TREK DE SANTA CRUZ

One of the most famous treks in the world.

Following the two narrow and deep valleys that split the Cordillera Blanca, this great classic is 50 km long and can be done in 3 or 4 days, with a guide (from S/ 600 per person with an agency including the bus trip at the departure and arrival, food and tent, be careful with the choice of the agency : low prices often hide something). The road (by car) passes the Laguna de Llanganuco, to go down by el Valle Morococha, to the hamlet of Colcabamba (3 300 m). It is from here that the walk begins: by the Huaripacapa valley, under the Taulliraju nevado (5,830 m). We then camp in the Quebrada de Paria, at 3 800 m, where it is not impossible to see, at dawn, vicuñas, deer or a spectacled bear. Once rested, we climb to the Punta Unión pass, at 4,750 m, from where we can observe the division of waters between the Pacific and the Atlantic and appreciate the immaculate whiteness of the nevados engulfed in clouds: Artesonraju (6,025 m), Quitaraju (6,035 m), Rinrijirca (5,800 m). A prehispanic path leads from here to the Santa Cruz valley; on the right stretches the Laguna Taullicocha, in the distance the Alpamayo, further down, at the confluence of the Santa Cruz and Arhuaycocha valleys, the campsite. The next day, after having passed by the Lagunas Hatuncocha and Ichipcocha, we arrive at the end of the journey at the village of Cashapampa, 18 km from Caraz and one of the only villages of the Callejón de Huaylas to have escaped the 1970 earthquake.