Day 1
Welcome to Lima
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Meet your host at Lima airport and head to your hotel in the city to meet the rest of your team and get to know each other before the start of the trek.

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trek across one of Peru's wildest mountain ranges, the Cordillera Huayhuash
Travel to pristine glacial lakes, see traditional Andean culture and cross high passes to an ever-changing backdrop of soaring peaks
Visit Siula Grande Basecamp, made famous by Joe Simpson and his book Touching the Void
Day 1
Meet your host at Lima airport and head to your hotel in the city to meet the rest of your team and get to know each other before the start of the trek.
Day 2
After a quick briefing, board a comfortable first-class bus for the journey to Huaraz (approx. 8 hours). After crossing some classic Peruvian terrain, check into your boutique hotel, grab some dinner and get a good night’s rest ready for the kick-off tomorrow.
Day 3
Sleep in and then relax over a lazy breakfast after the long journey yesterday. Having moved up from sea level to 3050 metres, you'll take it easy today and explore Huaraz at your own pace without any guided programme.
Day 4
After an early breakfast, head into the Huascaran National Park and hike around the turquoise waters of the Churup Lagoon (4450m). This short day hike will help prepare you for both the higher altitudes and the incomparable scenery you're going to witness over the coming days.
Day 5
Get up early and rise above the 5000m line as you visit the southern part of the Callejón de Huaylas and see the tiled roofs of the Andean towns of Recuay, Ticapampa and Catac come into view as well as a sea of decorative crosses. Continue to Pachacoto, entering the natural splendour of the Huascarán National Park, where you’ll experience Patococha (the lake of ducks), the gasified waters of Pumapashimin and natural springs that can reach a meter in height. Visit one of the few glaciers left in this tropical area, Pastoruri and walk close to the ice mass, observing the undeniable effects of climate change, before driving to Llámac village where you’ll be welcomed at a local guesthouse with dinner and a comfortable bed.
Day 6
Leave the guesthouse early and drive to Cuartelwain (4150m) and make your way up to the Qaqanan Pass (4700m). Traverse down the East side of the Cordillera Huayhuash to reach tonight’s camp, close to the shore of Mitucocha lake (4250m). Set up your tent and enjoy your first night beneath Mounts Hirishanca and Rondoy.
Day 7
Enjoy a campfire breakfast and then hike to the Carhuac Pass (4650m). Take some time to admire the view of Yerupaja Chico, Yerupaja and Siula and then ascend to Carhuacocha Lake (4150m) where you'll set up camp for the night. Enjoy dinner at the water’s edge and get a good nights sleep in this most tranquil of locations.
Day 8
Break camp and walk along the shores of three lakes - Qanrajancacocha, Siulacocha and Quesillococha - on your way to the Siula Pass (4800m). Rest up at the pass and then descend to your campsite at Huayhuash (4300m) where you'll get settled and enjoy a star-filled night beneath a high-altitude sky.
Day 9
Begin the day with a trek to the Portachuelo Pass (4750m), the boundary between the Cordillera Huayhuash and Raura ranges. This route is covered with a grassy plant known as Ichus and home to both llamas and alpacas. Pass Viconga lake on the way to tonight’s campsite at 4400m, in a spectacular spot with nearby hot springs.
Day 10
Trek to the highest pass on the trip, Cuyoc (5000m) and some of the most astonishing views of the Cordillera Raura and part of the Cordillera Huayhuash. Descend to your campsite in the Guanacpatay Valley (4400m) where the cook and horseman will already have the fire burning ready for dinner.
Day 11
Climb to the spectacular San Antonio Mirador Pass (4850m) with views of Carnicero, Jurao, Siula Grande and Yerupaja mountains and down to Jurao and Siulacocha lakes. Take a moment to recharge and then descend through the Cutatambo Valley (4250m) to your next campsite. You’ll be ready for dinner by this point, so set up camp and get settled around the fire.
Day 12
Break camp and hike to Siula Grande, made famous by Joe Simpson in his book Touching the Void. Take some time to appreciate Sarapococha Lake (4550m) and get close to the glacier for some great photos before returning to camp, having seen some of the Peruvian Andes most iconic sights.
Day 13
Follow the path along the river and through a gorgeous valley to the village of Huayllapa (3600m) where you'll say hello to the locals and stock up on beers for camp tonight.
Day 14
Leave Huayllapa village behind and trek to the Tapush Pass (4850m) and its epic view of Mount Tuco. Descend to Qashpapampa (4500m) beneath the mighty Diablo Mudo and often used as a base camp for summit attempts, before continuing along the track to tonight’s camp, dinner and some more of those beers you picked up yesterday.
Day 15
Climb up to the Yahucha Pass (4750m) and look across the snow-covered peaks, including the West side of the Cordillera Huayhuash, Ninashanca, Hirishanca, Yerupaja Chico, and Yerupaja - the second highest mountain in Peru at 6634m. Descend through the Huacrish Valley and down to Jahuacocha Lake (4070m) where you'll make camp for the night.
Day 16
Start your last day of trekking by making your way to the Pampa Llamac Pass (4300m) and the final mirador of the circuit. Soak up the views, capture some final shots and then descend back to Llamac village (3300m) where a car will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Huaraz.
Day 17
After breakfast, board the bus for the journey back to Lima and your final night in Peru.
Day 18
All adventures must come to an end and after an incredible journey through the Andes its time to head back to the airport in time for your flight home.
Local, certified trekking guide
10 nights camping, 6 nights in a hotel and 1 night in a guesthouse
All meals while in the mountains
To and from the airport and everything in-between
Local horseman and pack animals
All your camping equipment
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
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Previous trekking experience is not essential, however, you should have been on a few long day hikes in mountainous terrain in order to know what you are getting into!
The trekking season in the Cordilleras Blanca and Huayhuash runs from May to September. Despite being the middle of winter, the mountain ranges are dry due to being close to the equator. During the dry season, the weather is generally very stable with one or two bad weather days per week. The freezing level is about 4500m-5000m during the day, but the strong sun can make it feel much warmer than in the valleys. Wind is rarely a problem in the mountains during the dry season and precipitation and temperatures vary in accordance to altitude, with the average temperature between 9ºC – 0ºC.
There are two important factors to maximise your enjoyment during this trek. One is a good physical condition and the other is acclimatisation. Usually, travellers are advised to spend at least 2 days in a region above 3000m before starting the circuit trek and for this reason, you'll spend 2.5 days around Huaraz (3100m) and join shorter day hikes to prepare for the upcoming days at higher altitude. Although there is no guarantee that you won't get altitude sickness, the extra days of acclimatisation will lower the risk significantly and make the journey much more enjoyable.
You won't need to carry much as pack-animals will transport food, equipment and of course your luggage between destinations. Your host suggests a small day backpack for water, your camera and a jacket just in case.
For current advice about travelling in Peru, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).
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All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
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We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre program, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

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