Caraz Hotel Tips by richiecdisc

Skull Slumber: one last stop before the pass

Another gem of a campground on the trek, again with a 360 panorama view of peaks, including the 3750m pass you will have to cross in the morning.

Unique Qualities: We relaxed the most at this site as the weather was warm and sunny. I even went down to a stream and did a quick (and cold) wash up. The skull on a huge bolder was the perfect foreground for a few photos.

Directions: A relativel short ridge walk after you drop from the Alpamayo Base Camp. It would be easier without the driving rain in your face though!

Theme: Campground

Alpamayo Base Camp: well worth the extra effort

Though not directly on the Santa Cruz Trek, it is well worth the extra effort to climb up to the base camp for technical climbs of one of Peru's most gorgeous peaks, Alpamayo.

Unique Qualities: From the campground, you can look down into the tail end of the Quebrada Santa Cruz and if you are lucky, watch the setting sun on the stunning peaks. We had a great spot with a huge tree for protection and a man made stone wind break for cooking. In the morning, pack up your gear, hide it, and head up to the calving glacier a half hour further up the trail.

Theme: Campground

Llama Coral: a welcomed sight

Llama Coral was just that, a big stone enclosure used to pen up llamas.

Unique Qualities: The stone fences gave you some relief from the whipping winds up the valley and there were pit toilets too. Add to that the fantastic views of jagged peaks in all directions and you have one nice place to bed down for the night.

Directions: About eight kilometers and maybe a thousand meters up from Cashapampa (trailhead).

Theme: Campground