The Santa Cruz circuit is one of the Cordillera Blanca’s and Peru’s most impressive multi-day treks. Situated in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, amongst some of the giant snow-capped peaks and impressive valleys, trekking doesn’t get much better than this. Typically, the trek takes 3-4 nights depending on individual fitness and trekking plans, taking you on a 50km trail that offers spectacular views of the impressive mountain ranges, peaks, and glacial meltwater lakes.
The trek can be completed either way round starting at Cashapampa exiting the valley at Vaqueria. The advantage of staying at Llanganuco Mountain Lodge, is that you save at least 2hrs travel time getting to your entry point if you are coming from Huaraz. You will also be better prepared, as our day treks are an ideal way to get in shape before the multi-day trek and ensure that you are well acclimatised and avoid altitude sickness.
Day 1 – LML / Cashapampa (2900m) / Llamacorral (3760m)
Private transport will take you from the lodge on a 2hr30min ride into the mountains to the valley entrance. After paying your multi-day park permit (S/. 110/person) you will enter the vertiginous valley and make your way upwards alongside the river, passing through the shady woodlands and enjoying the landscapes. After walking for a total of 5 hours, you will notice how the vegetation changes before arriving at the Llamacorral Campsite that has access to water from the river and comfortable flat grass to pitch your tent.
Day 2 – Llamacorral 3760m / Alpamayo Viewpoint (4480m)
Today, continue up the valley passing Lake Jatun Cocha and Lake Ichic Cocha, where the many ducks and Huachas reside enjoying the water and rich vegetation. After several hours more walking, turn off the main valley floor and bear left to head up to get a view of the impressive Alpamayo mountain which is where you will setup camp. Once you have installed yourself and setup your campsite, take with you just the essentials and scramble up to Lake Arhuaycocha and prepare yourself for one of the most incredible glacial lake views surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped peaks.
Day 3 – Alpamayo Viewpoint (4480m) / Paria (3870m)
Wake up early to make the most of crisp morning air and impressive mountains views before setting off to make your way over the highest pass at Punta Union (4750m). After a couple of hours, you will pass Taullipampa before making a final ascent to stand on top of the Punta Union Pass. From here you will have a full panorama of the Santa Cruz Canon, Artesonraju, Taulliraju, Rinrihircas, Chacraraju, Chopicalqui and Pucajircas. This old pre-Colombian trail was used in colonial times for transporting goods from the East side of the Andes. As you descend the other side of the pass and depending on the time of year, several other small lakes will come into sight marking your next campsite at Paria.
Day 4 – Paria (3870m) / Vaqueria (3700m)
On the last day, you will continue to head down the valley admiring the mountains in the background before they fall out of sight and you enter into the Huaripampa Valley. The valley floor begins to open out and flatten making for easy and efficient progress as you pass through the small village and eventually arrive at your exit point in the town of Vaqueria. Here you can enjoy a few cold drinks before your private transport will collect you and take you on an impressive windy return journey over the Portachuelo Pass, passing the Llanganuco Lakes before arriving at the lodge.
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If you would like further info about how you can incorporate this trek into your trekking plan, then please send us an email at hello@llanganucomountainlodge.com
