OVERVIEW

Santa Cruz Trek is one of the most demanding, magnificent trekking routes and world class high altitude multi-day treks in the stunning of Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, crossing the heart of Cordillera Blanca, A week of glorious, remote high altitude trekking through green lush valleys of Llanganuco, Huaripamapa & Santa Cruz, tremendous alpine trek offer superb mountain scape of towering fluted summits over 6000 meters, cascading glaciers, aqua blue glacial lakes, alpine meadows, overwhelming beauty areas, fragile ecosystem, stunning view from camping spots.

MOUNT ISHINCA at 5530 meter (18,138 feet), this is justifiably one of the most popular summits in the cordillera blanca, which is lies nestled between the 6000 meter-plus summits of ranrapalca to the west and palcaraju to the east. Climbing ishinca is entirely on snow and ice, but does include some up-close-and-personal views of impressive crevasses and final snow slope to the airy summit. From the summit offer superb mountain scape, where shoot hundred pictures it’s not enough. this climbing is ideal for beginners with the opportunity to be exposed to a great experience on a big beautiful mountain climbing, ishinca for advanced level climbers is commonly used as a preparation and warming up to climb for higher nearby peaks

Maximum trek Altitude 4750 m (15,580 feet)
Trek Difficulty Moderate – Hard
Maximum climb Altitude 5,530m (18,138) feet
Climb Difficulty (PD)
Length 8 – 9 Days

Brief Itinerary of the trek & climb program Huaraz – llanganuco - santa cruz + climbing Ishinca - Huaraz

Day 1: (trek program start) Huaraz – Portachuelo Pass at 4760m - Vaquería (3700m)
Day 2: Paria - Punta Unión Pass (4750m) - Taullipampa (4250m)
DAY 3: taullipampa – alpamayo B.C (4330m) – Llamacorral (3760m)
Day 4: Llamacorral– Cashapampa (2990m) – Huaraz
DAY 5: day off in town (huaraz) preparation for pisco (expenses at your own)
DAY 6: (climb program start) Huaraz - Cochapampa – Ishinca Base Camp (4390m)/14,400 ft
DAY 7: attempt Ishinca summit at (5,530m)/18,138ft - base camp
DAY 8: Base Camp – Cochapampa - Huaraz

Note: climbing ishinca advisable for beginners, who wants to attempt having life time experience on mountain climbing, further its ideal summit for advanced level climbers, who are looking acclimatize for higher summits.

SUGGESTION: please understand that before the exclusive trekking & climbing program around llanganuco – santa cruz & climbing ishinca you should complete 1 or 2 acclimatization day hikes to avoid altitude sickness. Ask us for advice or visit our page about acclimatization hikes. CLIMBING IN 4 DAYS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST we can include one extra day out of usual program for climbers who feel not in good shape and want to do more relax, we offer or recommend make in 4 days. The day 02 we move from base camp to moraine camp. (Optional)

Note: If you have more time you can extend this trek & climb program by ascending moderate summits such as:

• Trek llanganuco - Santa cruz + climb Ishinca + climbing yanapaccha
• Trek llanganuco - Santa cruz + climb Ishinca + climb mount urus este
• Trek llanganuco - Santa cruz + climb Ishinca + climb mount tocllaraju
• Trek llanganuco - Santa cruz + climb Ishinca + climb mount chopicalqui

Trip program Lima – Huaraz – mountains – Huaraz – Lima all included just available on request.

ITINERARY

TREK & CLIMB PROGRAM HUARAZ – LLANGANUCO - SANTA CRUZ TREK + CLIMBING ISHINCA – HUARAZ

Included meals: B = Breakfast / S = Snack / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

Day 1: Huaraz – Portachuelo Pass at 4760m - Vaquería (3700m) – paria (3830m)
After your breakfast we will pick up you at your hotel to drive to the north of callejon de huaylas Valley until reach Yungay, from where the road winds up toward east, into narrow llanganuco valley, the road pass close two beautiful glacial lakes with turquoise waters, and ascending on many switchbacks until Portachuelo pass, where the view is really gorgeous to click spectacular pictures about superb mountain scape with tremendous view of majestic view of: mount Huascarán, Huandoy, Pisco, crossing the cordillera blanca from west to east we follow driving down until Vaqueria. Where we will meet with our donkey driver & donkeys. From it we begin walking toward Huaripampa Valley. As we slowly head up the valley passing through huaripampa village, we will entrance to wide green lush meadow with impressive view to the background about mount Taulliraju, then we follow hiking upon the valley passing through quenual and quisuar forest until reach the nice paria camping spot. Overnight camp at paria valley. Meals: S / L / D

Day 2: Paria - Punta Unión Pass (4750m) - Taullipampa (4250m)
This day is the most exciting day of the trek we pass near beautiful glacial lagoons of tzaquicocha, later we keep up walking on rocky cliffs and over inclined slabs path with always dramatic and awesome view of taulliraju, which towering to the north all day until reach the punta union, as soon as we reach the pass the grandest view comes in front towering summits as: pukajirca, taulliraju, artezonraju and quitaraju, by far below loiter colorful taillicocha and jatuncocha on santa cruz valley, where the trekker feel really awarded by the splendid vista, take a brake worthwhile shooting incredible memories. The descent is steady with some long stone paved sections and superb alpine views until reach the taullipampa camping spot to be able to gaze at alpamayo, taulliraju, artezon raju & quitaraju from the comfort of your tent. Overnight camp at taullipampa. Meals: B / S / L / D

DAY 3: taullipampa – alpamayo B.C (4330m) – Llamacorral (3760m)
This day we will walk down toward Alpamayo overlooking, there offer superb view of mount alpamayo east face, despite not being one of the higher summits but is highly demanded by many mountaineers, in the 1966 an international survey declared it the most beautiful mountain in the world and this beauty draws climbers from afar by its spectacular pyramidal shape on the north face and lovely ice flouted on the southwest face, even that is perfect point as well to appreciate the dramatic vista of artezonraju, the angle the peak bears a striking resemblance to paramount studios logo, then we keep walking down along the santa cruz valley until the camp site. Optional no mandatory: keep walking up until alpamayo base camp, and Arhueycocha Lake, from the lakeside offer really tremendous view to pukajirca, then we back retracting steps until overlooking point then we drop into quisuar and follow the main trail until llamacoral camping spot. You are free to do this hike, and can be strenuous if you aren’t in shape. Overnight camp at Llamacorral. Meals: B / S / L / D

Day 4: Llamacorral– Cashapampa (2990m) – Huaraz
After our breakfast, we will start walking down along narrow santa cruz valley passing on the trail by groves, high land trees & beautiful waterfall, passing under looming rock towers and rock slides until arriving cashapampa village. Finish our trek. Where our private transportation will await us to bring Huaraz. Back to Huaraz for a nice shower and some rest; enjoy a good dinner in town celebrating after trekking success. Overnight at hotel. Meals: B / S / L

DAY 5: day off (Huaraz) preparation for ishinca (expenses at your own)

DAY 6: Huaraz - Cochapampa – Ishinca Base Camp (4390m)/14,400 ft.
We will drive along the callejon de huaylas about 15 kilometers until Puente mullaca then we turn off on a dirt road to the villages of Collon and Pashpa, the traditional trail heads for the trek into the Ishinca Valley until cochapampa at 3600 meters, from where we will walk up on pleasant valley until reach Base Camp. The trail pass through high land fields with fantastic views of mount Huascarán and mount Vallunaraju, before entrancing to Quebrada Ishinca, from this place we will walk through shady Queñuales forests, as soon as we reach the plateau grass terrain the valley gets opening with astonishing View of tocllaraju to the background. At the base camp the view is superb with wide flat grass valley below a huge terminal moraine. Overnight at Ishinca base camp. Meal: S / L / D

DAY 7: Attempt Ishinca Summit at (5,530m)/18,138ft - Base Camp
Summit day: We leave early, in the dark, Following a good moderate grade trail until Laguna Ishinca at about 4950 meters, then we will walk upon steep path until reach the beginning of glacier at 5050 meters, as soon as we reach it we put on our climbing gear as crampons, rope up, harness, then we climb upon some steep slopes of north ridge until high pass about 5200 meters. From this side we climb upon good snow field negotiating several crevasses, until the base of the final steep slope, which is just below the summit, some years this slope is 45º to 50º degrees until reach the top. The summit offer superb mountain scape, where the enjoyment is unique & incomparable. On descent we can retrace following on same route up, in otherwise we can traverse the peak, descending on west ridge, follow walking down till Base Camp. Overnight at Ishinca base camp. Meal: B / S / L / D

DAY 8: Base Camp – Cochapampa - Huaraz
This day we will walk along ishinca valley until cochapampa where our private transportation is waiting us to bring Huaraz Finish Our Climb. Back to Huaraz for a nice shower in the hotel and some rest; enjoy a good dinner celebrating in y the town after climbing success. Overnight at hotel. Meal: B / S / L

CLIMBING IN 4 DAYS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST we can include one extra day out of usual program for climbers who feel not in good shape and want to do more relaxing, we offer or recommend make in 4 days. The day 02 we move from base camp to moraine camp. (Optional)

Note: climbing Ishinca advisable for beginners, who wants to attempt having life time experience on mountain climbing, further its ideal summit for advanced level climbers, who are looking acclimatize for higher summits.

Trip program Lima – Huaraz – mountains – Huaraz – Lima all included just available on request.

PRICES & DATES

Multi-day trek & climb Rates for private groups 2024

Choose and book your adventure travel style & let us take you on it for a responsible & sustainable tourism:

Season
Begin of May
June
July
August
End of September

We organize this short version of multi-day trek with extension of climbing ishinca on private basis for groups of friends, families, adventure companies & tour leaders. With fully local guides assistance. Please feel completely free to get in touch with us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates to send you a quote, with no obligation.

Cost on base of:

• 2 participants USD $ 1,510 per each one
• 3 participants USD $ 1,285 per each one
• 4 participants USD $ 1,140 per each one
• 5 participants USD $ 1,055 per each one
• 6 participants USD $ 1,030 per each one
• 8 participants (+) USD $ 900 per each one

Note:
• Additional info or Full trip dossier information (PDF) available upon request & provided at the booking time.

• In the showed rate isn’t included the general Peruvian taxes (I.G.V)

Get Special discount for the groups more than 6 participants

Trip program Lima – Huaraz – mountains – Huaraz – Lima all included just available on request.

We Are Ready To Make Your Dream a Reality

INCLUSIONS

What’s included in the cost

• Huaraz bus station (meeting service) and Transfer from bus station - ho(s) tel – bus station (arrival & departure day)
• Private transportation for begin & return of santa cruz trek
• Private transportation for begin & return of climbing ishinca
• Bilingual trekking guide certified by (UIMLA) & certified & qualified mountain guide for climbing ishinca.
• Assistant guide for large groups for trek llanganuco - santa cruz
• Assistant guide (aspirant) with more than 3 clients for climbing ishinca
• Mountain cook
• Assistant cook for large groups
• healthy & fresh meals per day (hearty breakfast, snack, cooked lunch & hot dinner)
• Donkeys (mules)
• Donkey driver (muleteer service).
• Emergency horse if the group is formed more 4 people
• Full First aid group kid
• Cook tent, Dinner tent, Toilet tent for take care our environment
• Good quality Sleeping Tent (a tent for 3 persons by 2 people).
• sleeping mats (foam) for every body
• Full Utensil kitchen by every body
• Full entrance fee ticket for santa cruz via ulta trek ($ 50) per each hiker
• Full entrance fee ticket or climbing permits ($ 20) per each climber(for ishinca)
• Group climbing gear or protective hard ware as (rope, snow pickets, ice screw, stoves and all supplies necessary to make a safe and strong bid for the summit ) (for ishinca)

What doesn’t included in the cost

• booking bus or flight ticket to transfer from (lima - huaraz – lima)
• Booking Ho(s)tel for accommodation in Huaraz
• Acclimatization program before this trek & climb program.
• Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day
• Meal and beverages during the stay in Huaraz
• Extra food in our trip
• Personal trek equipment
• Additional tours.
• Sleeping-bag (-15 ºC)
• Travel insurance assistance
• Phone calls, access to internet cabins & others extra expenses
• Additional sleeping pad or thermal rest
• Laundry service
• Personal toiletries
• Personal first aid kid
• Tips for the staff
• Extra expenses no specified in this trip program

Extra
we can help you to rent extra equipment not included in the price

• Down sleeping bag = USD $8 per day
• Hiking polls = USD $ 2 per day
• Single Supplement Tent Only = USD $ 10 per day

Extra service available upon request

• booking hotel for accommodation in Huaraz
• booking bus ticket to travel (lima - Huaraz – lima)
• additional tours, hikes, climbing expeditions

Trip program Lima – Huaraz – mountains – Huaraz – Lima all included just available on request.

WHY TRAVEL WITH US

Responsible travel
Responsible travel practice is elemental in our each trip program. When you book one of our adventure pursuits, we will ensure that you practice a responsible & sustainable tourism on wild & remote areas protecting: the fragile ecosystem, tradition of local communities, natural environments and wildlife.

As a responsible travel we try to produce the most minimum impact as possible to the environment on the path where we walk, because we know clearly about the global warning and climate change that is the main reason that we have a responsibility as visitors to minimize the impact with our presence.

Tourism is one of the most important industries in the planet. It option to employs people around worldwide, obviously the Benefits is much more for people who live in developing countries where the income we provide can mean the difference between economic survival and poverty

THE RESPONSIBLE WAY TO YOUR ADVENTURE MEAN:

PROTECTING & CONSERVING: natural mountain-scape, every natural resource, flora & fauna.

RESPECTING: local culture – traditions, religions and built heritage where you visit.

BENEFITTING: with your visit you will generate a job opportunities for local communities.

MINIMISING POLLUTION: taking-out our trash during the trek or climb expeditions all litter is remove to the city for it properly recycled. We use specified spots to put on our toilets tents at the camping areas to don’t pollute the water resource.

Please become part of this practicing a responsible & sustainable travel your challenge is important

Ultimate Value
When you book one of our tours, acclimatization hikes, multi-day treks, & climbing expeditions, you will receive currently information, quality services at the best prices with plenty of inclusions & exclusion cost. This trip offers exceptional value money, ensuring your holiday with affordable rate and guaranteeing with centrally good quality hotels, private transportations, official bilingual guides with international certification (UIMLA), (UIAGM) both organizations are internationally recognized, good varied and fresh food for adventure expeditions, all your national park entrance fees and permits included, no hidden cost, no surprises and no staff exploit.

Pricing
As a 100% local qualified guides & tour operators our trip prices are based directly on Peruvian economy rates our cost structure is built up cost on cost because we directly manage and run all of our trips, beside promoting the local employ, personal qualified people, providing a job opportunity with that improving their economy and their quality of life and even we encourage hardly the fair wage, because we work very transparent & the most honest possible

Custom Made Itineraries
You should absolutely feel free to build your own trip program according your preference & necessity just only let us know to help with our experience to make an itinerary day a day just for you, giving you complete freedom to choose what you want to see, where you want to go, when you want to do it, How you can enjoy it with better health. Adjust an existing itinerary & ensuring that you develop a responsible and sustainable tourism.

Small Group is good
We are focused organizing for small groups to provide topnotch service in: tours, hikes, multi-day treks & climbing expeditions to live a life time experience for adventure lovers, while your guide & support crew are attentive to ensuring your travels are supportive and full safety.

No Single Supplements
If you are joining in one of our adventure expeditions as a single person, we’ll match you with another traveler of the same gender and you won’t be charged anything extra for the vast majority of our trips. If you however want a guaranteed single occupancy or tent, we can also arrange that for at a small extra charge.

Exploring cordillera blanca
Indubitably cordillera Blanca provides some of the most astonishing landscape in the world, varied tours, acclimatization hikes, multi-day treks & climbing expeditions. This is Peru’s best-known mountain region, only 100km from the Pacific Ocean, we find within this 185 km long from south to north the greatest concentration of tropical zone glaciers on earth and it has 722 glaciers for survival 30 peaks of them are over the 6000m high, crowned by Peru’s highest peak Huascaran (6768m), and the most beautiful peak in the world “Mount Alpamayo” is lies hire as well.

Cordillera Blanca provides gorgeous views of sparkling glaciers, multicolored glacier lakes; turquoise and pristine lagoons & vertical granite rock walls rise thousands of meters into the sky, water falls, and cascades with incredible view, (a number of high passes), green lush valleys, magnificent vistas of summits over 6,000 m, cascading glaciers, wondrous alpine meadows, fragile ecosystems, going explore is really good chance to Enjoy the sptacles of the nature to Click stunning photos.

We Are Ready To Make Your Dream a Reality

WHAT TO BRING

WHAT TO BRING FOR TREKKING & CLIMBING

CLOTHING

• Climbing Boots: need to be crampon-compatible. For most easy climbs up to over 5200 meters, a lightweight mountaineering boot (B2) is more than adequate Well-insulated single leather or synthetic mountaineering boots.
• Walking boot or hiking shoes: These are the boots you will wear on the trek over high passes, then you'll need a couple shoes of handling a bit of slippery snow and very rough and rocky trails. For example a B0 or B1 ankle-high boot.
• A stiff pair of trail running or a pair of sandals (to wear around the camp)
• Gaiters: Short, ankle gaiters are normally enough for climbs up to about 5200 meters.
• At least 2 pairs of good quality hiking Socks: We recommend you bring 2 changes of socks for your hiking shoes and 2 changes for your climbing boots. Many people like to wear a thin liner sock. This can reduce abrasion and blisters.
• A couple of fast drying base-layer tops (made of synthetic material is preferable instead of cotton or wool t-shirt) (whatever material can be long sleeve is advisable)
• Mid – layer (mid weight fleece or a synthetic insulation jacket (e.g primaloft) as well as full of thermal underwear to wear in the evening.
• Wear light/medium - weight trousers that allow the free movement and will dry quickly.
• Light weight cotton or synthetic pants / trouser: for hiking in the mountains For hiking around camp Shorts are Ok
• Lightweight Synthetic gloves a pair of polar - tec
• Shell glovesa pair for colder conditions
• Climbing pants shell proof with zipper: it’s worth having some kind of light synthetic climbing pant with a hard finish. The slightly stretchy "Schoeller" type fabric is ideal. Patagonia, Mammut, Eider, Millet, Marmot (gore – tex).
• Climbing jackets shell proof ( gore - tex)
• dawn jackets is nice or a micro –down jacket are suitable for climbing & trekking
• Warm synthetic or wool hat
• Wind proof waist coat or jacket (optional)
• sunglasses is essential spectrum 3 for trekking
• Sun hat: Or baseball cap with bandanna safety pinned to it to keep the sun off your face and neck.
• Thermal liners
• Neck gaiter or balaclava (wool or synthetic, mid-weight) the neck gaiter is more versatile and can serve as ear band

CLIMBING TOOLS


• Climbing helmet recommended for every climbing peaks for our safety.
• Harness Adjustable leg loops are recommended, big enough to fit over all your layers of clothing. Bring one with a belay loop
• Ice axe for climbing ishinca, a single standard mountaineering axe is adequate.
• Crampons antibottes: These are rubber or plastic plates that fit under you crampons to prevent balling up in soft snow. Alpine crampon
• Carabineers If you are taking a guide then 2 locking, 1 none locking should be plenty.
• Glacier glasses 100% UV (Julbo Explorer or Nomad) spectrum 4 for (alpinism)
• Prussick or slings: it’s necessary for rappel.

CAMPING EQUIPMENT


• Sleeping bag – 15ºC should be enough to sleep well (down or synthetic)
• Foam sleeping pad or a therm- a – rest (prolite or NeoAir for a better night sleep) which is the best for more comfort at high camp.
• 2 liters water bottle (Nalgene) or camelback, last one is great in trekking, meanwhile it will freezing in climbing day
• Water treatment (chlorine dioxide tablets) (micro pure) (optional)
• Headlamp or head torch with extra batteries (we recommended all use LED technology) Petzl's or black diamont.
• Good quality sun cream (Sunscreen) for using around the camp
• Lip balm
• Insect repellent
• Pocket knife (optional)
• Pee Bottle (2) 1 Liter wide mouth bottles (Nalgene) (optional)
• Thermos (optional) 1 Liter capacity stainless steel vacuum bottle
• Trash bags (4) To line stuff sacks and one large to line pack

SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT


• hiking steaks or trekking poles are useful a compact 3 section (leki or black diamond they are lither and durable)
• Duffel bag or ruck sack(around 60 - 70 liters) with padlock. These duffels will be tied onto the backs of burros on the way up to Base Camp, so make sure they’re tough.
• A 40 – 45 liters day pack to carry spare clothing, snack, camera and water to drink during the day walk.

ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT


• MP3 players, paperbacks, journal, games or cards, tablets or electronic book
• Camera
• Mobile phones
• Solar charging panels

PERSONAL MEDICAL KID


• Should include: plasters, antiseptic, cream, sterile gauze and bandage, rehydration sachets, zinc oxide tape and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
• Bring paracetamol, and acetazolamide or Diamox for treating mild symptoms of (AMS).
• Have loperamide is a good idea in case you get the runs
• Antibiotic such as: ciprofloxacin or Bactrim for bacterial stomach bugs.
• A small roll of adhesive tape, cough drops.

PERSONAL TOILETS


• Toilets such us: Toothbrush, small amount of toothpaste, dental floss, contact lens fluids, a small bar of soap, and small hand towel or wash clothes.
• On most expeditions in base camps we can supply you with a small bowl of warm washing water in the morning and afternoon.
• A small synthetic hand towel (wash clothes) is useful for taking a sponge bath, toilet paper.