Santa Cruz Trek 2026
The Santa Cruz Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Cordillera Blanca, along the way, you’ll admire turquoise lagoons, high Andean meadows, and breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of Alpamayo, Artezonraju, and Quitaraju
Dear Trekkers & Mountain Lovers
Look a travel buddy?
We can help you find them! Join our scheduled departures for the Santa Cruz Trek 2026 (join a group 2026). The group is made up of travelers from all over the world, and a minimum of four participants is required on the scheduled dates to guarantee the trip. You can easily and securely reserve your spot directly on our website.
If you don’t find your date on our scheduled departure calendar, we recommend booking in advance. This will allow us to manage the search for other travelers interested in the same date, facilitating the formation of the group necessary to confirm the departure confirm the departure
Trek Details
- Destination: Huaraz, Peru, South America
- Route: Santa Cruz Classic
- Altitude Range: 2,900 – 4,750 m (9,514 – 15,584 ft)
- Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights – Approx. 43 km
- Season: April – November Day: 12°C to 23°C Night: 0°C to –5°C
- Activity: Nature & Adventure Trekking
- Meeting Point 1: Hotel Huaraz
- Technical Difficulty: Moderate
- Effort Level: Demanding
- Daily Hiking Time: 8 hours
Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz (3,090 m / 10,138 ft) / Cashapampa (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) / Llamacorral (3,760 m / 12,335 ft)
Pick-up from your hotel and transfer north through the towns of Carhuaz, Yungay, and Caraz. Arrival in Cashapampa (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) where the trek begins, we follow the Santa Cruz valley until reaching the Llamacorral campsite.
- Elevation gain: +860 m / +2,822 ft
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Meals: B / L / D
Day 2: Llamacorral / Taullipampa (4,250 m / 13,944 ft)
We hike across the wide Santa Cruz Valley, passing the turquoise Ichiccocha and Hatuncocha lagoons. From Quisuar, we take a scenic side trail to Arhuaycocha Lagoon, with spectacular views of Quitaraju (6,040 m / 19,816 ft), Alpamayo (5,947 m / 19,511 ft), Artezonraju (6,025 m / 19,767 ft), and arrival at the Taullipampa campsite.
- Elevation gain: +490 m / +1,607 ft
- Hiking time: 4–5 hours
- Meals: B / L / D
Day 3: Taullipampa / Punta Unión Pass (4,750 m / 15,584 ft) / Cachinapampa (3,600 m / 11,811 ft)
We ascend to the iconic Punta Unión Pass, the highest point of the trek, offering magnificent 360° views of the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra, descent through the Huaripampa Valley until reaching Cachinapampa.
- Elevation gain: +500 m / +1,640 ft
- Descent: –1,150 m / –3,773 ft
- Hiking time: 6–7 hours
- Meals: B / L / D
Day 4: Cachinapampa / Vaquería (3,500 m / 11,482 ft) / Portachuelo Pass (4,765 m / 15,633 ft) / Huaraz
We continue descending to the village of Huaripampa and then climb gently to Vaquería.
From here, private transport takes us back to Huaraz, crossing the famous Portachuelo of Llanganuco Pass, with breathtaking views of Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Huandoy, Pisco, and Chacraraju.
- Hiking: 3 hours
- Transport: 4–5 hours
- Meals: B / L
Services
Include
- Trekking guide (1)
- Cook (1), muleteer (1)
- Private transportation to the starting point of the trek
- Meals during the expedition (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Breakfast: Tea, coffee, milk, snacks, bread, cheese, butter, jam, flatbread, fruit salad, etc.
- Snack: Fresh fruit, chocolate, cookies, fruit, and candy
- Lunch: Vegetable salad, pasta, tuna, Huancaína potatoes, ají de gallina (chicken chili), chicken salpicón (salted chicken), ham
- Tea Time: Coffee, herbal teas, cookies, fried guacamole, popcorn, etc.
- Dinner: A variety of soups, quinoa, chaufa rice, chicken roll, fried trout, pasta, lomo saltado (fried pork loin)
- Optional vegetarian meal
- Last day (typical Andean food)
- Camping equipment (2-person sleeping tent, dining tent, kitchen and bathroom tent)
- Kitchen logistics equipment (cooking utensils, pots, plates, cutlery, chairs, tables, gas)
- Hot water in the morning for washing hands and face every day
- Boiled water for your bottle every day
- Donkeys for transporting luggage and food
- Your duffel bag should contain your sleeping bag and personal belongings, (5 kg) and will be carried by donkeys, during the day, you will only carry your small backpack with personal items
- Emergency horse (1) in case of evacuation
- First aid kit
- Communication radio
- Sleeping mat
- Personalized assistance
Not Include
- Personal clothing for the trek
- Extra food and drinks in the cities
- Travel, accident, and evacuation insurance
- Entrance tickets to Huascarán National Park (USD 20.00)
- Sleeping bag (0°C – 20°C) (rental available US$ 8 per day)
- Hiking stick (US$ 5 per day)
- Tips
KEY TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP TO HUARAZ AND THE CORDILLERA BLANCA
Properly planning your trip to Huaraz is essential to fully enjoy tourism in the Cordillera Blanca, one of the most impressive destinations in Peru. Here we provide all the information you need before your adventure.
International and Domestic Flights to Lima
Your experience begins at Jorge Chávez International Airport, Lima, Peru, the main point of entry to the country.
We recommend booking your international and domestic flights in advance to ensure the best connections to the Peruvian Andes.
How to Get to Huaraz from Lima: Bus or Flight
Option 1 – Bus (Recommended for better acclimatization)
Traveling by bus from Lima to Huaraz takes approximately 8 hours. Several companies offer comfortable, safe transportation services with sleeper seats. (cruz del sur, móvil bus)
The overnight trip is ideal, as it allows you to rest during the journey and make the most of your travel time in Huaraz.
Option 2 – Flight (Faster, but requires caution due to altitude)
LATAM Airlines operates direct flights from Lima to Anta Airport (ATA), located just 40 minutes from downtown Huaraz.
The flight lasts approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. It’s an excellent alternative if you have limited time, although it’s recommended to take precautions to properly acclimatize to the altitude.
Acclimatization in Huaraz
Acclimatization is key to safely enjoying tours in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash (1 to 2 days).
Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine during the first few days, and do light activities before starting your hikes or climbs.
Altitude sickness (soroche) can negatively impact your experience if you don’t acclimatize gradually
Acclimatization in Huaraz is essential for safely enjoying your tours and hikes in the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash. It is recommended to stay for 1 to 2 days before starting your mountain activities
During this time, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and engage in light activities to allow your body to adapt to the altitude, Remember that altitude sickness (soroche) can affect your performance and experience if you do not acclimatize gradually.
You can take these easy hikes:
- Willkacocha Lagoon (3,700 m) USD 20.00 per person
- Paron Lake (4,400 m) USD 25.00 per person
- Churup Lake (4,450 m) USD 25.00 per person
- 69 Lake (4,604 m) USD 30.00 per person
These short hikes will help you acclimatize while enjoying breathtaking scenery
Design Your Trip with Local Experts
At Turismo Exploring Perú, we specialize in nature, adventure, and mountaineering tourism in the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash
Contact us for personalized advice, information on tours, treks, and expeditions, or to create a customized itinerary
Experience an unforgettable adventure in the Peruvian Andes with the safety, comfort, and authenticity that only a local operator can offer
FAQ
What to bring
- Bring appropriate clothing for day (hot weather) and night (cold weather)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Swimwear
- Personal hygiene kit
- Hiking boots
- Camera
- Rain jacket
- Water bottle
- Sleeping bag
- Small backpack
- Headlamp (flashlight)
- 10 kilos of luggage per person for the donkeys
Gallery
