Plan your trip · Guide
Peru
What to know before the Santa Cruz trek: getting to Huaraz, entry, the national park, money and health.
01 · The basics
Before you go
The trek starts in Huaraz, the base town for the Cordillera Blanca.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Getting there | International flight to Lima, then by road to Huaraz. |
| Entry | Many nationalities don’t need a visa. The length of stay is set by the officer on arrival, usually 90 days. Check the requirements for your nationality. |
| National park | The trek is inside Huascarán National Park, which you enter with licensed operators. |
| Currency | Peruvian sol. US dollars are accepted in tourist areas; euros are hard to exchange. |
| Weather | In the dry season, sunny days and cold nights, below freezing at the high camps. |
| Plugs | Types A, B and C, 230 V and 60 Hz. If yours are a different type, bring an adapter. |
02 · The trip
The Santa Cruz trek
Santa Cruz trek
Best time: the dry season, May to September.
Six days trekking from Cashapampa to Yuraq Corral, with two passes above 4,700 m and views of Huascarán, Alpamayo and Artesonraju. It can be extended with Machu Picchu.
All dates are in the departure calendar.
03 · Health and insurance
Health, altitude and insurance
- Altitude: our trips are designed to give you proper acclimatisation. Safety comes first, and with altitude we don’t take chances. If you have any questions, just ask us. More in altitude sickness and acclimatisation
- Insurance: it’s mandatory. It must cover the activity you’ll be doing, based on the maximum altitude and whether technical gear is involved, as well as helicopter rescue and evacuation and repatriation. Before departure you’ll also sign a waiver
- Vaccines: requirements depend on the country you’re travelling from. Check the latest on your country’s official health website or with a travel health clinic, or ask us
- Physical preparation: you don’t need to be an athlete, but arriving prepared means you’ll enjoy the trip much more. If you need it, we can help with a training and nutrition plan tailored to you. See how it works
Questions?
Got a question?
If you’re thinking about the Santa Cruz trek or combining it with Machu Picchu, write to us and we’ll reply by email.
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