The Santa Cruz Trek brings the magic of the Andes within arm’s reach. Nowhere else is the might of Cordillera Blanca’s 22,000-foot peaks so palpable, nor high-elevation hiking so feasible. You start in the city of Huaraz, the window to the Cordillera Blanca which boasts an elevation of 10,000 feet. Leaving civilization, you encounter 30 miles of alpine wilderness interspersed with glacier-wrapped peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and fields of wildflowers as you approach the highest point of your trip, the Punta Union Pass. Simply put, if you thought such feats are only reserved for mountaineers, this adventure will prove otherwise!
The highest tropical mountain range in the world
Hike past turquoise lakes between stupefying Andean peaks
Situated in Huascaran National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve
Hike through the high-altitude wilderness with a local guide. Get humbled by Andean landscapes as you traverse ancient trails passing striking lakes and vast grassfields with lofty snow-covered peaks as your backdrop. Indulge in spectacular views from Punta Union Pass and lounge by the shores of Lake Jatunchocha. Spend your nights in camps along the way and get fully immersed in Peruvian nature.
Arrive in Huaraz in the morning, meet the guide and get transferred to your hotel. After settling in you can tour the city on your own. Some of the highlights include the Plaza Mayor, the Archaeology Museum of Ancash, and the Temple of Señor de la Soledad. Get an idea of what old Huaraz looked like by walking the Jose Olaya street, the only street that remained intact after many earthquakes that hit the city in the past. Get a panoramic view of Huaraz at the Pinar viewpoint. In the evening, return to your hotel in Huaraz and join a pre-trek briefing to go over the details of the trek.
Start the day in Huaraz and go on a 71-mile (110 km) drive to the trailhead at Vaquiera. You will drive along the Huarípampa Valley past small farms and a village with traditional Quechua homes with thatched roofs. Start a hike at Vaquiera and reach Paria (12,795 ft / 3900 m) campsite where you will stay for the night. Get some rest for the challenging day tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 5.5 miles (9 km)
Time: 4 hours
Start a challenging day of trekking with a hearty breakfast. On Day 3, it’s all about pacing yourself and drinking a lot of water. After about three hours of hiking, you’ll reach the Punta Union Pass, a narrow notch between the granite mountain walls. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with views of Taulliraju peak (19,127 ft / 5830 m) and the turquoise Taullicocha lake below. Later, hike downhill to the campsite in the Taullipampa meadow (13,956 ft / 4254 m) where you will stay for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Time: 7 hours
Take the last look back to the stunning granite walls of Punta Union Pass and continue the hike along an area of loose sand and rock—the result of recent floods. An avalanche some years ago broke an ice dam that held back the waters of the small Laguna Arteson Bajo. The resulting flood partially wiped up the trail, which is now altered in some parts. Today’s section passes Lake Jatunchocha (12,749 ft / 3886 m). Spend a laid back afternoon lounging by its shores or even going for a swim in its cool waters. Hike some more to Llamacorral (12,335 ft / 3760 m), a grassy field surrounded by boulders where you will stay for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km)
Time: 7 hours
In the morning, the journey continues through a grassy gorge featuring waterfalls flowing on its steep walls. The path is easy to follow and will take you to the canyon with views of the farmlands in the Santa Cruz valley. The adventure finishes in the village of Cashapamapa. From the village, you will take a ride to the town of Caraz, and from there another one to your hotel in Huaraz.
You will then spend the night at your hotel in Huaraz, have breakfast at the hotel the following morning, and get transferred to your bus station for the 8-hour ride back to Lima. See you again!
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 6 miles (10 km)
Time: 5 hours
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on Santa Cruz Trek in Peru, please refer to the official Peru Travel website.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know prior to booking to make arrangements.
What’s not included:
If you need assistance organizing your pre-and post-trip accommodations or domestic flights, contact us and we’ll help make the arrangements.
The Santa Cruz Trek tour is moderately difficult, but it all depends on your hiking experience and fitness level. You need to be able to hike for full days, carrying a daypack and walking through different terrains. You’re going to be hiking five to six hours per day. While the terrain is manageable, the big build-up to crossing the Punta Union pass can get strenuous. This is why you should spend time acclimatizing before your trek.
If you want to make sure you’re ready to trek the Santa Cruz, practice hiking on long distances while carrying a full daypack. That said, if you are looking for adventure and up to the task of full-day trekking, you’ll be rewarded immensely!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
If your hiking party is larger than 15 people, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If you plan to hike with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A 50% deposit to secure your place upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure or once your guide confirms the trip. For bookings within 5 weeks of the departure, full payment is required. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
To get to the Santa Cruz Trek, Peru, most people fly into the Lima International Airport, 6.5 hours away from Huaraz—the starting point of the adventure. Once in Lima, you can take a bus ride or board a flight to get to Huaraz. You will meet with your guide upon your arrival in Huaraz.
