Cordillera Huayhuash Trek

Arrive in Huaraz and check into your guesthouse. Enjoy exploring Huaraz on foot as you get used to the altitude. If you are coming from a lower elevation, it is strongly recommended to spend 2-3 days acclimatizing to the altitude, and you can book a 3-day acclimatization tour during the booking process, or you can plan your acclimatization before the trip on your own. The option acclimatization tour you can book takes you out to some of the most beautiful hikes around Huaraz. You can also arrange bus travel from Lima to Huaraz in the booking process.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

Today you’ll depart Huaraz. Many guests take a bus back to Lima, though some stay on to complete another trek in the Huayhuash.