Santa Cruz to Llanganuco Trek - 4* & 5* Peru Adventure Tours

DAY 1: Huaraz - Cashapampa - Llamacorral

Leaving Huaraz city heading to the north of the Callejon de Huaylas we descend by a road to Caraz (2300 m/7546 ft), then from this place we begin to ascend towards the Cordillera Blanca to the small town of Cashapampa (2900 m/9514 ft), where we meet up with our mountain staff: guides, cooks, muleteers, etc. and begin the walk having loaded up our donkeys. We begin the trek heading up the Santa Cruz valley to set up our first camp in Llamacorral

DAY 2: Llamacorral - Taullipampa

We continue the trek up Santa Cruz's wide valley, passing Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes; we arrive at Quisuar where we can make a diversion towards Alpamayo base camp via the Arhuaycocha valley, with splendid views of the peaks of Quitaraju (6040 m/19816 ft), Alpamayo (5947 m/19511 ft), Artezonraju (6025 m/19767 ft) and others. Tonight we camp in Taullipampa (4000 m/13123 ft) at the foot of the impressive Taulliraju peak (5830 m/19127 ft) and surrounded by snow peaks.

DAY 3: Taullipampa - Tuctupampa

Today we cross our first pass, the Punta Union (4780 m/15682 ft), the Continental Divide, from which there are some excellent views of the Pucaraju range (5025 m/16486 m). The climb is steep up and steep down; along the trail we often find the beautiful rima rima flowers that are typical of this area. We camp in the Tuc Tucpampa valley below Morococha (about 4250 m/13944 ft) surrounded by mountains.

DAY 4: Tuctupampa - Vaqueria - Huaraz

We continue descending to the small Andean town of Colcabamba (3350 m/10991 ft), then we begin to ascend toward Vaqueria (3700 m/12139 ft) to take a vehicle up to the Portachuelo de LLanganuco (4765 m/15633 ft) with splendid views of Huascarán Norte (6768 m/22205 ft), Huascarán Sur (6650 m/21818 ft), Chopicalqui (6354 m/20846 ft), Huandoy (6395 m/20981 ft) and Pisco (5752 m/18871 ft). Then we descend the Llanganuco valley visiting the Llanganuco lakes. Return to Huaraz.