6-Hour Hiking Tour to Wilcacocha Lake from Huaraz via Santa Cruz

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Start hiking from Santa Cruz Village
• 02 Meet local people in their traditional colourful Andean clothes
• 03 Take in views of the Cordillera Blanca and the impressive Huascaran massif
• 04 Reach Wilcacocha Lake after an uphill hike through adobe houses and farmlands

Hike to Wilcacocha Lake near Huaraz for panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca. Journey through charming villages and observe local life in traditional colourful Andean clothes. Ascend for about an hour past typical adobe houses and farming fields, then reach the lake to marvel at the majestic Huascaran massif, the highest peak in the Cordillera Blanca.

Ascend for about an hour past typical adobe houses and farming fields, then reach the lake to marvel at the majestic Huascaran massif, the highest peak in the Cordillera Blanca.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Huaraz, Huascarán National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Hike from Santa Cruz Village to Wilcacocha Lake

• Drive to Chiwipampa on the south side of Huaraz.

• Cross the Santa River by a small bridge in the direction of Santa Cruz Village, where you will begin hiking up to Wilcacocha Lake.

• Hike uphill for about an hour and, along the way, meet local people wearing their traditional colourful Andean clothes.

• Pass by typical Peruvian adobe houses and vast farming fields where wheat, barley, oats, corn, potatoes, and other products are cultivated.

• Wonder at the view of the Cordillera Blanca and the notoriously impressive Huascaran massif, the highest peak in the Cordillera Blanca, upon reaching the lake.

Get dropped off at your hotel after the hike has ended.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Air-conditioned transport

• English-speaking Peru guide

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off

• Personal assistance

What's Not Included

• Community entrance fees

• Food and beverages

• Additional transfers outside the itinerary

• Tips and gratuities

• Other expenditure

Know before you go

• After reservation, please stay in touch for last-minute details.

• There is an alternative trail to cross to the north side towards the Cordillera Negra and get to Huascar village, where the car will wait for the return to Huaraz. You can thus avoid taking the same trail back to Huaraz, or you can return the same way if you prefer.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Huaraz, Peru

Tour start

Huaraz, Peru

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.