Huayhuash Circuit (11 Days)

11 Days/10 Nigths
Altitud: 5000 m / 16,404 ft
Route: Huayhuash Classic circuit
Availability: March - November
Difficulty: Moderate
People per Guide: 4

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.

Itinerary

Day 01: Huaraz 3100 m / 10,170 ft – Matacancha / Cuartelhuain 4180 m / 13,713 ft
Starting from Huaraz, we drive through Huaylas alley to Conococha, which offers impressive panoramic views over Huayhuash mountain range. We observe many snow peaked mountains, such as Yerupaja, Jirishanca, Rondóy and others. We then drive through villages Llamac and Pocpa. Finally, we set up our camp at Matacancha. 5 hours of driving aprox.

Day 02: Matacancha 4180 m / 13,713 ft– Lake Mitucocha 4200 m / 13,779 ft
We start our trek with a zig-zag track that leads up to Cacananpunta pass at 4750 m / 15,583 ft. We descend through a large picturesque valley that opens to a beautiful lake Mitucocha (4200 m), where we set our camp right at the lake banks. We then do a lateral trek on the moraine. 5 hours aprox.

Day 03: Lake Mitucocha 4200 m / 13,779 ft– Lake Carhuacocha 4100 m / 13,451 ft
We start the third day walking through Mitucocha valley, ascending up to Carhuac pass (4650 m / 15,255 ft) which offers an excellent panoramic view of Siula and Yerupaja mountains. We descend down to a beautiful lake Carhuacocha to set up our camp on an idilic spot with a splendorous view over Siula mountain, complemented with Yerupaja and Jirishancas mountains. 5 hours aprox.

Day 04: Lake Carhuacocha 4100 m / 13,451 ft – Huayhuash 4350 m / 14,271 ft
This is a long day of walking, starting at the beginning of Queropalca valley. We ascend up to Siula pass (4800 m / 15,748 ft) with excellent views over the surrounding mountains. Yerupaja (6634 m / 21,765 ft) is the second highest peak in Peru and Siula (6356 m / 20,853 ft) is an impressive mountain that was made famous by Joe Simpson’s book Touching the Void in which he recounts his successful but disastrous and nearly fatal climb to this mountain. We also get excellent views over Carnicero and Trapecio. We descend to Huayhuash to set our camp. 7-8 hours aprox.

Day 05: Huayhuash 4350 m / 14,271 ft - Viconga 4500 m / 14,763 ft
This day we reach the most southern point of Huayhuash mountain range, ascending to Huayhuash pass at 4700 m / 15,419 ft. We get excellent views over Cordillera Raura mountain range at one side and southeastern face of Trapecio at the other. We descend south and walk along lake Viconga until we reach thermal baths. This is a great opportunity to rest and take a relaxing hot bath. 4-5 hours aprox.

Day 06: Viconga 4500 m / 14,763 ft– Huanacpatay 4200 m / 13,779 ft
Our goal for the sixth day is to pass Cuyoc pass at 5000 m / 16,404 ft, which is the highest point of Huayhuash trekking. It is also where we get really impressive panoramic views of Cordillera Huayhuash mountains. Passing Cuyoc, we descend to Huanacpatay valley. Crossing large Andean meadows, we reach our camp. 7 hours aprox.

Day 07: Huanacpatay 4200 m / 13,779 ft – Huatiac 4300 m / 14,107 ft
We continue our trekking descending through Huanacpatay valley until it unites with Cutatambo valley and we reach Huayllapa village at 3500 m / 11,482 ft. After a short rest, we start to ascend through Tapush valley to out camp Huatiac at 4300 m / 14,107 ft. 7 hours aprox.

Day 08: Huatiac 4300 m / 14107 ft – Gashpapampa 4400 m / 14,435 ft
We continue walking up to Tapush pass (4800 m / 15,748 ft) and then descend to lake Susococha. We reach our camp at Gashpapampa (4400 m / 14,435 ft), set in a nice setting with impressive views over Suerococha (Diablo mudo or Mute devil). 5 hours aprox.

Day 09: Gaspapamapa 4400 m / 14,435 ft – Lake Jahuacocha 4050 m / 13,287 ft
We ascend to Gaucha pass at 4800 m / 15,748 ft, where we get to admire magnificent views over Yerupaja, Rasac and other mountains. We then descend to Jahuacocha, a beautiful lake where we set our camp in Andean meadows. We spend 2 nights here, in wonderful nature close to the lake.

Day 10: Rest day
This is a rest day. We take our time in the morning to relax, then we do a short walk to lake Soltercocha. We prepare a delicious lunch called pachamanca, which is a typical Peruvian dish, prepared in a natural way.

Day 11: Lake Jahuacocha 4050 m / 13,287 ft – Hauraz 3100 m / 10,170 ft
The last day we descend through Jahuacocha valley and then walk up to reach Pampa Llamac at 4250 m. Crossing the pass, we descend to Llamac village where we take a bus to Huaraz. 6 hours.

What’s 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

• 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.)

What to take

• Long-sleeved shirts
• Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
• Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
• Lightweight pants
• Regular and long underwear (at over 13,000 ft./4,000 masl)
• Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down
• Light cap and wool hat
• Rain poncho (or rain gear)
• Water bottle
• Light gloves
• Medium weight socks
• Hiking boots
• Sleeping bag (-5º to 0ºC)
• Small daypack
• Strong waterproof duffel bag
• Sunglasses, Sun block, lip balm
• Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
• Towel.