Trekking Cordillera Huayhuash Alpine route, Huaraz, Peru

Overview

10 Days/09 Nigths
Max. Altitude: 5240 m / 17,191 ft
Route: Huayhuash Alpine Route
Availability: May - September
Difficulty: Moderate

Cordillera Huayhuash is a mountain range within the Andes in Peru, stretching from north to south. The main part consists of about 20 peaks in only 25 km of length, including the second highest Peruvian peak Yerupaja (6617 m / 21,709 ft; after Huascaran 6768 m / 22,204 ft) and Siula Grande (6344 m / 20,813 ft), which is famous due to Joe Simpson’s book Touching the Void in which he recounts his successful but disastrous and nearly fatal climb to this mountain.

The Huayhuash trekking is known as one of the most beautiful treks in the world. Due to high altitude passes, it is not an easy trek, but the spectacular views over the surrounding mountains, turquoise blue lakes and impressive landscapes totally pay off the effort.

TIP:

We recommend you to do at least a 1-Day hike in altitude to be acclimatized before doing this tour.
We can offer you different hikes.

Huaraz - Acclimatization Churup lake

This is a very good hike to acclimatize. From Huaraz we go by car to the village of Pitec. On the way we pass several picturesque villages, such as Unchus and Llupa. At 3850 m /12,631 ft we start our easy hike up to Lake Churup with its blue colors sitting at an altitude of 4440 m /14,566 ft ling over steep rocks. And then we come back to Huaraz by the same way.

Acclimatization Wilcacocha lake

Acclimatization Uruscocha lake

Acclimatization Ahuac lake

Acclimatization Rajucolta lake

Acclimatization Laguna 69

Travel Program

Itinerary

Day 01: Huaraz 3100 m / 10,170 ft– Matacancha 4180 m / 13,713 ft
We will leave Huaraz and pass through Huaylas Valley to Conococha. We will have an impressive panorama of Huayhuash Mountain Chain, and appreciate the immensity of some mountains like Yerupaja, Jirishanca, Rondoy, and others. Afterwards, we will pass by the villages Llamac and Pocpa. We will install our camping. Duration: approx. 5 hrs.

Day 02: Matacancha 4180 m / 13,713 ft – Mitucocha Lake 4200 m / 13,779 ft
We will start this day with a zigzag trail to Cacananpunta Pass (4750 m / 15,583 ft). Afterwards, we will descend through a wide, beautiful valley which leads to the wonderful Mitucocha Lake (4200 m), where we will install our camping. We will end the day with a lateral wall through the moraine. Duration: approx. 5 hrs.

Day 03: Mitucocha Lake 4200 m / 13,779 ft – Carhuacocha Lake 4100 m / 13,451 ft
This day, we will start ascending through Mitucocha Valley towards Punta Carhuac Pass (4650 m / 15,255 ft). It has a great panorama of Siula and Yerupaja mountains. We will descend to Carhuacocha Lake to install the camping in an excellent ample area with a splendid view of Siula, Yerupaja and Jirishancas mountains. Duration: approx. 5 hrs

Day 04: Carhuacocha Lake 4100 m / 13,451 ft– Huayhuash 4350 m / 14,271 ft
We will start this long day ascending from the starting point of Queropalca Valley to Siula Pass (4800 m / 15,748 ft). It has excellent views of the mountains Carnicero, Trapicero, Yerupaja (6634 m / 21,765 ft) – the second highest mountain of the Peruvian Andes, and of Siula (6356 m / 20,853 ft). Siula Mountain became famous after it was escalated by Joe Simpson, who wrote his book ‘Touching the Void’ after this dramatic survival experience. We will descend to Huayhuash – our next camping place. Duration: approx. 7 – 8 hrs.

Day 05: Huayhuash 4350 m / 14,271 ft – Viconga 4500 m / 14,763 ft
In this day we will go closer to the southern part of Huayhuash Mountain Chain. We will ascend through Huayhuash Pass (4700 m / 15,419 ft) to enjoy the views towards Raura Chain and the South-Eastern face of Trapecio Mountain. We will descend towards the South, passing by Viconga Lake. We will get to the thermal baths – a great opportunity for enjoying a relaxing bath. Duration: approx. 4 – 5 hrs.

Day 06: Viconga 4500 m / 14,763 ft – Elephant Camp 4800 m / 15,748 ft
We will start this day’s trail towards Cuyoc Pass (5000 m) – the highest point of this trekking. It offers an impressive panoramic view of Huyhuash Mountains. We will descend through Huanacpatay Valley towards our next camping place. Duration: approx. 7 hrs.

Day 07: Elephant Camping 4800 m / 15,748 ft – No Name Pass – Cutatambo
After an early breakfast, we will start our walk through a narrow valley till reaching the No Name Pass. From there, we will have a magnificent view towards the North of the Huayhuash Chain, of some mountains like Yerupaja, Sarapo, Stakra, Huacris, and Siula. Later, we will descend to our camping.

Day 08: Cutatambo – Segya Pass – Caramarca Lake
In this day, we will start our trail through some meadows till reaching 4800 m / 15,748 ft, then we will do a crossing towards Seguya Pass. It offers a panorama towards the famous eastern side of Siula Mountain, escalated by Joe Simpson and Simpson Yates in 1985. We will descend to the camping. Duration: approx. 7 – 8 hrs.

Day 09: Caramarca Lake – Rasac Glaciar Pass 5100 m / 16,732 ft – Jahuacocha Lake 4000 m / 13,123 ft
After the breakfast at 7 am, we will start the trail on a rocky coast towards the Rasac glacier. When reaching it, we will use the crampons to cross it. After, we will ascend on a 40° slope to the Pass, from where we will have a view towards some beautiful mountains of Huayhuash Chain, including Sarapo and Rasac. Duration: approx. 7 Lake – 8 hrs.

Day 10: Jahuacocha 4050 m / 13,287 ft – Pampa Llamac Pass – Huaraz
In our last day, we will descent through Jahuacocha Valley, then ascend to Pampa Llamac Pass (4250 m / 13,943 ft). From there, we will descend to Llamac village, from where we’ll take the bus to Huaraz. Duration: approx. 6 hrs.

What’s included

Included:

Tour of Acclimatization
Local Guide
Specialised cook
Entrance fee to the Comunity (Huayhuash)
First-Aid kit
Private transport between Huaraz / start and end of trek.
Complete meals during the trekking program
Donkey driver
Donkeys
Kitchen / dining tent.
Collective technical equipment
Camping equipment
Tent for 2 Person
Toilet tent

Not Included:

Travel accident and health insurance
Pick-up from the station and transfer to the Hotel reserved for you in Huaraz.
Transfers from the airport / hotel / airport - Lima
Hotel accommodation in Lima.
Tour of the city
Transfer from the station to the hotel / station / hotel - Lima
Bus ticket Huaraz / Lima,
Hotel accommodation in accordance with tour program.
Porter
Food and drink in Lima and Huaraz
Travel luggage and Travel cancellation insurance
Not mentioned food and beverages
Personal Spending
Personal equipment (sleeping bag, backpack, harness, hiking pants, mountain jacket (goretex), hiking shoes, matraz, suitable clothing, personal medicine, crampons, ice axe, sunglasses, etc.)