Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging
Start/End Point: Huaraz
Price: From $450 USD
Overview:
If you are looking for an incredible 3-4 day trekking adventure in the North of Peru, this is it! The Santa Cruz Trek leads through two valleys connected by a 4750-meter pass in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca. Wildflower meadows with streams and herds of Lamas, mountain lakes, massive glaciers and sweeping views of incredible peaks, among them Alpamayo (called by some the most beautiful mountains in the world) and Artesonraju (the famous mountain in the Paramount Logo) – the Santa Cruz Trek has it all in just one trek.
What do you expect on the trek with FSE team?
- English speaking Guide
- Comfortable tent
- 3 meals per day
- Comforter+ Pad
- Andean Happy hour every afternoon(tea+popcorn)
- Hot water for hands and face in the mornings
- Rain plastic ponchos + backpack cover
PRICE
2 Trekkers (Private): $750 USD per person
3+ Trekkers: $450 USD per person
Only your $200 non-refundable deposit is due to reserve your space! Final payments are due 30 days before your trek.
Includes:
✓ Transportation from end to end in Huaraz
✓ English speaking guide
✓ All meals as listed (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners) + (can accommodate dietary restrictions with proper notice)
✓ One Duffle bag per clients for items to be carried by porters (up to 22lbs/10kilos per person).
✓ Clean water for drinking provided at every meal stop + daily Snack.
✓ 3 nights camping in the wilderness.
✓ All entrance fees and permits (permits for Huascaran national park)
✓ Camping equipment (dining-kitchen tents, tents – 2 people/tent) (single occupancy available for additional charge)
✓ Professional Chef
✓ Pack animals to carry duffle + equipment (horse)
✓Emergency horse available for anyone who needs to take a break from hiking due to illness or injury
✓ Sleeping Mattress
✓ Basic First aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
Does not include:
X Gratuity for staff (Guide, chef, porters, horsemens)
X Accommodation in Huaraz or Lima
X Airfare & transportation from Lima to Huaraz
X Travel insurance
X Dinner Day 4
X Walking sticks (available for rent for $20)
X Sleeping Bag (can be rented for $30)
X Private Tent ($30) – optional
X Sales Tax
Full Itinerary
DAY 1: Day 1: Huaraz → Vaquería (3700m / 12,139 ft) Paria Camp (3,800m/12,467ft)
- Drive: Early morning van from Huaraz to Vaquería (around 5 hours).
- Trek: Hike through the lush Huaripampa Valley. You’ll pass small villages, fields, and forests before entering the mountains.
- Camp: Paria (around 3,800 m /12,467ft).
- Distance: 10 km /6.5 ml | 5 hours.
- Highlights: Traditional Andean villages, riverside meadows, first mountain views.
DAY 2: Paria (3,800m/12,467ft) – Punta Unión Pass (4750m / 15,584 ft) – Taullipampa (4,250 m / 13,944 ft)
- Trek: Long ascent to Punta Unión Pass (4,750 m), the highest point of the trek. From here you’ll see dramatic views of peaks like Taulliraju, Artesonraju (the “Paramount Pictures” peak), and Alpamayo.
- Descent: Hike down into the Santa Cruz Valley.
- Camp: Taullipampa (around (4,250 m / 13,944 ft)
- Distance: 13 km/8 ml | 6–8 hours.
- Highlights: Sweeping alpine scenery, turquoise lakes, towering snow peaks.
:
DAY 3: Taullipampa (4,250 m / 13,944 ft) – Arhuaycocha – Llamacorral campsite (3,760m / 12,335 ft)
- Optional detour: Side hike to Arhuaycocha Lake (4,450 m) for one of the best views of Alpamayo.
- Main trek: Descend gradually along the Santa Cruz Valley, passing turquoise lakes Jatuncocha and Ichiccocha.
- Camp: Llamacorral (around 3,760 m/12,335 ft).
- Distance: 12–14 km/ 7.4 — 8.6 ml (longer if including Arhuaycocha) | 5-7 hours.
- Highlights: Reflections of mountains in glacial lakes, Alpamayo viewpoint.
DAY – 4: Llamacorral (3,760m / 12,335 ft) — Cashapampa (2,900m/ 9,514 ft) – Back to Huaraz
- Trek: Descend the Santa Cruz Valley through a narrowing canyon until reaching Cashapampa (2,900 m/9,514 ft).
- Return: Private transport – back to Huaraz (3 hours).
- Distance: 10 km/ 6.5ml | 4 hours.
- Highlights: Dramatic valley exit, warmer climate, transition from alpine to farmland.
Here is why YOU should go with First Step Expeditions a local travel company:
- Expert Local Guides & the famous Red Army (horsemen)
- Top Quality camping Gear.
- Gourmet Meals on the trail.
- Commitment to Staff Welfare.
- Commitment to Sustainability.
- 5 Star Reviews on TripAdvisor from hikers worldwide.
UP COMING GROUPS–2026 SEASON-($450USD)
Please contact us at info@firststepexpeditions.com for more details!
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