Huayhuash Trek, alpine route in the Peruvian Andes
The Huayhuash Trek is one of Peru's best and on this 10-day program, our certified mountain guides will make sure you take in all of its splendor while keeping safe and comfortable. Discover awe-inspiring mountain views, the vibrant local mountain culture and more on an unforgettable adventure in the Andes!
Private
Andes
10 Days
Apr - Oct
Low
Beginner
Highlights
- Join one of the most beautiful treks in the world.
- Discover the beautiful mountain views, flora and fauna of the Peruvian Andes.
- Enjoy an organized Cordillera Huayhuash trek where logistics are well cared for.
Description
The Huayhuash Trek is one of Peru’s best treks, join us on this 10-day adventure and let us show you why!
The Cordillera Huayhuash is a mountain range within the Peruvian Andes, stretching from north to south. The main stretch of this range consists of about 20 peaks in a span of 25 km! In the Cordillera Huayhuash, we will find Yerupaja, which at 6617 m / 21,709 ft, is the second-highest mountain in the country. Siula Grande (6344 m / 20,813 ft) is another famous peak in the region, which became popular due to Joe Simpson’s book “Touching the Void” in which he narrates his experience climbing this beautiful and difficult mountain.
The Huayhuash trek is known as one of the most beautiful treks in the world. Due to its high altitude passes, it is not an easy trek, but the spectacular views over the surrounding mountains, turquoise blue lakes, and impressive landscapes are worth it. Going with a certified local guide will ensure that you can get the most out of the experience while staying safe and comfortable, and we have created the best possible program to achieve it. You can find the detailed itinerary below.
Please keep in mind that you will need a good fitness level to join this adventure. Furthermore, we recommend that you come with some prior acclimatization and some hiking experience too. Of course, we will be there to help and guide you every step of the way.
So, are you ready to join a classic Huayhuash trek and discover some of Peru’s most beautiful mountain views? Then contact us now and let’s plan an unforgettable adventure together!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
- Mountain guide expenses
- Luggage transfer
Price details
- Included in the price:
- Local Guide
- Specialised cook
- Entrance fee to the Comunity (Huayhuash)
- FirstAid kit
- Private transport between Huaraz / start and end of trek.
- Complete meals during the trekking program
- Donkey driver
- Donkeys
- Kitchen / dining tent.
- Collective technical equipment
- Camping equipment
- Tent for 2 Person
- Toilet tent
Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz 3100 m / 10,170 ft– Matacancha 4180 m / 13,713 ft
We will leave Huaraz and pass through Huaylas Valley to Conococha. We will have an impressive panorama of Huayhuash Mountain Chain, and appreciate the immensity of some mountains like Yerupaja, Jirishanca, Rondoy, and others. Afterward, we will pass by the villages Llamac and Pocpa. We will install our camping. Duration: approx. 5 hrs.
Day 2: Matacancha 4180 m / 13,713 ft – Mitucocha Lake 4200 m / 13,779 ft
We will start this day with a zigzag trail to Cacananpunta Pass (4750 m / 15,583 ft). Afterward, we will descend through a wide, beautiful valley which leads to the wonderful Mitucocha Lake (4200 m), where we will install our camping. We will end the day with a lateral wall through the moraine. Duration: approx. 5 hrs.
Day 3: Mitucocha Lake 4200 m / 13,779 ft – Carhuacocha Lake 4100 m / 13,451 ft
This day, we will start ascending through Mitucocha Valley towards Punta Carhuac Pass (4650 m / 15,255 ft). It has a great panorama of Siula and Yerupaja mountains. We will descend to Carhuacocha Lake to install the camping in an excellent ample area with a splendid view of Siula, Yerupaja and Jirishancas mountains. Duration: approx. 5 hrs.
Day 4: Carhuacocha Lake 4100 m / 13,451 ft– Huayhuash 4350 m / 14,271 ft
We will start this long day ascending from the starting point of Queropalca Valley to Siula Pass (4800 m / 15,748 ft). It has excellent views of the Carnicero and Trapicero mountains as well as of Yerupaja (6634 m / 21,765 ft) – the second highest mountain of the Peruvian Andes, and of Siula (6356 m / 20,853 ft). Finally, we will descend to Huayhuash – our next camping place. Duration: approx. 7 – 8 hrs.
Day 5: Huayhuash 4350 m / 14,271 ft – Viconga 4500 m / 14,763 ft.
On this day, we will approach the southern part of the Huayhuash Mountain Chain. We will ascend through Huayhuash Pass (4700 m / 15,419 ft) to enjoy the views towards Raura Chain and the South-Eastern face of Trapecio Mountain. We will descend towards the South, passing by Viconga Lake. Then, we will get to the thermal baths. Duration: approx. 4 – 5 hrs.
Day 6: Viconga 4500 m / 14,763 ft – Elephant Camp 4800 m / 15,748 ft
We will start this day’s trail towards Cuyoc Pass (5000 m) – the highest point of this trekking. It offers an impressive panoramic view of the Huayhuash Mountains. We will descend through Huanacpatay Valley towards our next camping place. Duration: approx. 7 hrs.
Day 7: Elephant Camping 4800 m / 15,748 ft – No Name Pass – 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 8: Cutatambo – Segya Pass – Caramarca Lake
On this day, we will start our trail through some meadows until we reach 4800 m / 15,748 ft, then we will cross towards Seguya Pass. Enjoy views of the famous eastern side of Siula Mountain, escalated by Joe Simpson and Simpson Yates in 1985. Finally, we will descend to the camping. Duration: approx. 7 – 8 hrs.
Day 9: Caramarca Lake – Rasac Glaciar Pass 5100 m / 16,732 ft – Jahuacocha Lake 4000 m / 13,123 ft
After breakfast at 7 am, we will start the trail on a rocky coast towards the Rasac glacier. When reaching it, we will use the crampons to cross it. After, we will ascend on a 40° slope to the Pass, from where we will have a view towards some beautiful mountains of Huayhuash Chain, including Sarapo and Rasac. Duration: approx. 7 Lake – 8 hrs.
Day 10: Jahuacocha 4050 m / 13,287 ft – Pampa Llamac Pass – Huaraz
On our last day, we will descend through Jahuacocha Valley, then go up to Pampa Llamac Pass (4250 m / 13,943 ft). From there, we will descend to Llamac village, and take the bus to Huaraz. Duration: approx. 6 hrs.
Equipment you will need to bring
Harness
Water bottle
Backpack
Sunglasses
About the guide
Octavio
4.9
(21)
Mountain Guide
Founder, manager and IFMGA Mountain Guide of Andean Peaks. I work together with my brother Eloy and a team of IFMGA mountain guides, and UIMLA Mountain Leaders. If I'm not available to guide you, one of my qualified colleagues will be your guide.
I was born and raised in the hamlet of Yarush in 1987, at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca. From very young age i was born my passion for the mountains. In 2003 I started as enthusiast to climbing in rock next to my brother Eloy. In 2009 i obtained the title as ''official guide of high mountain''. I enjoy doing sports climbing and opening new routes in the cordillera Blanca, and in other countries. My wide experience has taken me to climb most of the mountains in cordillera blanca.
Languages
| English
Certificates
AGMP | UIAGM
What people are saying about Octavio
We had 10 days in the Cordillera Blanca and Octavio helped us plan a great trip. We did Laguna 69 day trip, Santa Cruz trek, climbing in Hatunmachay, ice climbing and trekking on Mount Pisco. The trip was very well organised and equipment provided was of high quality. Octavio is an experienced mountain guide and climber so we always felt safe throughout the trip. We had a great chef with us when camping and always enjoyed the food he prepared. Also enjoyed chatting to Octavio in the evenings and hearing his great stories!
This guys are great. They are certified mountain guides. The food in the camp was better than the restaurants in Huaraz. You feel safe in their hands all the way to the summit. We climbed 3 mountains in the same tour Ishinca, urus and Tocllaraju. Many thanks to the team they make of the tour a fun place during the climb and in base camp. Totally recommendable
We had 10 days in Andes (Huaraz as base) and wanted to get a mix of trekking, rock climbing and mountaineering. Contacted Andean Peaks who helped me organize the whole trip. Octavio, who was our main guide and one of the owners of the company was super helpful and quick to respond on both emails and Whatsapp. Octavio is a qualified professional mountain guide. Apart from this, he's also a super friendly guy an a good climber. Bonus points for always being punctual, having great equipment/tents etc, good chef (cooked pizza for us at 4600m!). Highly recommend. Activites: 1 day Laguna 69, 3 day Santa Cruz Trek, 2 days rock climbing, 1 day Ice wall climbing and 3 day Pisco mountain.
My husband and I booked a private day hike with Octavio to Laguna Churup. We wanted to try out a company before committing to a longer trek, and now we feel certain that when we return to Peru, we will book our trek with Andean Peaks. Octavio was great- he even met us at our hotel the night before to let us know what to expect and explain the day’s plan (our Spanish is subpar, but Octavio’s English is great). We were picked up promptly on the day of the trek and enjoyed a scenic drive up to the trailhead. Octavio was very patient and in tune to our needs given it was our first day hiking at altitude. The trail to Churup has some challenging sections involving rock scrambling with aid of cables. Octavio was very knowledgeable about the safest way to negotiate and gave us great instruction to help us reach our destination safely. He also assisted two other hikers (not on our trek) as they were having difficulty with the cable climb. I thought that was a great gesture as otherwise they probably would have had to turn around. We took a break at the lake and enjoyed the provided lunch before climbing up the last bit to complete the lollipop loop trail. Everything went very smoothly, and we so appreciate the trip with Andean Peaks!
Leaving Huaraz after an amazing trek with Eloy from Andean Peaks. Me and my boyfriend did a Santa Cruz trek (you can opt for a private or group tour), 4 days, 3 nights. All the service was just perfect - food (we thought we will survive on snacks but actually received proper meals and nice company during dinners), support during the actual trek, local stories, luggage transfer etc. The whole team took care of us very nicely, not forgetting about allowing us also to have a nice local experience! The landscape itself is beautiful! Highly recommended! Besides the trek itself, also the communication prior to that was smooth and re-assuring. Thanks Octavio & Eloy!
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