Santa Cruz Trek

Overview

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A trek through the Northern Cordillera Blanca, following the famous Santa Cruz Trail

Introduction

This fabulous trek journeys through some spectacular scenery in Peru's Cordillera Blanca mountain range. The route takes you through high-mountain pastures, alongside turquoise glacial lakes and across two high passes. Though not Himalayan in stature, the mountains have a distinct character, dripping with hanging glaciers, snow mushrooms and unmistakable ice flutings. The pyramid of Alpamayo, considered by some to be the most beautiful mountain in the world, is just one of the many beautiful peaks we will see along the way.

You fly to Lima, then drive to Huaraz the following day. Huaraz is the gateway to the mountains, situated at 3,050m. After an acclimatisation day walking above Huaraz, you drive to the roadhead at Cashapampa and begin the week-long Santa Cruz trek. Through the trek you stay in tents and you are supported by local guides, donkeys and their muleteers, meaning you only need carry a day pack. On arrival in the Llanganuco Valley you are drive back to Huaraz for a celebratory meal before returning to Lima.

Join us on the Santa Cruz Circuit Trek

• The best short trek in Peru's Cordillera Blanca
• Cross the Punta Union Pass (4,750m) and see Alpamayo - one of the most beautiful mountains the world
• Excellent acclimatisation profile
• All camping equipment and personal gear carried by burros (donkeys)

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Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Experience Required

This is a good introductory-level trek. The walk is suitable for regular hill walkers, who do not have previous trekking experience and are able to walk up to 7 hours per day.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCO Travel Advice for Peru on the FCO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless land only.)
• UK airport taxes.
• 2 nights' 3 star hotel accommodation in Lima on a bed & breakfast basis.
• 4 nights' hotel accommodation in Huaraz on a bed & breakfast basis.
• 6 nights' camping on a full-board basis.
• All road transport by private vehicles.
• All meals during the trek.
• All porterage costs.
• All costs for leaders, guides and local helpers.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Lima and Huaraz.
• Optional trips.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Fly to Lima (1,548m) Overnight hotel.
Day 2:	Drive to Huaraz (3,050m) It is an 8-hour drive from sea level desert to Huaraz at over 3,000m. Huaraz is a bustling town with an economy largely based on agriculture and trekking/mountaineering. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Rest day Having come from sea level to 3,050m, it is important to have a rest day today. Overnight hotel.
Day 4:	Start the trek from Santa Cruz to Llanganuco Four hour drive to Cashapampa (2,900m) where we you spend your first night camping.
Day 5:	Cashapampa to Laguna Ichiccocha (3,800m) Trek gradually uphill past lake Jatuncocha, with view of Alpamayo above the Arhuaycocha Gorge (7 hours trekking). Overnight camp.
Day 6:	Laguna Ichiccocha to Taullipampa (4,200m) Trek for 6 hours to base camp used for ascents of Alpamayo (5,947m). Overnight camp.
Day 7:	Cross the pass of Punta Union (4,750m). A hard and demanding day, but with magnificent views of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world. Climb to Laguna Taullicocha (4,500m) then to the Punta Union pass, an artificial passage hewn out of the rocks. Descend to several small lakes and the Huaripampa Valley (7 hours). Overnight Camp.
Day 8:	Quebrada Ranincuray to Morococha Lakes (4,400m) You continue down the Quebrada Hauripampa on the left bank of the river. Cross the river several times before entering the valley of Quebrada Morococha and climbing steadily up towards your campsite for the night (6 hours). Overnight camp.
Day 9:	Morococha Lakes to Quebrada Demanda (3,900m) Walk over the Portachuelo Llanganuco Pass (4,750m) and enter the Llanganuco Valley. Views of the east flank of Huascaran (the highest mountain in Peru) and the Huandoy group (6 hours). Overnight camp.
Day 10:	Descend Llanganuco Valley and return to Huaraz Descend into the Llanganuco Valley. Return drive to Huaraz. Obernight hotel.
Day 11:	Spare day.
Day 12:	Drive to Lima Overnight hotel.
Day 13 - 14:	Fly home

PLEASE NOTE: Please note that this itinerary is a guideline only. Although every effort will be made to adhere to it, unforeseen circumstances may force changes to be made at the last moment. Please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.

Optional Pisco Oeste (5,752m)

For those with ice axe and crampon experience, you can extend your Santa Cruz Trek by three days and make an ascent of Pisco Oeste (5,752m) ñ please contact us for more information and pricing.

Price £300 per person

Photos & Videos

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• Alexandre Buisse" class="cboxElement" data-wallpaper_large="https://jaggedglobe.com/wallpaper_large/4643.jpg?v=3899808804" data-wallpaper="https://jaggedglobe.com/wallpaper/4643.jpg?v=3899808804">
• Why do we climb video by Alexandre Buisse

Reports & Reviews

First Trek: June 2010

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Team Member Reviews

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