→ Huayhuash Trek & Cordillera Blanca 8 Days

This is the most dramatic high altitude trek in the Peruvian Andes with magnificent views of mountains of the Cordillera Huayhuash such as Yerupaja 6634m being the second highest mountain in Peru; Siula Grande made famous by Joe Simpson in his book and film “Touching the Void”, Sarapo, Rondoy, Ninashanca, Jirishanca, Rasac, Carnicero, Trapecio and beautiful glacial lakes.

The dramatic and beautiful glacial lakes and valleys of the range provide memorable campsites and good trout fishing. Andean condors are seen more often in the Huayhuash than on other Peruvian treks, attesting to the area’s remoteness.

The Cordillera Huayhuash is often said to be the most beautiful part of the Peruvian Andes. It’s a land of high grassy valleys, clear mountain lakes, tumbled glaciers and snow-shrouded peaks - all overarched by an impossibly deep-blue sky, where condors soar. The Huayhuash is a landscape of awe-inspiring height and scale, with six peaks over 6000m - including Yerupaja (6617) the second highest mountain in Peru – and several passes over 5000m.

The Huayhuash Trek – Cordillera Blanca- Huaraz
The Huayhuash trek on mountain range is one of the most beautiful treks in the world - and it's easy to believe.
The villages Pocpa and Llamac are usually the trailheads for this trek.

At almost every turn, you come face to face with glistening vertical walls of ice, snow and rock. Beautiful lakes, different kind or births and Keep an eye out for the massive Andean Condors and for Siula Grande 6,344 m.a.s.l. the site where popular book and motion picture "Touching the Void" took place!

Itinerary

Day 1 | Huaraz

Huaraz / Llamac / Cuartelhuain (4,200M/13,780 FT).

Relax to prepare for the high-altitude trek that starts the following day.
Enjoy the ride through Huascaran National Park. Stop to view Puya Raimondi trees, distantly related to pineapples, these strange plants are worth a second look. Snap some photos at Yanashayash pass before taking a break in Huallanca village. Arrive at Cuartelhuain, the camp for the night (4,200m/13,780 ft).

Transfer from Huaraz – Cuartelhuain 5h
Overnight altitude: (4,200m/13,780 ft.).

Day 2 | Huaraz

Cuartelhuain / Laguna Mitucocha (4300MT) / Laguna Carhuacocha (4,500M/14763,78 FT)

Today we will hike the Cacananpunta Pass (4700m). This remarkable pass lies at the Andean Continental Divide that marks the watershed from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean and the Amazon. Then Carhuac Pass (4650mt).

Our hard work is rewarded with fine views on the mountain peaks of Yerupaja (6634m) and Siula Grande (6344m). The Siula Grande is renowned for the mountaineering story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates told in the book and film ‘Touching the Void’.

Descending the pass into a grassy valley allows for more views on high peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash, each more spectacular than the other. We make camp at the turquoise green colored Lake Carhuacocha (4150m) with mountains Yerupaja and Jirishanca prominent at the background. This lake offers great photo opportunities when still conditions transform the lake into a mirror sharply reflecting the snow-capped mountains. Walking time is 6-7 hours.

Cuartelhuain – Loma Ollocuyoc. Carhuacocha 5h
Overnight altitude: (4,500m/14763, 78 ft.).

Day 3 | Huaraz

Laguna Carhuacocha / Pass Carnisero (4800M) / Huayhuash at (4750M/15583.99 FT)

We leave Lake Carhuacocha early in the morning to start a rough climb up to the poorly defined Carnicero Pass (4600m). The pass will reveal the beautiful lakes of Atocshaic and Carnicero in between the impressive mountains of Trapecio (5653m) and Carnicero (5960m).

The Carnicero Mountain is called in English ‘the Butcher’ due to the many fatal attempts to climb the summit. An impressive landscape change occurs after the pass where green alpine pastures become a dry terrain of black rocks and grey lakes. We continue our walk to the small village of Huayhuash (4750m) home to herders of Alpaca and Vicuña and set up our camp for the night. Walking time is 6-7 hours

Loma Ollocuyoc – Laguna Carhuacocha6h-7h 11km
Overnight altitude: (4750m/15583.99 ft)

Day 4 | Huaraz

Huayhuash / Pass Portachuelo (4750MT) / Laguna Viconga / Cordillera Huayhuash (4395M/14419.291 FT).

We leave the Huayhuash village in the early morning and hike over the Portachuelo de Huayhuash Pass (4750m). This pass offers great views on the remote peaks such as Puscanturpa, Cuyoc and Millpo of the Cordillera Raura located to the southeast of the Cordillera Huayhuash. We will set up our camp and let our bodies soak in the well-deserved natural hot pools at Lake Viconga (4395m). Walking time 7-8 hours.

Laguna Carhuacocha – Cordillera Huayhuash7h-8h 13km
Overnight altitude: (4395m/14419.291 ft.).

Day 5 | Huaraz

Laguna Viconga / Cuyoc Pass (5000M) / Huanacpatay at (4300M/ 14107.61 FT).

We leave Lake Viconga and ascent to the Cuyoc Pass (5000m). This is the highest point of the 13 day full circuit for those who opted out to climb the summit of Diablo Mudo. From the pass we will have a spectacular panorama view on the Huayhuash peaks in the north and the Raura peaks in the south.

Further a stunning view of the glacier of Puscanturpa (5650m) completes this awe-aspiring experience. We continue our hike by descending from the pass towards Quebrada Huanactapay and set up camp in Rinconada (4300m). Walking time is 7-8 hours.

Cordillera Huayhuash – Huanacpatay 7h-8h 15km
Overnight altitude: (4300m/ 14107.61 ft.). Walking time is 5-6 hours.

Day 6 | Huaraz

Guanacpatay / Huatiac at (4350M/14271.65 FT).

Today will be easy the hiking through the valley downwards until reaching the village of Huayllap (3700m). We continue the trek climbing up gradually a narrow valley to reach the pastures of Huatiac (4350m). We will set up camp here for the night. Walking time is 7-8 hours.

Huanacpatay – Huantiac 8h 13km
Overnight altitude: (4350m/14271.65 ft.).

Day 7 | Huaraz

Huatiac / Tatapush Pass (4750MT) And Yand Yaucha Pass (4800MT) / Laguna Jahuacocha (4,050M/13,287 FT).

Descend down into Angoshcancha valley, through the scraggly quenoal forest. Head back up a steep incline to Yaucha pass (4800m/15748 ft). On a clear day, there are magnificent views of the highest peaks of the Huayhuash range and long-distance panoramas to the peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. This is a good place to spot the majestic condor. Head back down to Laguna Jahuacocha, thought to be the scenic gem of the whole range (4,050m/13,827 ft.).

Huantiac – Laguna Jahuacocha7h-8h 15km
Overnight altitude: (4,050m/13,287 ft.).

Day 8 | Huaraz

Laguna Jahuacocha / Pass Pampa Llamac (4300MT) / Descent Transfer Back To Huaraz(3,053M/10013 FT).

After breakfast, leave camp early to tackle the last incline of the trek up to Shullca Pass (4,550m/14,928 ft.). Take in the Andes for one last time before descending down the gravel path to Pocpa (3,500m/11,483 ft). Relish in the sense of accomplishment after completing this challenging trek while awaiting the transfer to Huaraz.

Laguna Jahuacocha – Pocpa5h-6h 10km
Finish city: Huaraz

What's Included?

Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your Huayhash Trek in Huaraz guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. In case you can’t come at this time “please let us know” to coordinate another time.
Touristic Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in Huaraz in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Cuartelhuain Village the starting point of the trek Huayhuash trail in Huaraz.
Adventure Experienced Huayhuash trek Tour Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide with tourism certification. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time along the Inca path and will ensure you are safe and happy.
Private campsites: Each campsite is carefully choosed for have a very local experience.
- Night 1 : Enjoy the 1st night in Cuartel Huain campsite on the route Huayhuash trek in Ancash and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 2: Enjoy the 2nd night in Laguna Carhua cocha campsite on the route Huayhuash trek in Ancash and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 3: Enjoy the 3rd night in Huayhuash cocha campsite on the route Huayhuash trek in Ancash and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 4: Enjoy the 4th night in Viconga lake campsite on the route Huayhuash trek in Ancash and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 5: Enjoy the 5th night in Huanacpatay campsite on the route Huayhuash trek in Ancash and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 6: Enjoy the 6th night in Huatiac campsite on the route Huayhuash trek in Ancash and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 7: Enjoy the 6th night in Jahuacocha campsite on the route Huayhuash trek in Ancash and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Note: It is not usual that the campsites, lodges or hotels change after the confirmation, however it can vary per government regulations and authorization, also for bad weather conditions and maybe because physical condition of our visitors: any changes in this matter ITEP travel will be informing you previously and as soon as possible.
Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by our porters and horses).
Entry ticket to Huayhuash trail/Huaraz trail
Professional Trekking Chef: A professional chef specialized in cooking on the trail, with an assistant, will prepare all of your delicious meals along our journey on the Trail to replenish your energy every day. You will never go hungry!
Meals: 7Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost) Please be in mind (1st breakfast and last lunch is not included”
Boiled Water: Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, Inka Trail Expeditions will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.
Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will wake up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
Tea time daily during the Trek: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide our tea time with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you will not have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
Products for hygiene: You will be provided with a small towel before each meal to clean your hands and every morning will be also a bucket with warm water for wash your personal hygiene.
Medical kit and Oxygen bottle: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
Transfer back to Huaraz: Private touristic transport from Pocpa Village to your hotel in Huaraz (Day 8)
24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.

What's not Included?

Sleeping Bags: You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use.
Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
Day 1: Breakfast: Approx. Usd5 to usd 10.00, Price can vary according your selection.
Last Day: Lunch and Dinner. Approx. Usd 20 to 25.00, Price can vary according your selection.
Personal clothing and gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish “Recommendation usd 6 to usd 8 per day per traveler for all the trek staff”- Once again it is optional and can vary according your satisfaction.
Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)