Huayhuash Circuit

The Cordillera Huayhuash is one of the most spectacular ranges in the Peruvian Andes.

It was a region that attracted worldwide attention following Joe Simpson's graphic account of his ascent of Siula Grande in his book 'Touching the Void'.

This full circuit trek is the best way to fully appreciate the sheer scale of these snowcapped summits including Yerupaja, the second highest mountain in Peru.

Our trip includes ample time for acclimatisation in the Cordillera Blanca and Huaraz before spending 11 days crossing high passes - all in the vicinity of 5000m. Each day provides an ever changing backdrop of soaring peaks including the distinctive needle like peak of Jirishanca and the impressive summit of Yerupaja at 6640m.

At night we camp in tranquil locations alongside glacial lakes or alpine meadows in this unrivalled corner of the Andes.

Anyone wishing to add a trip to Machu Picchu can easily do so, please ask for more details.

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 Arrive Lima
If you are arriving on day one you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel for overnight accommodation. The remainder of the day is at leisure. We plan to have a group briefing before dinner, however this will be subject to all group members arriving during the day & otherwise we will have the briefing tomorrow.
Meals: None

DAY 2 Drive to Huaraz (8 hours) (2900 mts)
Drive from Lima to Huaraz by private transport, a full day's driving of approx 8hrs.
Meals: B

DAYS 3-4 In Huaraz, Day Hikes
Huaraz is a scenic town set at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca with views directly up to the highest peak in Peru, Huascaran (6768m). There are a range of different walking excursions we can make from our base here for a couple of days, and it will be invaluable acclimatisation for our trekking program ahead. Huaraz also serves as a pick up point for our crew and all supplies and equipment
for the trek. On day 3 we'll walk to the pre Inca ruins of Willcahua"n (3400 mts), and back to the hotel in a loop walk that will last 4 to 5 hrs approximately. We can finish the day in the Monterrey hot springs. On day 4 we'll drive for 2 hours to Cebollapampa, on the Llanganuco trail, along the way we'll visit the famous lakes of the same name, from there we'll walk up hill for 4 hours to Lake 69
(4400 mts), we'll have our picnic lunch there and head back the same way. Total time approx 8 hrs.
Meals: B, L

DAY 5 Drive to Matacancha (4185 mts), via Chiqui·n, (approx 7 hrs).
We drive to our trek commencement point via Conococha to the south of Huaraz. From there we turn eastward and then south, and gain our first views of the range. We drive through the village of Chiqui·n and Lllamac (our finishing point) and arrive at our campsite at Matacancha, where our "burros" (donkeys) and "arrieros" (muleteers) will be waiting.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6 Trek to Mitococha (4250mts), or outside Janca, via Cacanampunta Pass (4700m) (approx 7hrs).
Trekking to our first pass, and crossing the divide to the east, we gain our first serious views of the mountains. Zigzagging steadily upwards over rocky and loose terrain above our previous night's camp, the trail then becomes steep in a final hill across to the pass. From here we descend briefly before contouring the hillside to find the mountains at the north end of the Huayhuash opening out
before us; Ninashanca (5607m), Rondoy (5879m), Jirishanca (6094m) and Jirishanca Chico (5445m) are among them. Our path descends to the village of Janca and continues on for another hour, just beyond to a camp by the river with lovely mountain vistas.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7 To Carhuacocha Lake (4180mts), via Carhuac Pass (4650m) (approx 7hrs)
Trekking upwards in a southerly direction on the left and then the right hand slopes, we reach Carhuac Pass after approximately three and hours. The trail then drops steeply for an hour passing a couple of dwellings at Yanayana and then a small lake. Shortly after, the one kilometre long emerald green Laguna Carhuacocha comes into view. Andean geese are often sighted on the lake.
Our camp is set above the lake beneath the eastern sides of Yerupaja Chico and Yerupaja, the latter the centrepiece of the massif and the second highest mountain in Peru after Huascaran (6768m). Yerupaja is the highest point of the vast Amazon basin watershed feeding into the Rio MarañÛn, a principal tributary of the Amazon.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 8 Rest day at Carhuacocha
Today we explore the Siula and Quesillococha lakes (4332mts), at the foot of the Siula glaciers. Carrying a packed lunch we wander around these beautiful lakes, with some impressive views of the mountains looming above us. Today we'll have the chance to try the local trout.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 9 To Huayhuash, via Carnicero Pass (4600m) (approx 8hrs)
Leaving the lake by it's eastern side, we trek southward past some of the grand peaks of the range including Suila Grande (6344m) and Carnicero (5960m) with their associated glaciers and small lakes that we pass by close at hand. We are viewing the eastern 'other' side of Suila by which Joe Simpson and Simon Yates climbed the mountain. The route to the pass is not strenuous, but a long
one, five hours approx., and as we descend to Huayhuash (a settlement of one house and little else!) the views are spectacular. The mountains of Trapecio (5644m) and Jurau (5650m) are above us, as well as Canicero.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 10 To beyond Viconga Lake (4395 mts), via Portachuelo Pass (4750m) (approx 7hrs)
Once again, the day begins with three hours of scenic climbing with the peaks of Puscanturpa (5442m) before us. From the pass we make a long descent towards the immense Laguna Viconga, enjoying wonderful alpine views enroute. Camp is set adjacent to hot springs beyond the lake.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 11 To Huanacpatay (4320mts), via Punta Cuyoc Pass (5000m) (approx 8hrs)
We cross the highest pass of the trek today. From camp we head in a north west direction to the pass, switching backwards and forward over 3 hours up to a small lake and swamp and then sandy slopes to the gap between Puscanturpo Sur (5440m) and Nevado Jirishanco Chico (5248m). In clear weather we are well rewarded with a dazzling view of the mountains, and then continue on our journey into the western side of the range. It is a two hour descent by the Quebrada Puyoc and then Huanacpatay valleys to our camp.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 12 To Huatia (4270mts), via Huayllapa (3600m) (approx 7hrs)
In the valley now, we take a half day to descend at a leisurely pace beside the river to the farmland at Huayllapa. We have lunch right outside the village, then start climbing up the valley for another three hours to the beautiful camp at Huatia, with great views of Diablo Mudo (5223mts) and Suerococha (5350mts) peaks.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 13 To Cashpapampa (4445mts), via Tapush Pass (4800m) (approx 5hrs)
Leaving camp we trek northwards, winding our way up over a less defined trail to a plateau and after three hours approximately we cross Tapush pass. From there we continue on past a small lake and several meadows to our next campsite, a couple of hours away.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 14 To Jahuacocha Lake (4065mts), via Yaucha Pass (approx 5 hrs)
We start the 2 hours ascent to our last pass on the trek, then an easy descent to Jahuacocha Lake, our camp for the next two days. If this circuit trek had a highlight it would be this view of the Huayhuash that truly encapsulates its beauty. There is a small community living near the lake and they can often be seen fishing for trout in the lake here in their spare time.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 15 Rest day at Jahuacocha
Today we explore Solterococha Lake, above Jahuacocha and get really close views of the main glaciers of the Huayhuash range. In the afternoon we will try the famous "Pachamanca", Peruvian style BBQ.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 16 To Llamac (3320mts) (approx 6hrs)
The last days of our trek see a contrast in climate and environs as we descend to farmland and the warm, desert environment we set out from. The trail follows the river that exits the Laguna Jahuacocha and soon leads us to the small settlement of Jahuacocha. To reach Llamac we follow a water canal for 4 hours to our lunch stop, and then drop down steeply over two hours to the village.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 17 Drive to Lima
Our journey complete, we make our way by private bus south to the coast once again; a full day's travel.
Meals: B

DAY 18 Trip ends Lima
Trip concludes in Lima after breakfast
Meals: B

Other Details

Accommodation Details

comfortable and central hotels