Join Romer, a local certified mountain guide, for this 10-day hiking adventure in the Cordillera Huayhuash, one of the highlights of the Peruvian Andes!
Not specified
Andes
10 Days
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Fit
Intermediate
The Cordillera Huayhuash, in Perú, is one of the classic trekking circuits of the world. This 10-day trip is your chance to explore this stunning area under expert guidance. Come join me!
Located in the boundaries of Ancash, Lima, and Huánuco, the Cordillera Huayhuash is a sub-range of the Andes. It is 150 km long and includes seven over 6,000m peaks. Furthermore, the area is also famous for its spectacular lakes: Sarapacocha, Santa Rosa, and Jurau, among others.
On this 10-day hiking program, we will reach amazing spots such as the Cacanan Pass (4,700m), the Carhuac Pass (4,500m), and the Paso de Carhuac pass (4,650m). Additionally, we will set our base camps in unique settings like QuartelHuain (4,200m), Carhuacocha lake (4,150m), and Cutatambo (4,100m). You can find the complete itinerary below!
The hiking trails are not hard, but you need to be physically fit as we will walk uphill at least four hours per day! Of course, you will at all times receive assistance and guidance.
So, if you want to spend 10 days exploring the wonderful Cordillera Huayhuash, please contact me! I’ll be glad to guide you through this beauty of the Peruvian Andes.
And if you want to explore another amazing area of Perú, take a look at this 6-day trip in the Cordillera Blanca.
- Guiding fee
- Transportation start and back
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
- Group porters
- Mules and horses
- Clean drinkable water
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Camping equipment tents
- Camping equipment sleeping pad
- Camping equipment cooking utensils
Not included: transport to and from the Lima airport, bus tickets between Lima and Huaraz, accommodation in Lima and Huaraz, international flights to/from Lima, and applicable airport taxes, personal clothing and equipment, sleeping bags, food and drink during in-town days, insurances.
First, we will drive from Huaraz to Chiquián, enjoying distant views of the awesome Huayhuash range. Then we will descend to a cactus and scrub environment and continue to the village of Llamac (3,300m). Finally, we will hike into a wide u-shaped valley flanked by broad expanses of quenual forest. Camp at QuartelHuain (4,200m)
Duration: 4 hours (by car) 4 – 5 hours (hiking)
We cross our first pass, Cacanan Punta (4,700m). Here, at the Continental Divide, we might observe the Andean Condor flying overhead. Descent to the Jalca plain and on to our camp at the beautiful Mitucocha lake (4,220m), located at the foot of the stunning Jirishanka Grande peak. If you have energy, there’s the option of walking around the lake or to one of the nearby valleys.
Duration: 5 hours aprox / Distance: 12 km aprox
We flank the Jalca floodplain and ascend south to the Paso de Carhuac pass (4,650m). From here we appreciate an awesome panorama: Yerupajá Grande, the second highest mountain in Peru, Yerupajá Chico(6,121m) and Siulá Grande (6,344m). Descent to our camp at the Carhuacocha lake (4,150m).
There are two optional approaches to our next camp at Huayhuash. We can take the normal trail to ascend the Carnicero Pass (4,600m) or the more challenging alternative by ascending the Siula Pass (4,800m).
Duration: 6 hours aprox / Distance: 13 km aprox
We climb to the Portachuelo de Huayhuash pass (4,750m) on a steady gradient. From here we can see the Cordillera Raura range and the nearby snow peak of Leon Huacanan. We descend to the large Viconga lake and set up our camp (4,480m). There are some open air hot springs near Viconga, so a hot bath could certainly be enjoyed!
Duration: 6 hours aprox / Distance: 11 km aprox
Today we cross our highest pass, Punta Cuyoc, with a sustained 3-hour uphill hike. The panoramas here is breathtaking: the sharply serrated ridge of the Cordillera Raura and several of the giants of the Huayhuash range from a new perspective. Sarapo (6,127m) is also seen for the first time. The initial 50m of the descent is quite steep and loose, becoming easier as we continue descending to the Quebrada Huanacpatay valley, where we stop for lunch. Easy hike back to our camp
Duration: 5 – 6 hours / Distance: 10 km aprox.
This is a demanding day with some steep hiking, but by now we should be well acclimatised. We climb to a pass on Cerro San Antonio (4,800m). Fantastic views of all the giants of the Cordillera Huayhuash and the lakes of Sarapococha, Santa Rosa and Jurau. We can also see the Siula Glacier. Descent to Lake Jaurau and finally to our camp in the Quebrada Calinca at Cutatambo (4,100m).
Duration: 5 – 6 hours / Distance: 10 km aprox.
Hike up to Punta Tapush Pass at (4,750m) and Punta Yaucha Pass (4,800m). It is certainly a challenging experience with a reward of magnificent views of the surrounding high peaks. We descend down through the valley to our final camp at Jahuacocha Lake (4,150m).
Duration: 7 -8 hours aprox / Distance: 16 km aprox.
Gentle descent and gradual climb to the final pass, Pampa Llamac (4,300m), from where we have our final views of much of the Huayhuash range. Long descent back to the village of Llamac. The bus will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz.
Duration: 4 hours (hiking) + 4 hours (by transport)
More info All you need is appropriate clothing and a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots. |
Meeting point Huaraz |
I like mountains and I love nature, I practice cycling and hiking, I know very well the hiking trails of Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash.
The passion for nature was my inspiration to study Official Tourist Guide. I am experienced in travel organisation and logistics, especially adventure travel.
At present I’m a logistics manager at a travel agency with German clients, and I also have my own agency where I take care of the organisation of the adventure trips (trekking, mountaineering, mountain bike and day hikes).
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