The Huayhuash Mountain Range is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. It is not an easy route as it crosses high-altitude passes, and all the effort is rewarded with its spectacular views.
It is the second highest mountain range in the world in the tropical region after the Cordillera Blanca. Its waters flow into the Marañón River, the main tributary of the Amazon. In its 30 km stretch from north to south, there are 7 mountains that exceed 6000m and 7 mountains over 5000m.
Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz – Llamac (3250m) – Cuartelhuayin (4100m)
Pickup from the hotel with private transportation and transfer to the south of the city heading to the Cuartelhuayin camp, approximately 5 hours. Along the way, we observe many Andean villages with different customs and traditions.
Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 2: Cuartelhuayin – Qaqanan Pass (4750m) – Mitucocha (4100m)
After our first breakfast in the field, we begin walking along a zigzag trail up to Qaqanan Pass. Once there, we rest a bit to eat, drink, and take great photos. Usually, from this pass, we can see condors flying very close to us. Then we descend on the eastern side of the Huayhuash Range to reach our camp located just below the Jirishanca and Rondoy snow-capped peaks. Approximate walking time: 6 hours.
+650m. / -650m.
8.800 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3: Mitucocha – Carhuac Pass (4600m) – Carhuacocha (4100m)
After breakfast, we will start our hike observing the previously mentioned snow-capped peaks, as well as the Siula Grande and Yerupajá peaks, known as the second highest mountain in Peru after Huascarán. Approximate walking time: 6 hours.
+500m. / -500m.
9.600 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 4: Carhuacocha – Siula Pass (4830m) – Huayhuash (4300m)
During the hike, we have great views of 3 lagoons of different colors located below the Yerupajá and Siula Grande peaks. We will also hear and see avalanches falling from the Yerupajá peak due to the glacial retreat phenomenon occurring throughout the range. Approximate walking time: 8 hours.
+730m. / -530m
14.400 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 5: Huayhuash – Portachuelo Pass (4750m) – Viconga (4350m) Hot Springs
On this day, we reach the boundary of the Huayhuash Range with the Raura Range. The camp is located right next to a hot spring, which we can use to refresh our bodies after a few days without bathing. Approximate walking time: 6 hours.
+450m. / -400m.
11.700 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 6: Viconga – Cuyoc Pass (5000m) – Elefante Camp (4600m)
On this day, we reach the highest pass of the Huayhuash Range and one of the highest camps of the trek. We observe the Cuyoc peak very close to us. From the pass, we have a great view of the massive rock walls of the Puscanturpa peak. Approximate walking time: 6 hours.
+650m. / -400m
8.800 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 7: Elefante Camp – Huayllapa Village (3600m)
It is a relaxed day, meaning we don’t have to climb as on the previous days. We descend to the small village of Huayllapa, located in the heart of the Huayhuash Range. Approximate walking time: 4 hours.
-1000m
15.500 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 8: Huayllapa – Tapush Pass (4800m) – Gashpapampa (4500m)
We begin ascending to Tapush Pass and then a short descent to our camp. We will observe the Diablo Mudo peak up close, which some groups attempt to summit from this camp. Approximate walking time: 6 hours.
+1200m. / -300m.
12.00 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 9: Gashpapampa – Yaucha Pass (4800m) – Jahuacocha Lagoon (4100m)
On this day, we reach one of the most beautiful camps of the trek. There are stunning views of the Jirishanca, Rondoy, and Yerupajá peaks, and a beautiful sunset. Approximate walking time: 6 hours.
+250m. / -650m.
9.600 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 10: Jahuacocha – Pampa Llamac Pass (4300m) – Llamac (3250m) – Huaraz
After our last breakfast in the field, we head to the picturesque village of Llamac. Here, our private transportation awaits to transfer us back to the city of Huaraz. Approximate walking time: 6 hours + transfer by car: 4 hours.
+200 / -1050m
12.700 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch
Services
INCLUDES
- Transfer from the bus terminal to the hotel in Huaraz.
- Transfer from the hotel to the bus terminal in Huaraz.
- Private transportation for pickup and transfer to the Huayhuash Range.
- Certified trekking guide (English, Spanish)
- Cook for the entire trek
- Full meals in the field (breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner)
- Wake-up tea before breakfast
- Porters and pack animals (mules)
- Emergency horse
- Two-person tents
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent for groups of 3 or more
- Tables, chairs
- Cooking utensils
- Boiled water to refill bottles every day
- Warm water for personal hygiene
- Entrance to local communities
NOT INCLUDE
- Air ticket to Lima and return
- Transfers from the airport to the hotel in Lima
- Bus transportation Huaraz – Lima – Huaraz
- Hotel in Lima and Huaraz
- Does not include the first breakfast on the expedition start day
- Extra costs for abandoning the expedition
- Meals and drinks in the city
- Personal equipment such as sleeping bag, sleeping mat
- Cold-weather clothing such as hats, gloves, down jackets
- Emergency transport in case of accidents
- International Medical Insurance
- Accident and Rescue Insurance
- Personal tents (can be rented at a cost of S/. 40 per day)
- Tips for staff
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO BRING
- Trekking shoes
- Fleece or wool gloves
- Sun hat
- Cold-weather hat (fleece or wool)
- UV protection sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- 30 or 40-liter backpack
- Trekking poles
- Down jacket
- Gore-Tex windbreaker jacket
- Gore-Tex windproof pants
- Socks (minimum 3 pairs)
- Personal first aid kit
- Sleeping bag – 18°C
- Sleeping mat
- Headlamp
- Personal hygiene items such as towel, facial soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
- 1-liter thermos
- Solar charger for batteries
