Enjoy an unforgettable 9-day Huayhuash trek with local certified guide, Edgar. Pierce a unique Andean trail and feast your eyes on glittering turquoise lakes overflown by condors and framed by the jagged white-capped peaks of seven of the highest and most dramatic summits in Peru!
Group
Andes
9 Days
Apr - Oct
Low
Beginner
The Cordillera Huayhuash is located in the Peruvian Andes and stretches for 30 km (19 mi). Seven of the highest summits in the region are located in this sparkling range that is dotted by crystalline turquoise lakes and is very scarcely populated. It is home to condors, llamas, alpacas, and viscachas. Trekking in the Cordillera Huayhuash is a unique way to experience the Andes, and on this 9-day adventure, you will have the chance to visit its most stunning spots.
We will set off from Huaraz and drive to Llamac, which is the starting point of our trek. From there, we will spend several days trekking to different landmarks along this famous trail and enjoy the beautiful starry skies at our campsites at night. Additionally, we will also have an acclimatization day in which we will visit some of the local towns as part of our community support program. Also, we will have the chance to recover from our treks in the replenishing local hot springs which are infused with minerals from the mountains. You can find a detailed program below.
Keep in mind that you will need to have a good fitness level to join this program. Furthermore, because of the high altitudes, I suggest you arrive one or two days before the trek to begin with acclimatization. Of course, I will be there every step of the way to help and guide you.
So, are you ready to try one of the world’s best alpine treks? Then contact me now and let’s start planning an unforgettable Huayhuash trek!
Or, if you prefer a shorter trekking program in the Peruvian Andes, you can join me on this 4-day Santa Cruz trek.
We will spend the day going to the Huaraz surroundings and lending our support to the local communities. 5% of the proceeds from our tours are taken to buy goods for a chosen person or village in the area, this benefit is organized in presence of the contributors so that the person who cooperated with us in buying our tours and travel products can participate in the donation.
We will start the day by driving 5 hours from Huaraz to Llamac. We will pass by the southern wild paramo (puna) Conococha pass at 4500m, and also go by the southernmost peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. The Huayhuash range, containing in a single cluster seven of the highest and most dramatic summits in Peru, reveals itself on our descent to the small town of Llamac and then takes us up through the Pocpa valley, where we will find a typical rural town where we can buy some soda drinks for the way. After a few hours trekking approx. Qt 1 pm we’ll arrive at Pallca where we’ll have lunch. From there we’ll get to our camping place at Matacancha at an altitude of 4100 masl. We’ll appreciate the Ninashanca Mountain 5607 masl, Rondoy 5870 masl. Overnight camping at Cuartelhuain at 4200masl.
167 Km approx L/D
In the morning, after breakfast, we’ll get our things ready and at 8 am we’ll start our trek. Climbing to the pass will take us about 2 or 3 hours. From there, we’ll go down then we’ll go-up approx 30 minutes and catch sight of the Andean Vizcachas. After 3 hours of hiking, we’ll reach the next pass. We’ll enjoy views of the white peaked mountains such as Yerupaja, Jirishanca, and Siula, and get to our campsite at approximately 5 or 6 pm. A beautiful lake with the mountain’s silhouette will greet us and we will set up camp facing the lake at 4150m (13,695 ft).
8.7 miles (18km), 10hrs of trekking, camp at 4150m (13,695 ft), Meals: B/L/D
At 8 am, after breakfast, we will start our trekking, relaxed after the rest day before. After going-up approx for one hour, we’ll get to the nicest three different color Siula Lakes. From there, we will go to the Siula Pass at 4850 masl. Then, after the pass, there are scenic places to have lunch next to the Carnicero lakes, and after a few kilometers going-down, we’ll arrive at our camping place at 4350 masl.
8.6 miles (13.8 km), 8 hrs of trekking, camp at 14,355 ft (4350 m), Meals: B/L/D
Today is a long and challenging day as we ascend the highest pass on the trek, Trapecio Pass at 5100m (16,404ft). We’ll go up the trail to reach the pass and enjoy the marvelous views of the surrounding high mountains before descending over a rocky section then hike along the valley to camp at Huanacpatay at 4300m (14,108ft.). 7 – 8 hours of hiking.
Meals Included: B/L/D and snacks
We will set off at 8 am and climb roughly two hours to San Antonio Pass. From there, you can enjoy great views of the southwest Cordillera Huayhuash and catch sight of the Sarapo, Siula Grande, Yerupaja, Carnicero, Los Juraos and Trapecio mountains. You can also see the Jurao lakes where we will descend to and stop for lunch. Afterward, we will continue to Huayllapa, a small isolated peasant village at 3700 masl, where small Andean shops will provide us wit soda drinks, beers, and first house necessities. Overnight in Huyallapa 3490m.
11.2 mi. (18 km), 7-8 hrs of trekking, camp at 11,520 ft (3490 m), Meals: B/L/D
We’ll have about 5 hours to go-up to the Tapush pass at 4800 masl, and then, we will walk down an easy trail for about two hours. We will arrive at our campsite in the late afternoon. Overnight at 4417 masl.
7.5 mi (12 km), 5-6 hrs of trekking, camp at 14,578 ft (4417 m), Meals: B/L/D
We’ll start our trek after breakfast up to the Yaucha Pass at 4800 masl. After resting and taking pictures, we’ll continue going down along the Huacrish ravine for approx three or four hours, until we come across a beautiful panoramic landscape. The Jahuacocha lake at the base of the Jirishanca, Yerupaja, and Rondoy mountains at an altitude of 4066 masl. From there, we can enjoy the spectacular avalanches coming down from the base of the Jirishanca mountains. Next to our camp, we’ll find a typical mountain hut for sheepherders. Overnight in Jahuacocha at 4050 masl
4.8 mi (7.8 km), 4-5 hrs of trekking, camp at 13,365 ft (4050 m), Meals: B/L/D
We’ll go-up an easy trek to the Pampallamac spot where we’ll say goodbye to the Huayhuash Mountains. A few meters down, we’ll have lunch, after resting for a few minutes we’ll go-down to Llamac and arrive at 1 or 2 pm approx, then we’ll leave Llamac and drive to Timpoc, where the Llamac river and the Pacllon rivers join, and from here we’ll start going-up to Chiquian along the Ainin river, arriving at Chiquian at 12 approx. We will walk around the village, and after, we will drive to Huaraz. Hotel
6.21 miles (10 km), 6 hrs of trekking, 4 hours Bus Meals: B/L
Water bottle
Backpack
Poles
Andreya
We had such an amazing time on this Trek! From the beginning to the end we had wonderful service through “Wild Huayhuash - Tomas Operator”. It is an amazing, beautiful, take your breath away hike. The guides are knowledgeable, kind, and extremely helpful. We had guide/cook Rosmel, guide Angel, operators Edgar and Tomas. Rosmel made us food every day(breakfast, lunch, snacks (popcorn), and dinner), woke us up to a fresh cup of tea every morning in our tent, and guides us through the first few days of our hike. He was like Superman carrying our lunch on his back every day of the trek (think heavy food in pots, with juice). Angel was the guide the rest of the way through the trek and was also very kind and professional. He was funny, paced us well through the hard sections, and let us have breaks whenever we needed. Both Rosmel & Angel were always working to get us to the best viewpoints, and best camping spots first, before the other groups. They also both helped when I had an asthma attack during the trek. From the operator side, Tomas and Edgar were amazing. Going through all the information we would need, allowing us to leave extra things in their office, allowing us to rest and shower in one of their rooms at no extra charge when we got back from the trek, and Edgar helped us find a map of Huayhuash so we could document our journey when we got back (finding a map of Huayhuash in Huaraz was not easy). This was a well put together group, and always seemed to be one step ahead of the other Huayhuash trekking groups. I highly recommend!
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