Itinerary

1. Day 1- Huaraz – Vaqueria – Paria

   • Have breakfast at the hotel around 5 am and depart around 6 am to the trailhead. Afterwards, the minibus will climb up the mountain, and cross the Portachuelo Pass at 4,767 m.
   • See Peru’s highest mountain, Huascaran, and the four peaks of Huandoy, Pisco, Chacraraju and Chopicalqui on days with good weather conditions.
   • Cross the pass to reach the village Vaqueria.
   • Santa Cruz Trek, Peru starts from here. Equipped with the day pack and a box lunch, follow Peru Bergsport trekking guide through the small village of Huaripampa. 
   • Be registered in the control of the National Park and have an absolutely great view of Pucaraju (5,025 m). In the restaurant tent, have hot cocoa tea to warm up.

2. Dat 2- Paria – Punta Union Pass – Taullipampa

   • Have breakfast at 6:15 am and put the things together. The tents are taken down by the donkey driver. 
   • Start the hike in the direction of the highest point of the Santa Cruz Trek, Peru, the pass of Punta Union at 4,750 m. The beginning of the trek is easy but then the hardest part of the Santa Cruz Trek starts the steep way up to the pass.
   • Enjoy the amazing views of the Santa Cruz Valley to the west, and the views of the Huaripampa Valley to the east. Looking to the Santa Cruz Valley we can admire the peak of Taulliraju (5,830 m) with its glacial lake on the right-hand side. We see the mountains Paria (5,720 m) and Artesonraju (6,025 m) on the left-hand side. Far away in the distance, we already see the blue water of Lake Jatuncocha in the Santa Cruz Canyon.
   • Go down to the next camp, Taullipampa (4,250 m) after enjoying the view.

3. Day 3- Taullipampa – Llamacorral

   • Leave the camp Taullipampa after having breakfast and have a nice and much easier way up to a viewpoint from where you have a great view of Paria and Artesonraju. 
   • Continue further to Laguna Jatuncocha. From here, make way down into the Santa Cruz Canyon passing the beautiful lake, and reach the campsite Llamacorral (3,760 m).

4. Day 4- Llamacorral – Cashapampa – Huaraz

   • Pass the camp site Llamacorral (3,760m). On the slow way down to the final destination Cashapampa, hike through different vegetation, and see the first cactuses and higher plants along the way.
   • Follow the Santa Cruz River and love the peaceful atmosphere in the valley. The sun is shining, and it is a perfect day. 
   • Reach the village of Cashapampa at approx 2:30 pm, minibus will be already waiting.