Trek the Remote Peruvian Andes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After breakfast, board the bus for the journey back to Lima and your final night in Peru.

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.

What's included?

• All your camping and cooking equipment

What do I need to bring?

• Backpack with a carrying capacity of 60 to 70l (a similar sized duffle bag or travel bag can be used as a substitute)
• A small backpack for day trips
• Sleeping bag
• Thermarest sleeping pad
• Warm jacket or parka
• 3 pairs of outdoor pants (jeans are not recommended as they are difficult to dry when wet)
• Warm sweaters
• 2-4 pairs of woollen socks
• T-shirts, shirts, hats or caps
• A set of warm underwear, such as long underpants and long undershirts
• A pair of good hiking boots (make sure they are broken-in)
• A pair of light shoes (runners or sneakers)
• A set of light rain gear, such as a pant and jacket combination or a poncho.
• A water bottle with a 1-litre capacity
• A pocket-knife or hunting knife
• A flashlight
• A pair of sunglasses (VERY IMPORTANT!)
• Sunscreen and lip suncream (VERY IMPORTANT!)
• Underwear, personal items, and toiletries
• 1 pair of fleece pants
• 1 wool or fleece hat
• Headlamp and batteries (bring at least 2 spare sets)
• 1 pair of Gore-Tex gaiters (heavy-duty, large enough to fit over plastic boots)
• 1 pair of Gore-Tex shell gloves
• Trekking poles (recommended)