High Andes Traverse: 4-Day Santa Cruz Expedition to Punta Union

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Overview

  • Duration:4 days 3 nights
  • Travelers:1 - 12 guests
  • Tour Type:Multi-Day Circuits
  • Language:English

Your journey begins with a private pickup from your hotel in Huaraz, heading toward the majestic Huascaran National Park. Upon arriving at the trailhead, you will meet your professional local team—guides, cooks, and muleteers—who will be your companions and protectors throughout the expedition. As we begin the trek, you will witness the raw beauty of the high-altitude tropics, moving through a landscape of granite peaks and turquoise glacial lakes in a safe, expertly managed environment.


Walk alongside our certified guides, who share the ancestral stories of the Cordillera Blanca and the individual history of the communities that call these mountains home. Throughout the route, you will have the freedom to photograph and immerse yourself in the landscape at your own pace, while our team monitors your well-being with professional safety protocols and O2 saturation checks.


As the sun begins to set, arrive at our exclusive campsites where the magic of Andean hospitality truly shines. Instead of basic rations, you will enjoy nutritious, high-protein meals prepared by our mountain chefs, designed to fuel your recovery at 4,000 masl (13,123 ft). While our team handles the logistics and equipment, you can focus on the breathtaking views of Alpamayo and Artesonraju, sharing a hot coffee and stories with your fellow travelers and the local crew.


On the final day, descend through the lush vegetation of the Santa Cruz valley until reaching the village of Cashapampa. After bidding farewell to your new local friends and the team that ensured your safety, enjoy a final traditional lunch before our private transport takes you back to Huaraz. You return not just with memories, but with the peace of mind that comes from a truly human and professional Andean experience.

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Highlights

  • Punta Union Pass crossing at 4,750 masl (15,584 ft): Reaching the historic heart of the Ancash Massif.
  • Spectacular views of Alpamayo (5,947 masl): Witnessing the world's most beautiful mountain from the Arhuaycocha viewpoint.
  • Artesonraju Viewpoint: The iconic "Paramount Pictures" peak standing tall above the Santa Cruz valley.
  • Camping at the serene shores of Taullipampa: Waking up surrounded by the vertical granite walls of the Andean giants.
  • Professional logistics with veteran mountain chefs and muleteers: Ensuring supreme reliability and warm human care in the high-altitude tropics.

Itinerary

Day 1: Huaraz – Portachuelo Pass – Paria [3,850 masl / 12,631 ft]

Departure from Huaraz at 5:30 AM for a 5-hour drive through the Llanganuco valley. We stop at the lakes before crossing Portachuelo pass (4,767m). We start trekking from Vaqueria, hiking for 4 hours through the Huaripampa valley until reaching our first camp.

Day 2: Paria – Punta Union Pass – Taullipampa [4,250 masl / 13,944 ft]

Morning departure at 7 AM. We ascend for 4 hours to the legendary Punta Union pass (4,750m), the highest point of the trek. After enjoying views of the Santa Cruz massif, we begin a 2-hour descent to our camp at the base of Taulliraju.

Day 3: Taullipampa – Arhuaycocha Viewpoint – Llamacorral [3,750 masl / 12,303 ft]

Departure at 8 AM for a 6-hour journey. We take a detour to the Arhuaycocha viewpoint (4,450m) for a direct view of Alpamayo and its glacial lake. We then descend through the main valley, passing Hatuncocha and Icchicocha lakes before reaching camp.

Day 4: Llamacorral – Cashapampa – Huaraz [3,050 masl / 10,006 ft]

Final descent starting at 8 AM. We trek for 3 hours through the dramatic Santa Cruz canyon following the river downstream to the village of Cashapampa (2,900m). From there, our private transport takes us on a 3-hour drive back to Huaraz.

Includes/Excludes

  • Punctual hotel pickup and drop-off in Huaraz
  • UIAGM/AGMP certified expert mountain guide
  • High-energy mountain nutrition (Chef-prepared)
  • Purified water throughout the expedition
  • Private 4x4 rugged transport to trailhead
  • Professional safety kit (O2 & Pulse Oximetry)
  • Premium 4-season expedition tents
  • Reliable muleteer and pack animal logistics
  • Huascaran National Park entrance fee
  • Personal sleeping bag and trekking poles
  • High-altitude travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal clothing and technical gear
  • Extra snacks or alcoholic beverages
  • Tips for the local mountain crew

Frequently asked questions

What to bring

- High-altitude clothing: Waterproof hardshell jacket, down jacket for sub-zero nights, and breathable - base layers (no cotton).
- Footwear: Sturdy, waterproof, and well-broken-in trekking boots with high-traction soles.
- Daypack: 25L to 30L backpack with a rain cover for your daily essentials.
- Sun Protection: High SPF sunscreen, lip balm with UV filter, polarized sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Personal Gear: 0°F rated sleeping bag, trekking poles (highly recommended for descents), and a headlamp with extra batteries.
Hydration: 2L reusable water bottle or bladder (we provide purified water).

Not allowed

- Single-use plastics: To comply with Huascaran National Park regulations and our zero-waste policy.
- Drones: Forbidden without prior government permits to protect wildlife and the peace of other travelers.
- Alcohol & Speakers: We maintain a respectful environment for high-altitude recovery and mountain silence.
- Littering: Any waste generated must be carried out; we strictly follow "Leave No Trace" principles.

Know before you go

- Acclimatization: You must spend at least 48 hours in Huaraz (3,050 masl) before starting the trek to minimize AMS risk.
- Physical Preparation: This is a Level 3 expedition; a good cardiovascular condition is essential for the 4,750m pass.
- Thermal Range: Expect intense equatorial sun during the day and temperatures dropping below freezing (0°C / 32°F) at night.
- Safety First: Our guides perform daily O2 saturation checks. If symptoms of altitude sickness persist, your guide will initiate safety protocols immediately.

Extra Services

Local Transfers & Arrivals

Local Transfers & Arrivals

We provide private transportation from Anta Airport (ATA) and Huaraz bus terminals directly to your hostel. As a licensed local tour operator, we guarantee safety, premium quality, and the peace of mind that comes with our extensive regional expertise and professional service.

$ 30.00/person
Pack Mules & Arrieros

Pack Mules & Arrieros

Essential logistics for multi-day trekking. Our healthy pack mules and experienced local muleteers transport camp gear between sites, allowing you to hike lightly with only a daypack. Please note: Rates are charged per mule, per day. We guarantee humane animal care and fair wages for reliable trail support.

$ 90.00/person
Secure Storage & Concierge

Secure Storage & Concierge

Travel light and worry-free. As a local tour operator, we provide secure, monitored storage for your non-trekking luggage at our Huaraz headquarters. Our team offers expert concierge assistance for the best local dining, hotel bookings, and recovery services, ensuring you have professional support throughout your stay.

$ 12.00/package
Specialized Summit Porters

Specialized Summit Porters

Vital support for technical summits like Alpamayo. Experienced high-altitude porters carry heavy gear between camps, saving your energy for the climb. Please note: rates are charged per porter, per day. We ensure reliable, fairly-paid local staff with essential expedition experience.

$ 60.00/person
Technical Gear Rental

Technical Gear Rental

Access premium high-altitude equipment without the luggage weight. We offer high-end essential gear rental, including 4-season tents, technical mountaineering boots, ice axes, and specialized alpine clothing, all maintained to international safety standards.

$ 65.00/person

Customer reviews

andeando
On July 9, 2025

Entire journey on the river cruise was amazing. This is the first such cruise dinner for my family. We loved everything, right from table organising, food, music and the hospitality. Kudos to the entire team !

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