Huayhuash Guided Trek in Peru
Explore the highlights of the Cordillera Huayhuash on this fast-paced 6-day Huayhuash Trek in Peru with a certified guide! Cross the heart of the Huaraz, pass spectacular viewpoints and high mountain passes such as Alcay Pass, Siula Pass, Trapecio Pass, and Santa Rosa Pass, as well as iconic spots like Carhuacocha Lake and the Three Lakes viewpoint!
Group
Cordillera Huayhuash
6 Days
Apr - Nov
High
All levels
Description
The 6-day Huayhuash Trek is the fastest way to traverse the heart of the Huayhuash mountain range, connecting Peru’s jungle and coastal sides.
The route crosses the range’s best highlights — the Alcay Pass viewpoint, Carhuacocha Lake, the Three Lakes viewpoint, the Siula Pass, the Trapecio Pass, and the iconic Santa Rosa Pass.
Along the trek you’ll see dramatic eastern landscapes, changing flora and fauna, and up-close views of the jagged peaks that make this circuit so wild and unforgettable. The adventure begins in Huaraz, moves through Cuartelhuain camp (Cuartelhuain), and finishes in the village of Huayllapa — a few hours from Lima.
Price includes
Price details
- Price includes
- * Certified trekking guide (English and Spanish speaking)
- * Professional expedition cook
- * Private transportation from Huaraz to Matacancha (trek starting point)
- * Private transportation from Huayllapa to Cajatambo (end of the trek)
- * Donkey drivers and pack animals to carry camping logistics (up to 10 kg per participant)
- * Five meals per day during the trek: breakfast, lunch, box lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner
- * Fourseason tents (double occupancy)
- * Kitchen, dining, and bathroom tents
- * Fully equipped expedition kitchen and dining setup
- * First aid kit
- * Daily supply of boiled drinking water
- * Warm water available for personal hygiene
- * Emergency horse available for the group if needed
- * Preexpedition briefing and advice to help you prepare your trip
- Price does not include
- * International flights to and from Lima
- * Bus transportation Lima – Huaraz – Lima
- * Entrance fees for the Cordillera Huayhuash communities and campsites (approx. S/. 220 per person)
- * Personal tent rental (optional: S/. 30 per day)
- * Costs related to early departure from the expedition
- * International medical insurance
- * Accident and rescue insurance (information available about Global Rescue preferential rates)
- * Travel insurance covering luggage and trip cancellation
- * Additional transfers to Huaraz in case of early departure from the expedition
- * Breakfast on the first day of the itinerary
- * Personal sleeping bag (recommended rating: 15°C to -25°C)
- * Personal expenses
- * Hotel accommodation in Huaraz
- * Tips for guides and expedition staff
Itinerary
Day 1: Huaraz to Mitucocha Camp – Huayhuash Trek Begins
Your trip begins in Huaraz where we’ll pick you up at the hotel and drive southeast toward Chiquián for a short breakfast stop (≈30 min). The vehicle leaves us at Cuartelhuain and the first day’s trek starts there. We’ll climb to the Cacananpunta saddle (Cacananpunta pass, 4,690 m), a fantastic vantage point looking east into the Huánuco region, where the team will serve a picnic lunch near the trail.
Highlights include the reddish waters of Pucacocha Lake (iron-rich waters) and close-up views of peaks such as Ninashanca and Rondoy, plus the Huallanca range (Huallanca mountain range).
We finish the day at Mitucocha Camp. Lodging: mountain tents. Meals: box lunch, lunch, tea, dinner.
Transfer by vehicle: ~5 hrs. Hike time: ~4 hrs. Elevation gain/loss: +520 / -490 m.
Day 2: Alcay Pass & Carhuacocha Lake – Iconic Huayhuash Views
Today’s climb takes us up to the Alcay Pass, one of the circuit’s best viewpoints, with sweeping faces of peaks like Siula Grande, Yerupajá, Jirishanca and others.
We’ll stop for lunch beside Alcaycocha (Alcaycocha Lake) then descend toward the stunning Carhuacocha Lake where the camp is set.
At night the clear sky and the Milky Way reflecting on the lake are unforgettable.
Lodging: mountain tents. Meals: breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea, dinner. Hike time: ~7 hrs. Elevation: +510 / -640 m.
Day 3: Siula Pass & Turquoise Lakes – Scenic Mountain Day
One of the circuit’s highlights: wake to sunrise over Carhuacocha and enjoy brilliant reflections on the water, then pass turquoise lakes such as Siula, Quesillococha and Azulcocha.
We continue up to the Siula Pass, which opens views toward the Raura range (Raura mountain range) — a great spot to linger.
Lunch is a short walk from the pass, then we descend past Carnicero Lake (Carnicero Lake) to reach Huayhuash Camp.
Lodging: mountain tents. Meals: breakfast, box lunch, tea, lunch, dinner. Hike time: ~7 hrs. Elevation: +660 / -500 m.
Day 4: Trapecio Pass to Elephant Valley – High-Altitude Adventure
We head for the Trapecio Pass (≈5,000 m). After several hours of ascent you’ll be rewarded with dramatic views of Trapecio, the lakes beneath Puscanturpa (Puscanturpa), and surrounding peaks like Cuyoc and Milpo (Cuyoc; Milpo).
We descend toward the lakes for lunch, then continue down the trail until we reach a striking rock shaped like an elephant — our Elephant Valley camp is nearby.
Lodging: mountain tents. Meals: breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea, dinner. Hike time: 6–7 hrs. Elevation: +700 / -1,100 m.
Day 5: San Antonio Pass – Ultimate Huayhuash Panorama
Today you’ll reach the trek’s highest and most panoramic pass, San Antonio, which offers unrivaled views of the whole circuit: Jurao Lake and peak (Jurao Lake / Jurao peak), Sarapo (Sarapo), Siula Grande and Chico (Siula Chico), Yerupajá and Rasac (Rasac).
After descending past the Santa Rosa pass (Santa Rosa Pass) we’ll stop for lunch and continue down the Huanacpatay Valley (Huanacpatay Valley) to camp at the village of Huayllapa, where you can recharge devices, get online, and buy snacks.
Lodging: mountain tents. Meals: breakfast, box lunch, lunch, tea, dinner. Hike time: 6–7 hrs. Elevation: +1,140 / -1,540 m.
Day 6: Huayllapa to Cajatambo – Trekking Finale
We’ll start very early (≈05:00). After breakfast we transfer to Cajatambo, the trek’s end. From there we’ll help arrange onward buses to Lima or Barranca (transport not included).
If you left luggage with us in Huaraz, we can send it to Lima using the bus company Cruz del Sur so you can pick it up at the central terminal on Av. Javier Prado (cost of shipping paid in Lima by the client; service not included).
Meals: breakfast, box lunch. Driving time: ~4–5 hrs. Net elevation change on transfer: -124 m.
Details
More info
Participants should be in good physical shape to join this trek. Andean Raju Expeditions strongly recommends regular, progressive preparation—cardio, strength work, and increasingly challenging day hikes—to reduce fatigue and make the route more enjoyable.
We advise following a structured outdoor training plan with gradual increases in distance and elevation. If you’d like personalized guidance, we can create a tailored training program after reviewing your hiking experience and fitness background.
About the guide
-Andean Raju
4.6
(19)
Tour Operator
We are a team of young IFMGA and UIMLA-certified mountain guides and leaders, with extensive experience. We offer hiking and mountain expeditions in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash in Perú, our main adventure destinations. We also offer ascent expeditions to the most emblematic mountains of Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia.
In Andean Raju Expeditions we are proud of our work. Our priority is always the satisfaction and safety of our customers, always taking care of the conservation and protection of the environment. Our mission goes beyond adventure, we offer our clients a personalized experience and our friendship, sharing our culture, knowledge and love for nature and mountains to ensure every visitor an unforgettable experience.
Languages
English
Certificates
IFMGA
What people are saying about -Andean Raju
George
I enjoyed very much both the main guide Alex Salazar and the additional guide Juan Cruz, whom we hired for additional support during the climb. They have been both very supportive and made the entire experience really worthwhile. I totally recommend the people from Pared Sur and Andean Raju Experience for any climb on Aconcagua or any other mountain for that matter.
A very well organised and conducted tour. Pablo was extremely knowledgeable, capable, supportive and relaxed.
Henry
Great operators and guides.
Zivile
Barry
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