Skyline Adventure School | Santa Cruz Trek Package in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru

SANTA CRUZ TREK PACKAGE:

The Santa Cruz Trek is one of the most popular hiking routes in the Cordillera Blanca. While an option exists to do the trail in just 4 days, our Santa Cruz expedition includes a 2-day extension via the Ulta Valley which just about anyone who does the trail claims to be the highlight. The trail winds through fertile alpine valleys, boasts views of spectacular glaciated peaks, and crosses from one side of the Cordillera Blanca to the other by means of Punta Union pass which rises to14,700 feet (4750 meters), then back again over Yanayacu pass at 4850 meters. With donkeys carrying the load, the walk is made even more enjoyable, allowing one to focus his or her attention the stunning landscape instead of the weight of their backpack! An optional hike to visit the popular Alpamayo basecamp can be woven into the trip on day 2, or for those more inclined to just put their feet up and take in the sights, the grassy pasture of Taullipampa couldn’t be a more perfect resting place. You’ll wander past the monstrous peaks of Santa Cruz, Artesonraju, Taulliraju and more. On your way to Colcabamba, you’ll pass through a small community where you’ll see up close and personal the way the people of this mountainous zone live, perhaps even taste some of their local cuisine! A short and very sweet hike, it is no wonder why the Santa Cruz is considered “THE trek” to do in Huaraz.

Difficulty: – easy to moderate
Total nights in the mountains: 5 Itinerary length Lima to Lima: 11 days

"One of the most incredible things we noticed about our experience with the acclimatization hikes, and then the trek, was the incredible beauty of the changing scenery. Every day was different which kept it really interesting..."

"I am very thankful to have had this adventure with Skyline. I knew I wanted to see Peru, and I thought it was because of Machu Picchu, but I discovered that there is so much more to Peru than ruins! Thank you Ted & Jen, thank you Gladys, Don Oscar & Don Juan and thank you to Make a Wish!"

--Stephanie Schreiber – Santa Cruz Trek, May 2009

SANTA CRUZ 11-DAY ITINERARY:

DAY:	ACTIVITY:
1	Private pick-up at the Lima Airport. Transfer to hotel in Lima for a nice meal & a good night's sleep.
2	Private transfer in the morning to the bus station. Take a comfortable first class ride to Huaraz (approximately 8 hour journey). Move into your hotel and relax... the adventure is all around you!
3	Meet at the Skyline office to review your itinerary, answer questions, finalize trip. Spend the rest of the day visiting nearby ruins and touring the city (acclimatize!). Spend the night in your Huaraz hotel.
4	Day hike to the turquoise waters of Laguna Churup (4500 meters). Approximately 6 hours round trip. Return to Huaraz.
5	Depart Huaraz and drive to the small village of Cashapampa to meet your donkeys and begin your trek up the beautiful Santa Cruz Valley. Hike about 4 hours before setting up camp and settling in for the evening in an area called Llama corral.
6	Continue hiking up the valley 5-7 hours towards the first pass of the trek (Punta Union 4750 meters). Camp before the pass near the popular Alpamayo base camp. Optional trip up to see the base camp.
7	Hike up and over Punta Union and descend to about 4200 meters where a nice camp awaits. Hiking time, 6-7 hours.
8	Continue your descent towards the town of Vaqueria, then cut southeast on the trail at Colcabamba. Enter the Ulta valley and sleep before ascending to the second pass. Hiking time, 5-6 hours.
9	Hike up and over the pass then descend to a beautiful campsite on the other side. Hiking time 5-6 hours.
10	Enjoy your last morning at camp then pack up and hike out to meet your transport at the road. Transfer to Huaraz for the well deserved warm shower and celebration banquet
11	Last minute shopping for family and friends before departing for Lima at 10:00am, arriving at the airport or your hotel by 7:00pm.

SERVICES INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED

Trip Includes:

   *    All in-country transport during trip, including transport to and from the Lima airport
   *    First class bus tickets between Lima and Huaraz
   *    Hotel accommodations for specified time in Lima and Huaraz
   *    Professional, English speaking guide for acclimatization activities and climbs/treks
   *    Professional outdoor cook, 3 healthy meals a day plus snacks during the wilderness components of the trip
   *    Technical mountaineering equipment
   *    All park entrance fees
   *    All camping & cooking equipment which is not included in the gear list
   *    Donkeys or llamas and porters where applicable
   *    Sleeping tents, sleeping mats (foam)
   *    Cook tent, eating tent, tables, chairs, and bathroom tent (where applicable)
   *    First aid kit stocked for wilderness expeditions
   *    Celebration banquet at the end of trip

Not Included:

   *    International flights to/from Lima and applicable airport taxes
   *    Personal clothing and equipment (see gear list)
   *    All food during in-town days with the exception of the Celebration Banquet
   *    Incidental personal expenditures, including emergency evacuations and medical expenditures
   *    Travel, Personal, and/or medical insurance

DATES AND PRICE:

Santa Cruz Trek Package:	May 5-15, 2010	Price per Person:
	August 3-13, 2010	$1095 USD (3 person minimum)

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