There is no doubt that the trekking circuit in the Huayhuash Mountain Range is one of the best in the world. Located in the Andes Mountains south of the Cordillera Blanca and stretching over 30 km, the Huayhuash Range is a compact group of enormous ice towers surrounded by dozens of rivers, turquoise-colored lakes, and a great diversity of flora and fauna. Here you will find the impressive Yerupajá (6,634 m), the second-highest mountain in Peru, and the even more legendary Siula Grande (6,336 m), a mountain famous for being the setting of Joe Simpson’s epic survival story in the film Touching the Void.
Itinerary
Day 1. Huaraz – Cuartelhuayin (4,100 m) – Qaqanan Pass (4,750 m) – Mitucocha (4,100 m).
Pick-up from the selected hotel will be at 2:00 a.m. with private transportation, heading south of the city toward the Cuartelhuayin campsite, approximately a 5-hour drive. Along the way, we will observe many Andean villages with different customs and traditions. Once there, we will begin hiking along a zigzag trail up to Qaqanan Pass, where we will observe condors in flight. After taking great photos, we will start descending toward our campsite. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours.
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 2. Mitucocha – Carhuac Pass (4,600 m) – Carhuacocha (4,100 m)
After breakfast, we will begin our hike while observing the previously mentioned snow-capped peaks, as well as the Siula Grande and Yerupajá mountains, the latter known as the second-highest mountain in Peru after Huascarán. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours.
+500m. / -500m.
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
9.600 km
Day 3. Carhuacocha – Siula Pass (4,830 m) – Huayhuash (4,300 m)
During the hike, we will have great views of three lakes of different colors located below Yerupajá and Siula Grande mountains. We will also hear and see some avalanches coming down from Yerupajá Mountain, due to the deglaciation phenomenon that is occurring throughout the entire mountain range. Hiking time: approximately 8 hours.
+730m. / -530m
14.400 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 4. Huayhuash – Trapecio Pass (5,100 m) – Elephant Camp (4,600 m)
On this day, we deviate from the regular route to head toward Trapecio Pass, located just below Trapecio Mountain. From here, we will observe the chain of the Cuyoc mountains and have a view of the other side of Yerupajá Mountain. After enjoying the views, we will descend to our Elephant Camp, named because among the rocks you can see the silhouette of an elephant. Hiking time: approximately 7 hours.
+700m. / -400m.
11.700 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 5. Elephant Camp – Santa Rosa Pass (5,100 m) – Huayllapa Village (3,600 m)
After a good breakfast, this day we reach the highest pass in the Huayhuash Mountain Range. We will have an impressive view of Yerupajá Mountain (south face), Sarapo, Rasac, and several others. We will descend into the Cutatambo valley and then continue hiking to the small, traditional village of Huayllapa. Hiking time: approximately 9 hours.
+500m. / -1500m.
15 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 6. Huayllapa Village – Tapush Pass (4,800 m) – Gashpapampa (4,600 m)
We begin ascending toward Tapush Pass and then make a short descent to our campsite. We will observe the Diablo Mudo snow-capped mountain very closely, which some groups attempt to summit from this camp. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours.
+1200m. / -300m
12.00 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 7. Gashpapampa – Yaucha Pass (4,750 m) – Jahuacocha (4,100 m)
On this day, we arrive at one of the most beautiful campsites of the trek. There are impressive views of Jirishanca, Rondoy, and Yerupajá mountains, as well as a beautiful sunset. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours.
+250m. / -650m
9.600 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 8. Jahuacocha – Pampa Llamac Pass (4,300 m) – Llamac (3,250 m) – Huaraz
After our last breakfast in the field, we head to the picturesque village of Llamac. Here, our private transportation will be waiting to take us back to the city of Huaraz. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours + transfer time by car: 4 hours.
+200 / -1050m
12.700 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch
Services
INCLUDED
- Transfer from the bus terminal to the Hotel in Huaraz.
- Transfer from the Hotel to the terminal in Huaraz.
- Private transportation for transfer and pick-up in the Huayhuash Mountain Range
- Certified Hiking Guide (English, Spanish)
- Cook for the entire circuit
- Full meals in the field (breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner
- Wake-up tea before breakfast
- Packers and pack animals (mules)
- Emergency horse.
- Two-person tents
- Kitchen tent.
- Dining tent for 3 pax or more
- Tables, chairs
- Kitchen utensils
- Boiled water to fill bottles every day
- Warm water for personal hygiene
NOT INCLUDED
- 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 day the expedition starts.
- Extra costs for abandoning the expedition
- Meals and drinks in the city
- Personal equipment such as sleeping bag, mat
- Cold-weather clothing such as hats, gloves, down jackets.
- Emergency transportation in case of accidents
- International Medical Insurance
- Accident and Rescue Insurance
- Personal tents (can be rented)
- Tips for the staff
REQUIRED GEAR 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 windbreaker pants
- Socks (minimum 3 pairs)
- Personal first aid kit
- Sleeping bag – 18 degrees.
- Mat
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Personal hygiene items such as towel, face soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Optional
- 1 Thermos of 1 Liter
- Solar charger for batteries
Maps
