Santa Cruz Classic Trek: The Most Famous Hike in the Cordillera Blanca
Duration:
4 or 5 days trekking
Grade:
Medium
Highest Point:
4750m
Consistently voted as one of the best treks in the world by National Geographic and outdoor enthusiasts, the Santa Cruz Classic Trek is the quintessential Andean adventure. In just 4 days, this route condenses everything the Peruvian Andes are famous for into one spectacular journey.
You will walk through turquoise glacial valleys, camp beneath towering 6000m peaks, and conquer the legendary Punta Union Pass (4,750m). From the pyramid of Alpamayo (the most beautiful mountain in the world) to the emerald waters of Arhuaycocha, every step of this trek is a postcard waiting to be captured.
A classic trek within the Cordillera Blanca, the popularity of this shortish expedition is due to its spectacular mountain views, stunning blue lakes and the challenging Punta Union pass at 4750m. This trek offers an amazing variety of scenery in only 4 or 5 days.
Why is the Santa Cruz Trek a World Classic?
There is a reason this is the most popular trek in Huaraz. It offers a perfect balance of challenge and reward.
Constant Views: Unlike other treks where you walk in forests for days, the Santa Cruz valley is wide and open. You are surrounded by massive snow-capped giants like Taulliraju, Artesonraju (the Paramount Pictures mountain), and Santa Cruz almost 100% of the time.
Accessible Adventure: While it crosses a high pass, the trails are well-marked and the gradients are generally manageable for anyone with a good fitness level. It is the perfect “first big trek” at altitude.
Varied Ecosystems: You journey from semi-tropical Andean valleys with bromeliads up to the stark, rocky beauty of the high alpine tundra, and finally down into the lush Llanganuco valley.
The Highlight: Punta Union Pass (4,750m)
The climax of the expedition is the ascent to Punta Union. Standing at 4,750m (15,580 ft), this ancient pass cuts through the granite walls of the Cordillera Blanca.
Reaching the top is a moment of pure triumph. As you crest the ridge, the view opens up to reveal the stunning Taulliraju mountain looming over the turquoise Laguna Taullicocha. It is one of the most dramatic mountain reveals on the planet and the spot where your most memorable photos will be taken.
Note 1: Grading
Although we grade the trek as medium, the high altitude makes the hiking harder than a similar trek at lower altitude. You do need to be well acclimatised to the altitude and have at least a medium level of fitness to enjoy this trek. There is a 2½ to 3 hour hike to a high pass, as well as a long descent from that pass. To enjoy this trek, you should also have some experience of hill-walking, and be able to hike a 6 to 7 hour day. If you do not have a reasonable level of fitness, you may struggle on this trek
Most trekking options in the Cordillera Blanca should be considered to be physically demanding owing to the altitude (you are above 4000m for the duration of the treks) and the mountainous nature of the terrain. The trail on this trek in a few places is steep – both ascending and descending and can be slippery & uneven in places. If you do not think you can enjoy this type of trekking, let us know and we can suggest some easier options
Note 2
Although the Santa Cruz trek route is located within the Huascaran National Park, local communities retain the traditional rights to graze farm animals that they have had for generations before the National Park was created. There are some farm animals (cattle, sheep, horses) along the trekking route, included surprisingly at the top of the high passes
Itinerary
Day A: Arrive Huaraz (3090m)
Day B, C: Huaraz / Acclimatisation days with day hikes
Drive to Cashapampa. Hike up the Santa Cruz Valley to Llamacorral
From Huaraz we drive along the broad Callejón de Huaylas valley to Caraz, then up to the village of Cashapampa (2900m). 97kms & 3 hours driving. Approaching Cashapampa we have our first view of Nevado Santa Cruz, an imposing pyramidal snow peak that gives the trekking circuit its name. We begin our trek with a steady ascent through the lower Santa Cruz valley, following a tumbling river as we go. The first 2 hours are through a steep-sided gorge, with the going occasionally tough as the continuous ascent and usually hot conditions take their toll. By early afternoon, however, the gradient begins to level out and the valley to open out onto cooler puna grasslands as we approach our first camp, close to the river at Llamacorral (3750m).
- Approx. 9kms
- 5 hours
- Highest point 3750m
- Altitude at camp 3750m
- Ascent for the day 850m
Llamacorral to Taullipampa, with Optional Arhuaycocha Side Trip
Today we enjoy an easier day’s walk up the open valley to our camp at Taullipampa (4250m). The direct route takes about 4 hours. The going is mostly flat with only a gentle incline and just the final hour to Taullipampa camp mostly uphill.
We cross an area of barren washout where in the year 2014 an avalanche coming off Artesonraju caused a flash flood that washed out the upper part of the Santa Cruz Valley, destroying the trail and also completely burying the shallow lake named Ichicocha. Now only the larger lake Jatuncocha remains and we make a pleasant traverse around the side of this lake before crossing another sandy washout area to the other side of the valley.
During the day’s hike, the neighbouring peaks of Quitaraju (6,040m) and the famous Alpamayo South Face (5,947m) come briefly into view. An optional, and recommended, side trip from Quisuar up a zigzagging trail takes you to the hanging Arhuaycocha valley and beyond to Alpamayo Base Camp and Laguna Arhuaycocha. This optional detour allows closer views of Alpamayo (once voted the world’s most beautiful mountain), Artesonraju (6,025m) and Quitaraju, before traversing via a little-used track to our Taullipamapa camp.
Our camp is situated almost at the base of the beautiful Taulliraju snow peak, and is surrounded by others, including Paria, Artesonraju and Rinrijirca (5,810m).
- Approx 10 kms direct Llamacorral to Taullipampa
- 4 hours hiking or add 1 to 3 hours extra if hike towards Alpamayo Base Camp
- Highest point 4250m
- Altitude at camp 4250m
- Ascent for the day 500m
Optional Extra Day
We can add an extra day here and stay on at the beautiful Taullipampa Camp. Options would include either a hike up Centillo Peak (5000m – approx 4 hours); a mixed climb on an uneven path and rock, but not technical (rope not needed), a beautiful hike up to the Alpamayo Base Camp & Laguna Arhuaycocha glacial lake (4350m – approx 4 hours there & back), with its awesome backdrop of the Rinrijirca peak (5,810m), or a hike to a high glacial lake at the base of Artesonraju (approx 4 hours). Alternatively, you could enjoy a rest day surrounded by awesome scenery.
Taullipampa to the Huaripampa Valley via Punta Union Pass
From Taullipampa camp we ascend steadily on a good path for some 2½ to 3 hours, gradually nearing the continental divide at Punta Union pass (4750m). Most will feel some shortness of breath on the approach as the altitude takes its effect; consequently we aim to take our time. From the pass we enjoy stunning views of several snow peaks, including Rinrijirca, Pucajirca (6050m), Artesonraju and the nearby Nevado Taulliraju (5830m), a towering, jagged presence. Looking back down the Santa Cruz Valley we see Lake Jutuncocha in the distance. From the pass it is a long descent into the beautiful Quebrada Huaripampa valley past two small lakes and several patches of red-barked quenual (polylepis sp.) forest. Tonight’s camp will be on a plateau, away from the main trail, in the secluded Quebrada Paria valley (3900m).
- Approx. 13kms
- 7 hours
- Highest point 4750m
- Altitude at camp 3900m
- Ascent for the day 500m
Hike Paria to Vaquería. Drive to Huaraz via Portachuelo Pass
An easy, relaxing walk through the lower Quebrada Huaripampa valley takes us through the scattered hamlet of Huaripampa. Here we pass several farm houses and encounter a lot of local people, including children. Sheep, goats and donkeys also abound. We then climb for an hour to the settlement of Vaquería (3600m).
- Approx. 11kms hiking
- 4 to 5 hours walk
- 500m descent followed by 150m climb to Vaqueria
Our private vehicle will be waiting at Vaqueria and will take us over the Portachuelo de Llanganuco pass (4767m), from which we enjoy an awesome panorama featuring several of the giant peaks of the Cordillera Blanca range. These include Huascarán (at 6768 metres, Peru’s highest mountain), Huandoy (6395m) and Chopicalqui (6354m). The stunning, turquoise Llanganuco lakes can also be seen lying almost a kilometre below. We descend a steep zig zag road to the lakes and continue to Huaraz 135kms road trip, around 5 hours driving. Arrive in Huaraz at around 4 or 5 in the afternoon.
Note
You may consider bringing some pens or other small gifts for the many children we meet on the trail down through Huaripampa Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the classic Santa Cruz Trek?
It is rated as Moderate. The main challenge is the altitude, specifically on Day 3 when crossing Punta Union. However, we hike at a steady pace, and donkeys carry all the heavy equipment (tents, food), so you only carry a light daypack.
Do I need to be acclimatized?
Yes! Even though it is “moderate,” 4,750m is very high. We strongly recommend spending at least 2 days in Huaraz doing day hikes (like Wilcahuain or Churup) before starting this trek.
What is the sleeping situation?
This is a full-service camping trek. We use high-quality 4-season mountain tents. Our team sets up the camp for you, and we have a dining tent with tables and chairs for meals.
Hiking Hours & Kms Hiked
Hiking hours are estimated times including rest breaks and lunch stop. Times are for our average groups based on past experience. Some people may be much faster and others slower.
Kms hiked are estimated.
Trek Roads
Access roads to and from treks are generally dirt mountain roads (not paved) and in some places can be bumpy. Road travel times are slower than you may expect for the kms travelled.
Print Copy / PDF trek description & more photos
For more information & prices
