If you’re in search of one of the most beautiful treks in Peru’s capital of Andean adventure, you’ve found it in the Santa Cruz Trek in Huaraz. The four-day, three-night route through Peru’s Cordillera Blanca is one that takes you past emerald-colored lakes, jaw-dropping waterfalls, and, of course, peak after glacier-clad peak. It’s a journey that’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but also not so difficult that it boxes out less experienced trekkers. If your curiosity is peaked, keep reading. We tell you just what to expect on the Santa Cruz Trek.
Trekking Distance
The grand total mileage for the Santa Cruz Trek is an ambitious 27 miles, or 43 kilometers. Though not the longest of the Huaraz treks you could do, it is one of the more scenic. Each day involves anywhere from 4 to 8 hours of trekking, with most days falling inside the upper end of that spectrum.
Trekking Difficulty
Though physically demanding, the Santa Cruz Trek is classified as a moderately difficult trek in Peru. Even novice hikers should have no problem completing the route. However, it’s important that you prepare your body for the demands of the high-altitude mountain terrain. In the months leading up to your trek, you’ll want to ramp up your cardio training and try to hike at altitude if you can.
Altitude
The Santa Cruz Trek reaches a peak altitude of 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,584 ft.) at the Punta Unión Pass, while the rest of the trekking route hovers around 3,000 m.a.s.l. (9,842 ft.). This means altitude sickness is a risk. Stay hydrated, eat your carbs, and climb slowly. Do these things and you should be in the clear for a headache and vomit-free Huaraz trekking experience.
Temperature and Weather
Temperatures on the Santa Cruz Trek tend to range from – 3°C to 25°C, or 27°F to 77°F. The coldest months to trek in Huaraz are from May to September, which also happens to be the dry season. Save for April and October when weather conditions are a bit more unpredictable, the rest of the year is pretty wet. Expect muddier trails and daily precipitation if you’ll be trekking Huaraz during the months of November through March.
Trekking the Santa Cruz Trek With Explorandes
The biggest pro to trekking the Santa Cruz Trek with an expert adventure tour operator is how little you have to think about details like food, water, gear, and navigating the route. Trek with Explorandes and you can pour all of your attention into the beautiful surroundings knowing that the camp crew has your meals, gear, and tent set-up entirely covered from the beginning to end.
For more information about the Santa Cruz Trek in Huaraz, or any other Peru treks with Explorandes, get in touch with us today.
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Hola, quieria saber si es possible hacer el trekkin entre una semana? Como es el tiempo? Hay mucca lluvia? Gracias