Maximum altitude: 5200 Meters (Santa Rosa pass).
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate.
Duration: 8 days
Preferred time: April to October.
Location: Cordillera Huayhuash.
Average temperature: Between 13° C – 23° C during the day/ -3°C to – 1°C at night.
Distance: 116 Km
Overview:
The Cordillera Huayhuash is one of the world’s most stunning trekking destinations, a true haven for those who seek awe-inspiring landscapes and a real sense of adventure. With towering peaks, glaciers, serene lakes, and abundant wildlife, this trek is a life-changing experience. You’ll witness everything from Andean condors soaring above to the majestic Siula Grande (6,344m), the mountain made famous by the gripping story of Touching the Void.
With only 30 km of trek, you’ll explore a diverse array of landscapes and reach incredible heights. The journey is both challenging and immensely rewarding, offering breathtaking views, remote beauty, and memories that will stay with you forever. Whether you’re hiking through the alpine routes or passing through untouched valleys, every step will leave you in awe.
Starting from the villages of Pocpa or Llamac, transport is provided from Huaraz on the first day.
Price:
Private: S/ 12,000 soles (Max. 3 people)
Group 4-9 people: S/ S/ 2,800 soles per person
Group 10-15 people: S/ 2,500 soles per person
Entrance Fee:
Camping fees (varies per year, please ask for current rates, approx. 300 soles).
Why Choose the Huayhuash Trek?
The Huayhuash trek is more than just a hike; it’s an adventure of a lifetime, where every turn offers new surprises—whether it’s encountering the unique wildlife, witnessing avalanches from a glacier, or soaking in the dramatic views of towering peaks like Siula Grande. The rugged landscapes are pristine and remote, making this trek perfect for those who seek to escape into nature and connect with one of the world’s most beautiful mountain ranges.
If you’re looking for a trekking experience that challenges you physically, rewards you with jaw-dropping scenery, and gives you the chance to feel the true essence of the Peruvian Andes, the Huayhuash Trek should be at the top of your bucket list. This trek is not just a journey through mountains, it’s a journey through your own limits, offering a sense of accomplishment that you’ll carry with you long after you return.
Day 1:
– Departure:
We leave Huaraz at 3:00 am and drive for 5 hours, arriving at Matacancha (4,200 meters) where our trek begins.– -Trekking:
From Matacancha, we’ll begin our hike toward the Mitucocha campsite. The trek is approximately 11 km and will take about 5 hours of walking. The highest point of the day is Cacananpunta at 4,680 meters.– Experience:
The views are beautiful, and as we pass through two different regions of Peru, you’ll be immersed in breathtaking landscapes.
Day 2:
– Departure:
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll begin our day at 7:00 am. We’ll take an alternative alpine route that offers incredible views and will pass through valleys full of fascinating marine fossils.
– Highest Point:
We’ll reach the highest point of the day, after which we descend slightly and make our way to one of the most stunning spots on the trek—the Three Lakes viewpoint. This is a hidden gem that most trekkers miss, so you’ll be rewarded with exclusive and breathtaking views.
– Trekking:
We descend toward Carhuacocha campsite (4,100 meters). The day involves 7 hours of walking (13 km) with 4 hours of ascent and 3 hours of descent.
Day 3:
– Mirador at Laguna:
As we continue, we’ll reach the first lake, where there’s a spectacular viewpoint directly in front of the glacier. This is one of the most amazing sights of the trek, with panoramic views of the glacier and the shimmering lake below. If you’re lucky, you might even witness avalanches from the glacier, an exhilarating and humbling natural phenomenon.
– Trekking:
After this unforgettable experience, we’ll continue our trek for about 8 hours and reach the Huayhuash campsite (4,350 meters).
Day 4:
– Trekking:
Today, we’ll climb up to the Trapecio Pass (5,041 meters). From here, you can take an optional extension of 40 minutes to reach the glacier itself.
– Descent:
We’ll descend past five pristine lakes to the Cuyoc campsite (4,400 meters), after about 6-7 hours of hiking. For those seeking an extra challenge, there’s also an optional 2-hour hike to the San Antonio Pass (5,100 meters).
Day 5:
– Santa Rosa Pass: This day will give you one of the most iconic views of the entire trek. From the Santa Rosa Pass, we’ll look out at Siula Grande, the legendary mountain featured in Touching the Void.
– Trekking:
We’ll hike 19 km over 9 hours, with plenty of breaks and lunch along the way. Our campsite will be in the village of Huayllapa (3,487 meters).
Day 6:
– Trekking:
We’ll begin early to tackle the 4-5 hour hike up to Tapush Pass (4,800 meters), then descend to the campsite at 4,400 meters.
– Distance:
The total distance is about 13 km and takes approximately 7 hours.
Day 7:
– Yaucha Pass:
After leaving camp, we’ll head towards Yaucha Pass (4,800 meters), which we’ll reach about 1.5 hours later. There’s an additional 1-hour detour to see a beautiful mirador with views of two stunning lakes before descending to our campsite (4,000 meters).
Day 8:
– Final Trek:
On the last day, we’ll trek 16 km (about 5 hours) of relatively flat and downhill terrain to the village of Llamac. From here, we’ll meet the vehicle for the drive back to Huaraz (around 4 hours).
Optional Extension:
For those who want to extend their adventure and experience an even more spectacular view, you have the option to finish the trek in Rondoy instead of Llamac. Rondoy Pass (4,700 meters) offers one of the most panoramic vistas of the entire trek. The trek to Rondoy takes about 6 hours, but the views make it totally worth the extra effort.
- All transportation from Huaraz
- Certified guides and support staff
- All camping gear
- Meals as per itinerary
- First-aid kit and emergency support
- Entrance fees
- Personal expenses (e.g., drinks, snacks)
- Tips for guides and staff
Comfortable hiking shoes, warm clothing, rain gear, sunscreen, and personal medications.
This is not just any trek. The Huayhuash Trek is an invitation to experience the raw beauty of nature, to challenge yourself, and to walk away with memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out—join us and make the adventure of a lifetime yours!
