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 PISCO at 5,752 meters, (18,897 feet) is probably one of the best preparation climbing expeditions before attempting to climb higher mountains in the Cordillera Blanca or Cordillera Huayhuash. Be sure Mount Pisco, is a fairly straight forward climb, without exposing the climber to difficult and technical climbing, thus allowing beginners with the opportunity to be exposed to a great experience on a big beautiful mountain, it is ideal for acclimatization, With stunning view of several other taller & more technical peaks close it, Pisco is commonly used as a preparation and warming up to climb for higher nearby peaks.

Maximum trek Altitude 4850 m (15,900 feet)
Trek Difficulty Moderate – Hard
Maximum climb Altitude 5,752m (18,866) feet
Climb Difficulty (PD)
Length 7 - 8Days

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

Day 1: (trek program start) Huaraz – Cashapampa – Llama Corral (3760m)
Day 2: Llamacorral – Alpamayo Viewpoint (4200m) – Taullipampa (4250m)
Day 3: taullipampa - punta union pass (4750m) – paria valley (3800m)
Day 4: Paria – Vaquería (3700m) – yuraccoral 3900 m
DAY 5: (climb program start) - Cebollapampa – pisco Base Camp (4650m)/15,252 ft.
DAY 6: attempt summit at (5,752m)/18,866ft - base camp
DAY 7: Base Camp – Cebollapampa - Huaraz

Note: climbing pisco 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 santa cruz & climbing pisco you should complete 2 or 3 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:

• Santa cruz trek + climb Mount pisco + climb mount yanapaccha
• Santa cruz trek + climb Mount pisco + climb mount tocllaraju
• Santa cruz trek + climb Mount pisco + climb mount chopicalqui

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

July 2018
Santa Cruz trek + climbing pisco
Fredy is truly the best guide we have had out of all our world-wide trekking expeditions! Not only is he very knowledgeable and friendly but he truly cares that you have a great experience. He is a certified trekking and mountaineering guide, who knows the little things that make a big difference like where the best places to eat and camp are while on the trail. Often, he showed us his ‘secret’ out of the way locations that provided the best photo opportunities, usually out of the wind and away from other trekking parties. While he was always concerned about our safety, it never got in the way of him spending time talking to you about the flowers, wildlife, mountains and Peruvian culture. He arranged all the details for our 11-day trip this summer including bus tickets, hotels, 3 acclimatization day hikes (including a climb of Mount Mateo) and the 8-day Santa Cruz Trek with a climb of Mount Pisco (18, 871 ft). Everything was impeccably organized, his pre-trip communication with us was timely and thorough; no surprise to us, the entire trip went off without a hitch. He hires excellent crews including the best trekking cook ever (Lucia) who made outstanding meals every day. Fresh fruits and vegetables were a centerpiece of every meal on the trek; we could hardly wait for the next meal. Fredy adds all the special touches like “bed tea” to wake you up, hot wash water twice a day etc. On a final note, Fredy offers (in abundance) one thing that you can’t put a price on, and that is a bottomless love of the Peruvian wilds and a burning desire to share it with others; there’s a reason he’s always smiling (yet another one of his many admirable qualities) and it’s because he loves what he does and he loves sharing it with others. It’s one of the main reasons we will be doing a third trip with him in the future. Our trip was an amazing experience and we do not hesitate to recommend Andes Adventure Holidays company to anyone seeking a great personalized adventure in Peru! Llisa & mike / USA

ITINERARY

TREK & CLIMB PROGRAM HUARAZ –SANTA CRUZ TREK + CLIMBING PISCO – 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 4: Paria – Vaquería – portachuelo pass (4750m) – yuraccoral (3900m)
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 follow hiking until reach vaqueria settlement. Finish our trek. Where our private transportation await us to bring yuraccoral on llanganuco valley, on the road we will pass on Portachuelo pass, where the view is really gorgeous to click spectacular pictures about superb mountain scape with tremendous & majestic view of: mount Huascarán, Huandoy, Pisco, crossing the cordillera Blanca from east to west, the great view of car road drops on many loops until the bottom of Llanganuco valley, follow driving over it we reach yuraccoral. Overnight camp at yuraccoral. Meals: B / S / L / D

DAY 5: yuraccoral - Pisco Base Camp (4650m)/15,252 ft.
After your breakfast at yuraccoral camp at 3900m on llanganuco valley; with donkeys and donkey drivers support, who are going to load our climbing gear until base camp and we will climb up on a good trail until reach the base camp at 4650m. We usually arrive in the mid-afternoon, and have a few hours to relax or to click stunning photos, or simple joy the superb vista. Overnight at pisco base camp. Meals: B / S / L / D

DAY 6: attempt pisco summit at (5752m)/18,866ft - base camp
Summit day: We as usually leave very early from the base camp around 1:00 am, because we must climb upon the rocky section or moraine until reach the beginning of glacier as soon as we reach it we put on our climbing gear as crampons, harness & we rope up. Then we climb upon until reach the west ridge with not too steep route, there are occasionally some steep sections, as hard ice at the beginning. this route is not too difficult or technical, however can be challenge with the altitude, but the views from the summit is impressive and superb around it, where we will be able to shoot the most stunning and panoramic pictures, especially towards Chacraraju, where we will see a huge and sharp snow wall is fluting o the south face, where the enjoymet is unique for the climber. After spending few minutes on the summit, we will retrace on the same route until base Camp. Last night at base camp. Meal: B / S / L / D

DAY 7: Base Camp – Cebollapampa - Huaraz
On our last day after our breakfast we will walk down until Cebolla Pampa, 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 pisco 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 pisco 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 $ 1,515 per each one
• 3 participants USD $ 1,310 per each one
• 4 participants USD $ 1,160 per each one
• 5 participants USD $ 1,090 per each one
• 6 participants USD $ 1,025 per each one
• 8 participants (+) USD $ 920 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 to transfer from (vaqueria – yuraccoral) day four.
• Private transportation for begin & return of climbing pisco
• Bilingual trekking guide certified by (UIMLA) & certified & qualified mountain guide for climbing pisco.
• Assistant guide for large groups for trek santa cruz
• Assistant guide (aspirant) with more than 3 clients for climbing pisco
• 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 pisco)
• 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 pisco)

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 pisco, 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.