4-day Santa Cruz Trek from Huaraz: Punta Unión Pass

Four days crossing the Cordillera Blanca to the highest pass and back

A 4-day guided trek from Huaraz that climbs through the Santa Cruz Valley to Punta Unión Pass (4,750 m), the highest point, then descends through alpine meadows and lagoons with views of Alpamayo and the Cordillera Blanca. The trek includes a professional English-Spanish guide, all meals, camping equipment, donkeys to carry your gear, and private transport to and from the trailhead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Huaraz to Flamecorral campsite

• Pick-up from hotel at 5:00 am
• Transfer through Carhuaz, Yungay, Caraz
• Arrive at Cashapampa and start trek
• Hike Santa Cruz Valley to Llamacorral campsite

Day 2: Flamecorral to Taullipampa campsite

• Hike Santa Cruz Valley past Ichiccocha and Hatuncocha lagoons
• Take side trail to Arhuaycocha Lagoon
• Arrive at Taullipampa campsite

Day 3: Taullipampa to Cachinapampa via Punta Unión

• Ascend to Punta Unión Pass
• Enjoy 360° views of Cordillera Blanca and Negra
• Descend through Huaripampa Valley to Cachinapampa

Day 4: Cachinapampa to Huaraz via Portachuelo Pass

• Descend to Huaripampa village
• Climb to Vaqueria
• Private transport to Huaraz via Portachuelo Pass

The experience

The trek starts with a 5 a.m. pickup from your Huaraz hotel and a drive north through Carhuaz, Yungay, and Caraz to Cashapampa, where you begin hiking into the Santa Cruz Valley. The first day climbs 860 meters over 3–4 hours to the Llamacorral campsite. Day two follows the valley past turquoise lagoons (Ichiccocha and Hatuncocha), and a side trail to Arhuaycocha, where Alpamayo (5,947 m) and Quitaraju (6,040 m) come into view across the peaks. You reach Taullipampa campsite after 4–5 hours of hiking and a 490-meter gain.

Day three is the summit day: a 6–7 hour push to Punta Unión Pass at 4,750 meters, where you stand at the highest point with 360-degree views of both the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra. The descent drops 1,150 meters through the Huaripampa Valley to Cachinapampa. On the final day, you hike 3 hours to Vaqueria, then ride private transport back to Huaraz across the Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass, passing Huascarán and four other major peaks on the way down.

Your guide speaks English and Spanish (Italian and French available). A cook prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, with vegetarian options. Six kilos of your personal gear rides on the donkeys, and an emergency horse stands ready if evacuation becomes necessary. You sleep in two-person tents with a separate dining and kitchen tent. The company is Peruvian-owned, prices are fixed before you book, and confirmation arrives by email or WhatsApp with the option to modify dates through your confirmation.

What’s included

• Professional trekking guide in English and Spanish.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with vegetarian options available.
• camping equipment including two-person tents, dining tent, kitchen and bathroom tent.
• donkeys to carry up to 6 kilos of your personal gear.
• emergency horse for evacuation if needed.
• private transport from your Huaraz hotel to Cashapampa and from Vaqueria back to Huaraz via Portachuelo Pass.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 31 Dec

AgesAdult (25 to 60 years) · Under 25: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 18 pickup points.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 52

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Turismo Exploring Peru

Is this one for you?Four days is the full route. It's what fits the climb to Punta Unión, the 360-degree views at the pass, and the descent through two valleys into one trip. If you have less time, a shorter trek won't reach the pass. If you have more, this one leaves your other days in Huaraz free.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

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 highest elevation I'll reach on the Santa Cruz Trek?

Punta Unión Pass at 4,750 meters (15,584 feet) is the highest point. The trek climbs gradually over the first two days, reaching 4,250 meters at Taullipampa on day two, then ascends 500 meters more on day three to the pass itself.

Do I need to carry my own backpack the whole time?

No. Donkeys carry up to 6 kilos of your personal equipment each day, so you hike with only what you need during the day. An emergency horse is also available if evacuation becomes necessary.

Are meals included, and can I request vegetarian options?

All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included each day, prepared by a cook on site. Vegetarian meals are available on request.

How much hiking happens on the last day?

The final day involves 3 hours of hiking from Cachinapampa to Vaqueria, then 4–5 hours of private transport back to Huaraz, crossing the Portachuelo Pass with views of Huascarán and surrounding peaks.

What camping equipment is provided?

Two-person sleeping tents, a shared dining tent, and a kitchen and bathroom tent are set up at each campsite. You'll need to bring or rent a sleeping bag separately.