13-day Santa Cruz Trek from Huaraz: Alpamayo & Cordillera Blanca

Thirteen days crossing the highest tropical mountain range on earth, with a guide and pack animals handling the logistics.

A 13-day guided trek through Peru's Cordillera Blanca, starting from Huaraz and following the Santa Cruz Valley to Alpamayo before descending to the village of Hualcayán. The trek crosses high passes, camps beside glacial lakes, and passes through traditional Andean villages, with a professional guide, cooks, porters and donkeys included throughout. Minimum age is 18. Moderate fitness is required. Book 2 to 3 months ahead to secure guides and pack animals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Lima to Huaraz by bus

• Bus from Lima to Conococha Pass
• Descend to Santa Valley
• Arrive in Huaraz city

Day 2: Acclimatization and Puya Raimondi visit

• Bus to Puya Raimondi National Park
• Day-hike along Pumapampa River
• Visit Pastoruri Glacier
• Return to Huaraz

Day 3: Huaraz to Cashapampa and trek start

• Transport from Huaraz to Caraz
• Travel to Cashapampa village
• Meet guides and porters
• Hike to Llamacorral camp

Day 4: Trek to Taullipampa camp

• Hike past Ichiccocha and Hatuncocha lakes
• View queñua trees and wild lupins
• Reach Arhueycocha Lake
• Camp at Taullipampa

Day 5: Punta Union Pass and Tuctupampa camp

• Breakfast and prepare for ascent
• Hike to Punta Union Pass
• Enjoy mountain and valley views
• Camp at Tuctupampa

Day 6: Pukarahu Pass and Huecrucocha Lake

• Ascend switchbacks to Pukarahu Pass
• View Contrayerba, Paria, Taullirahu peaks
• Descend to Huecrucocha Lake
• Camp at Huecrucocha

Day 7: Tupatupa Pass to Jancapampa village

• Visit Andean villages
• Hike to Tupatupa Pass
• View Jancarunris and Pukajirka peaks
• Overnight in Jancapampa village

Day 8: Yanacon Pass and Tayapampa camp

• Hike from Jancapampa
• Spot condors and Andean eagles
• Reach Yanacon Pass
• Visit Sactaycocha Lake
• Camp at Tayapampa

Day 9: Mesapata and Caracara Passes

• Cross river without getting wet
• Ascend Mesa Pata Pass
• Ascend Cara Cara Pass
• Descend to Jancarurish Valley
• Camp at Cruze Alpamayo

Day 10: Rest or hike near Cruze Alpamayo

• Optional hike to Jancarurish Lake
• View Alpamayo and Quitarahu peaks
• Rest or hike
• Hike to Ruinapampa camp

Day 11: Vientunan and Osoruri Passes

• Ascend Vientunan Pass
• Pass glacial lake Cullicocha
• Ascend Osoruri Pass
• View Santa Cruz peak and ice wall
• Descend to Wishcash camp

Day 12: Hike down to Hualcayan and return

• Hike down to Hualcayan community
• Transport to Yungay
• Visit Campo Santo memorial
• Continue to Huaraz
• Dinner with local team

Day 13: Return to Lima

• Flight from Huaraz to Lima
• Arrival transfer to hotel

The experience

The trek begins with a 400km drive north from Lima through coastal desert and into the Andean highlands, arriving in Huaraz at 3,100 meters. Before the trek proper starts, you'll spend a day acclimatizing with a visit to Puya Raimondi National Park, where giant candle-shaped plants grow to 12 meters tall, and the Pastoruri Glacier, where the visible recession of ice shows the mountain range's changing climate. This acclimatization day matters: the Santa Cruz Valley entrance sits at 2,900 meters, but the trail climbs to 4,780 meters and crosses multiple passes above 4,600 meters over the following ten days.

The route follows the Santa Cruz Valley through queñua forests and past glacial lakes (Ichiccocha, Hatuncocha, Arhueycocha), where you'll spot Andean birds and wild lupins. The trek's centerpiece is the approach to Alpamayo, a 5,947-meter peak widely known as the most beautiful mountain in the world, visible from multiple camps. You'll cross the Punta Union Pass at 4,780 meters, a pre-Inca trail used for centuries, then join the Cedros-Alpamayo Circuit, tackling the Pukarahu Pass and two more passes (Mesapata and Caracara) on consecutive days. One day includes an optional hike to Jancarurish Lake above 5,000 meters, or you can rest at camp. A professional guide leads each day; cooks prepare all meals at camp; porters and donkeys carry the gear so you carry only a day pack.

The final descent drops to Hualcayán village at 3,150 meters, where transport waits to drive you back to Huaraz. On the return journey, you'll stop at Campo Santo, the site where an earthquake-induced avalanche buried the old town of Yungay and 20,000 inhabitants in 1970. The package includes a final night in Huaraz and your choice of a 50-minute domestic flight or a bus ride back to Lima, with an arrival transfer to your hotel.

What’s included

• Professional trekking guide in English or Spanish.
• cook and helpers.
• donkey driver and pack donkeys to carry gear.
• all meals throughout the trek.
• camping tents for two people.
• hotel accommodation in Lima and Huaraz.
• domestic flight or bus return to Lima.
• arrival transfer to your hotel in the capital.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Peru Expeditions Tours

Is this one for you?This is a shared trek with a fixed itinerary and group schedule, led by a professional guide with support staff handling meals and camp setup. Choose it if you want the logistics and navigation managed for you while you focus on the hiking and the landscape, and if you're comfortable with 13 days away from cities and moderate-to-demanding daily climbing at high altitude.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Cordillera Blanca and why is it called the highest tropical mountain range?

The Cordillera Blanca is a mountain range in the Peruvian Andes with over 50 peaks exceeding 15,000 feet, 700 glaciers and 300 lakes. It sits in the tropics by latitude but rises to alpine elevations, making it the world's highest tropical range and a mecca for high-altitude trekking.

How many days do I actually spend hiking versus traveling or resting?

Twelve of the thirteen days involve trekking or acclimatization activities in the mountains. Day one is the drive from Lima to Huaraz; day two is the acclimatization day trip to Puya Raimondi and Pastoruri Glacier; days three through twelve are the trek itself with one optional rest or half-day built in at Cruze de Alpamayo; day thirteen is the return drive and flight or bus to Lima.

Do I need my own camping gear and hiking boots, or are those provided?

The operator provides camping tents for two people and all meals during the trek. You must bring your own personal equipment: hiking boots, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, waterproof jacket and other gear suited to high-altitude mountain conditions.

What happens if I want to fly back to Lima instead of taking the bus?

The package includes a 50-minute domestic flight from Huaraz to Lima via LCPeru, with an arrival transfer to your hotel. You may opt for the bus instead if you prefer, but the flight is the standard return included in the booking.

How much experience do I need before attempting this trek?

You need at least moderate physical fitness and must be at least 18 years old. The trek crosses multiple passes above 4,600 meters and includes two-pass days that are physically demanding. The operator recommends booking 2 to 3 months in advance so guides and pack animals can be secured.

Will I see Alpamayo, or do I just pass near it?

Alpamayo (5,947 meters) is visible from several camps along the route, particularly from Arhueycocha Lake and the Cruze de Alpamayo campsite. An optional hike from Cruze de Alpamayo takes you up to Jancarurish Lake for closer views of Alpamayo and Quitarahu above 5,000 meters, or you can rest at camp instead.