Circuit Of The Cordillera Huayhuash

The fantastic ice range of the Cordillera Huayhuash is one of the classic Peru trekking circuits of the world. Seven of Peru's highest peaks rise from this dramatic massif, whose awesome beauty can be seen in the gripping adventure, film Touching the Void. The complete Huayhuash trek crosses seven high passes as we circle the entire range, with nearly continuous panoramas of towering Andean giants, including Yerupaja (6617m), second highest mountain in Peru. 

Day 1 - Arrive Huaraz (3090m)

Day 2 & 3 - Acclimatization

Day 4 - Drive to the village of Llamac and set up our first camp (3300m). 5 - 6 hours drive

Day 5 - Climb easily to a wide pass where we have our first views of the big mountains – Rondoy, Jirishanca, Yerupajá. Return to our camp in Llamac 4 - 5 hours, or continue on to visit the Pre-Inca ruins of Pueblo Viajo (4200m) 7 hoursDay 6 - Walk up the valley, following the Rio Llamac, passing through the villages of Pocpa and Pallca. Camp at Quartelhuain (4185m) 6 - 7 hours

Day 7 - In the morning we cross our first pass Punta Cacanan (4700m) then descend to our camp at the beautiful lake Laguna Mitucocha (4300m). 6 hours. From our camp we have close views of the huge peaks Ronday, Jirishanca, Ninashanca 

Day 8 - We cross the pass Paso de Carhuac (4650m) then descend to our camp at the big lake Laguna Carhuacocha (4138m) 6 hours. From our camp we look directly up the lake to the peaks and ice fields of Siula and the two peaks of Yerupajá. If the weather is good we can take an alternative and more demanding route via a 4800m pass, with great close views of Jirishanca Chica and passing by a beautiful deep blue high lake.

Day 9 - Rest Day at Laguna Carhuacocha. Catch trout for dinner!!

Day 10 - We cross the pass Carnicero (4600m) which is not difficult, an make an easy descent to our camp at isolated Laguna Carnicero (also called Juraucocha). 5 - 6 hours
Weather permitting, and if you are feeling strong, we can take an alternative route which climbs to a 4800m pass, crossing above the glacier fed lakes of Siula and Quesillococha. 7 - 8 hours

Day 11 - We climb to the pass Portachuelo de Huayhuash (4750m) from where you look across to the Cordillera Raura and the snow topped peak Leon Huacanan. We skirt around the large lake Laguna Viconga before walking up the valley ½ hour to set up camp (4480m) 6½ hours

Day 12 - We cross our highest pass Punta Cuyoc (5000m) then descend to the valley Quebrada Huanacpatay where we have an easy walk in the afternoon to our camp (4330m) 5 hours

Day 13 - We continue down the Quebrada Huanacpatay, then traverse along a cattle path through lupins into the valley Quebrada Calinca. We walk to the top of the Quebrada camping below the peaks of Sarapo, Carnicero, Jurau (4200m) 4 hours

Day 14 - Rest Day We can walk past the base camp of Siula Grande (Joe Simpson – "Touching The Void") to visit the glacial lakes of Sarapocha and Santa Rosa. Then traverse around to Laguna Jurau, before dropping back down to camp for lunch. ½ day

Day 15 - We walk back down Quebrada Calinca before turning off just before the village of Huayllapa. We then climb steadily to our campsite high up in the flat pasture of Huatiac (4300m) 7 hours

Day 16 - A tougher day as we cross 2 passes. First a climb to Punta Tapush (4750m), then Punta Yaucha (4800m). During the descent the peaks of Rondoy, Jirishanca, Yerupajá, Rasac and Sacra come into view. Camp at the beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha (4066m) 8 hours

Day 17 - Rest Day - Trout fishing, or there are options for walks

Day 18 - An early start. We leave early, starting with a gradual climb to our final pass Pampa Llamac (4300m) from where we have our final views of the Huayhuash range. Then it is a long descent back to Llamac. 5 ½ hours. In Llamac the bus will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz for hot showers!!

Contact: info@peruviantreks.com for  more information and pricing on these Peru treks and hikes