Santa Cruz trek + Urus and Ishinca Climb

This trekking and mountaineering program in Huaraz, in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, proposes the combination of Santa Cruz trekking with the ascent of two mountains: Urus and Ishinca. But you can also choose to do just one of the two parts, either the trekking program or the ascents. Check both options and join me to the beautiful mountains of the Peruvian Andes!

The Santa Cruz trek is a beautiful 4 days hike to appreciate all the beauty of Cordillera Blanca. We’ll enjoy summits such as the Chopicalqui, the Quitaraju or the Huandoy and the trek ends in the lagoons of the Quebrada Llanganuco. The Huascaran towers above these high mountains with its 6778m. This majestic group of high mountain pastures, ravines, valleys, lakes, glaciers and crests of ice is the proof of the powerful geography of Peru. This trek which climbs progressively, is an ideal way of acclimatizing for the ascent of high altitude peaks.

For the ascent of Urus and Ishinca we’ll move to the valley of Ishinca, which offers different possibilities of ascents and treks. We reach the base camp from Pashpa at 3600m by a panoramic and progressive path. Each ascent can be done in a day, leaving from Ishinca refuge.

The Urus 5490m is a perfect mountain for acclimatization. The slopes on the glacier are easy to climb and lead to the summit. If you leave early in the morning the ascent can end with lunch at the base camp.

The Ishinca 5530m, is an excellent mountain to climb for those who don’t have much experience and also for those who want to be well acclimatized before starting more difficult ascents. On the way up there is an easy glacier with a steep part of 100m just before the summit. Impressive view of Ranrapalca and Huantsan.

Itinerary – Part 1 – Santa Cruz trek

Day 1: Marcara, bus to Cashapampa 2900m, trek to Llamaccorral 3760m

A short journey by bus to Cashapampa where the trek begins. We walk up through a arrow gorge to reach the Quebrada of Santa Cruz. At about 3800m the valley opens up progressively and the mountains become visible. The tents are pitched at Llamaccorral. Meals: B, L, D

Day 2: Llamaccorral 3760m – Base camp of Alpamayo 4300m – Taullipampa 4250m

The panorama becomes grandiose. After the Hatuncocha lagoon we leave the main path and climb up towards the Base camp of the Alpamayo by following the Quebrada Arhuaycocha. A magnificent view of the Quitaraju, the Alpamayo and the Pucajirca. Return to the main route, then to a wellindicated path on the edge of the mountain and reach the main valley. The tents are pitched at Taullipampa at the foot of the impressive granite rock face of Taulliraju. Superb view of the White Pyramid of Artesonraju. Meals: B, L, D

Day 3: Taullipampa 4250m – Punta Union Pass 4750m – Cachinapampa 3700m

Climb up to the Punta Union Pass opposite the granite rock face of Taullipampa. Downhill to the Quebrada Huaripampa passing near the Morococha Lagoon. We discover the impressive side of the Chacraraju 6112m, one of the mythical mountains of the Cordillera. The tents are pitched at Cachinapampa. Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: Cachinapampa 3700m – Vaqueria 3800m – Portachuelo 4767m – Huaraz

Easy descent towards the small villages of Huaripampa, then we go down the valley Demanda, passing by Vaqueria and then by a wood of quenoals we take our bus on the road from Yanama to Yungay. We arrive at the pass of Portachuelo 4767m. Very pleasant view of Yanapaccha 5400m and of Chopicalqui 6350m, Huascarán. Meals: B, L, D

Itinerary – Part 2 – Urus (5490m) and Ishinca (5530m) ascent

Day 1: Marcara 2750m – bus to Pashpa 3500m – Ishinca refuge 4350m

Transfer by bus to the village of Pashpa 3500m and the start of the trek by a path along the edge of the mountain from which you can see the Copa and the Huascaran in the north. The Quebrada Ishinca begins with a wood of Quenoals (a typical tree of the cordillera). It is deep and progressive and helps you to discover the superb treks around the Ishinca. We then cross a plain and reach the Ishinca refuge which is just below a mountainous cirque.

Day 2: Ascent Ishinca Refuge 4350m – the Ishinca summit 5530m
On leaving the refuge we cross the river and join the path which zigzags up to the plateau. The slope is more gentle up to the end of the lagoon Ishinca. We continue up the north glacier to a small pass with little crevices. About a hundred metres before the summit the slope is steep, at 45°. A pleasant view from the summit. Return via the south-west glacier near the Ranracalpa and descent to the refuge.

Day 3: Ascent of the Urus. Ishinca Refuge 4350m – Summit of the Urus 5490m

We approach the eastern slope of the Urus which starts in the middle of blocks of stone. The rural path continues in short zigzags until it reaches a headland of blocks of stone. The slope becomes more gentle and we climb the glacier on easy slopes. In the last metres before the summit there is very little snow.

Day 4: Ishinca Refuge 4350m – Pashpa 3500m – bus for Marcara – Huaraz.

Please contact me if you are interested in this beautiful program in Cordillera Blanca! Either if you want to do the full 8 days program, or just the Santa Cruz trek or the ascents to Urus and Ishinca. Tell me your plans so we can start organizing your trip!

Spots of interest

Santa Cruz trek

The Santa Cruz trek is a beautiful 4 days hike to appreciate all the beauty of Cordillera Blanca. We’ll enjoy summits such as the Chopicalqui, the Quitaraju or the Huandoy and the trek ends in the lagoons of the Quebrada Llanganuco.

Ishinca

The Ishinca 5530m, is an excellent mountain to climb for those who don’t have much experience and also for those who want to be well acclimatized before starting more difficult ascents.

Urus

The Urus 5490m is a perfect mountain for acclimatization. The slopes on the glacier are easy to climb and lead to the summit.