Peru: Santa Cruz Trek to Ulta valley

Itinerary:

Day 1: Huaraz – Cashapampa – Llamacorral (3,800 masl)
Day 2: Llamacorral – Hatuncocha – Taullipampa (4,200 masl)
Day 3: Taullipampa – Punta Union Pass (4,750 masl) – Cachinapampa
Day 4: Cachinapampa – Colcabamba – Molinopampa (3,600 masl)
Day 5: Molinopampa – Avalancha Lake – Avalancha (4,500 masl)
Day 6: Avalancha – Yanayaku Pass (4,850 masl) – Ulta Valley – Huaraz

Detailed Program

Day 1: Huaraz – Cashapampa – Llamacorral (3,800 masl)
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we will travel by private bus as we descend through the Callejón de Huaylas until our first stop in the town of Carhuaz (2,650 masl). In Carhuaz we’ll have an opportunity to try the regionally famous homemade ice cream that incorporates a variety of local fruits and visit “El Abuelo” handcrafts shop to check out authentic local textiles. We will continue another hour through the Callejón de Huaylas, stopping in the town of Caraz to make any last-minute purchases if needed. From Caraz, we will begin our ascent into the mountains passing through rural villages, finally stopping in the community of Cashapampa where we will meet our team of donkey drivers. Once our gear is loaded, we will set out on a 5 to 6-hour hike to our first campsite, Llamacorral (3,800 masl)

Day 2: Llamacorral – Hatuncocha – Taullipampa (4,200 masl)
Our first full-day of hiking, prepare yourself for a day filled with spectacular views of snow-capped peaks. After breakfast, we will continue hiking for 2 hours until we reach the glacial lakes Ichiccocha and Hatuncocha. From here, we’ll continue another 2 hours until we reach the Alpamayo Basecamp, an excellent vantage-point for vistas of surrounding peaks such as Quitarahu, Artesonrahu, Parón, Aguja and Alpamayo, known as the most beautiful mountain in the world! After this stop, we’ll head to our second campsite, Taullipampa (4,200 masl)

Day 3: Taullipampa – Punta Union Pass (4,750 masl) – Cachinapampa
Make sure to eat plenty at breakfast, because today’s hike will be physically demanding as we cross the Punta Union Pass (4,750 masl). Departing camp at 8:00am, we will hike 4 hours until we reach the top of the pass where we will break for a high-altitude picnic, accompanied by breath-taking scenery. After lunch, we will descend into the Conchucos Valley for approximately 3 hours, making camp in Cachinapampa (3,800 masl).

Day 4: Cachinapampa – Colcabamba – Molinopampa (3,600 masl)
Well rested after a good night’s sleep, we’ll start our day hiking for 2 hours until we reach the rural village of Colcabamba. We’ll continue ascending another hour before breaking for lunch, where we’ll have a great view of the peak, Contrayerbas. After lunch, we will continue hiking until we reach our campsite at Molinopampa (3,600 masl)

Day 5: Molinopampa – Avalancha Lake – Avalancha (4,500 masl)
Our day begins at 8:00am with a 3-hour hike before breaking for lunch. Keep an eye out for local fauna such as the “Taruka” and “Vizcacha”! After lunch, we’ll continue hiking for 1.5 hours until we reach the Avalancha Campsite (4,500 masl) where we will rest for the night.

Day 6: Avalancha – Yanayaku Pass (4,850 masl) – Ulta Valley – Huaraz
After breakfast, we will embark on a 2-hour hike up to the Yanayaku Pass (4,850 masl) where we’ll be greeted by views of mountains such as Huascarán Sur, Chopicalqui, Ulta, and Hualcán. After a brief lunch, we will begin our final descent into the Ulta Valley for roughly 3-hours until we reach Cruzepampa where transportation will be waiting to take our group back to Huaraz. We will arrive in the city around 3:00pm.

Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner

What's included

• Peruvian trekking-guide
• Cooks and helpers
• All meals during the tour
• Donkey driver and donkeys
• Camping tents (2 persons)
• Kitchen equipment
• Transportation as tour schedule / Huaraz

• International flights to Lima / Peru round trip
• Transfer from the airport for bookings of individual flights with different times of arrival / departure
• Exit tax at the airport in Lima
• Travel accident and health insurance
• Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
• Meals in restaurants in Lima and Huaraz
• Pick up at the airport in Lima to the Hotel
• Transfer from the Hotel to the airport and bus station
• Transport public bus or Domestic flight Airline LC-Peru
• Hotel Casa Andina 2 nights in Lima or other hotel
• Hotel San Sebastián 4 nights in Huaraz or other hotel
• Entrance fees to the Huascaran National Park
• Personal expenses
• Personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc.)
• Tips

Tour Information:

Season: May to November
Difficulty: Moderate

Dates & Prices: