The Santa Cruz Route in Huascarán: One of the World’s Best Treks

The Santa Cruz Route in Huascarán: One of the World’s Best Treks

Sunrise_Over_Llanganuco_Valley_HuascaranPeru offers some of the best alpine hiking in the world, as attested by National Geographic when it included the Santa Cruz Trek in its list The World’s 25 Most Epic Hikes. The trek follows the river of the same name through Huascarán National Park, which contains all of the stunning Cordillera Blanca- the highest mountain range outside of the Himalayas and the most concentrated collection of large peaks in the western hemisphere. It’s appropriate for all experience levels and is generally done in 4 days. (Although experienced hikers seeking a more challenging route often opt for the longer Alpamayo Trek.) The hike does reach a difficult summit, however, at the cold and windy high pass of Punta Union.

cordillera-blanca-santa-cruz-trek_56333_600x450 Alpaca (Lama pacos) pair on roadside, Huascaran National Park, Peru 100_1232

The lively hikers’ hub of Huaraz serves as the base town for almost excursions into Huascarán, whether it’s day-hikes, longer treks, mountain climbing, skiing or biking. The Santa Cruz Trek itself generally begins in nearby Cashapampa (2900m), although it is sometimes also done in reverse. Going with an agency group tour means that you will also have a guide, a chef, and donkeys or horses to carry the camping and cooking equipment. (Feel free to contact the travel specialists of Pirwa Travel Service at pirwatravel@gmail.com for information.)

PIC-Made-it-to-the-TopAlong the route, you follow the rapids of the Santa Cruz River past red quenua trees and turquoise lakes under the looming mountain peaks. Beginning at a narrow gorge where the river spills out from a cleft in the mountains, the first day’s hike is only a few hours. As you continue past eucalyptus groves and flowering bushes in different colors, towards the dark rock spires of the gorge walls and the route’s first waterfall, the guide tells you about the area’s history and the scenery gets ever more varied and majestic. The first night’s camp is at Llamacorral, a grassy area enclosed by stone walls.

The following day, you won’t be able to DSC01991resist marveling at the glacial lake of Jatunococha surrounded by the narrow valley’s steep walls. In the distance, the snowy peak of Quitaraju will rise above the scene. Just a little further on, a set of dozens of waterfalls from Arthayacocha River spring from the 300m tall valley walls give the impression of an enormous natural dam holding back an ocean. Exiting the gorge and entering a wide grassy field with steams. The series of Andean peaks which will come into view include the beautiful Alpamayo and Artesonraju, the Paramount Pictures mountain. The scenic lagoons will also continue, most notably with colorful Laguna Arhueycocha and the glacier and ice fall that tumbles into it.

100_1264Huascaran_Park_Peru_2Santa_Cruz_Peru

The second day’s camp in generally Taullipampa, which you reach by descending into a meadow. On the third day, you ascend a stunning valley to a glacial lake surrounded by impressive ice covered peaks. The high point is at Punto Union Pass, at a daunting 15,617ft above sea level (higher than any peak in the contiguous U.S.) boasting enviable views. After the pass, you descend through a forest and a series of lakes to the third day’s camp. From the pass on, the landscapes are much starker, but are still beautiful in a different way. The final day takes you through Huaripampa village, with its humble thatched roof homes and guinea pig farms, before ending in Vaqueria. Though you are free to take a polar dip in any of the icy lakes along the route (and some do), most prefer to wait until the trek’s end and then to take advantage of the area’s hot springs. From Vaqueria, you can take a bus to Yunguay.100_1262

Things to Remember

  • The best time to go is from April through    September, when it’s very cold but rains are not a problem.
  • You are required to buy a trekking permit for Camping_while_ascending_Huascaran_PeakHuascarán National Park, which costs about almost US$30 person.
  • You can reach Huaraz from Lima by bus, an 8-10hr trip, or you can fly. (You can arrange transport through Pirwa Travel Service.)
  • Day trips from Huaraz to sites like Pastoruri Glacier or Laguna 68 can help you acclimatize before the trek.Huascaran_Park_Peru
  • Make sure to bring a rain poncho and mosquito repellent.
  • Prepare for a strong sun in the afternoons and very, very cold nights.
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