The Santa Cruz trek is a 4-day point-to-point hike through Peru's Cordillera Blanca: it starts in Cashapampa, climbs the Santa Cruz valley to Punta Unión pass at 4,750 m (15,580 ft) and descends the Huaripampa valley to Vaquería, where our bus takes you back to Huaraz over the Portachuelo de Llanganuco pass. You spend three nights in a tent, between 3,750 and 4,200 m. The route lies inside Huascarán National Park: you need the 4-to-30-day park ticket (S/ 150 at the general rate, SERNANP 2026), and park rules require trekking through a tourism service provider.
- Duration
- 4 days (3 nights camping)
- Max. altitude
- 4,750 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Departs from
- Huaraz, 7:00 a.m. (private bus)
- Price
- Ask for price
Huascarán National Park rules for the Santa Cruz trek
The Santa Cruz valley lies inside Huascarán National Park. For a 4-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 adventure tourism, including 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
- Cross Punta Unión (4,750 m), the trek's high point, with views of the Taulliraju and Artesonraju glaciers.
- Hike past the Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes with Taulliraju and Alpamayo (5,947 m) in view.
- Three nights camping between 3,750 and 4,200 m, so the altitude builds gradually before the pass.
- On the last day the bus crosses the Portachuelo de Llanganuco pass, facing Huascarán, Huandoy and Chopicalqui.
Itinerary
- Day 1Huaraz – Cashapampa – Llamacorral
We leave at 7:00 a.m. by bus: about 2 hours north to Caraz and 1 more hour to Cashapampa. From there we hike 4 to 5 hours uphill through the Santa Cruz valley to the Llamacorral campsite (3,750 m).
- Day 2Llamacorral – Taullipampa
We start hiking at 7:30 a.m. It is 5 to 6 hours of climbing past the Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes, with Taulliraju, Alpamayo and other peaks in view. Camp at Taullipampa (4,200 m).
- Day 3Taullipampa – Punta Unión – Paria or Huaripampa
We climb to Punta Unión pass (4,750 m), with a panoramic view of the Taulliraju and Artesonraju glaciers and other peaks. Then we descend into the Huaripampa valley to the Paria or Huaripampa campsite (3,750 m).
- Day 4Huaripampa – Vaquería – Huaraz
We hike down the valley and through the village of Huaripampa, then up to the road at Vaquería. The bus crosses the Portachuelo de Llanganuco pass (about 4,750 m), facing Huascarán, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Pisco and Chacraraju, and drives down past the Llanganuco lakes. Vaquería to Huaraz takes 3.5 to 4 hours by bus.
Times and hiking hours from our agency program; group pace and weather can change them. Pass and campsite altitudes from our itinerary.
What's included and not included
What's included
- Bus transport Huaraz – Cashapampa and Vaquería – 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: Cashapampa to Vaquería over Punta Unión
Our program runs the Santa Cruz trek from Cashapampa to Vaquería. The first two days climb the Santa Cruz valley past the Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes, with Taulliraju and Alpamayo in view. On day 3 you cross Punta Unión (4,750 m) and drop into the Huaripampa valley; on day 4 you hike out to Vaquería, where the bus is waiting.
Starting in Cashapampa helps your acclimatization: you sleep at 3,750 m the first night and 4,200 m the second, before the pass, and drop back to 3,750 m on the third. The drive home climbs to the Portachuelo de Llanganuco pass (about 4,750 m), facing Huascarán, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Pisco and Chacraraju, and then runs down past the Llanganuco lakes.
In the upper valley, a side trail leads to Laguna Arhuaycocha (the lake in the main photo) and Alpamayo base camp. On our 6-day Cashapampa–Ulta trek, that side trip is part of day 2.
| Day | Section | Pass | Campsite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huaraz – Cashapampa (bus) – Llamacorral | — | Llamacorral, 3,750 m |
| 2 | Llamacorral – Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes – Taullipampa | — | Taullipampa, 4,200 m |
| 3 | Taullipampa – Punta Unión – Huaripampa valley | Punta Unión, 4,750 m | Paria or Huaripampa, 3,750 m |
| 4 | Huaripampa – Vaquería – Huaraz (bus) | Portachuelo de Llanganuco, about 4,750 m (by bus) | — |
Pass and campsite altitudes: our agency itinerary. Portachuelo de Llanganuco: “about 4,750 m” in the sources we checked. Alpamayo: 5,947 m (Wikipedia; Andina).
How hard is the Santa Cruz trek?
We rate it challenging: you hike 4 to 7 hours a day, climb to 4,750 m on day 3 and spend cold nights in a tent. It involves no technical climbing, and it makes a good first multi-day trek if you already hike in the mountains and arrive acclimatized. Arrieros (muleteers) and their pack animals carry the camp, so you only carry a daypack.
Arrive in Huaraz (about 3,050 m / 10,000 ft) at least 2 or 3 days before the start and do a day hike first, such as Laguna Churup (4,450 m). 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, and the first night of the trek is already at 3,750 m. If you have confusion, shortness of breath at rest or a strong headache that does not ease with rest, the right move is to go down (CDC; Peru's Ministry of Health). The full plan is in our Huaraz acclimatization guide.
Best time for the Santa Cruz 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. The dry season brings more clear days to see Alpamayo and Taulliraju, in exchange for very cold nights at Taullipampa.
In the rainy season expect mud, possible snow on Punta Unión and clouds that often hide the summits.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is the Santa Cruz trek?
Our program takes 4 days and 3 nights camping, from Cashapampa to Vaquería. It leaves Huaraz at 7:00 a.m. on day 1, and the bus brings you back to Huaraz at the end of day 4.
How hard is the Santa Cruz trek?
Challenging, but it is the most accessible of our treks: 4 to 7 hours of hiking a day, a single high pass, Punta Unión (4,750 m / 15,580 ft), and cold nights in a tent. No technical climbing is involved; you need good fitness and 2 or 3 days of acclimatization in Huaraz.
What is the maximum altitude on the Santa Cruz trek?
Punta Unión pass, at 4,750 m (15,580 ft), on day 3. The campsites sit at 3,750 m (Llamacorral and Paria or Huaripampa) and 4,200 m (Taullipampa). On the way back, the bus crosses the Portachuelo de Llanganuco pass at about 4,750 m.
When is the best time to do the Santa Cruz trek?
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 there may be snow on Punta Unión.
How much does the Santa Cruz 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).
Can I do the Santa Cruz trek without a guide?
Huascarán National Park rules (Jefatural Resolution 196-2006-INRENA, art. 7.1) state that trekking inside the park is done through a tourism service provider that is responsible for visitor safety.
Santa Cruz or Huayhuash: which trek should I choose?
If it is your first multi-day trek or you are short on time, choose Santa Cruz: 4 days and one pass at 4,750 m. The Huayhuash trek is a different scale: 8 or 12 days, several passes between 4,620 and 5,000 m and longer days, outside Huascarán National Park. Santa Cruz also works well as a warm-up for Huayhuash. Compare all our routes on the treks page.
