CORDILLERA HUAYHUASH TREKKING, HIKING AND CLIMBING
|| Join Us In The Majestic Cordillera Huayhuash — One Of The Worlds Classic Trekking and Hiking Circuits
Thanks to Rob & Pippa from the UK and Berne & Karen from New Zealand who provided many of the photos here.
The Cordillera Huayhuash is a small, compact and remote mountain range to the south of the Cordillera Blanca. The trekking and hiking routes make a complete circuit of the range, and offer unequalled close up views of majestic high peaks and glaciers and many large blue trout-filled lakes.
Anne With A Group In The Cordillera Huayhuash
The Huayhuash contains spectacular rugged peaks including the second highest mountain in Peru, Yerupaja and Siula Grande — the mountain made famous by the Joe Simpson book and movie "Touching The Void" (see our Cordillera Huayhuash classic trek).
Use our programs to join a group tour or we will design your own independent program. CONTACT US for full details of our service and descriptions of our Peru trekking and climbing adventures.
All our treks start and finish in Huaraz. Add extra days for international flights and travel from and to Lima.
Acclimatisation:
We do recommend that you arrive in Huaraz at least two days before the trek departs to help you become acclimatised to the altitude. It is good to have a full day or two in Huaraz to recover from the travel to take one or two day hikes to help with acclimatisation. We can organise day hikes for you. Refer our Day Hikes Page
Trek Grading & Fitness:
Trek grading and walking times are average times only for people of average to good fitness. Walking times vary depending on fitness levels. The effects of altitude do make hiking harder than a similar trek closer to sea level. You need to have average to good fitness and be able to climb a sustained uphill for 2 to 2½ hours without distress.
During treks we use donkeys to carry camping and cooking equipment, food, your personal gear. You only need to carry a light day pack with camera, snacks, lunch, warm clothes, etc.
Donkeys Cordillera Huayhuash
Our descriptions of treks are a summary only;
contact us for full details of our service and descriptions of our Peru trekking and climbing adventures.
YOUR CORDILLERA HUAYHUASH TREKKING AND HIKING OPTIONS
CORDILLERA HUAYHUASH CLASSIC TREK 15 Days
Grade: Hard
Laguna Jahuacocha
The Huayhuash is a compact, rugged range, and includes the second highest peak in Peru - Yerupajá Grande - 6634m. Every day on the trek hikers are treated to breathtaking views of rugged snowcapped peaks, glaciers and blue trout-filled lakes. There are no less than 8 passes to cross, the highest at 5000m.
Our 15 day trek features a visit to the Base Camp of Siula Grande, made famous by the epic Joe Simpson book and film "Touching The Void".
We grade the trek "hard" because the length of the trek and the number of days that you are at altitude above 4000m, plus crossing several high passes can be physically demanding.
Day 1: Drive from Huaraz to the village of Llamac to set up camp 3300m. 4 to 5 hours drive.
Day 2: Follow the river Llamac, hiking gradually up the valley to camp in open grassy countryside at Quartelhuain 4200m 6 hours
Day 3: Cross our first pass Punta Cacanan 4700m then descend to camp at a large lake Laguna Mitucocha 4220m. 6 hours.
Day 4: We climb steadily to our next pass Pass Paso de Carhuac 4650m to camp at trout filled Laguna Carhuacocha 4150m 6 hours. At the head of the lake are the giant peaks of the Huayhuash — Yerupaja, Jirishanca & the famous Siula Grande.
Anne Giving Her Lunch to Local Carhuacoaha Kids (& Dog!)
Day 5: We spend an extra day at spectacular Carhuacocha. Hike up to visit the three lakes of Siula, take an easy walk around Carhuacocha lake, go trout fishing or have a rest day and enjoy your mountain surroundings.
Day 6: There are 2 options: A gradual ascent on a good path to cross Pass Carnicero 4600m (5 to 6 hours) or a more demanding alternative Siula Pass (4800m) 6 to 7 hours. We camp by the small Laguna Carnicero 4300m
Day 7: We pass through the small settlement of Huayhuash where there are a few farming families living then climb to yet another pass Portachuelo de Huayhuash 4750m. We descend pass a large lake Viconga where we often see large herds of Llama and Alpaca to camp at 4450m 6½ hours. There are natural hot spring baths near the camp — enjoy your first hot bath for several days !!
Alpacas At Viconga
Day 8: We should be well acclimatised now and ready to cross our highest pass of the trek, Punta Cuyoc 5000m. The descent is initially steep but is then easier and we and camp in large open valley Quebrada Huanacpatay 4300m 4½ hours.
Option: to climb Pumrarini this day (5320m)
Day 9: A demanding climb up to the Pass Cerro Antonio. From the pass we have the most stunning views of the trek, we can see Siula Grande Base Camp and Siula glacier and several small jewel blue lakes. The descent is steep at times and we traverse above Laguna Jurau to camp in the Quebrada Calinca at Cutatambo 4100m 5 to 6 hours. A demanding but fantastic days hiking.
Day 10: We visit the base camp of Siula Grande (Joe Simpson — "Touching The Void"). We can clearly see the route that Joe followed crawling down the glacier and across the moraine rocks to reach the campsite.
Siula Glacier "Touching the Void"
Day 11: Follow down the valley Quebrada Calinca to the large mountain village of Huayllapa. In the afternoon we need to climb through a steep sided valley to a high camp in the pasture at Huatiac 4350m 7 hours
Day 12: A shorter day which is appreciated after the hard day yesterday. Cross the Pass Punta Tapush 4750m to Laguna Susucocha and Cashpapampa 4500m 3 to 4 hours.
Day 13: Cross the pass Punta Yaucha 4800m to camp at one of the most beautiful sites in the Huayhuash, Laguna Jahuacocha 4150m 4 hours.
Option: to climb Diablo Mudo this day (5350m)
Day 14: An extra day at Laguna Jahuacocha. Climb up Cerro Amarrillo Peak 5000m, visit Soltera Cocha Lake, hike up the pass Sambunya 4750m OR take a rest and try trout fishing.
Day 15: The final pass Pampa Llamac 4300m and a long descent to Llamac. 5½ hours. Return to Huaraz in our private van
contact us for more information and prices.
CORDILLERA HUAYHUASH Shorter Circuit 12 Days
Grade: Hard
Paso Carnicero
This is a shorter version of our "Classic" trek following the same fantastic circuit but without the diversion to visit Siula Base Camp. Hikers are treated every day to awe inspiring views of rugged snow capped peaks, glacier and large crystal blue lakes.
The number of high passes on the trek warrant a trek grading of "hard", although the hiking is not especially difficult.
Day 1: Drive from Huaraz to the village of Llamac to set up camp 3300m. 4 to 5 hours drive.
Day 2: Follow the river Llamac, hiking gradually up the valley to camp in open grassy countryside at Quartelhuain 4200m 6 hours
Day 3: Cross our first pass Punta Cacanan 4700m then descend to camp at a large lake Laguna Mitucocha 4220m. 6 hours.
Day 4: We climb steadily to our next pass Pass Paso de Carhuac 4650m to camp at trout filled Laguna Carhuacocha 4150m 6 hours. At the head of the lake are the giant peaks of the Huayhuash - Yerupaja, Jirishanca & the famous Siula Grande.
Day 5: We spend an extra day at spectacular Carhuacocha. Hike up to visit the three lakes of Siula, take an easy walk around Carhuacocha lake, go trout fishing or have a rest day and enjoy your mountain surroundings.
Siula Lakes
Day 6: There are 2 options: A gradual ascent on a good path to cross Pass Carnicero 4600m (5 to 6 hours) or a more demanding alternative Siula Pass (4800m) 6 to 7 hours. We camp by the small Laguna Carnicero 4300m
Day 7: We pass through the small settlement of Huayhuash where a few farming families then climb to yet another pass Portachuelo de Huayhuash 4750m. We descend pass a large lake Viconga where we often see large herds of Llama and Alpaca to camp at 4480m 6½ hours. There are natural hot spring baths near the camp — enjoy your first hot bath for several days !!
Bath With A View Viconga
Day 8: We should be well acclimatised now and ready to cross our highest pass of the trek, Punta Cuyoc 5000m. The descent is initially steep but is then easier and we and camp in large open valley Quebrada Huanacpatay 4300m 6 hours.
Day 9: Follow down the valley Quebrada Huanacpatay to the large mountain village of Huayllapa. In the afternoon we need to climb through a steep sided valley to a high camp in the pasture at Huatiac 4350m 6 hours
Day 10: A tough day as we cross two passes Pass Punta Tapush 4750m, then Punta Yaucha 4800m. Descend to camp at the beautiful lake Laguna Jahuacocha 4150m 8 hours
Laguna Jarhuacocha
Day 11: An extra day at Laguna Jahuacocha which must be one of the most beautiful sites in the Huayhuash. Climb up Cerro Amarrillo Peak 5000m, visit Soltera Cocha Lake, hike up the pass Sambunya 4750m OR take a rest and try trout fishing.
He Caught The Big Fish
She Didn't !!
Day 12: The final pass Pampa Llamac 4300m and a long descent to Llamac. 5½ hours. Return to Huaraz in our private van.
Contact Anne for full details of our service and prices.
CORDILLERA HUAYHUASH MINI TREK 8 DAYS
Grade: Medium
Our Mini Huayhuash trek is a special trek for people who do have not sufficient time to trek the complete circuit of 12 to 15 days. We have designed the trekking route to include the most breathtaking parts of the Cordillera Huayhuash with campsites by the most beautiful lakes and with impressive views of the largest mountains in the range, including the second highest peak in Peru Yerupaja, the famous Siula Grande and many more.
The trek features a visit to the substantial Inca ruins at Huanuco Viejo.
Day 1: Drive 6 hours from Huaraz to Huanuco Pampa 3736m. Afternoon visit to the Inca Ruins of Huanuco Viejo.
Day 2: Drive for 3 to 4 hours from Huanuco Viejo to Queropalca village 3800m. Then an easy 3 hour hike through pasture and farmland to Lake Laguna Carhuacocha 4150m where we have our first views of the spectacular Huayhuash mountains.
Walking To Carhuacocha
Day 3: We spend an extra day at spectacular Carhuacocha. Hike up to visit the three lakes of Siula Grande. Maybe you can try trout fishing!
Day 4: Climb to cross the first Pass Paso de Carhuac 4650m and camp at another lake Laguna Mitucocha 4250m 5 hours.
Day 5: Becoming well acclimatised now, we cross another Pass Punta Cacanan 4700m and camp in the grassy camp in Rondoy Valley 4350m. 5 hours.
Day 6: A demanding day as we cross the highest pass Rondoy Pass 4750m, traverse past the lake Solteracocha and then to beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha to our camp at the head of the lake (4150m). 5 to 6 hours
Rondoy Pass
Day 7: An extra day at Laguna Jahuacocha which must be one of the most beautiful sites in the Huayhuash. We can take a day hike up the pass Punta Yaucha 4847m for views of the peaks on the other side of the Huayhuash range or hike into the remote Rasac valley, OR take a rest and try trout fishing.
Day 8: The final pass Pampa Llamac 4300m and a long descent to Llamac. 5½ hours. Return to Huaraz in our private van
contact us for our full services and prices.
JULY INTI RAYMI INCA FESTIVAL & HUAYHUASH TREK
9 Days
Sungate Huanuco Viejo Ruins (left) and Inti Festival Dancers (right)
In July we will have a special trek to co-incide with the exciting and colourful Inti Raymi Indian festival held at Huanuco Viejo. We will stay one day extra there so that we can enjoy the atmosphere and excitement of the festival.
The festival is celebrated each year on 27 July, and involves some 600 local people dressed in traditional indian clothing. The Inti Raymi was the most important festival in the Inca empire to worship the Sun God, the Source of life. Thanks are given for the year's harvest and prayers made for good weather and harvests for the coming year.
Inti Raymi Procession
The Trek Itinerary
26 July: Drive 6 hours Huanuco Pampa 3736m. Afternoon visit to the Inca Ruins of Huanuco Viejo Ruins.
27 July: Huanuco. Inti Raymi Festival
28 July: Drive for 3 to 4 hours from Huanuco Viejo to Queropalca village 3800m 3 hour hike to Lake Laguna Carhuacocha 4200m
29 July: An extra night at Carhuacocha. Day hike to Siula Lakes and glacier.
30 July: Pass Paso de Carhuac 4650m and camp at Laguna Mitucocha 4250m 5 hours.
31 July: Pass Punta Cacanan 4700m camp in Rondoy Valley 4350m. 5 hours.
1 Aug: Rondoy Pass 4750m, past the lake Solteracocha and then to Laguna Jahuacocha to our camp at the head of the lake (4150m). 5 to 6 hours
2 Aug: An extra day at Laguna Jahuacocha. Climb up Cerro Amarrillo Peak 5000m, visit Soltera Cocha Lake, OR take a rest and try trout fishing.
3 Aug: The final pass Pampa Llamac 4300m and descend to Llamac. 5½ hours. Return to Huaraz
Ice On Siula Lakes
contact us for our full services and prices.
HUAYHUASH TREK & CLIMB PUMARINRI & DIABLO MUDO
15 Days
Pumarinri
During the 15 day Classic Huayhuash Circuit we can climb 2 peaks Pumarinri 5465m and Diablo Mudo 5229m. Both peaks are suitable for novice climbers and also a nice challenge for experienced climbers. The climbs are optional, people not wishing to climb can continue on the normal trekking route. You can choose to climb both or only one of these peaks.
Diablo Mudo
contact us for full details of our service and prices.
PLUS many more Peru Trekking and hiking adventure holiday options. Contact us for more details.
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