Huayhuash Classic 8 Day Trek
One of the best experiences you can book with us.
The Huayhuash trek is considered to be one of the most beautiful treks in the world. Located south of Huaraz, the Huayhuash Cordillera is 67,589 acres of pure, untouched natural beauty. Mountains carved and formed 150 million years ago, today you have the opportunity to respectfully reap nature´s work by admiring the grassy valleys, rocky formations, snowy peaks, mighty fauna and intriguing flaura that survive in such harsh conditions.
The Huayhuash Cordillera is considered to be the most beautiful in Peru and you cannot miss out on the opportunity of trekking through the wilderness. This trekking offers you the chance to feel connected to nature and discover the local culture. It is home to some of the highest mountains of Peru: Yerupajá (6,634m), Siula Grande (6,344m), Jirishanca (6,094m) and many more that you will discover.
Explore all the secrets of Huayhuash from the origin of its name to the most recent climbing stories of their rugged peaks, scenery of the ´Touching the void´ book and movie.
Don´t wait anymore and book your trek with us now!
Highlights
- Enjoy the scenic views of the Huayhuash Cordillera
- Visit Las Tres Lagunas, Pucapuca viewpoint and San Antonio Pass all offering breath taking panoramic views of the Huayhuash Cordillera
- See famous Siula Grande from “Touching the Void” movie
- Contemplate Yerupajá, the second highest peak in Peru culminating at 6,634 meters above sea level
- Learn about the local culture, discover myths and beliefs about Huayhuash Cordillera
- Discover where the Huayhuash Cordillera name comes from
- Enjoy our helpful staff and knowledgeable guides
- Enjoy tasty meals that are freshly made and offer vegan, vegetarian, or other dietary preferences without paying any additional fees.
- Hike through the different types of landscapes, such as rocky valleys, grassy hills, turquoise lagunas and snowy peaks
- Reach 5,080 meters (16,666 feet) in elevation along the Trapecio Pass
- Hike one of the world´s best treks
- Sleep in comfort under the stars in our premium quality mountain gear
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Maximum Altitud: 5,080 meters above sea level
Distance: 112 kilometers
Price: s/ 1,800
Itinerary
Day 1 – Quartelhuaín to Mitucocha
We come to pick you up at your hostel at 4am to drive the group with private transportation to the Huayhuash trailhead in Quartelhuaín. There we start at 4,200m to ascend to Cacananpunta Pass culminating at 4,700m. We have lunch up there, enjoying the first beautiful panoramic view of the Huayhuash trek. We then descend to Mitucocha camp where we will spend the night at 4,200m. For the most motivated trekkers we can walk to the shore of Mitucocha lake to admire Jirishanca (6,094m), world´s second hardest mountain to climb, and Rondoy (5,870m).
Distance: 10km
Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 2 – Mitucocha to Carhuacocha
You will wake up at 6am with hot coca tea, have breakfast and start hiking at around 7:30am. You will climb up to Alcay Pass at 4,820m, crossing views of Jirishanca and beautiful lagunas. Once we arrive near the camp you will admire one of the best views of the trek, Yerupajá (6,634m) Peru´s second highest mountain and highest of the Huayhuash Cordillera, Siula Grande (6,344m), Jirishanca (6,094m) all side by side and reflecting in the crystal-clear water of the carhuacocha lake at 4,180m
Distance: 10km in the alpine route
Hiking time: 6 hours
Day 3 – Carhuacocha to Huayhuash
Wake up at 5:30am, to walk past the famous Three Lagunas and up to a view point offering a panoramic view of the turquoise lakes, glaciers and waterfalls. We then continue our ascent up to Siula Pass at 4,800m. We eat lunch there and then hike to Huayhuash our camp for the night at 4,340m.
Distance: 14km
Hiking time: 7 hours and 30 minutes
Day 4 – Huayhuash to Cuyoc Pampa
After breakfast, we start hiking up to the highest pass of the trek: Trapecio Pass (5,080m). The hike is well worth it, you will contemplate incredible views of the grassy valley on one side, contrasting with dry hills and turquoise lakes next to rocky formations on the other side. The bravest trekkers can hike up higher to touch the Trapecio Glacier at 5,120 meters above sea level. Your efforts will be well rewarded by the views of the Raura Cordillera and the memories you will make there. On the way down you will hike through martian landscapes to the camp at 4,500m one of our highest nights.
Distance: 11km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Day 5 – Cuyoc Pampa to Huayllapa
Longest day of the trek but also one of the most rewarding you will start hiking up the San Antonio Pass at 7am to reach 5,020m. After admiring the views from the pass, you will start your descent to Huayllapa at 3,500m, the lowest night of the trek. Walking through a beautiful valley you will be able to observe the typical fauna, flora and waterfalls that make the Huayhuash Cordillera so unique. On this night you have the option to sleep in a hostel for s/25 (not included in the trekking price) and to buy additional snacks and drinks at stores (at your own expense also). Those that wish to stay at the campsite are welcome to and can take a hot shower for s/5.
Distance: 21km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Day 6 – Huayllapa to Gashpa
We leave Huayllapa after a nice breakfast, and gradually reaching Tapush Pass at 4,800m after a 1.3km ascent. We then descend to Gashpa, our camp, situated at 4,580m, where we have lunch.
Distance: 11km
Hiking time: 6 hours
Day 7 – Gashpa to Jahuacocha
Leaving at 7am we reach Llaucha Pass at 4,800m, where we can spot condors gliding through the sky. We then hike to one of the most memorable viewpoints of the Huayhuash Cordillera: Pucapuca viewpoint situated at 4,850m. From there we have a panoramic and incredible view on the most beautiful mountains and snowy peaks of Huayhuash as well as two lakes. This place is so magical you can spend hours contemplating the landscape. After all these emotions, we hike down to Jahuacocha our camp for the night at 4,100m.
Distance: 9km
Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 8 – Jahuacocha to Llamac
Starting to feel nostalgic of the trek, the group leaves at 7am for a final hike to Llamac at 3,300m, where the trek will end and a bus waiting for us to go back to Huaraz. Most of the way is flat or going down. Once in Llamac, the bus takes us to Chiquian to have lunch (not included in the price of the trek) and we usually arrive in Huaraz at around 6pm.
Distance: 14km
Hiking time: 6 hours
Includes
- Every morning coca tea when you wake up
- 5 meals per day: Breakfast, Snack for hiking, Lunch, Tea time, Dinner.
- Vegetarian food is available
- Sleeping tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and warm blanket
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent
- Certificated Trekking guide (English speaking)
- Cook
- Arrieros (donkey driver) and donkeys
- 8 kg of personal belongings to be carried by the donkeys
- Kitchen and dining full utensils
- First aid kit, oxygen tank and emergency horse in case of altitude sickness
- Private transport from hotel the first day and back to Huaraz on the last day
- Boiled drinking water every morning after the first day
- Entrance and camping fee (s/280)
Doesn’t include
- Personal Trekking gear
- First day breakfast
- Last day lunch and dinner
- Transfer from Lima
- Any food and beverages sold on the way
- Tips