Santa Cruz Alpine Circuit
A high-altitude alpine circuit in the Cordillera Blanca designed to build consistency in mountain travel, develop endurance across multi-day terrain, and establish a strong foundation for higher-altitude expeditions.
The Details
Expedition Overview
Time: 4 Days/3 Nights
Availability: May – September
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
Group Size: Small expedition teams (up to 8 trekkers)
Expedition Stats
Total Distance: 50 km / 31 miles
Total Vertical Gain: 2,200 m / 7,218 ft
Maximum Altitude: 4,750 m / 15,584 ft
Shared Group Expedition
From $420 USD per person
Private Expedition Options
1 Trekker (Private): $950 USD per person
Full private guide, fully personalized pace, exclusive experience
2 Trekkers (Private): $650 USD per person
Private expedition experience for small teams
What This Expedition Represents
This is your foundation stage in the Andes.
You are developing consistency in high-altitude movement, adapting to sustained elevation, and building endurance across multi-day alpine terrain.
This is where you establish the base required for higher-altitude trekking and future summit expeditions.
The Logistics
Day 1: Cashapampa – Llamacorral Camp | Entering the Cordillera Blanca
We begin in Cashapampa and immediately enter the Cordillera Blanca, following a gradual ascent through a narrowing valley carved by glacial water and steep canyon walls. The trail moves deeper into remote alpine terrain as the landscape slowly shifts from lower valley vegetation into high mountain environment.
We establish our first camp at Llamacorral, surrounded by rock faces and river-fed streams, marking the first true step into the high Andes.
Focus: Trail entry & gradual altitude gain
Elevation gain: ~700 m / 2,296 ft
Elevation loss: ~100 m / 328 ft
Distance: ~9 km / 5.6 miles
Hiking time: ~4–5 hours
Campsite elevation: ~3,760 m / 12,336 ft
Highest point: ~3,760 m / 12,336 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Accommodation: Expedition tents
Day 2: Llamacorral – Punta Unión Pass – Taullipampa | High Pass Crossing
We continue deeper into the valley as the terrain becomes steeper and more exposed. The mountains begin to open around us, revealing glaciers and snow-covered peaks in every direction.
The climb toward Punta Unión Pass becomes the defining section of the trek. As we gain altitude, the valley drops away behind us and the full scale of the Cordillera Blanca comes into view. At the pass, we reach the highest point of the route, surrounded by ice, rock, and vast alpine landscapes.
From here, we descend into a new valley, entering a completely different alpine basin where towering peaks frame the landscape. We arrive at Taullipampa and set camp beneath some of the most iconic mountains in the region.
Focus: High-altitude pass & alpine transition
Elevation gain: ~750 m / 2,460 ft
Elevation loss: ~600 m / 1,968 ft
Distance:
~12 km / 7.5 miles
Hiking time:
~6–7 hours
Campsite elevation:
~4,250 m / 13,944 ft
Highest point: ~4,750 m / 15,584 ft (Punta Unión Pass)
Difficulty:
Moderate–Challenging
Accommodation:
Expedition tents
Day 3: Taullipampa – Arhuaycocha Lake – Paria Camp | Glacier Basin Experience
We begin the day surrounded by towering peaks and glacial walls as we move through open alpine terrain toward one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Cordillera Blanca.
The trail leads to Arhuaycocha Lake, a turquoise glacial lake set directly beneath massive ice faces and hanging glaciers. This is one of the most dramatic landscapes of the trek, where water, ice, and rock converge in a powerful alpine setting.
After time at the lake, we continue our descent toward Paria Camp, gradually leaving the high alpine basin and entering lower, more sheltered valley terrain.
Focus: Glacier scenery & controlled descent
Elevation gain:
minimal
Elevation loss:
~900 m / 2,953 ft
Distance:
~10–11 km / 6.2–6.8 miles
Hiking time: ~4–5 hours
Campsite elevation:
~3,850 m / 12,631 ft
Highest point: ~4,250 m / 13,944 ft
Difficulty:
Moderate
Accommodation:
Expedition tents
Day 4: Paria – Vaquería | Exit Through Remote Valleys
We follow a steady descent through remote Andean landscapes as the scale of the mountains slowly fades behind us. The trail passes through rural terrain, open valleys, and quiet sections of the Cordillera Blanca, offering a final perspective on the journey.
We reach Vaquería, where transportation returns us to Huaraz, marking the completion of the expedition.
Focus: Descent & expedition completion
Elevation gain: ~200 m / 656 ft
Elevation loss: ~800 m / 2,625 ft
Distance: ~10 km / 6.2 miles
Hiking time: ~4–5 hours
End elevation: ~3,700 m / 12,139 ft
Highest point: ~3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Accommodation: —
Ready to take your first step into high-altitude trekking?
We’re here to make this the ultimate adventure for you. Consider us your adventure buddies—ready to guide, inspire, and share every step of the journey. Are you ready to dive in?
