Lake 69 & Santa Cruz Trek 5 days, Huaraz, Perú

On the day of departure (6:00 am), will pick you up at your hotel and then we will go to the north side of the Callejón de Huaylas to the city of Yungay. Then, we will continue to the town of Huashao, where we will pause for 30 minutes to have breakfast in a restaurant. After breakfast, we will continue along the road until we reach the entrance control to the Huascarán National Park (PNH), where we will buy the tickets and sign in. We will continue to Quebrada de Llanganuco until we reach the location of the Chinancocha lagoon 3850 meters above sea level. Finally, we will continue and arrive at Yuraccorral, where we will set up camp.

Departure at 8:00 am in our private transport to the town of Vaquería. The route includes crossing the pass of Portachuelo, the highest point of the trip (4,767m). From there, we will catch sight of the highest mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. Then, we will arrive at Vaquería at an altitude of 3,700 meters. After our arrival, we will organize the luggage so that the donkeys and the porter can transfer our camping equipment. Once on the road, we will pass through the small town of Huaripampa. We will enjoy an easy hike to the first Paria camp. Transfer by car: 02 Hours / Walk: 05 Hours

We will wake you up with hot tea in your tent and hot water for personal grooming. After breakfast, around 6:30, we will begin the hike to the most difficult section of the route, Paso Punta Unión. The first 2 hours are simple, then we will begin to ascend towards Punta Unión at an altitude of 4,750 meters. This ancient road was used as a route for the transport of goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley. As we approach the pass, we will enjoy incredible panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Valley to the west, and views of the Huaripampa Valley to the east. The Santa Cruz peaks are surrounded by Andean vegetation, the snowy peaks of Paria and Taulliraju, Artesonraju and Huaripampa. We will see the snowy Taulliraju near us and the Taullicocha Lagoon. From this point on, it is possible to see the entire Santa Cruz gorge. After lunch and a 1 hour break, we will go down to our next Taullipampa camp at an altitude of 4,250 meters, the highest camp during the Santa Cruz trek. Duration of the Day: 06 – 07 Hours Approximately.

After your tea, personal hygiene and breakfast,  we will start walking towards the Nevado Alpamayo viewpoint, then continue to visit the Arhuaycocha gorge,  the Alpamayo BC and the Arhuaycocha lagoon (4420msnm), one of the most beautiful lagoons of the Santa Cruz trek located at the foot of the snowcapped Pucajirca. It is common to find blocks of ice in the water. After 30 minutes we will return along the same path to the traditional Santa Cruz trek path, and continue walking past the Jatuncocha lagoon that has splendid turquoise color, and is surrounded by vegetation and white sand, we will also catch sight of the Ichiccocha lagoon. Finally we will arrive at our last camp at an altitude of 3,760 meters. Duration: 07 – 08 hours.

This is our last day inside the Huascarán National Park. After breakfast, we will walk downhill to the town of Cashapampa at 2,900 meters. When descending, you will be able to notice a constant change in the vegetation until we reach the town of Cashapampa. We will take private transport to Huaraz. Walk: 04 Hours / Transfer by Car: 03 Hours.