4-Day Santa Cruz Canyon Trek from Huaraz via Cordillera Blanca

Leave by private bus from Huaraz around 6:30. The road follows the Rio Santa and passes several villages before arriving in the village of Vaqueria.

Cross the Portachuelo Pass, the highest point of the trip at 4,767 m.

Enjoy one of the best views for observing the highest mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. On the way to Vaqueria, stop at the beautiful sister lakes of Llanganuco.

Arrive and load the donkeys with everything except what you wish to carry in your small day pack.

Pass through the small village of Huaripampa.

Hike an easy 3 hours to your first camp at Paria.

Wake up with hot tea in your tent and have breakfast ready around 6:30.

The trail starts ascending towards Punta Union, a pass at 4,750 m. This old trail was heavily used in pre-Columbian and colonial times as a route for transporting goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley.

Enjoy amazing panoramic views down the Santa Cruz Valley to the west, and views of the Huaripampa Valley to the east. The peaks of Santa Cruz, surrounded by Andean vegetation of Quenual, and the snow-capped peaks of Paria, Taulliraju, Artesonraju, and Huaripampa will all come into view. We will see Mt. Taulliraju looming above us and, on the other side, its glacial lake.

See all of Santa Cruz Canon, Alpamayo, Artesonraju, Taulliraju, Rinrihircas, Chacraraju, Chopicalqui, and Pucajircas.

After taking a half-hour break, go down to our next camp at Taullipampa.

Appreciate the following mountains: Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, Alpamayo, Taulliraju, and Rinrijircas.

Pass the lakes Icchicocha, Hatuncocha, and Arhuaycocha. Lake Arhuaycocha boasts one of the most spectacular views in the entire Cordillera Blanca.

After breakfast, trek downhill to the town of Cashapampa, which takes approximately 3 hours.

Notice a steady change in vegetation as we follow the river to Cashapampa.

Go on a 2-3 hour drive back to Huaraz.