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If you want towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and high-altitude adventure without the 10-day commitment of Huayhuash Circuit Trek, the Santa Cruz Trek is your perfect trail.
Winding through the heart of the Cordillera Blanca and Huascarán National Park, this 4-day trek delivers some of the best alpine scenery in Peru, without needing to be a mountaineer.
You’ll hike through glacier-carved valleys, cross the dramatic Punta Unión Pass (4,750m), and camp under star-filled skies beneath peaks like Alpamayo, Taulliraju, and Artesonraju (allegedly the Paramount Pictures mountain).
It’s a classic for a reason: short enough to fit in a week, beautiful enough to stay with you forever.
What’s Included:
- Private transport from Huaraz to trailhead and back
- Local mountain guide (English/Spanish)
- Donkey support for gear and camp setup
- All meals during the trek
- Tents and sleeping gear
- Park entry fees for Huascarán National Park
- First aid kit and emergency communication
4-Day Santa Cruz Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz → Vaquería → Paria Camp
Drive through mountain villages and over Portachuelo Pass (4,767m) with panoramic views of Huascarán, Chopicalqui, and Llanganuco Lakes. Begin hiking at Vaquería and trek 4–5 hours up the Paria Valley to camp (3,800m).
Day 2: Paria → Punta Unión Pass → Taullipampa
Big day! Climb steadily to Punta Unión Pass (4,750m) with jaw-dropping views of Taulliraju, Santa Cruz Valley, and hanging glaciers. Descend to Taullipampa Camp (4,250m)—one of the most scenic campsites in Peru.
Day 3: Taullipampa → Llamacorral
Pass Artesoncocha Lake and catch iconic views of Alpamayo, often called the “most beautiful mountain in the world.” Descend through the dramatic Santa Cruz Valley past waterfalls and meadows. Camp at Llamacorral (3,760m).
Day 4: Llamacorral → Cashapampa → Huaraz
Easy 3–4 hour downhill hike through a canyon with cactus, river crossings, and changing landscapes. Reach Cashapampa, then drive back to Huaraz in time for a hot shower and a cold beer.
Why People Love The Santa Cruz Trek:
- Incredible mountain views in a short timeframe
- Great acclimatization for climbers or longer treks
- Less remote than Huayhuash, with easier logistics
- Runs inside Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Who Is This Trek For?
This 4-day trek is great for first-timers in the Andes or travellers acclimatizing for bigger climbs. Great for solo travellers, couples, and groups who want a scenic trek with support and no technical climbing. Ideal if you’re short on time but big on nature.
Santa Cruz Trek Pricing (2025)
Group Tours (4 Days):
Price Range: $165–$350 USD per person
What’s Included: Transport from Huaraz, guide, meals, camping gear, donkeys for gear, cook, and camping logistics
Not Included: Huascarán National Park entrance fee (S/150 or ~$40 USD for international visitors)Denomades
Private Tours:
Solo traveller: $950 USD
2 people: $535 USD per person
4 people: $415 USD per person
6 people: $365 USD per person
Includes: All group tour services, plus private guide and flexible itinerary
Optional Add-Ons:
Sleeping bag rental: $30–$50 USD
Walking poles: $10–$15 USD
Single tent supplement: $30 USD
Acclimatization day hikes (e.g., Laguna 69): $60 USD
Tips for Booking:
Best Season: May to October (dry season)
Acclimatization: Spend at least 1–2 days in Huaraz before the trek
Booking: Reserve early for group departures or coordinate with friends for a private tour
Location
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Added By Kyle Pearce
I started Nature Retreats to spotlight ecolodges, retreat centers and ecotourism projects following sustainable tourism practices that benefit local communities and protect fragile biodiversity.
I have been running mindful hiking retreats for the last 7 years that integrate mindful awareness, experiential learning and community building practices.
I have been an experiential learning designer for over a decade through my company DIY Genius, which helps creative people productize their expertise.
MattpackCa HK
7 months agoWarning for people who want to hike the Santa Cruz trail. If you are doing the hike on your own and try to get a taxi from Yungay to the starting point, please don’t take a Taxi, the taxi driver will scam you. Take a Colectivo jnstead, it is cheaper and safer. Taxi driver would only take you to Laguna 69 and won’t go further than that even though the promised to take you to the trailhead, you may end up paying double for the ride and still not getting to the trailhead. Be aware!! ( we asked about this and this happened many times to different hikers) Anyway, the hike is amazing.
Jeremy Morgan
2 years agoThe trek was hard but good fun! Watch out for the cows… they will eat your soap 🧼
Rick Creemers
8 years agoGot all the help I needed when I came in with food poisoning! Super place!
Pau Sisternas Mestre
7 years agoAmazing
Lau Peralta
4 months agoBeautiful!! It's worth every step to do it!! One of the best treks I've ever done! I did it in 4 days and 3 nights, I know that some do it in one day less, but I preferred to enjoy more! The first day is calm until the first camp, but the second day does have a fairly steep climb. Then the rest of the days it's practically all downhill. To get to the town I took a bus at the Yungay bus stop. It cost me 30 soles, but they are not punctual and leave when they are full, so you have to go with the idea of not meeting the schedule to start the trek! When you finish, the shuttles run until 4 pm!!