Huayhuash Circuit

Discover indigenous communities and breathtaking, remote landscapes

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6 reviews

19 Days from

$4190 USD

Trip Code: HYC

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Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement (tent + hotel)

$400 USD

Huayhuash Circuit Trip highlights

Undertake the challenging 127 km circuit around the Cordillera Huayhuash in Northern Peru - some of the best trekking in South America

Trek among towering peaks over 6000m, cascading glaciers, alpine meadows and azure glacial lakes

Explore Huaraz and the stunning Cordillera Blanca

Experience indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems

Behold views of incredible landscapes providing endless photo opportunities

Overview

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 12 days crossing high passes - all in the vicinity of 5000m. A highlight for all will be a side trip to Siula Grande Base Camp and an ascent of Cerro Bella Vista for incredible views. 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 and 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.

Itinerary

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If you’re flying into Lima today you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel, where the remainder of the day is free at leisure for you to rest or start exploring. 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. Our hotel is in the Miraflores area, home to some of Lima’s best galleries, restaurants and shops. Steeped in fascinating history, Lima is South America’s oldest capital. It was in 1535 that the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro overthrew the Inca Empire and moved the capital from Cusco, establishing the new city of Lima. Peru’s busy capital is now a sprawling metropolis that’s blessed with world-class restaurants, brilliant museums and galleries, and a superb combination of Spanish colonial and 19th century European architecture. If you have time to visit a museum we would recommend the Museo de La Nacion or the Larco Herrera Museum. Overnight in Lima.

Meals: Nil

Today we travel to Huaraz, our gateway to the stunning Cordillera Blanca. It’s a long day’s journey but we’ll be treated to some incredible scenery along the way. Groups operating with 10 or more people will have private transport. For smaller groups, we will travel with our guide on a comfortable tourist class air-conditioned coach which provides restrooms, reclining seats and touch screens.

Meals: B

We now have two days in Huaraz to explore this stunning region with some day walks—and at an elevation of 3,052 m (10,013 ft), our time spent in Huaraz is crucial to our safe acclimatisation. Huaraz is a scenic town set at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca with views directly up to the highest peak in Peru, Huascaran (6,768 m / 22,205 ft). There is a range of different walking excursions we can make from our base here for a couple of days, and these hikes will be invaluable acclimatisation for our trekking program ahead. As the gateway to the Cordillera Blanca, Huaraz is a bustling tourism hub and also serves as a pick up point for our crew and all supplies and equipment for the trek. On Day 3, we enjoy a 4hr loop walk on the Cordillera Negra to Laguna Wilcacocha (3,714m / 12,185ft). It is one of the simplest hikes to do, given its closeness to Huaraz, with some fantastic views over the impressive peaks of the Cordillera Blanca range. On Day 4, we make a day trip to Laguna Churup (4,485 m / 14,715 ft), a beautiful glacial lake set at the base of Nevado Churup (5,493 m / 18,022 ft). This is one of the most popular day treks in the Cordillera Blanca and takes around 4–5 hours to complete. Today’s trek is an excellent training and acclimatisation hike for our upcoming Huayhuash Circuit, and our efforts will be justly rewarded when we arrive at this stunning turquoise glacial lake. Overnight in Huaraz.

Meals: B,L

Today we head south of Huaraz to our first campsite Jahuacocha (4,050 m / 13,287 ft). Today we get our first glimpses of the Huayhuash range, we’ll pass Conococha Lake and the pinteresque Pacllon village. After around 5 hours of driving, we’ll arrive at our trail head, Pukatzaka (3,900m / 12,795ft), where our “arrieros” (muleteers) and “burros” (donkeys) will be waiting. After around 2 hours of gently climb, we’ll arrive at our first night’s camp at Jahuacocha, a beautiful place, a perfect location to appreciate a beautiful sunset. Camp around the Jahuacocha Lake. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Amazing trek to Sambunya Pass at 4,760m (15,617 ft.) surrounded by white peaks of the Huayhuash Mountain Range, spending approximately 4 to 5 hours. Moderately descent over a nice trail with abundant vegetation, flowers and colorful landscape to Rondoy Valley for about 1.5 hrs. From here, one hour of gently climb leads us to Matacancha camp located at 4,198m (13,773ft.) Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

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 Cacananpunta Pass (4,684 m / 15,420 ft). 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 (5607 m / 18,396 ft), Rondoy (5879 m / 19,288 ft), Jirishanca (6,094 m / 19,993 ft) and Jirishanca Chico (5445 m / 17,864 ft) among them. Our path descends to the village of Janca (4,244 m / 13,923 ft), where we'll find our camp by the river, surrounded by mountain vistas. In the afternoon there is an optional hike to Mitucocha Lake. Overnight at campsite. Overnight: Wilderness Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

Today we trek for around 6 hours, making our way to Lake Carhuacocha (4,180 m / 13,914 ft). After trekking south for 3-4 hours, steadily gaining altitude, we reach the Carhuac Pass (4,633 m / 15,256 ft). The trail then drops steeply for the next hour, passing a couple of dwellings at Yanayana and then a small lake, before the one-kilometer-long emerald green Laguna Carhuacocha comes into view. If we’re lucky we may see the Andean geese that are often spotted on the lake. Tonight’s camp is set above the lake, beneath the eastern flanks of Yerupaja Chico and Yerupaja, the latter being the centrepiece of the massif and the second highest mountain in Peru, after Huascaran (6,768 m / 22,205 ft). Yerupaja is the highest point of the vast Amazon basin watershed that feeds into the Rio Marañón, a principal tributary of the Amazon. Overnight at campsite. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Photographers are advised to wake up before dawn this morning to watch the sunrise over the Lake and Peaks from our campsite. The sun’s first rays catching the peak of Mt Yerupaja (6,634 m / 21,765 ft) certainly make the effort more than worthwhile. Today is a long gradual climb up a beautiful valley surrounded by the splendor of Yerupaja, Yerupaja Chico, Siula Grande, Jirishanca, Santa Rosa and Carnicero and past the lakes Gangrajanca, Siula and Quesillacocha. Then we climb steeply to the top of the rocky Siula Pass (4836m / 15,866 ft). Descend to Huayhuash Campsite (4,353 m / 14,281 ft) surrounded by other mountains such as Trapecio and the three Jurau’s peaks. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

We begin our day ascending towards the Portachuelo de Huayhuash Pass sitting at 4,750 (15,583 ft). We will be surrounded by remarkable views of the Cordillera Huayhuash's snowcapped Trapecio and Puscanturpa glacial peaks as well as the snow-capped peak, León Huacanan sitting at 5,427m (17,805 ft) in the Cordillera Raura. We will begin our descent down the massive Viconga lagoon which is towered over by the glacial peaks of the Cordillera Raura. We will make our way to the Coñuc thermal springs 4,367m (14,327 ft) where we’ll spend the rest of our day relaxing in either of the two hot springs much needed after several days of trekking. Overnight: Wilderness Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

We commence the day with a 3 hour steady uphill walk to our second highest pass of the trek, Cuyoc, 5047m (16558 ft). Here we are welcomed with stunning southwest panoramic view of the Cordillera Huayhuash. The views are breathtaking; to the southeast we’ll see the Cordillera Raura’s 5,000-meter jagged peaks, and to our north we’ll see the giants of the Huayhuash mountain range. After the pass, our trek gets easier with a steep 50-meter descent into the wide valley of the Quebrada Huanacpatay. Upon reaching the valley, we will continue on to our camp at Pampa Cuyoc, 4,530m (14,862ft). Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Today we cross the highest pass of our trek, the Santa Rosa Pass (5,078 m / 16,660 ft). We begin with a 3-hour ascent to the pass, where we’ll have views of three glacial lakes: Siula, Sarapo and Jurau. From the pass we begin our descent into the Jurau Valley, making our way to our camp at Cutatambo (4288 m / 14,068 ft), passing the beautiful lakes we saw this morning from afar. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Today we’ll be using our camp at Cutatambo as a base while we pack a picnic lunch and head out on a day trek to the summit of Cerro Bella Vista (5,150 m / 16,896 ft). Today’s excursion offers what are arguably some of the best views in all of Peru! After a fulfilling day in the mountains, we descend back to our camp at Cutatambo for the night. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

This morning, we take a half-day to descend the Jurau Valley at a leisurely pace, following the river to the pretty farmlands of Huayllapa (3,596 m / 11,79 ft). We have lunch just outside the village, then start climbing up the valley for another three hours to our beautiful camp at Huatiac (4293 m / 14,084 ft). From tonight’s scenic campsite we’ll have excellent views of the peaks of Diablo Mudo (5,223 m / 17,136 ft). Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Leaving camp, we trek northwards and wind our way up and over a lesser-defined trail to the plateau. After around three hours we cross the Tapush Punta Pass (4,790 m / 15,715 ft), continuing on past a small glacial lake and several alpine meadows as we make our way to our next campsite, a couple of hours away. Camp in Gashpapampa (4,556 m / 14,947 ft). Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

We start today with a 2,5-hour ascent to our last mountain pass of the trek, Yaucha pass (4,848 m / 15,905 ft), followed by an easy descent to Jahuacocha Lake at 4,076 m / 13,372 ft. (It was our first campsite and today our last campsite). In this way we will be completing a complete a loop in Huayhuash Mountain Range. If this circuit trek had a highlight, it would most likely be the views from this camp, truly encapsulating the wild beauty of the Huayhuash range. There is a small community living nearby that can often be seen fishing for trout in the pristine lake in their spare time. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals: B,L,D

We hike down for approximately 2 hours to the trail end of our trek, Pukatzaka. Here we say good bye to our staff. We will meet here our vehicle and driven to Chiquian town. Overnight: Local hotel in Chiquian.

Meals: B,L,D

Today we make our way by private vehicle south to Lima. A full day’s driving of around 8 hours. Overnight in Lima.

Meals: B

After breakfast, our trip concludes. If you are flying home today, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departure.

Meals: B

What’s included?

Included

18 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 13 dinners
airport transfers if arriving on Day 1 and departing on Day 19
expert bilingual guide
group medical kit
comfortable and central hotels, primarily Casa Andina Classic hotels
all internal transportation via private vehicle, except for Lima to Huaraz which is on a comfortable tourist class coach for groups up to 9 travellers. Your guide will accompany you throughout.
the use of a gear pack including sleeping bag, fibre filled jacket and thermarest sleeping mat
group camping equipment
Pack animals or porters on trek to carry personal gear
portable altitude chamber carried on trek

Not included

Cost of laundry and alcoholic beverages (except wine on last trek day)
Medical treatment
International flights
Airport taxes
Excess baggage costs
Travel Insurance
Visas

About your guide

Our leaders are passionate and knowledgeable Peruvians, like Javier Ballo who will be leading our May departure. Let Javier take you on a journey full of Andean nature and cultural history as you discover the Peruvian lands. Javier Bello was born in Lima and moved to Cusco in 1980. Shortly after he became a guide and pioneered many of the first river trips and treks that are now commercially used. He has trekked extensively on most of the major mountain ranges of the Andes.

Some of his interests include local textiles, plants, history and culture of the Andes. Javier has gathered many stories and anecdotes that he likes to share with people on trips.

Huayhuash Circuit

$4190 USD