"Santa Cruz Trek Cheers" a Caraz Travel Page by richiecdisc

While Huaraz dominates the tourist trade of the Cordillera Blanca, smaller towns like Caraz are starting to realize the lure of gringo dollars and are slowly developing the infrastructure to help pry said money from the visitors that invariably pass through. The town itself was miraculously spared from the near total destruction via earthquakes that neighboring rivals experienced so with some forethought there is no reason that it cannot compete admirably with them. My personal experience of Caraz was that while the town was smaller and had less facilities, those that were trying to make a living from tourism were a bit on the aggressive side. It can only be hoped that in the future, that not only will development lead towards greater prosperity for the mountain village but also towards a realization that tourists need to be treated with some respect. Groping at travelers will only turn them away from their town and back to Huaraz. It is pretty much impossible to avoid contact with the town entirely, as it is the jumping off point for the Santa Cruz Trek and that is the true subject of this page. The Santa Cruz Trek is a four-day hike that passes through some of the most magnificent scenery in the Cordillera Blanca, the highest of Peru’s mountain ranges. Backpackers from around the world come for the varied flora and spectacular jagged peaks. One day can bring you through dry dusty valleys and the next up close to calving glaciers. It is both tropical and alpine all in one and in few places will you find such a juxtaposition of different terrain. Add to this, well-spaced campsites and clear trails, and you have a good trek for the moderately experienced. But do not underestimate the mighty mountain range. The trail keeps you well above 3000 meters throughout, peaking out at 4750 on the Punta Union, and must be attempted only after thorough acclimatization. But with the proper preparation, the experience is tough to beat and hope that what follows entices lovers of nature to come and experience it.