OVERVIEW

Santa Cruz via ulta Trek is one of the most demanding and, magnificent trekking routes. This World- class, high altitude, multi-day trek, crosses the heart of Peru’s stunning Cordillera Blanca. A week of Glorious, remote, high- altitude trekking through the lush green valleys of Santa Cruz Huaripamapa, and Ulta, this tremendous alpine trek offers A superb mountain scape of towering fluted summits over 6000 meters, cascading Glaciers, aqua blue glacial lakes, alpine meadows, areas of overwhelming beauty, and fragile ecosystems. Our campsites have stunning views, and even especially from the mountain plateau campsite at Avalancha Place. We will finish our trek in the beautiful Quebrada Ulta.

Maximum Altitude 4850 m (15,900 feet)
Difficulty Moderate - Hard
Length 6 Days trek

Brief Itinerary of the trek program Huaraz – Santa Cruz Ulta – Huaraz

Day 1: Huaraz – Cashapampa (2990m) – Llama Corral (3760m)
Day 2: Llamacorral – Alpamayo Viewpoint (4200m) – Taullipampa (4250m)
Day 3: taullipampa - punta union pass (4750m) – paria valley (3800m)
Day 4: Paria – Colcabanba (3400m) – molinopampa(3600m)
DIA 5: molinopampa – Avalancha camp (4500m)
DIA 6: avalancha – yanayacu pass (4850m) –Ulta (4300m)

SUGGESTION: please understand that before the Santa Cruz via Ulta trek you should complete 2 acclimatization day hikes to avoid altitude sickness. Ask us for advice or visit our page about acclimatization hikes.

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

• Santa Cruz – ulta trek + climbing Pisco 3 days climb
• Santa Cruz – ulta trek + climbing Ishinca 3 days climb
• Santa Cruz – ulta trek + climbing Vallunaraju 2 days climbing
• Santa Cruz – ulta trek + climbing yanapaccha 2 days climbing

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

ITINERARY

TREK PROGRAM HUARAZ – SANTA CRUZ - VIA ULTA TREK – HUARAZ

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

Day 1: Huaraz – Cashapampa (2990m) – Llama Corral (3760m)
We will pick up you at your hotel with our private vehicle. As we drive through the rich Callejón de Huaylas valley, we will pass through small agricultural towns with colonial architecture with red tile roofs. On the way, we will stop to enjoy spectacular views of the Andes including the western face of Peru’s highest peak, Huascaran (22,205 ft). We will then continue driving through the town of Caraz, to Cashapampa village, where we will meet with the donkeys & the donkey driver. We will begin by walking along the right bank of the Santa Cruz River. The trail has a moderate grade with some steep sections. This narrow valley has sparkling waterfalls, forest groves & highland bushes, our trail will pass under looming rock towers and rock slides until arriving at our campsite, located in a wide meadow with a spectacular view to the valley’s head. Overnight camp at Llamacorral. Meals: S / L / D

Day 2: Llamacorral – Alpamayo Viewpoint (4200m) – Taullipampa (4250m)
Today we will walk gently uphill, passing the beautiful mountain lakes of Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha, and hiking through the lush, green valley until Quisuar. From Quisuar, we will follow switchbacks up a steep hill until we reach the Alpamayo Viewpoint. Overlooking the Arhueycocha gorge, we will see a superb view of Mount Alpamayo’s east face. Although it is not one of the higher summits, Alpamayo is highly sought after by many mountaineers. In 1966 an international survey declared it to be the most beautiful mountain in the world. This beauty draws climbers from afar to experience the spectacular pyramidal shape of the north face and the lovely fluted ice on the southwest face. This is also a perfect viewpoint to appreciate the dramatic vista of Artezonraju. The angle of this peak bears a striking resemblance to the Paramount Studios logo. The route next brings us to isolated Taullipampa campsite, located at the foot of Taulliraju, which looks like a cathedral of ice and rock. From the camping spot we will be able to gaze at Alpamayo, Taulliraju, Artezonraju & Quitaraju from the comfort of our tents.

Optional no mandatory: Hike up to the Alpamayo base camp, and Arhueycocha Lake. The lakeside offers a tremendous view to Pukajirca. After clicking memorable pictures, we will retrace our steps to the viewpoint, then traverse to Taullipampa campsite.

Overnight camp at Taullipampa. Meals: B / S / L / D

Day 3: taullipampa - punta union pass (4750m) – paria valley (3800m)
This day we will walk upon a gradually ascending pre-Inca route with incredible views ahead of majestic Mount Taulliraju until we reach the Punta Union pass. As soon as we reach the pass, the grandest view comes in front: the towering summits of Pukajirca, Taulliraju, Artezonraju and Quitaraju, and below, colorful Taillicocha and Jatuncocha lakes in Santa Cruz valley. The trekker can feel rewarded by the splendid vista, and take a well-earned break while photographing incredible memories. Once we cross the pass, we will descend on a rocky trail toward green and lush Huaripampa Valley. As we descend, we will observe small glacial lakes and waterfalls flowing on the rocks. The campsite is located at the junction of Paria Valley and Huaripampa Gorge. Overnight camp at Paria valley. Meals: B / S / L / D

Day 04: Paria – Colcabanba (3400m) – molinopampa(3600m)
Today can be an easy day. At first we walk down a wide meadow through a flat, green, lush valley with some sections of quenual & quisuar forest, with lovely twisted trunks and orange bark. At Huaripampa village, we will have the opportunity to meet with friendly & sociable Quechua residents including children (this day is a good day to give gifts to the children, if you have brought presents such as: pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, crayons, paints, erasers, rulers, notebooks or other school supplies. Most of kids are quite poor, they will feel delighted after receiving these things.) We will continue down until reaching the bottom the valley and cross the bridge at Colcabamba. After that we will walk up a gradual grade along a road until reaching Molinopampa campsite. Overnight camp at molinopampa. Meals: B / S / L / D

DIA 05: molinopampa – Avalancha camp (4500m)
After our hearty breakfast we will start hiking up a gradually ascending trail. As we climb, we will have gorgeous views Mount Contrahierbas to our left side, as well as several waterfalls. The trail winds up through the incredible Andean vegetation (queñual forest) until reaching the Ichic Ulta glacier lakes, a pair of sparkling lakes in the verdant Ulta Gorge. At Avalancha campsite we will enjoy observing several avalanches falling down into the lake from Contrahierbas glacier. Overnight camp at avalanche. Meals: B / S / L / D

DIA 06: avalancha – yanayacu pass (4850m) – ulta(4300m)
Today we will walk up a rock slide trail. The ascent is dramatic, as the path traverses a steep rock face until reaching the Yanayacu Pass. At the top of the pass, we will be greeted with a grandest view the summits of: Chopicalqui and Huascaran, the highest mountain in Peru. Far below sits colorful Yanacocha Lake. Once we cross the pass we will descend on a rocky trail toward Ulta valley, observing a small glacial lagoon. We will follow this trail down to the bridge where we will finish our trek. Our private transportation will be waiting to bring us to Huaraz. After a nice shower and some rest in Huaraz hotel, you can enjoy a tasty dinner in town to celebrate your trekking success. Overnight at hotel. Meals: B / S / L

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

PRICES & DATES

Multi-day trek Rates for private groups 2024

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

Season
May
June
July
August
End of September

We organize this 6 days version of multi-day trek 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 $ 1,145 per each one
• 3 participants USD $ 1,020 per each one
• 4 participants USD $ 930 per each one
• 5 participants USD $ 860 per each one
• 6 participants USD $ 775 per each one
• 8 participants (+) USD $ 645 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 trekking santa cruz via ulta valley
• Bilingual trekking guide certified by (UIMLA).
• Assistant guide if the group is formed more than 5 participants
• 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
• entrance fee ticket Huascaran national park ($ 50) per each hiker

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.
• 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

CLOTHING

• 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.
• For multiday treks is advisable a pair of sandals to wear around camp instead of sneakers
• 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.
• Down jacket is nice or a micro –down jacket
• A woolly hat and thermal gloves ( a pair polar Tec)
• A light weight waterproof jacket shell proof ( gore - tex)
• A light weight waterproof pants or over-trouser (Gore - Tex) are recommendable.
• Wind proof waist coat or jacket (optional)
• Light weight cotton or synthetic pants / trouser: for hiking in the mountains or for hiking around camp Shorts are Ok.
• A pair of high quality sunglasses is essential (dark sport sunglasses) spectrum 3 for trekking
• At least 3 pairs of good quality hiking socks (liner sock can be to reduce abrasion and blister.
• 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

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
• Water treatment (chlorine dioxide tablets) (micro pure) (optional)
• Headlamp or head torch with extra batteries (we recommended all use LED technology).
• 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.