Huayhuash is the second highest tropical mountain range in the world after the Cordillera Blanca. The Huayhuash Trek crosses the whole Huayhuash mountain range. This trek is considered to be one of the most beautiful treks on the planet.
The distance from north to south of the Cordillera Huayhuash is 30 kms, in which there are 7 mountains that exceed 6.000 meters of altitude and 7 mountains over 5.500 meters, among the highest peaks we have the Yerupajá (6.617 m, the second highest mountain in Peru) and Siula Grande (6.344 m) which reached world fame for being the scene of one of the most epic survival stories of mountaineering and which was later captured in the book and film «Touching the void» by mountaineer Joe Simpson.
In addition, Cordillera Huayhuash, is home to dozens of glacial lakes of incomparable beauty among which stand out: Carhuacocha, Jahuacocha, Solterococha, Mitucocha, Juraucocha, as well as a great diversity of flora and wildlife native and unique to the Andes.
Undoubtedly, Huayhuash trekking has all the natural scenarios that award it as the most beautiful alpine trekking in the world for its beauty and the wild air of its mountains. Moreover, Huayhuash is the scene of great feats of world climbing and even of the history of Peru. Currently, mountaineers from all around the world make the trek to enjoy the wonderful scenery while acclimatizing and gaining physical endurance, as a previous process to climb peaks of considerable altitude and complexity in the Cordillera Blanca.
The Huayhuash trekking is a magical and unmissable trail through the Andes, we have no more words to describe this awesome mountain range, it will always be better to come with us and discover in first row what Huayhuash has for you.
Huaraz (Google Map)
4:00 am (pick up at your hotel)
Participants must be in good physical condition to join this trek. Andean Raju Expeditions recommends previous and constant preparation as a crucial factor to take on this challenge, then, the physical stress caused by the trekking days will be minimized.
We strongly advise all participants to have an adequate outdoor training plan and short hikes with gradual demands.
If you would like our advice, we can provide you a training plan after evaluation of your experience in hiking and sporting activity.
Participants should have experience in altitude the last 2 to 3 days prior to the start of this trek, which ensures adequate acclimatization and conditioning of the body to the altitude. It is recommended to stay above 3,000 meters above sea level.
We suggest acclimatizing in Wilcacocha or Churup lakes before starting the trek.
This adventure will start in Huaraz, we will pick you up at your hotel with private transportation. After pick up we head southeast towards the town of Chiquian, where we will stop for approximately 30 minutes for breakfast.
The transport will leave us in Cuartelhuain, from here we will begin the first day’s hike. This day you will reach the Cacananpunta pass (4.690m), an excellent viewpoint east towards the Huanuco region. Near this pass lunch time is waiting for us, the chef will prepare the picnic on the edge of the road.
The views are the following: Pucacocha Lake with its reddish waters due to the iron mineral in its water.
The peaks Ninashanca, Rondoy and the Huallanca mountain range; the Mitucocha camp is the final destination at the foot of the mentioned peaks.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Transfer by car: 5 hours.
Estimated hiking time: 4 hours.
Elevation: +520 /-490 m.
On the second day the hike reaches the Alcay Pass which is one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the circuit for its spectacular view of Siulá Grande, Yerupajá Grande and Chico, Jirishanca, Ninashanca, all by their wild and steep east faces. Then we head towards the Alcaycocha lake, very close to this place we will take our lunch break. Finally we descend to the beautiful Carhuacocha lake (4150 m) and in a few minutes we will be reaching our camp(Carhuacocha). At night nothing is better than watching the stars, the Milky Way nebula and its reflection on the Carhuacocha lake.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 7 hours
Elevation: +510 m / -640 m
This day is one of the best of the Huayhuash circuit, because you can enjoy the spectacular sunrise when the peaks of the mountains are reflected on the Carhuacocha lake. You can enjoy the views of the turquoise lakes: Siula lake, Quesillococha and Azulcocha.
Then, we will reach the Siula Pass, from this point we will have a view of the Raura mountain range, an incredible place to stay for a long time and enjoy the beautiful scenery, lunch will be waiting for us at 5 minutes from the Siula pass.
Finally we will walk downhill, we will observe the Carnicero lake. Our final destination will be the Huayhuash camp.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, tea time, lunch and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 7 hours approx.
Elevation: +660 / -500 m.
The way of this day will be towards the Trapecio Pass, after 4 hours of walking we will arrive to the above pass where we will be able to appreciate a spectacular view of the Trapecio mountain and beautiful landscapes of the lakes that are located below the Puscanturpa mountain also the mountains Cuyoc, Milpo and part of the Cordillera Raura.
We make the descent to the lakes, on this route we will take the lunch break. We continue the trail down and we will find a giant rock with the silhouette of elephant, as well as another rock formation that is like a mummy, we are arriving at the Elephant valley camp.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: +700 / -1.100 m
It’s a spectacular day for the privileged view at the highest pass of the Huayhuash trek: Santa Rosa pass, viewpoint of the entire trekking circuit. From this point we will be able to appreciate in its maximum splendor the Jurao lake and peak, Sarapo peak, Siula Grande peak, Siula Chico peak, Yerupajá peak and Rasac peak. After descending the Santa Rosa pass there will be lunch time, finally we will continue descending towards the Quebrada Huayllapa until we arrive to our camp in Cutatambo.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 6 to 7 hours.
Elevation: +1.200 / -850 m.
This day the hike goes on the descending road through the Huayllapa canyon, surrounded by Tarwi plants and following the Calinca river. We will pass through beautiful landscapes, andean gates and waterfalls until we arrive to Huayllapa village where you can buy personal hygiene supplies, generic medicines, drinks, batteries, etc; also this place offers places with wifi, hot shower and power outlets for charging devices.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 4 hours.
Elevation: -750 m
This day the hike starts uphill from Huayllapa to Tapush Pass, the road is surrounded by vegetation along the way. After 5 hours of walking we will arrive at the Tapush pass, from this point we will enjoy our lunch and the view of the Diablo Mudo Mountain (5350m) and the Susococha lake. We continue downhill until we reach the Gashpapampa camp (4,600m) being this the highest camp of the entire circuit.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Estimated hiking time: 5 to 6 hours.
Elevation: +1.250 / -150 m
This day is unforgettable for the visual domain of the whole Huayhuash mountain range. We will start the hike towards the Yaucha pass, from here we will continue on the edge of the Huacrish canyon with awesone views of the mountains: Yerupajá, the second highest mountain in Peru, Jirishanca, Rondoy, Siula, Tsacra and Rasac, until we reach the Huacrish viewpoint, a place of singular beauty that surprises us with the views of the mountain range and the contrast of the turquoise lakes called Jahuacocha and Solterococha.
From this viewpoint we will descend to the camp that awaits us at the foot of the Jahuacocha lake.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Approximate trekking time: 5 to 6 hours.
Elevation: +230 / – 700 m
This day will be used for the rest of the clients in the Jahuacocha camp, we will plan different optional activities that can be: fishing, visit to the Solterococha lake, visit to viewpoints, or swimming / showering in Jahuacocha. In addition, we will have the cooking of a typical andean regional dish in the surroundings of Jahuacocha lake that will be prepared and served for all the clients.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea time and dinner.
The last day of our trek has come. We will start the hike to the Mancan Punta pass (4.550 m) where we can see for the last time the northern part of the Huayhuash mountain range, then we descend to the Pocpa village where the transport awaits us for the transfer to the city of Huaraz.
Lodging: Mountain tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Approximate trekking time: 5 hours
Elevation: +500 / -1090 m
Transfer by car: 5 hours back to Huaraz.
