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Guided Treks · Cordillera Huayhuash

Huayhuash Classic Trek

Our Huayhuash Classic Trek navigates some old trails that once was used by the first trekkers in the range and also includes the most scenic views like Siula Lakes viewpoint, Santa Rosa Viewpoint/Pass, view towards Siula Base Camp and a deep soak in the hot springs of Guñoc – Viconga. You won’t miss anything!.

The Journey

Trip Overview

This is the most dramatic high-altitude trek in the Peruvian Andes and in the world, with magnificent views of the mountains of the Cordillera Huayhuash Mountain Range such as Yerupaja 6634m being the second highest mountain in Peru, Siula Grande, Jirishanca, Carnicero, Trapecio. The dramatic and beautiful glacial lakes and valleys of the range provide memorable campsites and good trout fishing. Andean condors are seen more often in the Huayhuash than on other Peruvian treks, attesting to the area’s remoteness.

Duration
10 Day Trek
Format
Private
Activity
Guided Treks
Grade
Challenging
Distance
132 km
Maximum altitude
5,100 m
Season
May to September
Service

What’s Included

Professional English Speaking Mountain Guide

Professional Cook

Donkeys and donkey driver

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner during the trek

Tents: 4 season tent (3 person tent for 2 people), dining tent with tables and chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent

Foam & air mattress

First Aid Kit

All cooking equipment, plates, cups, utensils etc.

Private transport

Entrance Fee to Huayhuash Communities

Each participant is allowed to bring 12kg to be loaded on the donkeys

Service

What’s Not Included

Sleeping bag

Personal gear

Travel Insurance

Gratuities

Preparation

What to Bring

We will provide a full gear list info upon booking the trek.

Logistics

Pickup and Drop-off

We will collect and return you to any hotel located within Huaraz City.

Day by Day

Itinerary

1 DayHuaraz – Quartelhuain 4170m – Cacananpunta Pass 4690m – Janca 4200m
You are picked up at your accommodation very early in the morning at 4am and begin the journey along the Callejon de Huaylas Valley. Today we drive through many rural villages until we reach Quartelhuain 4170m. 4/5 hours drive. Here we have our breakfast (included in the trip price) while the donkeys are loaded. After breakfast, we slowly climb up to 4690m to cross Punta Cacanan Pass then, as we descend, we are rewarded with stunning views of the nearby peaks of Rondoy and Jirishanca. Our camp is situated at Janca Valley at 4200m. 5 hours walk.
2 DayJanca – Carhuac Pass 4630m – Carhuacocha 4150m
We start ascending gradually towards Paso Carhuac 4630m pass from where we have splendid views of Nevados Carnicero, Siula Grande, Yerupaja, Jirishanca. We then descend to our camp at the beautiful Laguna Carhuacocha Lake 4150m. 5 to 6 hours walk.
Day 3Carhuacocha – Siula Punta Pass 4850m – Huayhuash 4350m
Today is a big day! We start with a gradual hike before ascending towards Paso Siula Punta 4850m pass with nice views of the surrounding mountains and crossing above the glacier fed lakes of Siula and Quesillococha. From the pass we descend to our camp at Huayhuash 4350m passing a beautiful lake and always enjoying views of the great mountains of the range. 8 hours walk.
4 DayHuayhuash – Portachuelo de Huayhuash Pass 4780m – Viconga 4350m
We ascend gradually towards Paso Portachuelo de Huayhuash 4780m pass from where we have great views of the Cordillera Raura Mountain Range, this part is the highlands of Lima region. We then descend to the big lake of Viconga and then to our camp at 4350m near by the Guñoc Hot springs. In the afternoon we will enjoy the hot springs. 6 hours walk.
5 DayViconga – Cuyoc Pass – Cuyoc Pampa
Another pass to cross. We go over Punta Cuyoc Pass with a sustained uphill hike of 3 hours to a breath taking 4950m pass. From here we marvel the spectacular views of the mountains. We then descend to our camp at Cuyoc Pampa 4500m. 5 hours walk.
6 DayCuyoc – Santa Rosa Pass 5100m – Cutatambo
We ascend towards the highest pass of the trek Paso Santa Rosa 5100m from where there are fantastic views of mountains and lakes. We can clearly see the Siula Glacier where Joe Simpson crawled down in his epic battle for survival, and also Siula Base Camp by Sarapococha Lake. From here a steep and slippery trail takes us down to Calinca Valley to camp at Cutatambo 4265m. 5 hours walk.
7 DayCutatambo – Huayllapa Village 3600m
After breakfast, we walk down Calinca Valley for 4 hours till we reach the village of Huayllapa. The community of Huayllapa is one of the highland villages of Lima Region located at 3600m. Villagers are mainly farmers and shepherds and few of them work in tourism sector as cooks and donkey drivers.
8 DayHuayllapa – Tapush Pass 4770m – Gashpapampa 4600m
We slowly climb up to 4770m in the morning to cross Punta Tapush Pass, we then descend to Gashpapampa 4600m. 7 hours walk.
9 DayGashpapampa – Llaucha Pass 4850m – Huacrish Lookout – Jahuacocha 4050m
We descend before ascending towards Paso Llaucha Punta 4850m pass, with fantastic views of the mountains of Rondoy, Jirishanca, Yerupaja, Rasac and Sacra. From the pass, we hike up to a ridge which takes us to Huacrish Lookout to have unique views of the Huayhuash Mountain Range. We then descend to our last camp at the beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha Lake 4050m. 4 to 5 hours walk.
10 DayJahuacocha – Llamac – Huaraz
Today is our final day of trekking, we follow the river down the valley and then a water channel that brings water to the community of Llamac. We can enjoy our final views over the range before descending steady down to Llamac. Here we meet our transport and drive back to Huaraz. 5 hours walk and 4 hours drive.