How hard is the Santa Cruz trek?

It is graded medium, but the altitude makes it harder than a lower trek. You should be well acclimatised, reasonably fit, and able to manage a 6 to 7 hour day including a 2½ to 3 hour climb to the Punta Unión pass and a long descent.

What is the highest point?

The Punta Unión pass at 4750m on the continental divide, with views of Rinrijirca, Pucajirca, Artesonraju and Taulliraju.

Is this trek suitable for families?

Yes. It is one of the more accessible Cordillera Blanca classics and a good choice for active families with reasonable fitness and acclimatisation. You meet many local children on the lower valley, and small gifts such as pens are welcome.

What is the difference between the 4 and 5 day versions?

The five-day version adds an extra night, typically at Taullipampa, allowing a side trip towards Alpamayo Base Camp and Laguna Arhuaycocha or simply a relaxed day amid the scenery.

Expedition Dossier

Santa Cruz – Llanganuco Classic Trek — 4 or 5 Days

A classic of the Cordillera Blanca, the Santa Cruz – Llanganuco trek packs spectacular mountain views, vivid blue lakes and the challenging Punta Unión pass (4750m) into just four or five days.

It is justly one of the most popular treks in Peru: an extraordinary variety of scenery in a short, achievable circuit.

Duration

4 or 5 Days trekking

Grade

Medium

Highest Point

4750m

Huascarán National Park · Cordillera Blanca

Blue lakes and the Punta Unión pass

Grade: Medium
Duration: 4 or 5 days
Highest point: Punta Unión 4750m
Above 4000m for most of the route
Family-friendly classic

Although graded medium, the altitude makes the hiking harder than a comparable trek at lower elevation — there is a 2½ to 3 hour climb to the high pass and a long descent. With reasonable fitness and good acclimatisation it is hugely rewarding, and gentle enough to share with active families.

Expedition Logistics

Essential Trekking Notes & Rules

Grading

We grade the trek as medium, but altitude makes it harder than a similar walk at lower elevation. You should be well acclimatised, have at least a medium level of fitness and some hill-walking experience, and be able to manage a 6 to 7 hour day. Most Cordillera Blanca treks are physically demanding because you are above 4000m throughout and the terrain is steep and uneven in places.

A Note for Families

You may like to bring some pens or other small gifts for the many local children you meet around Huaripampa on the lower part of the trek.

Access Roads

Access roads to and from treks are generally unpaved mountain roads and can be bumpy, so road travel times are slower than the distance suggests.

Route Progression

High Altitude Tactical Itinerary

Review the route day by day: altitudes, distances and acclimatisation.

Technical Timeline // Day 01

Drive to Cashapampa, hike up the Santa Cruz Valley to Llamacorral

Distance

8.5 km

Time Window

5 hours

Max Altitude

3750m

Delta Profile

Physiological & Operational Checkpoint

A demanding first day for those short on fitness or acclimatisation.

We drive the broad Callejón de Huaylas to Caraz and up to Cashapampa (2900m), with a first view of pyramidal Nevado Santa Cruz. A steady ascent follows a tumbling river through a steep, hot gorge for the first two hours before the valley levels out onto cooler puna grassland and camp at Llamacorral (3750m).

Bespoke Cross Selling

Related routes

More routes in the same spirit — the same range or the same kind of trip. Tap any one for the full itinerary, or write to us and we will tailor your own.