Santa Cruz – Llanganuco Trek 4 or 5 Days

Duration:  4 or 5 Days
Rating: Moderate
Best time to go: January to December
Average walking per day: 5 to 7 hours.

This classic four-day Peru trek involves hiking out into the Cordillera Blanca from Huaraz and takes in some of the most spectacular scenery the Andes has to offer. You will be accompanied by an expert English-speaking guide as you set off from Huaraz to the entrance to the Huascaran National Park, where you will be met by your donkeys, donkey-driver and cook. From the base you trek upwards into the National Park,

where your four-day trip will afford you stunning views of Huascaran, Peru's largest peak at 6,768m, and several other beautiful mountains, as well as beautiful valleys and crystal-clear glacial lakes such as Laguna Llanganuco at the completion of the hiking where we'll pass by bus back to Huaraz.

The highest point of the trek is the Punta Union pass at 4750m and so we would recommend some acclimatisation time and at least one day trek before setting off! Itinerary:

ITINERARY

Day A: Arrive Huaraz

Day B: Acclimatisation walk

Day 1: Drive from Huaraz to Cashapampa - 3 hours. Walk up the Santa Cruz Valley, following the river to camp at Llamacorral (3750m) 4 - 5 hours

Day 2: A steady walk up the valley to our camp at Taullipampa (4250m). During the walk up the valley you see Santa Cruz (6259m) and also Alpamayo (5947m) comes into view. We walk past two lakes, first the small Ichiccocha then the larger Jatuncocha. From our camp we have views of more high peaks – Taulliraju, Paria, Artseonraju, Rinrijirca. 5 – 6 hours

Day 3: Optional extra night at Taullipampa. Visit Alpamayo Base Camp, the lake Arhuaycocha, climb Centillo Peak or rest day

Day 4: Climb 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. From the pass descend past two small lakes to camp in the Quebrada Huaripampa.7 hours

Day 5: Walk down the valley Quebrada Huaripampa, then climb up to the settlement of Vaqueria 4 - 5 hours walk. We then take a car over a high pass Portachuelo and down a steep zig zag road to our campsite Yuraccoral near the beautiful lake Llanganuco - 2½ hours by car, then after having lunch we continue straight to Huaraz 2 hours more

Contact: info@peruviantreks.com  for more information and pricing on these Peru treks and hikes