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Tour overview
This Santa Cruz and Llanganuco trek starts with a transfer from Huaraz to Cashapampa and a hike to Llamacorral campsite. On day two, continue past Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes to Taullipampa in the Cordillera Blanca. Day three crosses Punta Unión Pass and descends through Huaripampa toward Paria campsite. The final day reaches Vaquería and returns by road to Huaraz, passing Portachuelo and the Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes in the Llanganuco valley. The listing includes a certified trekking guide, muleteers, private transport, a four-season tent shared by two people, dining facilities and meals according to the program. Entrance fees, the final lunch, the final dinner and services not specifically mentioned are excluded. Accommodation during the trek is in campsites; confirm equipment and departure arrangements before booking. Published walking times vary from approximately three to seven hours depending on the day, in addition to road transfers. Review the full itinerary when choosing a trek suited to your experience.
Day by day
Explore Santa Cruz and Llanganuco on a 4-day, 3-night trek from Huaraz. Walk through Cashapampa, Llamacorral, Taullipampa and Punta Unión, then return via Vaquería and the Llanganuco lakes.
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll travel by private transport to the town of Cashapampa (approx. 3 hours). During the trip, we’ll pass through many Andean towns in the Callejón de Huaylas. We’ll see many snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, such as Huascarán, which is the world’s highest tropical mountain. In the village, our muleteer will be waiting for us to begin the hike through the Santa Cruz Canyon to our first campsite, Llamacorral (approx. 5 hours).
Continuing our tour today, we’ll see beautiful lakes such as Lake Ichiccocha and Lake Jatuncocha—which, when translated into Spanish, mean “small lake” and “large lake”—as well as mountains like Alpamayo, considered the most beautiful mountain in the world. The hike takes approximately 6 hours.
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll head to the highest point of our hike, which is the Punta Unión Pass (approx. 4 hours). From here, we’ll enjoy beautiful views of snow-capped peaks such as Taulliraju, Quitaraju, Rinrihirca, and Artresonraju. After taking photos, we’ll descend through the Huaripampa ravine back to our camp (approx. 3 hours).
It’s our last day. We’ll pass through the Andean village of Huaripampa, with its adobe and straw buildings, and then arrive at the village of Vaquería, where the car will be waiting to take us to Huaraz. On the way, we’ll reach the Portachuelo Pass (4,750 m) to take great photos of many snow-capped peaks in the Cordillera Blanca, such as Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Pisco, and Huandoys. We’ll also visit the two beautiful lakes in the Llanganuco Gorge: Chinancocha and Orconcocha, which translate to “Female Lake” and “Male Lake.” The travel time by vehicle today is approximately 5 hours, and the hike will take 3 hours.
Trip details
Prepare well
This is a practical starting point. Confirm the tour-specific packing list before departure.
Tour FAQ
The program lasts four days and three nights, starting and finishing in Huaraz. It includes camping along the Santa Cruz route and a return via Vaquería and Llanganuco.
The itinerary follows Cashapampa, Llamacorral, Taullipampa and Punta Unión Pass, then descends through Huaripampa toward Paria and Vaquería. The road return passes Portachuelo and the Llanganuco lakes.
Accommodation during the trek is in campsites with a four-season tent shared by two people, rather than hotels. Entrance fees, the final lunch and the final dinner are excluded. Review the full service list before booking.
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