Huayhuash hike, classic route

Considered one of the most beautiful treks in the world, this circuit around a spectacular mountain range will charm us by the diversity and beauty of the landscapes encountered. The Huayhuash massive is located south of the Cordillera Blanca, about 4 hours from Huaraz by bus. It offers a set of high passes (9 are above 4500 meters), vertiginous peaks, colorful glacier lakes and cultivated valleys dotted with isolated hamlets. There we will observe the second summit of Peru, the Yerupajá (6634 m).

Duration:
– Trekking: 10 days
– Total trip: 14 days / 13 nights

Best period:
May to September

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Day 1: Arrival at Lima airport
Day 2: Lima – Huaraz
Day 3: Huaraz (acclimatization Pukaventana)
Day 4: Huaraz – Chiquián – Matacancha
Day 5: Matacancha – Mitucocha
Day 6: Mitucocha – Carhuacocha
Day 7: Carhuacocha – Huayhuash
Day 8: Huayhuash – Quebrada Cuyoc
Day 9: Quebrada Cuyoc – Huayllapa
Day 10: Huayllapa – Cashpapampa
Day 11: Cashpapampa – Jahuacocha
Day 12: Jahuacocha – Llamac – Huaraz
Day 13: Huaraz – Lima
Day 14: Lima – transfer to airport

DETAILED TREKKING PROGRAM

DAY 1 – Arrival at Lima airport

Arrival at Lima Airport and transfer by taxi to your hotel in Miraflores. Your hotel offers – in addition to its strategical location – an ideal place to discover Lima: its restaurants, shops and bars, its museums and art of living, lulled by the Pacific. It is the favorite area for tourists and Lima’s elite! Dinner on your own.

DAY 2 – Lima – Huaraz

Transfer in the morning at the bus terminal. Seven hours’ drive are needed to reach Huaraz, capital of Ancash department, Mecca of the South American mountaineering. Transfer to your hotel. Lunch served in the bus, dinner on your own.

DAY 3 – Huaraz (acclimatization Pukaventana)

Departure in the morning for an acclimatization walk on the heights of Huaraz. After a short climb along a narrow ridge, we follow an ancient irrigation canal. On the way down, we walk into a narrow canyon to reach Huaraz, where we arrive in the mid-afternoon. Lunch included, dinner on your own.

DAY 4 – Huaraz – Chiquián – Matacancha

In the early morning, departure to the town of Chiquián by private vehicle (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes). After a lunch break, we continue our road to the Matacancha camp. We arrive in the late afternoon. Meeting with our muleteer and installation of the camp.

DAY 5 – Matacancha – Mitucocha

Sustained climb on a not well marked trail to reach the wild pass of Gasha Punta. In the descent, we pass the limestone massif of Paria. Arrival at Mitucocha Lake in the mid-afternoon. Camp in a wide valley trough-shaped near the lake. A day that offers, thanks to its hanging glaciers and multicolored lakes, a scenery to take your breath away!

DAY 6 – Mitucocha – Carhuacocha

On a little marked path, we reach the pass of Alcay: this journey is dotted with limestone rocks, which natural erosion is remarkable. Once at the pass, the panorama changes suddenly becoming completely mineral. Lunch near Alcay Lake, then down towards the turquoise Carhuacocha Lake, with stunning views on the Siulá, the Yerupajá, the Rondoy and the Jirishanca. Setup of the camp near the lake.

DAY 7 – Carhuacocha – Huayhuash

After skirting Carhuacocha Lake, we climb a steep valley, where frequently echoes the roar of distant serac falls. A steep path in the air allows us to quickly gain altitude. The landscape, compound among other things of three lakes of different colors, is absolutely magnificent. Once the Siulá pass is reached, we switch toward a broad green valley to arrive in the late afternoon at the camp.

DAY 8 – Huayhuash – Quebrada Cuyoc

We take a path frequented by livestock, heading to Trapecio Pass. On the way, a detour allows us to admire more closely the Nevado Trapecio glacier, frequented by vicunas and deers. Once on the pass, lunch facing the impressive Nevado Puscanturpa. We continue our descent into the moraine to arrive in the late afternoon at the camp.

DAY 9 – Quebrada Cuyoc – Huayllapa

Sustained day that begins with a steep climb on a small path leading to the pass of San Antonio (5020 m), the highest point of the circuit, we are rewarded with a magnificent view on the Nevado of Siula and multicolored glacier lakes. It is in this remarkable setting that was filmed the famous mountaineering movie Touching the Void. We leave it through an impressive descent into an ancient glacier valley, where we can encounter vicunas. Camp setup in the village of Huayllapa.

DAY 10 – Huayllapa – Cashpapampa

Long climb of a steep valley to regain the height of the Puna (steppe altitude). No less than 1270 vertical meters ahead! Lunch on the way. Arrival at the pass of Tapush, the camp is close and offers us a well earned rest! It is the highest camp of the stay.

DAY 11 – Cashpapampa – Jahuacocha

Today is a short day. Once at the Llaucha Pass, we are once again rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Cordillera Huayhuash, with stunning views on the west face of Yerupajá, second highest peak of Peru (6634 m). Then descent to the turquoise Jahuacocha Lake for lunch before enjoying this idyllic place during a free afternoon.

DAY 12 – Jahuacocha – Llamac – Huaraz

Early morning, we break camp and go to the village of Llamac. On the way, we pass through different ecological floors with a very diverse vegetation. The temperature change is quickly felt. Lunch in the house of our muleteer in Llamac. Then departure by private vehicle to Huaraz and overnight at the hotel. Dinner on your own.

DAY 13 – Huaraz – Lima

Transfer by bus to Lima. Overnight at the hotel. Lunch served in the bus, dinner on your own.

DAY 14 – Lima – transfer to airport

Morning and lunch on your own in Lima. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your international flight.

Extra details

Options

– A satellite phone (15 € / day, excluding communication costs)
– A hyperbaric chamber (15 € / day)
– Personal saddle horse (10 € / day)
– Airbed (2 € / day)
– Individual tent and room (contact us for cost)

Not included

– International flight ticket
– Lunch and dinner in Huaraz and Lima
– Tips for the accompanying staff

Included

– Standard hotel in Lima and Huaraz with Breakfast Buffet
– Taxi Transfers in Lima and Huaraz
– Line Bus transportation Lima – Huaraz – Lima
– Transport by private car from Huaraz to different sites
– 1 IFMGA mountain guide
– 1 cooker
– 1 assistant cooker (groups of more than 4 people)
– Full kitchen equipment. Complete food.
– 1 saddle horse in reserve
– 1 kitchen tent, 1 mess tent, two-people tents and sleeping mats
– Rights of path in different communities
– Mule and pack animals
– Information and specific recommendations before the start of the expedition
– Permanent assistance of the agency throughout the duration of your stay
– IGV (18%), general sales tax

Price

– 2 people: 1600€/person
– 3 people: 1360€/person
– 4 people: 1200€/person
– 5 and more people: 1060€/person

Spots of interest

Huayhuash range