11 Days/10 Nigths
Max. Altitude: 5485 m / 17,995 ft
Route: Trekking Huayhuash & Climb Pumarinri
Availability: March - November
Difficulty: Moderate
People per Guide: 5
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
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 – Climb to Pumarinri 5485 m / 17,995 ft - Elefante
We start hiking at 3:00 am to reach Pumarinri peak with its excellent views over Cordillera Huayhuash, including Rasac, Yerupaja and Sarapo mountains. We ascent on a glacier to reach the top. We descend in direction of Cuyoc pass where we are once again rewarded with beautiful views. We walk down to Elefante camp base, where we spend the night. 7-8 aprox.
Day 07: Elefante - 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 – Huayllapa 3350 m / 10,990 ft
We start walking to descend Huanacpatay valley (river Calinca) until we reach Huayllapa. Huayllapa is a village located right at the middle of Huayhuash trek and many hikers fill up their food supplies here. 5 hours aprox.
Day 09: Huayllapa 3350 m / 10,990 ft - Gashpampa 4500 m / 14,763 ft
We start ascending through Tapush valley until we reach Tapush pass at 4750 m / 15,583 ft. We then descend, passing lake Susucocha and continuing until our camp at Cashapampa (4600 m). 6 hours aprox.
Day 10: Rest day (hike to lake Soltercocha)
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 – Huaraz 3100 m / 10,170 ft
The last day we descend through Jahuacocha valley and then walk up to reach Pampa Llamac at 4350 m. Crossing the pass, we descend to Llamac village where we take a bus to Huaraz. 6 hours.
