Itinerary

1. Day1: Huaraz - Llanganuco - Vaqueria - Paria

   • Post breakfast, depart from Huaraz at around 6:00 am to the trailhead; the minibus will take you across the Portachuelo Pass at 4,767m. On days with good weather conditions, Peru’s highest mountain, Huascaran, and the four peaks of Huandoy, Pisco, Chacraraju and Chopicalqui are visible. The drive from Huaraz to Vaqueria will take around 5 hours (121 km).

   • After crossing the pass, arrive at village Vaqueria. The Santa Cruz trek will start from this point. 

   • Post lunch, follow Peru Bergsport's trekking guide through the small village of Huaripampa.

   • Visit the National Park to get a panoramic view of Pucaraju (5,025 m).

   • Stay the night in the Paria campsite which will is a 5-hour walk from Vaqueria.

2. Day 2: Paria - Punta Union Pass - Taullipampa

   • Post breakfast, start trekking towards the highest point of the Santa Cruz trail, the pass of Punta Union at 4,750m. The beginning of the trek is easy but it gets tougher, eventually.  

   • After 7 hours of trek, enjoy the amazing views of the Santa Cruz Valley to the west, and the Huaripampa Valley to the east. 

   • Admire the peak of Taulliraju (5,830m) with its glacial lake on the right-hand side. On the left-hand side, witness the snow-clad mountains Paria (5,720m) and Artesonraju (6,025m). The blue waters of Lake Jatuncocha, in the Santa Cruz Canyon, are also visible at a distance.

   • Visit the Santa Cruz Canyon with the mountains Alpamayo (5,947m), Artesonraju, Taulliraju, Rinrihircas, Chacraraju, Chopicalqui and Pucahircas. 

   • Finally descend to the next camp, Taullipampa (4,250m). 

   Total walking distance - 16 Km (8-9 Hours)

3. Day 3: Taullipampa - Alpamayo Point of View - Llamacorral

   • Post-breakfast at Camp Taullipampa, trek up to a viewpoint to get a eye-catching view of Paria and Artesonraju. Then, the trek will continue towards Laguna Jatuncocha. 

   • Move down towards the Santa Cruz Canyon across the beautiful Lake of Jatuncocha.

   • Reach Camp Llamacorral (3,760m).

   Total walking distance: 14km (8-9 hours including rest stops)

4. Day 4: Llamacorral - Cashapampa - Huaraz

   • Post breakfast, proceed to the final destination, Cashapampa and hike through diverse vegetation where you can spot the first cactuses and higher plants.

   • Trek for about two hours alongside the Santa Cruz river. Arrive at the village of Cashapampa at around 12 pm followed by a minivan ride back to Huaraz.

   • Drop off at the hotel after the two-hour drive.