Santa Cruz Trek, Peru: 6 Days in the Cordillera Blanca

The first of two acclimatization days is a half-day hike that starts on foot in Huaraz. A well-kept trail climbs through an eroded canyon whose walls range from ochre and yellow to red and purple; puka means “red” in Quechua.

The Pukaventana viewpoint, near the Bella Vista community, is one of the best views over Huaraz, with the northern Cordillera Blanca and Huascarán (6,768 m), the highest peak in the range, beyond it. After the photos, an easy descent leads back to town for the night at the hotel.

Meals included: Lunch

A private vehicle leaves Huaraz on the Carhuaz–Chacas road, through the villages of Shilla and Catay, to the Ulta Valley. After the Huascarán National Park control, the trail crosses the river and the wetlands of the valley floor, then zigzags up beside a creek through quenual forest with wildflowers.

After about three hours, you reach turquoise Lake Hualcacocha, at 4,355 m (14,288 ft), below the peaks of Hualcán and Ulta. Lunch is by the lake. The way back follows the same path, about two hours down to the vehicle, then the drive to Huaraz for your second night at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

Leave Huaraz early in the morning by private bus. The road follows the Santa Valley to Yungay, then climbs between the Huascarán massif and the three summits of Huandoy to the park boundary and the two turquoise Llanganuco lakes, Chinancocha and Orconcocha.

The drive continues to Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass at 4,750 m. From here you see Huascarán (6,768 m), Huandoy (6,395 m), Chopicalqui (6,354 m), Pisco (5,752 m), and Chacraraju. The road then drops to Vaquería, at 3,700 m, where the walk begins.

The trail descends first, crosses a small ridge into the remote Huaripampa Valley, and rises gently past a farming settlement, meadows, and fields. Chacraraju (6,112 m) and Taulliraju (5,830 m) come into view before camp. It is a long day: 5 hours on the road, then 5 hours on foot.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

This is the hardest day of the Santa Cruz Trek. From camp, an old trail climbs to the pass, which sits 875 m above Paria. In pre-Columbian and colonial times, this path carried goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley.

Taulliraju stands right above the approach. From the top of Punta Unión, you look at a glacial lake and a white glacier on the far side and down the whole Santa Cruz Valley. The peaks of Quitaraju, Artesonraju, and Rinrijirca and the lakes Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha come into view.

The descent ends at Taullipampa, at the head of the valley. At 4,180 m, it is the highest night of the trek.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk down the Santa Cruz Valley past the side valley of Arhuaycocha, with snow peaks on both sides. A short climb leads to a lookout facing Alpamayo, often described as one of the most beautiful mountains on the planet.

Further down, scree slopes flank a marshy meadow scattered with boulders that fell from the eroded walls above. The trail passes Jatuncocha Lake, at 3,860 m, and leaves the narrowing canyon to reach the camp at Llamacorral.

This is the longest day in distance, at 14 km, and almost all of it is downhill.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The last morning is a steep descent of 4 hours to the village of Cashapampa, at 2,944 m (9,658 ft). This is where the Cordillera Blanca trek ends.

A private vehicle takes you back to Huaraz as the road winds down to the main valley. Arrival in the afternoon. Tonight’s hotel is not included.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch