Santa Cruz is a scenic route that runs along the highest and most breathtaking peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. It was described by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful routes in the world
Cordillera Blanca
Cordillera Blanca is called the pearl in the Crown of the Andes. Cordillera Blanca belongs not only to the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world but also to the largest ones. It has 16 peaks that are above 6000 m and 17 more above 5500 m. It is located 100 km from the Pacific coast and extends for 180 km. It is forms a natural barrier between the coast and the Amazon jungle.
SANTA CRUZ
During trekking on Santa Cruz, we have the opportunity to admire not only the pearl of the Andes, but a whole string of mountain gems, for example the highest mountain top in Peru Huascar (6 768), the most beautiful mountain of Alpamayo (5 947) and the Artesonraj mountain (6 025). Artesonraj mountain is commonly known as logo of the film company Paramount. We reach on peak of Punta Union (4,750) which spreads the view of the valley located below it and an azure lagoon
Huascaran Park
Crossing the borders of Huascaran National Park, we enter the land, which initially greets us with saturated greenery, crystalline streams and lush vegetation. Over the time, the grass fades and turns yellow. The area becomes stony and harsh. At the top of Punta Union, the whiteness of the mountain peaks and the blue color of the sky are waiting for us. They are sometimes obscured by wandering clouds. The air is crisp, clean and saturated with a moment of glory. It is worth sitting on a rocky slope, breathe deeply and enjoy the moment
Huascaran National Park is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It abounds in deep gorges, numerous streams, glacial lakes and a variety of vegetation. It is home to bears and condors, which with a little luck can be observed above your heads. On roads built centuries ago, whose creators were the indigenous inhabitants of the region, you can come across wild mules, cows and horses. Because it is a harsh land that is governed by the laws of nature, animal bones are offered as an integral part of the landscape. Sometimes, you can have the impression that you are on the edge of the world, stunning with its wild and untamed nature, where a person is only dust that can be blown away at any time.
- Artesonraju Mountain- is in the logo of the film company Paramount Pictures. The mountain is surrounded by 24 stars. They represent 24 actors who signed contracts with the film studio in 1914.
