Cordillera Huayhuash Trek
Admire rugged snow-capped peaks on this 11-day guided Cordillera Huayhuash Guided Trek
Lifetime Deposit
Guided
Cordillera Huayhuash Trek Overview
Experience the majesty of the Cordillera Huayhuash mountain chain in the Peruvian Andes on this magical Cordillera Huayhuash trek. This trek is a bit shorter than the complete Huayhuash Circuit tour, however, this is a popular itinerary for those who have 2 weeks to get to Peru and complete the incredible Huayhuash Trek. This is a wonderful trip that has you trekking the majority of the Classic Huayhuash Circuit.
This Huayhuash trek takes you over breathtaking mountain passes, through lovely river valleys, and along the shores of crystal clear mountain lakes. Each day brings you deeper into the Cordillera Huayhuash to experience this impressive region up close.
Along this guided Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, you will have the opportunity to camp in beautiful settings and enjoy delicious meals, including a celebration meal on the last day. This guided trekking tour starts in Huaraz, Peru, and allows you to experience the true heart of the Andes in the renowned Cordillera Huayhuash.
Since most of this trek is above 4,000m in elevation, it is important to spend a few days prior to the Huayhuash trek getting acclimated to the altitude. A 3-4 day acclimatization hike in the vicinity of Huaraz is strongly recommended, as this will both help your body get used to the altitude and prepare for the Huayhuash Trek’s difficulty.
If you’re interested in a short version of the Huayhuash tour, check out the Short Huayhuash Tour.
If you want to do the complete trail, check out the Huayhuash Circuit.
Cordillera Huayhuash Trek Difficulty Level
Even though this tour does not encompass the entire length of the Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit Trek, it is still an extremely challenging adventure with a high level of difficulty. You will be traversing the high altitudes and unrelenting terrain of the Andes Mountains along a roughly 120 kilometre-long trail, so make sure to train hard in advance and spend the proper time acclimatizing to the altitude if you are planning to complete the Huayhuash Trek.
Cordillera Huayhuash Elevation
Located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, the Cordillera Huayhuash is a mountain range that is situated at an elevation around 6,635m above sea level. Due to this high altitude, anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of the region will need to properly acclimatize, spending several days in the region prior to undertaking any strenuous activity, such as the Cordillera Huayhuash Trek.
Trip highlights
Trek to some of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Cordillera Huayhuash.
Camp beside clear mountain lakes and watch how they reflect the stars at night.
Marvel at the stunning, jagged peaks during your Cordillera Huayhuash Trek.
Experience the varied landscape of the Peruvian Andes.
Day By Day Itinerary
A private van will pick you up at your hotel around 8:30 AM to take you to Cuartelwain (4,150 m / 13,615 ft) for your first night camping. The drive takes about 5 hours and you will have lunch along the way.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping at Cuartelwain (4,150m)
- Distance:
- 5 hours driving
- Meals:
- Lunch, Dinner
Your first day of trekking in the Huayhuash begins after breakfast, with a 3-hour hike up to Qaganan Pass (4,700 m / 15,420 ft). Continue walking down the eastern side of the Cordillera Huayhuash for about 2 hours and you will reach Mitucocha Lake (4,250 m / 13,944 ft). Spend a beautiful night camped on the shores of Mitucocha Lake in the shadow of the Hirishanca and Rondoy mountains.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping at Mitucocha Lake (4,250m)
- Distance:
- 5 hours, 550 m ascent / 450 m descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, get back on the trail and hike about 2.5 hours to Carhuac Pass (4,650 m / 15,256 ft). This overlook offers amazing views of the Yerupaja Chico, Yerupaja and Siula mountains. After a pause to rest and enjoy the view, continue walking for about 2 hours down to Carhuacocha Lake (4,150 m / 13, 615 ft) where you will once again camp for the night on the shores of a spectacular mountain lake.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping at Carhuacocha Lake (4,150m)
- Distance:
- 4.5 hours, 400 m ascent / 500 m descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Get an early start today for a long, 4-hour climb up to Siula Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). While a tough climb, this is classic Cordillera Huayhuash trekking. Leave the beauty of Carhuacocha Lake behind you, knowing you will visit three more lakes today: Qanrajancacocha, Siulacocha and Quesillococha. As you hike, admire the stunning Hirishanca chico, Yerupaja and Siula mountains along the whole way. From the pass, you will have an even better view of Siula Mountain and the snow-capped peaks on the eastern side of the Cordillera Huayhuash. This is a great place to take a break and photograph the view before the 3-hour trek down to the Huayhuash campsite (4,300 m / 14,108 ft).
- Overnight Location:
- Camping at Huayhuash (4,300m)
- Distance:
- 7 hours, 650 m ascent / 500 m descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Reach new heights today as you trek for 3 hours up to the Trapecio Pass (5,000 m / 16,404 ft). The panoramic vistas of Cuyoc and Puscaturpa peaks as well as the southern side of the Cordillera Huayhuash will take your breath away. The trail continues down through the beautiful Guanacpatay Valley, where you will camp for the night (4,400 m / 14,435 ft).
- Overnight Location:
- Camping at Guanacpatay Valley (4,400m)
- Distance:
- 6 hours, 700 m ascent, 600 m descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is another great day on your guided trekking tour in the Huayhuash. Start this day with a 2.5 hour hike up to the San Antonio Overlook point (4,850 m / 15,912 ft). From this unique pass, you will have an amazing view of four amazing mountains: Camicero, Jurao, Siula Grande, and Yerupaja, plus two spectacular lakes: Jurao and Siulacocha. Take some time to rest and take in the overwhelming view before continuing the hike. You will come down to the next campsite, at Cutatambo Valley (4,250 m / 13,944 ft) after about two hours for a well-earned dinner and night of rest.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping at Cutatambo Valley (4,250m)
- Distance:
- 4.5 hours, 450 m ascent, 600 m descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, follow the trail down to Huayllapa Village (3,600 m / 11,811 ft), which is the only village you will visit on this tour. The hike there takes about 3 hours, then you can pause there to experience this traditional village nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. From there, the trail climbs for 3 more hours, up to the Watiaq campsite (4,600 m / 15,088 ft).
- Overnight Location:
- Camping at Watiaq (4,600m)
- Distance:
- 6 hours, 1,000 m ascent, 650 m descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is a day full of spectacular ups and downs on the Huayhuash Trek. You will climb two different passes today. Begin the day with a 2-hour trek up to the Tapush Pass (4,850 / 15,912 ft). This overlook offers you a view of Tuco Mountain, which is part of the Cordillera Blanca. From there, hike down for about 1.5 hours to Qashpapampa (4,500 m / 14,764 ft) at the base of the Diablo Mudo mountain. The trail then leads up again for 2 hours to the Yahucha Pass (4,750 m / 15,584 ft). This viewpoint looks out on the western side of the Cordillera Huayhuash, where you will see the snow-capped peaks of Ninashanca, Hirishanca, Yerupaja Chico, Rasac, and Yerupaja, which is the second tallest peak in Peru (6,634 m / 21,765 ft). As you enjoy the view, rest well to prepare for the last leg of today’s hike, which is 2.5 hours through the Huacrish Valley. When you reach Jahuacocha Lake (4,070 m / 13, 353 ft) you will camp for the night with a spectacular mountain view.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping at Jahuacocha Lake (4,070m)
- Distance:
- 7.5 hours, 500 m ascent, 1,030 m descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On this last day trekking in the Cordillera Huayhuash, hike up for 3 hours to Pampa Llamac Pass (4,300 m / 14,108 ft) for one last close-up view of the mountains on the western side of the Cordillera Huayhuash. Pause to appreciate this final viewpoint, then hike down for 2 hours to the village of Llamac (3,300 m / 10,827 ft). Enjoy a celebration meal in Llamac before returning by van to Huaraz. You should reach the city around 6:00PM.
- Overnight Location:
- None
- Distance:
- 5 hours, 230 m ascent, 1,000 m descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch
Tour Map
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Inclusions
Included
- 8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners are included.
- Accommodations along the tour are included, as are accommodations in Huaraz before and after the trekking tour.
- This Huayhuash tour includes transportation at the beginning and end of the trek to and from Huaraz. You can also arrange transport from Lima to Huaraz (8 hour bus trip) during the booking process.
- English-speaking guide throughout the trip
- Hotel taxes and service charges in Huaraz
- Camp cook
- Horseman, pack animals, and emergency horse
- Camping equipment for collective use (sleeping tents, kitchen tent, dinning tent, bathroom tent, mattress, table and chairs)
- Kitchen Service (all the crockery)
- Celebration Meal
- Park fee entrances
- First Aid Kit
- Luggage porterage using donkeys and/or horses
- All logistics
Not included
- Anything not listed as included
- Flights to Peru
- Transit to Huarez. First class bus ticket (bed seat) from Lima to Huaraz: $30 per person.
- Transfer from the airport to the bus station in Lima: $9-$15 per person, depending on group size.
- Personal trekking gear
- Any food or beverages not listed
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Incidental personal expenditures, including any travel insurance, emergency evacuations and medical expenditures
- Travel, personal, and medical insurance
Optional Extras
- Bus Transfer from Lima
- Additional night in Huaraz
- 3 day, 2 Night Pre-trip Acclimatization hikes in Huaraz
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FAQ
This tour is rated as a 5 out of 5 for difficulty, largely due to trekking for multiple days at an altitude above 4,00m. Acclimatization to the altitude prior to the start of the tour is recommended and can be booked during the booking process.
Every country is different. It’s important to check with your country to see if they require a visa. You could also try this website, though it’s important that you verify with your government.
The tour includes 8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 8 dinners.
In order to participate in this tour, it is mandatory that you have Health and Medical travel insurance. You can get travel insurance here.
Cordillera Huayhuash is a mountain range in the center of Peru within the Andes, in the boundaries of the regions of Ancash, Lima and Huánuco.
The best months to trek the Cordillera Huayhuash trek are April to September. Althoigh the temperatures might not be bad during the other months, sometimes you can get snow during the rainy season, and you might not be able to hike through.
Most guests fly into Lima and then take a bus to Huaraz. You can add on the bus trip to Huaraz from Lima during the booking process.
The trek ends in Llamac, where you’ll get a transfer back to Huaraz. You can book a bus back to Lima during the booking process.
Yes, the tour guide is English speaking.
There shouldn’t be any need to rent gear for this tour.
Check with your family doctor or a Travel Medical Clinic to confirm required immunizations or vaccines.
The altitude on this trek ranges between 3300-5000 m. Symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue. Consult a doctor before the trip regarding the risk of altitude sickness. Prescription medication is available to help minimize the symptoms.
The tents used are 3 season, 3-person tents, however tents are only shared for 2-participants. The specific tent used is typically the Doite Cara Kailas.
Yes you can bring your own tent, however you won’t save any money.
Tips are optional and based on good service. There aren’t any fixed rates of tips, but usually you can tip around $5-7 a day for the guides and $3-5 a day for porters.
Please try to travel as light as possible. Although you do not need to carry your luggage while walking, you will still need to carry it over short distances. Also, remember you unpack and repack on most nights. This is the Huayhuash trek gear list we recommend:
- 1 backpack with a capacity of 60 to 70 L (or a similarly sized duffel bag or travel bag)
- 1 daypack
- Sleeping bag (should be lightweight, rated to 0 degrees F., down or synthetic, and compressible)
- 1 warm jacket or parka
- 3 pairs of outdoor pants (jeans are not recommended as they are slow to dry)
- Warm sweaters
- Hiking socks (with optional liner socks) for walking
- T-shirts, shirts, hats or caps
- 1 set of long underwear
- Quality hiking boots that are broken in.
- Spare shoes for the evenings (optional)
- 1 set of light rain gear such as a pant and jacket combination or a good poncho
- Your own personal water bottle (at least 1 liter, preferably two bottles).
- 1 pocketknife or hunting knife
- 1 pair of sunglasses (VERY IMPORTANT!)
- A supply of sun blocker or sunscreen lotion and lip protection (VERY IMPORTANT!)
- Personal medications
- Underwear, personal items, and toiletries
- 1 pair of fleece lipants
- 1 wool or fleece hat
- Headlamp and Batteries (bring at least 2 spare sets)
- 1 pair of gloves (wool or shell gore-tex)
The recommended months to travel to Huaraz are from May to September. This period is cold but dry. You should avoid travelling to this region for trekking during the rainy season as the snow makes some of the high passes impassable.
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