Santa Cruz Ulta Trek

Timing: 6 days
Grade: Medium / hard

An extension and more demanding alternative to the traditional Llanganuco Santa Cruz Trek. From the Quebrada Huaripampa we continue on to a high campsite at Avalanche Place , then cross a second spectacular pass Paso Punta Yanayacu (4850m) and finish our trek in the beautiful Quebrada Ulta close to Huascaran.

 A tremendous shorter trek with great variety, and an excellent warm up for a climbing trip.

Louise from the UK/  Santa Cruz Ulta Trek said: Thanks very much for making our time in Peru very special. I will have some very special memories to take back with me. Peru is amazing! – I will DEFINITELY be recommending you to my friends. PS- extra thanks for the pizza and the cake!

Thanks to Berne & Karen from New Zealand for some photos of this trek

Day 1: Drive to  Cashapampa 2800m 3 hours. Hike continuously upwards through the Santa Cruz river canyon to camp at Llamacorral  3750m 5 hours.

Day 2: An easier day hiking in a wide, open valley to Taullipampa 4250m.  4 hours. 

Day 3: Climb steadily up for 2 to 3 hours  to the pass Punta Union 4750m then descend to camp in a secluded valley away from the main trail at Paria 3850m. 7 hours.

Day 4: At first we walk easily down the Huaripampa Valley passing through farming settlements and villages to Colcabamba. We then climb gently to camp by a stream at Molino Pampa in the Quebrada Keshu 3600m. 6 to 7 hours.

Day 5: A short day where we climb steadily upwards to a high campsite on a plateau perched on the mountainside called Avalanche Campsite at 4650m. 4 hours. Spend the afternoon watching avalanches crash down from the glacier on the opposite side of the valley

 
Avalanche Lake

Day 6: A climb of around 2 hours to the high and narrow pass of Punta Yanayacu (4850m) where we have close views of the glaciers on Nevado Contrahierbas and the massive peaks of Chopicalqui and Huascarán. Then descend to Quebrada Ulta where our van will be waiting to return us to Huaraz.

 
Yanayacu Pass 4800m

Contact us for more information and prices.