7 Days
Daily Tour
8 people
English
Combine 4 days of trekking the famous Santa Cruz Llanganuco circuit with Mt. Pisco climb. Join us on this guided, 7-day trip and enjoy travelling through the Cordillera Blanca. Thus; start your journey from Huaraz, where your driver will come to pick you up at your hotel or accommodation.
Departures from Huaraz, an adventure town where you can check your gear and pick up snacks for your ride to the trailhead near Vaqueria (12,139 ft / 3700 m) or Cashapampa (9514 ft / 2900 m). Peru’s Cordillera Blanca is one of the most concentrated collections of big peaks in the Western Hemisphere, with 33 summits topping 5,400 meters (18,000 feet).
One of the most popular ways to discover this mountain range is to hike the Santa Cruz Trek, considered by many trekkers as one of the best hiking routes in the world. This 50km (31 mile) trail takes you through open mountain valleys, passing high mountain nevadas; along glacial rivers and the shores of translucent & bright lagunas.
The highest point along this 27 mile (43 km) walk is Punta Union Pass (15,616 ft / 4760 m). If you have more time to spend in the wilderness, there are a few side treks you can make, extending the trip to a week or more. Camping out on this route is spectacular, and can be trekked without any technical knowledge required. For beginners at high altitude this is a perfect trek to embark on in the Huaraz region.
Cross the Punta Union Pass and climb Mt. Pisco.
Don’t be nervous if you are not a professional climber. This is an achievable climb for anyone who is well acclimatised and in good physical condition. It is a suitable climb for beginners (with some climbing experience) and a rewarding experience for professional climbers.
We will drive back to Huaraz at the end of the expedition.
Suggested Packing
Hiking Boots
Trekking socks (synthetic fibers)
Sun hat
Hat for cold weather (fleece)
microfiber shirts and thermal
Fleece
Trekking pants
Sunglasses
Day Backpack or advance 40 liters
Waterproof Jacket (Gore-Tex or other)
Waterproof Pant (Gore-Tex or other)
Waterproof Layer
Water Bottle
Headlamp (with extra batteries and bulbs)
Sunscreen (lips and skin)
Personal First Aid Kit
Photographic Material
Washbag and towel
Sandals
Trekking Poles
Start at 7:30 a.m in the morning. Drive for 3 hours to reach Cashapampa, the beginning point of the trek. Today, you will be trekking through the narrow valley of Santa Cruz.
Walking distance: 9.2km
Highest altitude: 3760m
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy your breakfast at 7:00 am and get started. Your destination for today is a campsite located at an altitude of 4250 m. Take a detour 2km before the campsite and head for Alpamayo Base Camp to see the famous, 6,000m high mountain. Also see Lake Arhuaycocha before heading for your campsite.
Walking distance: 14km
Highest altitude: 4,250m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Camp
Cross the Punta Union Pass (4750m). Enjoy amazing views of the valley of Santa Cruz on the one side and the Huaripampa Valley on the other.
Walking distance: 13km
Highest altitude: 4,750m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Camp
Reach the Huaripampa Village before heading for Vaqueria. Keep walking until you reach your campsite.
Walking distance: 10km
Highest altitude: 4,300m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camp
Reach the Portachuelo Pass (4768m). Enjoy amazing views of the mountains in the Cordillera Blanca Range. See the mighty Huascaran, the highest mountain of Peru, up close. Descend to your campsite located at an altitude of 3,900 meters.
Highest altitude: 4,768m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Camp
Have your breakfast and start trekking to Pisco Base Camp. Please note that this is a steep, 6km climb that lasts for 3- 4 hours.
Walking distance: 6km
Highest altitude: 4,500m
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Camp
Wake up at around 1:00 a.m and, after a very light breakfast, prepare for the ascend. Walk over a moriane for approximately 2 .5 hours before traversing a glacier. Reach the summit at 5:00 am and watch the sun rise from the mountains. See Huandoy, Huascaran, Chopicalqui, Chacraraju, Alpamayo and Arteson mountains. Follow the trail down the mountain. Trek all the way down to Cebollapampa, from where you will be transferred back to Huaraz by a vehicle.
Highest altitude: 5,760m
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Member Since 2022
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