4-Day Santa Cruz Valley Hike from Huaraz via Punta Union Pass

• Start the tour after meeting the Huaraz tour guide.

• After breakfast at the hotel in Huaraz (3,100 m / 10,170 ft), drive along the Callejon de Huaylas to Caraz town.

• Then, take the east side to reach Cashapampa village (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) and begin hiking up along the Santa Cruz Valley, enjoying the beauty of nature all the way to Llamacorral (3,760 m / 12,335 ft), the first campsite.

Driving time: 3 hours

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight in tents.

Meals Included: Snacks, lunch, afternoon hot drinks, and dinner.

• After breakfast, start hiking along the Santa Cruz Valley and reach Ichiqcocha Lake (Small Lake).

• Spot some wild birds such as Andean geese, wild ducks, and others.

• Next, arrive at Jatuncocha Lake (Big Lake), with the beautiful Quitaraju Mountain in the background.

• After arriving in Quisuarpampa, hike up on a zig-zag path to reach a viewpoint of stunning peaks such as Artesonraju, Pucajirca, Caraz, and the twin mountains Alpamayo and Quitaraju.

• Continue to Arhuaycocha Lake (4,330 m / 14,206 ft), passing through Alpamayo Base Camp, and then proceed to the next campsite at Taullipampa (4,250 m / 13,943 ft).

Trekking time: 6 ½ - 7 hours

Overnight in tents.

Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon hot drinks, and dinner.

• Begin the day at Taullipampa Campsite with an amazing view.

• After breakfast, start hiking up to Punta Union Pass (4,750 m / 15,583 ft), which takes about 3 hours to reach. Punta Union Pass offers one of the stunning views on the Cordillera Blanca trail.

• Enjoy views of beautiful mountains such as Taulliraju, Quitaraju, Alpamayo, Artesonraju, and more.

• Afterwards, start descending along Huaripampa Valley for around 5 hours to reach the last campsite at Cachinapampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft).

Trekking time: 8 ½ - 9 hours round-trip

Overnight in tents.

Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon hot drinks, and dinner.

• After breakfast at the last campsite, start hiking down along Huaripampa Valley, passing through some small villages.

• On the way, meet locals who greet you and ask for candies.

• After two and a half hours, arrive at Vaqueria (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), where the driver will be waiting to take you back to Huaraz, passing by the viewpoint of Portachuelo Pass (4,767 m / 15,639 ft). It is a beautiful spot for admiring views of Huascaran, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, and more peaks.

• Continue by minivan, passing the Llanganuco Lakes - Chinancocha and Orconcocha - meaning female and male lakes.

• After hours of driving, arrive in Huaraz and transfer to your hotel.

Trekking time: 4 - 5 hours

Driving time: 3 ½ - 4 hours.

Overnight in a hotel in Huaraz.

Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, and lunch.