The Huayhuash Mountain Range is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. It is not an easy route since 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 extension from north to south, there are 7 mountains exceeding 6000m and 7 mountains over 5000m.
Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz – Llamac (3250m) – Cuartelhuayin (4100m)
Pick-up from the Hotel with private transportation and transfer to the south of the city heading to 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 little to eat, drink, and take good photos. Usually, from this Pass, we can see Condors flying very close to us. Then we descend on the East side of the Huayhuash Range to reach our camp located just below the Jirishanca and Rondoy snow-capped peaks. Walking time: approximately 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. Walking time: approximately 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 melting phenomenon occurring throughout the range. Walking time: approximately 8 hours.
+730m. / -530m
14.400 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 5: Huayhuash – Portachuelo Pass (4750m) – Viconga (4350) 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 several days without bathing. Walking time: approximately 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 large rock walls of the Puscanturpa peak. Walking time: approximately 6 hours.
+650m. / -400m
8.800 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 7: Elefante Camp – Cutatambo (4300m)
It is an easy day, meaning we don’t have to climb like every other day. We descend to the small village of Huayllapa, located in the heart of the Huayhuash Range. Walking time: approximately 4 hours.
-1000m
15.500 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 8: Free day
Day 9: Cutatambo – Huayllapa Village (3600m)
This day can be taken as a rest day or you can hike through the Calinca valley to observe the Yerupajá and Sarapo Lagoon up close, then return to the camp.
-700m
13 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 10: 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 very closely, which some groups attempt to summit from this camp. Walking time: approximately 6 hours.
+1200m. / -300m
12.00 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 11: Gashpapampa – Yaucha Pass (4800m) – Jahuacocha Lagoon (4100m)
On this day, we reach one of the most beautiful camps of the trek. There are impressive views of the Jirishanca, Rondoy, and Yerupajá peaks and a beautiful sunset. Walking time: approximately 6 hours.
+250m. / -650m.
9.600 km
Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Dinner
Day 12: Jahuacocha – Pampa Llamac Pass (4300m) – Llamac (3250m) – Huaraz
After our last breakfast in the field, we head to the picturesque village of Llamac. This is where our private transportation awaits to transfer us to the city of Huaraz. Walking time: 6 hours + transfer time by car: approximately 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 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, cost is S/. 40 per day)
- Tips for the 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 windbreaker pants
- Socks (minimum 3 pairs)
- Personal first aid kit
- Sleeping bag – 18 degrees.
- Mat
- Headlamp
- Personal hygiene items such as towel, face soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
- 1 Thermos of 1 Liter
- Sandals
