4 days / 3 nights
Cordillera Blanca
May to October
Moderate
4750m
The Santa Cruz Llanganuco trekking tour is the most well-known and classic hike in the Cordillera Blanca. With its stunning beauty, it is ideal for those who wish to enjoy the mountains without investing too much time or who only have a few days available.
This hike allows you to admire numerous mountains over 6000 meters high and enjoy magnificent sunsets that will leave unforgettable memories.
Day 1: Huaraz – Vaquería (3700 m) – Paria (3800 m)
We will pick you up at your hotel at 6:00 a.m. and travel to Yungay, where we will take the detour to Huascarán National Park. Along the way, we will pass by the Llanganuco Lagoons, where the vehicle will stop for photos.
Before crossing the pass, we will stop to photograph the panoramic view of the ravine. After a long descent, we will reach Vaquería, where our muleteers will be waiting with their donkeys to carry our backpacks.
Today, we will hike to Paria campsite (3800 m), in a journey of approximately 4-5 hours, arriving at the camping area between 4 and 5 p.m. Upon arrival, we will find that the donkeys and muleteers, swift and strong, have already set up camp and will be waiting with tea and mate.
Before nightfall, you and the guide will plant a local sapling at the first campsite as a symbol of your visit and environmental support.
- Car transport: 4 1/2 hours
- Hiking: 4-5 hours
Day 2: Paria – Punta Unión (4750 m) – Taullipampa (4250 m)
From Paria, we will hike a long zigzag path for approximately 4 hours to the highest point of the trek, Punta Unión, at 4750 meters above sea level. Then, we will descend to the second campsite, Taullipampa (4250 m), surrounded by mountains such as Taulliraju, Artesonraju, Alpamayo, and Pukajirca Sur.
- Hiking: 7 hours
Day 3: Taullipampa – Alpamayo Viewpoint – Llamacorral (3750 m)
On the third day, we will follow a horizontal path to the Alpamayo Mountain viewpoint. Then, we will hike to a lagoon called Arhuaycocha, located just below the Pukajirca massif. After that, we will descend along the ravine, passing by the largest lagoon of the Santa Cruz trek, Jatuncocha. We will continue until we reach the campsite at Llamacorral around 3 p.m.
- Hiking: 5 hours
Day 4: Llamacorral – Cashapampa (2900 m) – Huaraz
We will hike for 3 hours to the village of Cashapampa, where our transport will be waiting to return to Huaraz. Before returning to Huaraz, we will take the opportunity to share with local residents and donate clothing, school supplies, food, or medicine.
- Car transport: 3 hours
- Hiking: 3 hours
Included
- Transport.
- Tour guide.
- All camping and cooking equipment (sleeping tent, dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment) carried by donkeys.
- Pack donkeys for your personal luggage allowance (4 kg in group and 8 kg in private).
- Trek cook.
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners (Vegetarian menus available at no extra cost).
- Wake-up tea.
- Pre-dinner snack.
- Daily trail snacks.
- Entrance tickets to Huascarán National Park.
- Medical kit.
Not included
- Accommodation.
- Sleeping bag.
- Trekking poles.
- First breakfast and last dinner in Huaraz.
- Travel, personal, and/or medical insurance.
- Personal clothing and equipment.
- Tips for our staff.
Recommended equipment
- Entrance fees
- Food and beverages
- Additional services not mentioned in the includes.
Recomendations
- Entrance fees
- Food and beverages
- Additional services not mentioned in the includes.
