Huayhuash Classic Trek

Self-Guided / 11 Days in the Cordillera Huayhuash

The Santa Cruz is one of the best-known treks in South America.

Huayhuash Classic Trek

Self-Guided / 11 Days in the Cordillera Huayhuash

The Santa Cruz is one of the best-known treks in South America.

An Amazing Mountain Experience in the Heart of the Andes.

Imagine crossing the high Andes through beautiful alpine valleys, beneath towering glaciated peaks, and over one of the most dramatic high passes in the Cordillera Blanca—this is the Santa Cruz, a 50-kilometer (31 mi) route through Huascarán National Park in Northern Peru.

The Santa Cruz is well known for its accessibility, breathtaking landscapes, mountains like Alpamayo, and Punta Unión Pass at 4,750 m / 15,580 ft.

New to high-altitude trekking? If you’re fit and ready to spend a few days in the mountains, the Santa Cruz Trek is a great place to start.

An Amazing Mountain Experience in the Heart of the Northern Andes.

Imagine crossing the high Andes through beautiful alpine valleys, beneath towering glaciated peaks, and over one of the most dramatic high passes in the Cordillera Blanca—this is the Santa Cruz, a 50-kilometer (31 mi) route through Huascarán National Park in Northern Peru.

The Santa Cruz is well known for its accessibility, breathtaking landscapes, mountains like Alpamayo, and Punta Unión Pass at 4,750 m / 15,580 ft.

New to high-altitude trekking? If you’re fit and ready to spend a few days in the mountains, the Santa Cruz Trek is a great place to start.

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Huayhuash Classic Trek

An incredible first-time experience—in a short, accessible adventure.

 4 Days / 3 Nights
 Altitude: 4,750 m / 15,580 ft
 Route: Santa Cruz
 Best: April – August
 Difficulty: Moderately Difficult
 Distance: ca. 50 km (31 mi)

Overview of the Trek
Passing through the Santa Cruz and Huaripampa glacial valleys, the Santa Cruz is one of the more popular multi-day treks in the park. Typically lasting 3–4 days, the trail covers approximately 50 kilometers (31 mi) and features Punta Union Pass at 4,750 meters (14,599 ft). Punta Union offers stunning 360-degree views of surrounding peaks like Taulliraju, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, and Chacraraju.

Scenic Highlights
Massive glaciers and sweeping views of incredible peaks, among them Alpamayo and Artesonraju of Paramount Pictures fame. You will be hiking and camping your way through beautiful alpine valleys, meadows,and wildflowers, and alongside picturesque glacial lakes like Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha. All while encountering a variety of native Andean flora and fauna, including a diverse collection of Andean birds, particularly along the rivers and lake shores. The Santa Cruz has a lot to offer in a short three day trek.

Daily Experience
Aside from the amazing landscape, you may meet up with people who are part of the local communities living near the trailheads and keeping animals along the route. These communities often rely on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods and have shared use of the National Park. The Santa Cruz is also famous for its “guide dogs,” often attaching themselves to your group for the entire trek and perfectly willing to work for biscuits.

Physical Demands
The Santa Cruz is a 3 to 4 day moderately difficult trek. It involves crossing one high-altitude pass, Punta Union, at 4,750 meters (15,584 ft) above sea level. Hikers should be prepared for the altitude and the ascent (slope max: 52%, average 17%). Both can pose risks like altitude sickness. While this trek requires acclimatization, it’s generally accessible to those with moderate fitness levels.

Altitude & Acclimatization
We recommend doing a couple of acclimatization hikes at altitude before starting this trek. The lakes above Laguna Parón, including Congelada (on the Artesonraju moraine), and the Sphinx Base Camp, are all spectacular and perfect for acclimatization.

Suggested itineraries include two of the options below.

Upper Paron
Laguna Chacra
Laguna Artesonraju
Laguna Congelada (Artesonraju morain)

Sphinx Base Camp

Laguna 69
Laguna 513

This is a suggested itinerary. Self-guided means it’s yours to adjust.

Day 1 — Arrive in Lima Fly into Jorge Chávez International. We recommend an overnight in Miraflores before the drive north — arriving exhausted in Caraz is a rough start.

Day 2 — Lima to IntiRumi (Caraz) Private or public transport north to Caraz, approximately 7–8 hours. We can arrange a reliable private driver from Lima or advise on the bus options. Arrive, settle in, have a real meal. Tonight, let the elevation do its quiet work — Caraz sits at 2,256 m (7,402 ft).

Day 3 — Acclimatization Day 1 A guided or self-directed hike to altitude. We’ll recommend the right option based on your fitness and how you’re feeling. Laguna Parón (3,885 m) is a beautiful half-day; Sphinx Base Camp pushes higher and adds a look at one of the great rock walls in Peru. Debrief over dinner — we’ll talk through your route notes, gear check, and any last questions.

Day 4 — Acclimatization Day 2 Go higher. Laguna 69 (4,604 m) is the benchmark — if you feel strong there, you’re ready for Punta Unión. Optional: the Artesonraju moraine, which takes you to 4,800 m and gives you a preview of the terrain you’ll encounter on the trek.

Day 5 — Cashapampa to Jatuncocha We drop you at the trailhead. Permit formalities at the gate, then into the Santa Cruz valley. The first day is long and relatively gentle, following the river through increasingly dramatic scenery. Camp at Jatuncocha, a glacial lake ringed by peaks. Distance: ~15 km / Elevation gain: ~900 m

Day 6 — Jatuncocha to Alpamayo Base Camp The trail climbs above the valley floor, offering increasingly dramatic views of Artesonraju and Alpamayo. Camp near the base of Alpamayo — arguably the most beautiful mountain in the world, and one of the most photographed. This is the day most trekkers count as their favorite. Distance: ~10 km / Elevation gain: ~500 m

Day 7 — Alpamayo Base Camp to Taullipampa Descend slightly before the push toward Punta Unión. Camp at Taullipampa below the pass — a sheltered valley with good water and usually a few other trekking parties camped nearby. Distance: ~12 km

Day 8 — Taullipampa over Punta Unión to Paria The crux of the trek. An early start is worth it — the pass is clearer in the morning, and the descent into the Huaripampa valley has enough daylight to enjoy. At the top, take your time. It’s earned. Distance: ~13 km / Elevation gain: ~500 m to pass

Day 9 — Paria to Vaquería / Return to Caraz Final descent to Vaquería, where we’ll have your transport arranged. Back at IntiRumi for a hot shower, a proper meal, and whatever you ordered from the bar before you left. Distance: ~7 km

This is what “self-guided with support” means in practice:

Before You Go

▷ Orientation
▷ Acclimatization
▷ Fitness review
▷ Route review
▷ Gear review
▷ ** SERNANP (permit guidance and fee information, current rates, where to pay)
▷ Weather outlook
▷ GPX track and route notes
▷ Trailhead transfer from IntiRumi to Cashapampa.
▷ ** Arriero (burro) coordination (more support on the trail)
▷ ** Trail Foods (help with pre-prepared foods)

On The Trail

▷ We have your itinerary, and your back
▷ ** InReach/satellite messenger rental available
▷ Local contacts (near trailheads)

When You Finish

▷ A place to wash up
▷ Pickup from Vaquería

Back At IntiRumi
▷ A hot shower, and a real bed
▷ The best meal you’ve had in four days

What You’ll Need to Plan for

▶︎ International flights to/from Lima and applicable airport taxes
▶︎** In-country transport (including Lima – Caraz)
▶︎ Hotel accommodations in Lima
▶︎ All food during in-town days or extra food/beverages ordered from hotels
▶︎ Incidental expenditures, including emergency evacuations and medical costs
▶︎ Travel, personal, and/or medical insurance
▶︎ Emergency evacuation plan (generally part of your travel insurance)

On the Trail

▷ National park entry & all community/camping fees
▷ Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag rated to -5°C or lower, sleeping mat)
▷ ** Three healthy meals a day plus snacks (help with pre-prepared foods)
▷ All cooking and eating utensils
▷ First aid kit stocked for wilderness expeditions
▷ ** Arrieros and Donkeys (help with an Arriero)
▷ ** Satellite telephone or InReach (for emergency use)
▷ Personal clothing and gear (see full list below)
Long-sleeve shirts
Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
Fleece or wool sweater and/or trousers
Lightweight pants
Long (thermal) underwear
Medium-weight parka (fibber or down)
Light cap and wool hat
Rain gear (or poncho)
Water bottle
Light gloves
Medium-weight socks
Hiking boots
Small day-pack
Strong waterproof duffel bag
Sunglasses, sunblock, lip balm
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
Personal hygiene items, towels, etc.

Getting Started

If you’re planning doing the Santa Cruz on your own, we can help.

IntiRumi is located 20 minutes from the Cashapampa trailhead. We know the Santa Cruz in every season, and we can provide you with a real base camp. Local knowledge, help with logistics, and support before, during, and after your trek.

** Notes on Support

We can help with anything from domestic flights, and in-country transportation, to meals on the trail, and the burros to carry them. We’ve marked a few the trickier things to think about below. Let us know what we can do to help you get started. We’ll be in touch with more information and prices.

Arrieros & Buros
One of the more practical decisions you’ll make is whether or not to hire an arriero (muleteer) and burros to help carry your gear. Most independent trekkers who go fully self-sufficient end up regretting the pack weight. A good Arriero doesn’t just carry gear — they know the route, and where seasonal water sources are, and they’re often a direct connection to the local community along the way. We can help with reliable arrieros.

Satellite Telephone / InReach
InReach is Garmin’s latest line of satellite communication technology. It allows users to send and receive messages, share their location, and trigger emergency SOS alerts via the global Iridium satellite network when off-grid.

More…
Help with transportation, domestic flights, pickups, private transportation from Lima, etc.
Help with SERNANP, permits and park fees. Current rates, and information on where to pay.
Help with pre-prepared foods for the trail