Trekking tour in Cordillera Huayhuash, 10 days

Welcome to this 10-day trek in the Cordillera Huayhuash. It’s home of the most spectacular landscapes in all of South America!

The Cordillera Huayhuash is a remote mountain range of the Peruvian Andes. In the tropical region it is the second highest range, after the Cordillera Blanca.

The Cordillera Huayhuash is located 120 km from the Pacific Ocean. However, its ridge forms part of the watershed of the South American continent. The waters of its east side flow towards the river Marañón, main stream of the Amazon.

During this 10-day hiking adventure you will witness a real mountain paradise. With its natural treasures, beauty, quietness, pristine glacier lakes, icefalls and alpine meadows, you’ll fall in love with the place immediately.

This trek involves a hard technical difficulty and an excellent fitness level. Keep in mind that your legs must ascend more than 5000 meters of height. A prior mountaineering experience is also a plus.

Then, let me share with you a sample itinerary of the program. Of course, it will depend on your group’s wishes and expectations.

Sample day-by-day program

DAY 1: Huaraz – Pocpa (3450m) – Cuartelhuain (4170m)

The adventure starts with a private transfer from Huaraz to the Cuartelhuain campsite. Here we’ll meet our donkeys and have the first panoramic views of the peaks of Rondoy, Ninashanca and Hirishanca.

DAY 2: Cacananpunta Pass (4690m) – Jancapampa (4230m)

This day we will ascend to the Cacananpunta Pass. After enjoying the views over the pass, we will descend towards our next camp at Jancapampa, just below the Shirishanca and Ninashanca mountains. Overnight camp at Mitucocha.

DAY 3: Carhuac Pass (4640m) – Lake Carhuacocha (4100m)

Today we will trek across a flat terrain until we’re in the Punta Carhuac pass. We can enjoy a great view from such an altitude. We will then walk down to the Carhuacocha Lake. It’s a lake surrounded by huge peaks dominating the sky. Our camp awaits near the shore of that lake.

DAY 4: Siula Pass (4834m) – Huayhuash (4345m)

Today I can offer you 2 options. A trekking route that takes us via the Carnicero pass at 4600m. It is suitable for people with a more basic physical condition. The other option is more demanding and it goes along the Siula pass. Then we will continue walking over the peatlands until we reach our camp for the night (Huayhuash).

DAY 5: Portachuelo Pass (4750m) – Viconga (4425m)

We walk up the valley heading south towards the spectacular pass of Portachuelo de Huayhuash. From this pass the trail drops steadily passing along the Lake Viconga. In the afternoon we can take a refreshing bath in the thermal pools. Overnight camp at Viconga.

DAY 6: Cuyoc Pass (5000m) – Guanacpatay (4350m)

We will hike up to the highest pass of our trek. After 5 days hiking over 4000m, your body is now well acclimatized to cross the Punta Cuyoc Pass in direction to Pampa Llamac. Then we’ll cross an alpine meadow and reach the campsite. From here we will have amazing views of the dramatic Nevado Cuyoc and Puscanturpa. Overnight camp in Guanacpatay.

DAY 7: Huayllapa (3600m)– Huatiac 4350m

After having breakfast we will walk down to the Calinca valley. The path drops on switchbacks until a flat bottom valley. Then we will reach the small mountain village of Huayllapa. In the afternoon we will walk to the Huatiac campsite at 4350m, where we’ll spend the night.

DAY 8: Punta Tapush Pass – Yahuacha pass (4850m) – Jahuacocha

After our breakfast we start walking uphill to Punta Tapush Pass with an impressive viewpoint. After that we will descend to Ancash and then we move to Punta Yaucha. Finally, we will descend to our campsite on the shores of Jahuacocha.

DAY 9: Rest or Extra Day 

Today we can do a half day hike to Solteracocha or take the day off to rest. We can also fish in the lake and enjoy the most wonderful views of the region. Last night camp at Lake Jahuacocha.

DAY 10: Pampa Llamac (4270m) -Llamac town – Huaraz

After completing this Andean circuit we will walk down into a plain valley and then we will walk gradually uphill to Pampa Llamac. Here we will rest and take the last pictures of the trip. Finally, we will descend to the Llamac Village, where our private transfer is waiting to take us back Huaraz. End of the program.

The best period to enjoy this hiking adventure is from May till October. I can take with me up to 6 guests or more, if you contact me in advance.

So, are you ready to live a magnificent adventure in Huayhuash? I am. Get in touch with me and let me help you make your dream a reality.