The Cashapampa–Ulta trek is a 6-day extension of the Santa Cruz trek: the first three days climb the Santa Cruz valley and cross Punta Unión (4,750 m); then the route passes through the village of Colcabamba, climbs to Punta Yanayacu pass at 4,850 m (15,910 ft), its high point, and finishes in the Ulta valley, close to Huascarán. It is a moderate-to-hard trek for hikers who already have some experience at altitude. The whole route lies inside Huascarán National Park: you need the 4-to-30-day park ticket (S/ 150 at the general rate, SERNANP 2026).
- Duration
- 6 days (5 nights camping)
- Max. altitude
- 4,850 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Departs from
- Huaraz, morning departure (private bus)
- Price
- Ask for price
Huascarán National Park rules for the Cashapampa–Ulta trek
The Santa Cruz, Huaripampa and Ulta valleys lie inside Huascarán National Park. For a 6-day trek you need the 4-to-30-day ticket: S/ 150 at the general rate for foreign visitors and S/ 75 for Peruvian adults (SERNANP, 2026). Children under 5 enter free.
The park's Tourism and Recreation Regulations (Jefatural Resolution 196-2006-INRENA, art. 7.1) state that trekking is done through a tourism service provider that is responsible for visitor safety. You must also register at the control post, stay on marked trails and leave no trash.
Highlights
- Two high passes: Punta Unión (4,750 m) and Punta Yanayacu (4,850 m), with views of Contrahierba and Huascarán.
- A side trip to Alpamayo base camp on day 2, after the Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes.
- You leave the classic Santa Cruz route: through the village of Colcabamba and down the Ulta valley.
- Good preparation if you plan to climb a peak afterward: six straight days of hiking at altitude.
Itinerary
- Day 1Huaraz – Cashapampa – Llamacorral
We drive north by bus, via Caraz, to Cashapampa. From there we hike 5 to 6 hours up the Santa Cruz valley to the Llamacorral campsite (3,750 m).
- Day 2Llamacorral – Alpamayo base camp – Taullipampa
About 2 hours of hiking to the Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes. Then roughly 1 hour of climbing to Alpamayo base camp, with views of Alpamayo, Quitaraju and the south side of Artesonraju, Parón and La Aguja. Camp at Taullipampa (4,200 m).
- Day 3Taullipampa – Punta Unión – Cachinapampa
About 4 hours of climbing to Punta Unión (4,750 m), where we stop for lunch with views of the nearby peaks and turquoise lakes. Then about 3 hours down to the Cachinapampa campsite (3,800 m) in the Huaripampa valley.
- Day 4Huaripampa – Colcabamba – Molinopampa
About 2 hours to the village of Colcabamba, where we stop for lunch. Then we keep climbing to the Molinopampa campsite (3,600 m).
- Day 5Molinopampa – Punta Yanayacu – Laguna Yanayacu
About 3 hours of climbing to Punta Yanayacu pass (4,850 m), the high point of the trek, with views of Contrahierba, Huascarán and other peaks. Then about 3 hours to camp by Laguna Yanayacu (4,500 m).
- Day 6Laguna Yanayacu – Ulta valley – Huaraz
The final stretch on foot: we hike down the Ulta valley to meet the bus and drive back to Huaraz.
Hiking times from our agency program; group pace and weather can change them. Pass and campsite altitudes from our itinerary. The departure time from Huaraz is confirmed when you book.
What's included and not included
What's included
- Bus transport Huaraz – Cashapampa and Ulta valley – Huaraz
- Guide for the whole trek
- Cook
- Arrieros (muleteers) and pack animals
- Camping equipment
Not included
- Huascarán National Park 4-to-30-day ticket (SERNANP, 2026): S/ 150 general rate (S/ 75 for Peruvian adults)
- Travel insurance: we recommend a policy that covers mountain rescue and evacuation
What to bring
- Sleeping bag rated below freezing
- Broken-in hiking boots with good grip
- Layers: thermal base layer, fleece and a down jacket
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Warm hat, gloves, neck gaiter and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Water bottles and purification tablets or a filter
- Trekking poles
- Daypack of 25 to 35 liters
- Passport for registration at the park control post
- Your personal medication (acetazolamide only with a prescription, as Peru's Ministry of Health advises)
More information
The route: from the Santa Cruz valley to the Ulta valley
The first three days follow the Santa Cruz trek: Cashapampa to Llamacorral, the Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes, a side trip to Alpamayo base camp with views of Alpamayo, Quitaraju and the south side of Artesonraju, Parón and La Aguja, and the crossing of Punta Unión (4,750 m) into the Huaripampa valley.
Instead of hiking out to Vaquería, on day 4 we walk to the village of Colcabamba and climb to the Molinopampa campsite (3,600 m). On day 5 we cross Punta Yanayacu (4,850 m), the highest pass of the trek, and camp by Laguna Yanayacu (4,500 m). On day 6 we descend the Ulta valley and drive back to Huaraz.
| Day | Section | Pass | Campsite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huaraz – Cashapampa (bus) – Llamacorral | — | Llamacorral, 3,750 m |
| 2 | Llamacorral – Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes – Alpamayo base camp – Taullipampa | — | Taullipampa, 4,200 m |
| 3 | Taullipampa – Punta Unión – Huaripampa valley | Punta Unión, 4,750 m | Cachinapampa, 3,800 m |
| 4 | Huaripampa – Colcabamba – Molinopampa | — | Molinopampa, 3,600 m |
| 5 | Molinopampa – Punta Yanayacu – Laguna Yanayacu | Punta Yanayacu, 4,850 m | Laguna Yanayacu, 4,500 m |
| 6 | Laguna Yanayacu – Ulta valley – Huaraz (bus) | — | — |
Pass and campsite altitudes: our agency itinerary. Huascarán Sur: 6,768 m (SERNANP; UNESCO).
How hard is it? A moderate-to-hard trek
We rate it moderate to hard: six days in a row, two passes above 4,700 m and days of up to 7 hours on the trail (on day 3, about 4 hours up to Punta Unión and 3 down; on day 5, 3 hours to Punta Yanayacu and 3 more to camp). It involves no technical climbing. It suits hikers with some experience at altitude who want a shorter trek than Huayhuash or Alpamayo, or a warm-up before a climbing expedition.
Arrive in Huaraz (about 3,050 m / 10,000 ft) at least 3 days before the start and do a day hike first, such as Laguna Churup. The CDC recommends that, above 2,750 m (9,000 ft), you raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m (1,600 ft) per day. If you have confusion, shortness of breath at rest or a strong headache that does not ease, the right move is to go down (CDC; Peru's Ministry of Health). See our Huaraz acclimatization guide.
Best time for the Cashapampa–Ulta trek
SERNANP recommends visiting Huascarán National Park from May to October: the dry season runs from May to September or October, and the rainy season from October to April. We recommend the dry season: drier passes and more clear days to see Huascarán from Punta Yanayacu, in exchange for very cold nights at the high camps.
In the rainy season there may be snow on Punta Unión and Punta Yanayacu, and clouds often hide the summits.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from the Santa Cruz trek?
The first three days are almost the same, with a side trip to Alpamayo base camp on day 2. Instead of hiking out to Vaquería, the Cashapampa–Ulta trek continues via Colcabamba, crosses Punta Yanayacu (4,850 m) and ends in the Ulta valley: 6 days instead of 4, and two high passes instead of one.
How hard is the Cashapampa–Ulta trek?
Moderate to hard: six days in a row, two passes above 4,700 m and days of up to 7 hours. No technical climbing is involved, but you need experience hiking at altitude and about 3 days of acclimatization in Huaraz.
What is the highest point of the trek?
Punta Yanayacu pass, at 4,850 m (15,910 ft), on day 5. The other high pass is Punta Unión (4,750 m) on day 3. The highest campsite is by Laguna Yanayacu, at 4,500 m.
How much does the Cashapampa–Ulta trek cost?
It depends on group size, dates and what the service includes: message us on WhatsApp and we will send you the price and the details. The Huascarán National Park 4-to-30-day ticket is paid separately: S/ 150 at the general rate (SERNANP, 2026).
When is the best time to do it?
In the dry season, from May to September or October; SERNANP recommends visiting the park from May to October. From October to April it rains, and the passes may have snow.
Is it good preparation for climbing a peak?
Yes: it is six days of hiking at altitude, with two passes above 4,700 m. If you want to climb a Cordillera Blanca peak afterward, see our climbing trips from Huaraz.
Cashapampa–Ulta or Alpamayo?
The Cashapampa–Ulta trek takes 6 days and has two high passes. The Alpamayo trek takes 10 or 12 days, crosses seven or eight passes between 4,360 and 4,800 m and is very demanding: choose it if you have already done long treks at altitude.
