TripsPeruHuaraz

Huaraz Trekking Tours in Peru

Huaraz trekking with a local team, on guided camping treks of 6 to 14 days through the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Huayhuash, with two acclimatization days built into every trip.

3 trips found

A hiker with trekking poles and a backpack pauses on a rocky outcrop during the santa cruz trek, with sweeping snow-covered peaks and a glacier filling the background under a deep blue Andean sky.

Santa Cruz Trek, Peru: 6 Days in the Cordillera Blanca

5.0· 3 reviews
PeruModerate

A 6-day Santa Cruz Trek from Huaraz: 2 acclimatization hikes with hotel nights, then 3 camp nights in the Cordillera Blanca and one pass at 4,750 m.

5 nights

from $ 1,130

Santa Cruz Trek, Peru: 6 Days in the Cordillera Blanca
Aerial view of a vivid turquoise glacial lake nestled in a high-altitude Andean valley on the huayhuash circuit, with jagged snow-capped peaks rising above a sea of low clouds and a deep blue sky beyond

Huayhuash Circuit: The Complete 14-Day Trek

5.0· 2 reviews
PeruExtreme

The full Huayhuash Circuit in 14 days from Huaraz: 2 acclimatization hikes, 9 trek days, 2 rest days, 8 passes up to 5,057 m and 11 nights camping.

13 nights

from $ 2,700

Huayhuash Circuit: The Complete 14-Day Trek
A sharp snow-covered mountain peak piercing through a belt of swirling clouds against a deep blue sky, seen on the Huayhuash trek in the Peruvian Andes

Huayhuash Trek: 8-Day Highlights

5.0· 1 review
PeruExtreme

An 8-day Huayhuash Trek from Huaraz, Peru: 2 acclimatization hikes, then 5 camp nights by Jahuacocha, Mitucocha, and Carhuacocha lakes, with a guide.

7 nights

from $ 1,060

Huayhuash Trek: 8-Day Highlights

What our trekkers say

See reviews from guests who walked the Santa Cruz Trek and the Huayhuash Circuit with our local team in Huaraz!

5.0 out of 5 · 6 reviews

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ghislain RamageBrazil

Everything, from the transportation, the staff, the guide, the food, the safety, the equipments, everything was just on point. I really appreciated how kind, professional and knowledgeable Edwin, our guide was. I feel like we managed to enjoy the trek in a very different way than other tours by not having to rush between camp in order to get there for lunch. The fact that we had our cook Merlin with us allowed us to really take our time to enjoy the scenery and to still get to camp on site to rest before dinner. Talking about the food, I really have to stay that it was just INCREDIBLE!!! Not only Merlin was such a nice and kind person, but he prepared us plates of food that were just unreal considering the little kitchen tent we were travelling with. The quality was superior and the quantities very generous. Hands down to him but also to Jaime and Rosalino, our donkey drivers who worked so hard to set up and pack the camp everyday with always such good energy and enthusiasm. Your experience will be unique and it'll allow you to experience the beauty of this place feeling safe and well taken care of. Go ahead, you won't be disappointed!!

MariaPeru

I recently completed the 4-day Santa Cruz Trek and had a fantastic experience. From the very beginning, everything was well organized. Every day offered different landscapes, from turquoise lakes to spectacular mountain passes and stunning views of the Cordillera Blanca. The campsites were beautiful, and every afternoon when we arrived, everything was already set up and ready, making it easy to relax and enjoy the surroundings. I was especially impressed by the meals. I honestly didn't expect such good food in such a remote environment. The guide was knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely passionate about the mountains and local culture, which added a lot to the experience. I've done treks in other destinations, and this was one of the best-organized hiking trips I've experienced. They provide excellent service, operate responsibly, and are also a great choice for anyone looking to plan a personalized trip and explore more of Peru.

alessia villenaPeru

I did the Santa Cruz trek 4D/3N with them, and it went BETTER than EXPECTED! It was totally worth it. My group was small, and it really felt nice to have that type of privacy, especially while wanting to be at peace with all the nature and views you get to see at Huaraz. The food was great, and the attention of the guide, porters, and cook was amazing. They were all so helpful and took care of us during the whole journey. I recommend this trek for people who are looking to know Huaraz and experience a moderate trek before enrolling themselves in a more difficult one like Huayhash or Alpamayo Circuit. The agency really surprised me with all the details before, during, and after the trek. They really know how to take care of you! Huaraz is a great destination; it is the Peruvian Switzerland.

Allan MaasUnited States

The company, guide, cooks and donkey drivers all did a great job of making our Santa Cruz trek a wonderful experience. I recommended them highly. They also provided excellent facilities and equipment for the trek.

Cinthia WomackUnited States

We’re very experienced with travel logistics and self-supported trekking—meticulous about every detail. Maria Paula was our point of contact for every private experience we booked through them—including the Short Inca Trail, a full day at Machu Picchu, the Inti Raymi Festival, and a fully customized Huayhuash trek. From the start, she was more than just responsive—she was proactive, thoughtful, and truly collaborative. She listened closely to our priorities and helped us craft a Huayhuash itinerary that balanced rugged alpine routes, off-grid immersion, and smooth logistics. We went through multiple route versions, and she remained patient, supportive, and solution-oriented throughout. During our Sacred Valley segment, we had the same private guide across all three days (who was incredibly knowledgeable and personable), which made that part of the trip feel especially seamless and personal—something we really appreciated. We usually plan everything ourselves, but Maria Paula made us feel fully supported while still honoring our independent adventure style. We’ve never worked with a company this thoughtful. Honestly, we wish they operated outside of Peru—we’d choose them every time.

Peter MAustralia

This circuit is described in the guide books as 'Possible the the best Alpine trek in the world.' I think the guide books are right. I have done a fair bit of alpine trekking. (San Mountains in Colorado, Glacier Nat. Park in Canada, Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp in Nepal, etc.) but nothing I experienced in the past even comes close to the Huayhaush mountains. Every day you cross a high pass into a whole new world of raw natural beauty. But if the location alone were not enough the camping experience provided is also first rate. The meals provided by the chef were superb. The guides excellent and the the camps has a great friendly community spirit about them. The trekking is relatively tough but the well worth the effort. This is definitely a trek that should be at the top of your bucket list,

Huaraz trekking: Cordillera Blanca or Cordillera Huayhuash?

Located 400 km north of Lima in the Santa River valley, Huaraz, Peru (3,052 m / 10,013 ft), is the capital of the Ancash Region and the main gateway to the Peruvian Andes. To the east lies the Cordillera Blanca, the world’s tallest tropical mountain range, containing the country’s highest peak, Huascarán (6,768 m). Encompassing 660 tropical glaciers and 300 glacial lakes over 3,400 km², most of the range lies within Huascarán National Park—declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and a World Heritage Site in 1985.

Huaraz trekking spans two main ranges. In the Cordillera Blanca, our 6-day Santa Cruz Trek covers ~46 km in four days (Vaquería to Cashapampa) via Punta Unión Pass (4,750 m) with views of Alpamayo. To the south, the Cordillera Huayhuash features six 6,000 m+ peaks in a 30 km range. Here, the 8-day Huayhuash Trek spans 55 km and three passes up to 4,800 m, including two nights at Laguna Carhuacocha below Yerupajá (6,634 m). For the full loop, the 14-day Huayhuash Circuit covers 92 km, eight passes, and reaches 5,057 m at Santa Rosa Pass.

Trips begin with two guided acclimatization days from Huaraz hotel bases before reaching high-altitude camps (3,875 m–4,170 m). On the trail, bilingual guides lead 2–12 guests, chefs prepare meals in kitchen tents, and pack horses haul camp gear plus 10 kg duffels, leaving you with only a daypack. Trekkers consistently highlight pre-set campsites and high-quality meals far from paved roads.

Group departures run from April to October, the drier half of the year; June to August are usually the clearest months, and the rains peak from January to March. Huaraz hiking also covers day trips such as Laguna 69, but the routes above are multi-day camping treks.

Frequently asked questions