Trek across the Punta Union saddle

The second day of the Santa Cruz trek takes us to a place called Taullipampa at an altitude of 4250 meters above sea level. We quickly set up a tent and enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding mountain giants, such as the monumental Taulliraju, 5830 meters high.

In the morning it is quite cold in the camp. The rising sun illuminates the top of Artesonraj, 6025 m above sea level

We set out to complete part of the journey in the shade. At first, the climb is not too steep, so we proceed relatively quickly.

The second half of the ascent is more breathtaking, the road often winds on a steep slope. Below us appears the lake Lago Taullicocha.

We are in the saddle of Punta Union at an altitude of 4750 m. The view opens to the other side, to the east. We stand at the confluence of two oceans: in the western Pacific, in the eastern Atlantic.

The stop at the saddle is really beautiful. The views of the northern part of the Cordillera Blanca are worth the effort.

The road from the saddle winds again in numerous serpentines. Rest can be found at the end of a steep descent by the Morococha lakes.

The next descent is not so steep. There is still something to look at. The road gradually turns south into the Huaripampa Valley.

We have 9 km behind us and 3 km to the finish line. The decline is only very slight. At the end of this stage of the Santa Cruz trek, the valley opens up and reveals the beauty of the mountain giants in the late afternoon sunshine.

Fatigue soon appears. We lie down in the sleeping bag asylum and before our eyes we have beautiful peaks that accompanied us on today's journey through the mountain saddle Punta Union.