Cordillera Huayhuash Trekking Holiday, Peru

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The stunning Cordillera Huayhuash, one of the most dramatic mountain areas anywhere in the Andes, forms a constant back-drop on our rewarding twelve day trek.
This small group Huayhuash trekking tour can be complemented by our 5 day extension to Cusco and Machu Picchu, our Cusco extension with the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or one of our Amazon Rainforest extensions: into the rainforest wildlife paradise of the Tambopata Reserve or our 5-9 day jungle expedition into Manu National Park.

Getting there

The Huayhuash range is a sparsely populated area of awesome ice-flanked peaks and glacial lakes.
Having acclimatised, we head, by private vehicle, south across wild puna towards the spectacular ice-clad peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash.

• By Road
• By Rail
• By Air
• By Sea

Other Insider Info.

Itinerary details Note: Should circumstances dictate, certain details, such as overnight stops, may vary from those shown in the day-by-day itinerary below.

Day 1

Join the tour in Lima. (1 night hotel)

Day 2

Take early bus for a contrasting journey ending in the high Andes at the small highland city of Huaraz. We head north through coastal desert to Pativilca, then turn inland and begin climbing NE. As we climb, barren valley sides contrast with cultivated river banks. Cacti gradually give way to scrub, then temperate vegetation and eventually puna grassland.

At the journey’s high point, Conococha (4,050 metres), we turn N and descend the Callejon de Huaylas where the huge Cordillera Blanca snow peaks to the right (E) begin to dominate the landscape. The Cordillera Blanca mountain range contains the major concentration of peaks over 6,000 metres outside the Himalayas.

We arrive Huaraz (3,090m) late-afternoon. 3 nights hotel.

Day 3

Huaraz, a bustling town of 80 thousand inhabitants, is our Andean base. The valley it sits in is known as the 'Callejon de Huaylas'. This is flanked to the east by the Cordillera Blanca, the mountain range with the highest concentration of peaks over 6000 metres outside the Himalayas.

Besides offering breathtaking mountain panoramas, featuring Huascarán (Peru’s highest peak at 6,768m), Huandoy (6,395m), Churup and Ranrapalca (6,162 metres), Huaraz is conveniently placed for activities before, between and after the trek. Today we have our trek briefing and take a local walk to see some pre-Inca ruins.

Day 4

Day hike to the turquoise waters of Laguna Churup (4500 meters). Approximately 6 hours round trip. Return to Huaraz.

Day 5

Pack your bags as today we leave Huaraz for the town of Llamac. 5 hours. On arrival relax and explore the town. Altitude of Camp: 3,300 metres.

We leave Huaraz and drive south. We cross wild paramo (puna), passing 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.

Over the next 12 days we cover approximately 120 kilometres and cross many high passes (between 4,650 and 5000m).

For most of the circuit we walk and camp at altitudes in excess of 4,000m. (Night stops indicated below may vary).

Day 6

Llamac to Matacancha by way of Pocpa. Duration: 5-6 hours. Altitude of Camp: 4,100 m.

Day 7

This morning we climb to our 2nd pass, Cacanampunta (4,700m), and descend through a wide valley. Our camp (4,200m) beside Laguna Mitucocha offers stunning views of the dual summits of Jirishanca (6,094m) reflected in the beautiful lake. There may be time for a side trip over a moraine to Lake Ninacocha at the foot of Mount Ninashanka.

Day 8

Laguna Mitachocha to Laguna Carhuacocha. Two options for the route, a gradual easy pass on the main trail or an off-trail adventure on steeper terrain with a beautiful lake and a high rocky pass. Duration: 5-8 hours. Altitude of Camp: 4,180 m.

Day 9

Rest day at Laguna Carhuacocha. One of the more beautiful vistas of all the campsites in the Huayhuash, also a great place to fish, take a day hike to one of the lakes under Jirishanca, visit with the locals, or rest. Fabulous view of a row of gigantic snowpeaks, including Siula (6,344m) and Yerupaja. Camp beside Lake Carhuacocha.

Day 10

There are two alternative routes to tonight’s camp: (1) via the Carnicero pass (4,600m), or (2) the more demanding route via Laguna Siula. Both routes allow possibilities of sighting the elusive, wild vicuna, as well as spectacular views of Yerupaja, Siula, Carnicero and Trapecio. We camp at Huayhuash (4,350m).

Day 11

Next day we approach the southern end of the range. We cross the Portachuelo de Huayhuash pass (4,750m) and are rewarded with views of the Cordillera Raura, a neighbouring range of smaller peaks. At the end of our descent is Lake Viconga (4,500 metres). We camp near Viconga.

Day 12

This is a long day. Our first objective is the Punta Cuyoc pass (5,000 m), this is the trek’s highest point. We descend the long Huanacpatay valley, to our camp, above its confluence with the Quebrada Huayllapa (4,300m).

Day 13

Guanacpatay to Huatiac OR to Laguna Sarapo. An off trail option over the San Antionio pass and down into the gorgeous valley housing Laguna Sarapo, or descending to Huallapa and back up to a camp below the Tapush pass called Huatiac. Duration: 5-8 hours. Altitude of Camp: 4,300 m.

Day 14

Huatiac to Laguna Jahuacocha over the Tapush pass. Duration: 6 hours. Altitude of Camp: 4060 meters. (Or Rest day in the Sarapo area) .

Day 15

Rest Day at Laguna Jahuacocha. (Or Sarapo to Huatiac)

Day 16

Laguna Jahuacocha to Llamac over the Pampa Llamac pass. Duration: 5 hours. Altitude of Camp: 3300 meters. (Or Huatiac to Jahuacocha)..

Day 17

Jahuacocha to Llamac, early in the morning. Pick up in Llamac and return to Huaraz for a well deserved shower and celebration banquet.

Day 18

Last minute shopping for family and friends before departing for Lima at 10:00am, arriving at the airport or your hotel by 7:00pm. Tour ends Lima.

Why do we like them?

Having spent a year out in South America himself, Alex knows exactly what incredible experiences Andean Trails have in store for you. As true specialists in South American trekking, mountaineering, biking and rafting, and with a strong commitment to using friendly local accommodation, guides and businesses, you can be sure of an unforgetable experience.

You can also be sure that few international operators are doing as much as these guys to support and benefit the communities you visit and places you explore - making your trip go that much further.

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