Santa Cruz Trek hiking, Peru - FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Where is Santa Cruz?

Where is the trailhead?

Independent hikers travel from Huaraz, by bus or colectivo (2 hours), to the friendly town of Caraz.

You can stay overnight or start hiking the same day.

From near the Caraz central market, shared taxis take you to the trailhead at the foot of the Andes, the tiny town of Cashapampa.

Other options? You could start from the finish of our recommended route, Vaqueria, and walk in the opposite direction from most hikers. (Joining those finishing the Alpamayo Circuit hike.) But we prefer to start in Cashapampa.

Check our recommended hiking route.

How do I get there?

First travel to Lima, Peru.

From there, most travellers bus 8 hours directly to Huaraz. Bizarre desert & fantastic mountain scenery — it is a memorable trip. Note: with a 4000+m pass, you may feel the altitude.

There is no commercial airport in Huaraz.

Recommendation — if you are flying in to Lima we suggest you bus immediately to Huaraz (3090m). Start acclimatizing as soon as possible in preparation for Punta Union pass 4760m!

Time spent in Lima is time spent near sea level.

There are more transportation options in our Details section.

What does it cost to hike Santa Cruz?

Note: Big fluctuations with US currency make this section inaccurate. Use it only as a general guideline.

The main expense for foreign hikers is travel to Peru. The cost of the hike itself is negligible in comparison. Peru is an inexpensive country.

We are independent hikers, preferring to carry our own packs. Santa Cruz is very inexpensive this way.

Santa Cruz Trek carrying your own pack

budget (minimum) for these items:

+ transport from Huaraz > Caraz = US$3 or less / person.
A direct bus is the most secure & comfortable option.

+ transport from Caraz > Cashapampa = US$2 / person approximately.
In 2005 we paid 5 soles fare, plus 1 sole for backpack in shared taxi

+ transport out from Vaqueria > Yungay = US$3 / person on public transport.
This is one of the most dramatic roadways of the world. Negotiate extra to stop at the top of the pass for photos.
In 2004 we hired a van for our group, 150 soles.
In 2005 we paid 10 soles each, stuffed in a Toyota van combi.

+ transport out from Yungay > Huaraz = US$1 / person.

+ Trekking Permit (Turismo Aventura) for Huascaran National Park = US$20 / person (65 soles) for overnight visits
In 2005 some agencies & independent hikers were still deliberately avoiding paying this fee. This writer got one in 2004, but not until after a long discussion with Parks officials as to what the fee was used for. It seemed to us the fee is too high for what you get. Obviously the money does not stay in the park.
~ In 2005 a guide negotiated the 65 soles fee down to 35 soles each for 5 gringos. The Parks official pocketed 30 soles from each of us, providing only a 5 sole receipt for a day pass.
~ Do not pay any other fees on this trek unless you are given a receipt. A woman at the Cashapampa trailhead said we were to pay 5 soles / person. We politely refused unless she gave a receipt.

+ tenting = free

+ food = buy & cook your own food
Huaraz has an excellent public market for outfitting your trip.

More than half of Santa Cruz trekkers hike independently, carrying their own packs 2-5 days. It is a relatively easy adventure.

If you want to hike the longer Alpamayo Circuit, we advise that small groups hire, at minimum, an arriero (mule driver) & pack animals. Larger groups are advised to hire a (recommended) guide, as well.

Santa Cruz Trek with guide and / or pack animals

Budget these expenses in addition to the ones in yellow above:

+ food = you buy your own plus food for your employees
Alternately you can hire a cook (US$5 / day) and pay the cook to prepare food for everyone.

+ cook tent = US$5-10 rental / day / group
This is a group tent with no floor. Cook indoors out of the wind. Your employees sleep in it too. You provide the tent.

+ arriero (mule driver) US$10 / day / group
Plus a big tip if you are happy with service.

+ burros US$5 / each / day / group
Travelling very light means 1 animal / person in your group. You could hire more. A burro carries up to 40kg. Negotiate this with your arriero.

+ guide (English speaking) US$30-60 / day / group
Plus a big tip if you are happy with service.

You may be shocked at how little your employees are paid for the work they do.

Yet some hikers & Huaraz tour companies try to drive down the fixed prices listed above. Do not fall prey to this low urge.

We advise you to pay the rate fixed at the time you get to Huaraz. (Check at Cafe Andino for the latest rates.) Tip well at the end of the trip if you are happy with service. Left over food can go as part of the tip.

There is no need to carry much cash with you in the mountains.

Pay half in advance, half at the end of the trip, plus tip. Or pay everything at the end. Under no circumstances pay the total up front as some tour operators request in Huaraz.

It is best to hand over cash directly to your employees rather than pay an agency. This is common practice in Huaraz, surprisingly & gladly.

Many agencies profit only by renting gear to hikers.

Arrange to hire pack animals & guides in Huaraz or Caraz. You could do it in Cashapampa but it will take longer.

Does this all sound like too much trouble?

If you would rather simply enjoy the hike, book everything through a reputable guiding company with a guide. It costs more, but saves you time & energy.