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Santa Cruz trekking (6 days/5 nights)

A popular shorter trek in the Cordillera Blanca. Its popularity is due to the spectacular mountain views, crystal blue lakes and the challenging pass Punta Union at altitude 4750m. An amazing variety of scenery.

Description Santa Cruz trekking

Day 1 : Huaraz - Cashapampa

Drive from Huaraz to the village of Cashapampa (2900m) - 3 hours. Approaching Cashapampa we have our first view of Santa Cruz, the huge pyramid shaped mountain that gives the trekking circuit it’s name. Walk up the Santa Cruz Valley, following the river. The first 2 hours we are in a steep sided river gorge, and then the valley opens out to grassland. We camp near the river at Cashapampa (3750m)  

Day 2 : Cashapampa - Taullipampa

An easy walk up the open valley to our camp at Taullipampa (4250m). During the walk up the valley the twin peaks Quitaraju and the famous Alpamayo  come into view. We walk past two lakes, first the small Ichiccocha then the larger Jatuncocha. Our camp is situated almost at the base of the beautiful mountainTaulliraju and we are also surrounded by others -  Paria, Artseonraju, Rinrijirca, Quitaraju and Alpamayo.

There is time on the walk to camp to take a diversion and climb for 40 minutes on a zig zag track to visit Alpamayo Base Camp.

Day 3 : Taullipampa - pass of Punta Union

Climb for around 2½ hours on a good path to the pass of Punta Union (4750m) from where there are very close  views of the surrounding mountains. We also look back down the Santa Cruz Valley  from where we have walked and can see Lake Jutuncocha in the distance.  From the pass descend past two small lakes to camp on a flat plateau away from the main trail in the Valley Paria (3900m).    

Day 4 : pass of Punta Union - Colcabamba - Molino Pampa

We follow the main Punta Union trail down the valley passing through intensive farmland to the village of Colcabamba. On the way we will meet many local children. Then climb steadily for about 1 hour to another village Challhua before traversing easily to our campsite at Molino Pampa in the narrow valley  Quebrada Keshu (3600m). 

Day 5 : Molino Pampa - Quenual forest - Avalanche Campsite

A steady climb up the Quebrada Keshu, first passing through ancient Quenual forest. The last hour we take a high zig zag path up to  a high campsite perched on a small plateau on the side of the mountain called Avalanche Campsite at 4650m. Directly across the valley from our camp is the long snow covered mountain range of  Contrahierbas (6037m) . There are frequent  avalanches from the glaciers of Contrahierbas  crashing into the lake below and we spend the afternoon resting and avalanche watching.  

Day 6 : Avalanche Campsite - pass Punta Yanayacu - Huaraz

Our last and most spectacular pass Punta Yanayacu (4850m) – a 1½ to 2 hour climb to the pass from camp. The pass is  a narrow ledge from  where we have close views of Nevada Chopicalqui, then the path is a  zig zag down to the valley below. We walk past lakes and again are surrounded by snowcapped peaks, the highest being Huascarán. We finish the trek in the beautiful valley Quebrada Ulta, where the bus will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz.

Explanation

Acclimatisation:

We do recommend that you arrive in Huaraz at least 2 days before the trek departs to help you become acclimatised to the altitude.

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We advise you to bring:

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