilos personal Luggage for the Donkeys
Kitchen and dining full utensils. chair, table, stove, gas, plates, caps, forks.
First aid kit
Private transport (if it’s only 3 or 4 people, we us public transport to trailhead)
Hot water every day in the morning to clean up your hands and face.
Boiled water to fill your bottle every day.