Santa Cruz Trek – 5 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Huaraz

Upon arrival in Huaraz this morning, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.

After you get settled in, you can tour around the town of Huaraz alone. Including stops at the Plaza Mayor, the Archaeology Museum of Ancash, Temple of Señor de la Soledad.

Get a glimpse of what old Huaraz looked like on Jose Olaya street, which is the only street that remained intact after many earthquakes.
Stop at the Pinar viewpoint, to get a panoramic view of Huaraz. In the evening, return to your hotel in Huaraz.

🏚️ Accommodation: Spend the night at your hotel in Huaraz.

Day 2: Vaquiera to Paria Camp

Start in Huaraz and travel 71 miles (114 km) to the trailhead at Vaquera. The path is well-marked up the Huarípampa Valley, and for the first few hours and you’ll pass small farms and a hamlet with traditional Quechua homes with thatched roofs.

🏚️ Accommodation: Camp tonight at Paria campsite (12,795 ft / 3900 m).
Distance: 5.5 miles (9 km)
Time: 4 hours

Day 3: Paria Campsite to Taullipampa

A challenging day of trekking, it’s all about pacing yourself and taking in plenty of water. After about three hours of hiking, you’ll reach the Punta Union Pass, a narrow notch in the granite wall of mountains.

You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with awesome views of Taulliraju (19,127 ft / 5830 m), the glacier-wrapped peak that dominates the views to the north. The Taullicocha laguna far below on the other side of the pass is a beautiful turquoise hue.

🏚️ Accommodation: After enjoying the views set off downhill to camp in the meadow of Taullipampa (13,956 ft / 4254 m).
Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Time: 7 hours

Day 4: Taullipampa to Llamacorral

Pack up your gear and take a look back at the stunning granite walls of Punta Union Pass. From here the trail continues along an area of loose sand and rock — the result of recent floods.

An avalanche in recent years broke an ice dam that held back the waters of the small Laguna Arteson Bajo. The resulting flash flood wiped up the trail, so the path has been altered in some parts.

This section of the trail passes Lake Jatunchocha (12,749 ft / 3886 m), where you can spend some time lounging by its shores or going for a chilly dip in its waters.

🏚️ Accommodation: Camp tonight at Llamacorral (12,335 ft / 3760 m), a grassy field surrounded by boulders.
Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km)
Time: 7 hours

Day 5: Llamacorral to Cashapampa

The path continues through a grassy ravine, past waterfalls and steep walls of sheer rock. The path is obvious and you’ll finally emerge from the canyon to views of the farmland of the Santa Cruz valley.

The long journey finishes in the village of Cashapamapa, where our transport will transfer us back to Huaraz.

Until we meet again!

🏚️ Accommodation: Spend the night at your hotel in Huaraz.
Distance: 6 miles (10 km)
Time: 5 hours