6 days / 5 nights
Huayhuash Range
May to October
Moderate - Difficult
5040 m
The Huayhuash Range is an impressive mountain chain in the Peruvian Andes, famous for its beauty and challenges. While exploring it completely requires at least 10 to 12 days of hiking, many people have limited time and seek to experience the best in less time. Therefore, we have designed a 6-day program that covers the most spectacular highlights of the Huayhuash Range, including Carhuacocha Lagoon, the viewpoint of the 3 lagoons in Siula, Trapecio Pass, San Antonio Pass, and Santa Rosa viewpoint.
We depart from Huaraz at 4:00 a.m. and finish the trek in Barranca at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Day 1: Huaraz - Cuartelhuain – Cacanan Pass (4700 m) – Mitucocha (4220 m)
At 4:00 a.m., we start by picking you up from the hotels. We will reach the village of Llamac-Cuartelhuain after a 5-hour drive; along the way, we will pass through traditional villages and, with luck, see the locals in their agricultural work. This area is known for livestock and cheese production. We begin the hike in Cuartelhuain, walking for approximately 3 hours to reach Cacananpunta Pass (4700 m), the watershed that separates the Andes from the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon Basin. Sometimes, we may spot the Andean condor soaring above us. Then, we will descend to the campsite at Laguna Mitucocha (4220 m), located at the foot of the impressive Jirishanka Grande peak, and its neighbors Rondoy and Ninashanca. This afternoon, with the guide, you will plant a tree on the trek as a symbol of environmental care, contributing to the breathing process by planting a local species.
- Car transport: 4-5 hours
- Hiking: 5 hours
- Distance : 12km hiking
Day 2: Mitucocha – Carhuac Pass (4650 m) – Carhuacocha (4150 m)
After breakfast, we will start the hike ascending to Carhuac Pass (4650 m). From this point, we can enjoy views of Yerupajá Grande, the second-highest mountain in Peru, Yerupajá Chico (6121 m), and Siulá Grande (6344 m), famous from the movie “Touching the Void.”
Then we will descend to the campsite at Laguna Carhuacocha (4150 m), with the possibility of spotting viscacha rodents among the rocks and bushes along the way. From our camp, we will have a direct view of the lagoon and famous peaks like Siulá Grande, Yerupajá Grande and Chico, and Jirishanka Chico.
- Hiking: 5-6 hours
- Distance : 12km hiking
Day 3: Carhuacocha – Siula Pass (4850 m) – Huayhuash (4300 m)
After breakfast, we will start the hike ascending to Siula Pass at 4850 m. This day presents a challenging but rewarding hike, as we will appreciate the surrounding mountains and the famous three lagoons of Huayhuash with an impressive panorama from the summit.
Then, we will descend past Laguna Carnicero and reach our campsite in Huayhuash, located at 4300 meters.
- Hiking: 7-8 hours
- Distance : 14km hiking
Day 4: Huayhuash – Trapecio Pass – Cuyocpampa Camp (4480 m)
After breakfast, we will start one of the most challenging hikes, ascending to the highest point, Trapecio Pass, at 5040 m. Not all of the path requires great physical effort, but some sections are difficult due to morainal rock.
At the pass (5050 m), we will have time to rest and enjoy views of Trapecio, Puscanturpa, and Cuyoc mountains, as well as the surrounding valleys. This viewpoint is considered the fourth most beautiful in Huayhuash.
We will then begin the descent from the pass on an unmarked morainal rock route, passing by the beautiful turquoise glacier lake Huanacpatay. We will continue the descent to our camp in Cuyoc (4480 m).
- Hiking: 6-7 hours
- Distance : 11km hiking
Day 5: Cuyoc Pampa – San Antonio Pass (4800 m) – Cutatambo – Huayllapa Village (3490 m)
After breakfast, we will ascend to San Antonio Pass. This day will be demanding, with some steep trails, but by now, you should be well-acclimated and feeling strong at altitude. After 2 hours of hiking, we will reach the top of the pass at 4800 m, where we can enjoy fantastic views of all the giants of the Huayhuash Range and the three lakes: Sarapococha, Santa Rosa, and Jurau. We will also see the Siula glacier, made famous by Joe Simpson’s epic survival battle, and the Siula base camp clearly in the distance.
The descent will initially be steep but safe, down a scree slope of about 100 m. Then we will follow a cattle trail winding down to Laguna Jurau and continue walking along the Calinca ravine to reach the village of Huayllapa.
Finally, in Huayllapa, we will have the option to recharge, enjoy some beers, and even rent a place for a hot shower.
- Hiking: 8-9 hours
- Distance : 18km hiking
Day 6: Huayllapa – Cajatambo – Barranca
This day, we will wake up very early to take the transport that will take us to the Peruvian coast. Before arriving, we will pass through the city of Cajatambo, where we will make a brief stop for breakfast. The journey is long, and the road descends in endless curves until reaching the great Pan-American Highway and arriving at the city of Barranca. The transport will drop you off at the bus terminal so you can travel to Lima on the same day. At this point, you will bid farewell to the staff as they embark on the journey back to Huaraz.
End of services.
Included
- One-way transport: Pick up from your hotel at 5:00 a.m. to Queropalca, where the first day’s camp is located.
- Experienced guide.
- All camping and cooking equipment (sleeping tent, dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment) carried by donkeys.
- Pack donkeys: personal luggage allowance (4 kg in group and 8 kg in private).
- Trek cook.
- Meals: 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners (Vegetarian or special menus available at no extra cost).
- Wake-up tea.
- Pre-dinner snack.
- Daily trail snacks.
- Entrance tickets to local communities.
- Medical kit.
- Return transport: Private transport from Llamac village to your hotel in Huaraz (day 6).
Not included
- Accommodation.
- Sleeping bag.
- Trekking poles.
- First breakfast and last dinner in Huaraz.
- Travel, personal, and/or medical insurance.
- Personal clothing and equipment.
- Tips for our staff.
- Additional expenses due to early departure from the tour or additional costs resulting from emergency rescue or evacuation.
- Additional costs or delays beyond the company’s control (bad weather, itinerary modification due to safety precautions, illness, government policy changes, political instability/strike, etc.).
Recommended equipment
- Entrance fees
- Food and beverages
- Additional services not mentioned in the includes.
Recomendations
- Entrance fees
- Food and beverages
- Additional services not mentioned in the includes.
