How does this differ from the standard Santa Cruz trek?

It follows the Santa Cruz scenery but turns into the dramatic Quebrada Ulta, crossing a second high pass (Punta Yanayacu, 4850m) and camping on the spectacular Avalancha plateau opposite the Contrahierbas glaciers.

Graded moderate to hard: not technical, but you cross two high passes with sustained uphills of up to 3 hours and long descents, all above 4000m. Good fitness is needed.

What is the highlight?

The Avalancha camp at 4650m, where frequent avalanches crash from the fissured glaciers of Contrahierbas into the lake below.

Expedition Dossier

Santa Cruz & Quebrada Ulta Trek — 6 Days

An awesome medium-length trek in the Cordillera Blanca, combining the classic Santa Cruz scenery with the dramatic Quebrada Ulta. Its popularity comes from spectacular panoramas, crystal-blue lakes and the challenge of two high passes — Punta Unión (4750m) and Punta Yanayacu (4850m).

The route also takes in a breathtaking final high camp on the Avalancha plateau, opposite the avalanche-prone glaciers of the Contrahierbas massif.

Duration

6 Days trekking (with 7-day option)

Grade

Moderate to Hard

Highest Point

4850m

Santa Cruz to Ulta · Cordillera Blanca

Two high passes and the Avalancha camp

Grade: Moderate to Hard
Duration: 6 days (option 7)
Passes: Punta Unión 4750m, Yanayacu 4850m
Highlight: the Avalancha plateau camp
Above 4000m throughout

Graded moderate to hard: not technically difficult, but the altitude makes the hiking harder than a lower trek. You need good fitness, the ability to manage sustained uphills of up to 3 hours to the passes and long descents. It offers an amazing variety of scenery for a medium-length itinerary.

Expedition Logistics

Essential Trekking Notes & Rules

Grading

Graded moderate to hard: although not technically difficult, the altitude makes the hiking demanding. You need good fitness, to manage sustained uphills of up to 3 hours to the passes, and to handle long descents. You are above 4000m throughout.

Access Roads

Access roads to and from the trek 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 Callejón de Huaylas to Caraz and up to Cashapampa (2900m), with a first view of Nevado Santa Cruz. A steady ascent through a steep, hot gorge precedes cooler puna grassland and camp at Llamacorral (3750m).

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