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Santa Cruz Valley Trek (4 days)
This is the most popular trek in the Cordillera Blanca due to the incredible
mountain scenery including snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes and beautiful
meadows. The 50 km hike is not particularly
difficult (rated easy to moderate) so long as you have acclimatized for a few days in
Huaraz. The altitude along the trail ranges from 2900m (Cashapampa) to 4760m
(Punta Union pass). Due to the
large number of trekkers this trail attracts in the peak season there are now
established campsites and pit toilets at regular intervals along the route.
You can walk the trail in both directions
starting at either Cashapampa (2 hours by bus from Caraz) or at Vaqueria (2½
hours by bus from Carhuaz).
If you are doing the trek with a tour
operator it makes very little difference where you start, but independent
travellers
may prefer to commence at Vaqueria since there is a daily bus from Huaraz
allowing sufficient time to trek to the campsite on the first day and get a
good start on the high pass the following day. At the end of the trek you can
catch one of the early afternoon buses out of Cashapampa.
Santa Cruz Trek Maps
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Typical Trek
Itinerary
Day 1: Bus from
Huaraz to Cashapampa 2800m (4 hours). Hike uphill through the Santa Cruz river
canyon to camp at Llamacorral 3750m (5 hours).
Day 2: An easier day hiking in a wide, open valley to Taullipampa 4250m. (4
hours).
Day 3: Climb steadily up for 2 to 3 hours to the pass Punta Union 4750m then
descend to camp in a secluded valley away from the main trail at Paria 3850m. (7
hours).
Day 4: Follow easily down the valley Quebrada Huaripampa passing through farming
settlements and villages, and then a short climb to the road end at Vaqueria (5
hours). Bus over the pass Portuchuelo 4767m, passing the famous Llangunuco
Lakes. Return to Huaraz.
Additional
Information
South American
Explorers have
produced a good map of the route which can be bought at their office in Lima or
Cusco.
Hilary Bradt (Backpacking and Trekking in
Peru and Bolivia) 7th Edition, also has a good description of the route as well
as many others in the Cordillera Blanca. Lonely Planet have also produced a
guidebook "Trekking in the Central Andes" - The best treks in Peru, Ecuador &
Bolivia which has detailed information and maps of the Santa Cruz trek (highly
recommended)
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