31 May - 17 June 2012

Eighteen days of magnificent trekking in the Peruvian Huayhuash Range - 31 May - 17 June 2012. If you are going to go all the way to Peru, you might as well do it right. We asked Aritza Monesterio to design his favorite trek, no limits - just give us the best Peruvian trek possible. Aritza has been guiding these mountains for over 20 years and no one knows these mountains better. Find out why this trek is the finest walk in Peru.

The Cordillera Huayhuash are a spectacular and isolated group of mountains, 30 Km long with snow covered peaks that reach their highest point in Yerupajá (6634m). Great views of Siulá Grande where the amazing adventure story of Joe Simpson  “Touching the void ” took place. Much more demanding than the more touristed Inca trail, the Hauyhuash circuit has a succession of passes from 4000-5000m. Beautiful glacial lakes, rivers and streams dot the route - Jahuacocha, Carhuacocha, Mitucocha are just a few of the reflecting lagoons. 

Check out some photos of the region and a map of the trek here : 

Cordillera Huayhuash Trek Photos

ITINERARY ASPIRING GUIDES HUAYHUASH TREK-PERU

Day 1-Arrive to  Lima.Transfer Airport-Hotel.

30 minutes from the airport to the hotel.

Day 2-Transfer Lima-Huaraz(3,090 m).

Following along the Pan American Highway for 3 hours the road to huarez suddenly turns inland and climbs to Conococha Pass (4100m). this is the start of the Cordillera Blanca. From here the road descends to Hauaraz at 3,100. It is a 9 hour journey but bus travel in Peru is noit what you expect. With none stop travel and first class airline type seating you can fully recline, watch a movie or just look in wonder at the scenery. Hotel in Huaraz.

Day 3-Trek Huaraz-Rataquenua(3,300 m)-Pukaventana(3,600 m)- Huaraz.

Rataquenua - high above the city on its eastern side, this scenic lookout with a panoramic view of Huaraz and the northern side of the Cordillera Blanca is a confortable 3 hour walk from the hotel. You will definitely be noticing the altitude and this will be the beginning of you acclimatization.

Day 4-Trek Huaraz-Lake Churup(4,485 m) or Lake Auhac(4,580 m)-Huaraz.

Churup lake situated below the Nevado Churup(5,495 m.).

Lake Churup is a picturesque lake high in the mountains above Huaraz. The return walk takes you through local villages on trails that are centuries old. When you tire of walking you can catch a local shuttle back to the hotel. Night in Huaraz.

Day 5-Huaraz-Huallanca-Quartelhuain(4,170 m).

Van transfer from Huaraz to Quartelhuain via Conococha Pass(4,100 m) and Mojon Pass(4,300 m). Six hours travel brings us to Quartelhuain campsite(4,170 m), the start of your hiking. Here we meet our Donkey drivers and Peruvian hiking takes on a character all it’s own.

Day 6-Quartelhuain(4,170 m)-Cacananpunta Pass(4,690 m)-Mitucocha(4,270 m)

We walk up to Cacananpunta Pass, crossing to the east side of the range with nice views of the surrounding landscape. We descending trhough wide and grass valley to Mitucocha Lake(4,270 m),where we settle the campsite on the lake shore. Around 6 hours walk.

Day 7-Mitucocha(4,270 m)-Carhuac Pass(4,630 m)-Carhuacocha(4,138 m)

We walk up to Carhuac Pass where we have impressive views of the east sides of Yerupaja(6,634 m), the second highest mountain in Peru and Siula(6,344 m).Descent to Carhuacocha Lake(4,138 m) where we settle the campsite. Around 6 hours walk.

Day 8-Carhuacocha(4,138 m)-Carnicero Pass(4,615 m)-Huayhuash(4,350 m)

We start following the river until the head of Queropalca Valley and Carnicero Pass(4,615 m) and descending to Huayhuash Campsite(4,350 m). Impressive views of the Siula Pass(4,800 m) where we have magnificent views of Jirishanca (the Matterhorn of the Andes), Yerupaja and Siula and the lakes of Quesillococha and Siula. Around 6 hours walk.

Day 9-Huayhuash(4,350 m)-Portachuelo de Huayhuash Pass(4,780 m)-Viconga(4,453 m). We walk up to Huayhuash Pass (4,780 m) for great view of the Raura Range in one direction and the SE Face of Trapecio in another. Descending to the south we arrive to Viconga Lake(4,453 m),where we set up camp. This afternoon we have time to visit the hot springs of Putcka and enjoy a relaxing soak. Around 5 hours walk.

Day 10-Viconga(4,453 m)-Cuyoc Pass(4,950 m)-Hatun Cuyoc(4,450 m)

Today we cross Cuyoc Pass(4,950 m),descending to the Huanacpatay Valley for crossing smooth Andean meadows for arrive to our campsite in Hatun Cuyoc(4,450 m) at the foot of Puscanturpa(5,442 m). Around 5 hours walk.

Day 11-Hatun Cuyoc(4,450 m)-San Antonio Pass(5,020 m)-Cutatambo(4,265 m)

We hike to San Antonio Pass(5,020 m), the highest point in the trek. From here we have one of the most impressive views of the range, full of contrasts and dramatic snowy peaks. Passing turquoise lakes we descent to Cutatambo(4,265 m) where we set up the camp. Around 6 hours walk.

Day 12-Cutatambo(4,265 m)-Huayllapa(3,490 m)-Huatiaq(4,275 m)

We decend to the Calinca valley to the picturesque Andean village of Huayllapa(3,490 m) . After we continue ascending for a winding pad till arrive to our campsite in Huatiaq(4,275 m). Around 7 hours walk.

Day 13-Huatiaq(4,275 m)-Tapush Pass(4,770 m)-Gashpampa(4,400 m)

We ascent to Tapush Pass(4,770 m) and after descent to Susucocha lake(4,740 m) and continue to our campsite in Gashpampa(4,400 m) at the bottom of Diablo Mudo-Raju Collota(5,350 m). Around 5 hours walk.

Day 14-Gashpampa(4,400 m)-Llaucha Pass(4,850 m)-Jahuacocha Lake(4,050 m).

Traversing the Llaucha Pass(4,850 m) we get close to Jahuacocha Lake(4,050 m) where we install the campsite with surrounding mountains like Rondoy,Jirishanca,Yerupaja,… . Optional climb Diablo Mudo(5,350 m) with the help of basic mountaineering equipment which the Donkeys carry from Huaraz. Around 5 hours walk or long day (12-14 hr) for whose climb Diablo Mudo.

Day 15-Jahuacocha(4,050 m)-Solteracocha(4,120 m)-Jahuacocha.

Rest Day! Enjoy the landscape and the surroundings. A short walk to Solteracocha Lake or just read a book.

Day 16-Jahuacocha(4,050 m)-Pampa Llamac Pass(4,300 m)-Llamac(3,250 m)

The last day of trek. We follow the waters of  the Jahuacocha river, gradually leaving the Huayhuash Range. We walk up to Pampa Llamac Pass(4,300 m) and the long descent to Llamac village(3,250 m). From Llamac we get the vehicle for transfer to Huaraz. Around 5 hours walk and 5 hours transfer to Huaraz. Night in Huaraz.

Day 17- Huaraz- Lima.Transfer

Back to Lima via Conococha Pass(4,100 m.) and descending more than 4000 m. vertical to the coast. Night in Lima.

Day 18- Transfer Hotel -Airport.Return Flight. Depending the time of the flight you can visit the Colonial part of the city, Plaza de Armas which is close to the hotel.