6-day Trek to Queropalca & Pocpa in the Cordillera Huayhuash
Join a certified mountain guide from our team on this thrilling 6-day trek in the Cordillera Huayhuash in Peru. Discover towering mountain peaks and sparkling lakes.
Private
Cordillera Huayhuash, Cordillera Huayhuash
6 Days
May - Nov
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- This mountain range attracts fewer trekkers so you can avoid the crowds
- Cross high mountain passes and enjoy panoramic views
- Check out some of Peru's tallest mountains
Description
The Huayhuash Mountain Range lies to the south of the Cordillera Blanca (White Range) in the Peruvian Andes. It’s a truly spectacular chain of mountains with tall, snow-capped peaks and pristine glacial lakes. It attracts fewer trekkers than the Cordillera Blanca does, and the absence of crowds makes for a unique feeling of remoteness.
Below you can find a detailed itinerary for the six-day trip, but here are some specific things you can look forward to: exploring the ruins of Huanucopampa, an ancient archaeological site; setting up camp at Lake Carhuacocha, a turquoise glacial lake with a view of three towering mountains; and ascending various high-altitude mountain passes, where we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the stunning Andean scenery.
This journey through the Cordillera Huayhuash will inspire you and leave you feeling renewed. Challenge yourself to go on this amazing journey and you won’t regret it.
Also check out this guide’s other great trips, like this trek around Mount Alpamayo and Huascaran and this ascent of Nevado Pisco.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Price details
- Included in price: Guide fee, cooks and helpers, all meals during the tour, donkey driver and donkeys, tents (2 person), kitchen equipment, transportation to and from Huaraz. NOT included: International flights, exit tax at the airport in Lima, travel accident and health insurance, luggage insurance and trip cancellation, hotel in Huaraz, personal expenses, personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc.), tips
Itinerary
Day 1: Day 1: Huaraz - Huanucopampa - Queropalca (3,800 masl)
Your guide will meet your group at the hotel after breakfast and you will head out for Queropalca, passing through rural villages such as Recuay, Ticapampa and Catac along the way. You will continue south, arriving at Lake Conococha, the headwaters for the Santa River. From the lake, you will turn east heading into the Huayhuash Mountain Range and passing through communities such as Pachapaqui, Huansala and Huallanca, before finally arriving at the ruins of Huanucopampa. We will break for lunch here, allowing time to explore the ancient archeological site and will then continue to the rural village of Queropalca (3,800 masl), our first campsite. The total travel time today is approximately 7 hours.
Day 2: Day 2: Queropalca - Lake Carhuacocha (4,250 masl)
We will begin hiking at 8:00am and will arrive at Lake Carhuacocha in approximately 5 hours. We will break for lunch and set up camp at the turquoise glacial lake where we’ll be able to take in stunning views of the snow-capped peaks of Yerupaja, Siula and Ninashanca.
Day 3: Day 3: Carhuacocha (4,250 masl) - Carhuac Pass (4,650 masl) - Mitucocha (4,200 masl)
After breakfast at Carhuacocha, we will begin a 3-hour ascent towards Carhuac Pass (4,650 masl), where we’ll be greeted by up-close views of Ninashanca and Jirishanca. We’ll break for lunch at midday and continue descending for another 1.5 hours to Lake Mitucocha (4,200 masl) where we’ll set up camp for the night.
Day 4: Day 4: Mitucocha (4,200 masl) - Cacanan Pass (4,700 masl) - Rondoy (4,300 masl)
We will leave camp at 8:00am and begin with a 3-hour climb towards Cacanan Pass (4,700 masl), allowing for a nice view of the southern side of Ninashanca. We will break for lunch at the pass and begin a 3-hour descent to our next campsite at Rondoy (4,300 masl).
Day 5: Day 5: Rondoy (4,300 masl) - Sambunya Pass (4,750 masl) - Jahuacocha (4,100 masl)
After breakfast, we will head out at 8:30am for a 4.5-hour ascent to the Sambunya Pass (4,750 masl) where we’ll break for lunch and observe a panoramic view of surrounding peaks such as Jirishanca, Ninashanca, Yerupaja, Siula and Carnicero. We will then begin a 3-hour descent to our next campsite at Lake Jahuacocha (4,100 masl).
Day 6: Day 6: Jahuacocha (4,100 masl) - Pampallamac Pass (4,500 masl) - Llamac (3,600 masl) or Jahuapunta Pass (4650 m) - Huaraz
Our last day on the trail, we will hike for 2.5 hours until reaching the final pass at Pampallamac (4,500 masl) where we can say goodbye to the gorgeous peaks that have accompanied us throughout the journey: Yerupaja, Ninashanca, Siula and Diablo Mudo. We will then begin a 1.5-hour descent into the rural community of Llamac where private transportation will be waiting to take our group back to Huaraz. Travel time from Llamac to Huaraz is approximately 3 hours.
FAQs
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About the guide
Peru
4.6
(20)
Guide Agency
Peru Expeditions is a Guide Agency and Tour Operator based in Huaraz, Peru.
It's a family-owned travel agency, which was founded more than 35 years ago, and is now managed by IFMGA-guide Juventino and his son, Eric.
We organize trekkings and mountain expeditions in Cordillera Blanca, and all around Peru.
Languages
| English
Certificates
AGMP | IFMGA
What people are saying about Peru
He was very kind, patient and helped me to reach my goal the citadel of Machupicchu. One day I wanted to quit but he encouraged me to continue and waited for my step.
We did the MTB-Huarascan-Circuit (Crossing Punta Olimpica Pass and Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass) with Eric Albinos „Peru Expedition“. All, the transfers, the hotel stays, the acclimatization tours and the circuit itself, was well organized. Eric and his staff were flexible to our wishes and very helpful. Our Guide Joni is an excellent mountain bike-guide and good tailor too if something is torn. The cook prepared delicious meals during the circuit. The camping equipment was in very good condition. We (Karin, Franz. Wolfgang) can fully recommend „Eric´s Peru Expeditions“.
Marcela
The agency gave me a guide Darwin, not Juventino. Climb was good, easy just walking. There is one dangerous section near the moraine area with very loose gravel. So make sure you don't slip there or you are dead. I stayed in refugio at the base camp which was much more comfy than camping. Darwin was good but give clients some breaks once in a while, not rush too much. It's a high altitude climbing after all.
5 star guide. Nothing but the best.
A very, very sympathic guide, who knows all the secrets of the places and itinerarys the most beautiful ; organization top ; food excellent too ; marvellous souvenirs.
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