Can I hike it alone?No problem. If you are an experienced, confident hiker — go for it. This writer started alone on a 2005 hike, joining up with others en route. But you could easily hook up with other hikers in Huaraz. Post a note with your e-mail address at Cafe Andino, Casa de Guias & hostels. Should I join a tour? Hire a guide?We are independent hikers. This website is for those who like to carry their own pack. Carrying a pack on a hike this high is good exercise. A good physical challenge. You have tremendous flexibility to camp where you wish. This is the best way to do Santa Cruz for experienced hikers. Hiring your own arriero, organizing your own logistics, can be fun too. Best to arrange it in Huaraz when you get there though it may take a couple of days. We have seen companies offering different versions of the Santa Cruz Trek for US$50-90 / person, depending on the number of hikers in your group. Most are happy with what they get for that very modest price. But be cautious with whom you go. Some operators are very lax. Some do not deliver what they promise. Much depends on which arriero (mule driver / guide) you happen to get. Hike Santa Cruz on your own, if you can.
Can I bring children?No one will stop you. Most kids will thrive on this trip. Altitude sickness is the biggest risk. Should I be worried about bandits?Bandits are a real problem in the nearby Huayhuash range. But the Cordillera Blanca so far is safe. Alberto Cafferata at Pony’s Expeditions in Caraz spent some time explaining why banditos do not hassle hikers on Santa Cruz. Thieves have no escape route since the range is populated around the periphery in every direction. In fact we have never heard of armed robbery on Santa Cruz. E-mail if we are mistaken. We still recommend you not carry any more cash than necessary in the Andes. There is little to spend it on up there, anyway. As always, do not leave anything outside your tent at night — not even in the vestibule. On day hikes, break camp & stash your packs somewhere out of sight. We left our pack hidden in the rocks before taking the sidetrip to Alpamayo Base Camp south, for example. Should I hike Alpamayo instead?No. That’s the short answer. Santa Cruz is a better option for most hikers. Far more hikers do Santa Cruz. Everything is easier to organize. Alpamayo — just the other side of the mountains — is more difficult, wilder & has far greater risk of altitude sickness. Multiple high passes. If you get sick on the way up on Alpamayo, relief by descending quickly is much more difficult than Santa Cruz. Alpamayo is better for hiking fanatics. It is more rugged & less accessible. You see far fewer other hikers. Litter is not a problem. Check our Alpamayo website if that appeals to you. Should I hike Huayhuash instead?No, it is for hardcore multi-day hikers only. Close to Huaraz, Huayhuash is a dangerous 10-day circuit, a minimum of 140km (87 miles). It is an even more spectacular, serious adventure than Alpamayo or Santa Cruz.
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