
AROUND THE HUAYHUASH MOUNTAIN RANGE

The Wild Cordillera
The spectacular Huayhuash mountain range is located at the convergence of the Ancash, Huanuco and Lima provinces, approximately 50 kilometers south of the Cordillera Blanca. Huayhuash is the second highest tropical mountain range in the world, after the Cordillera Blanca, immediately to the north. Although it is located 120 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, the range forms part of the continental watershed; the waters of the eastern escarpment flow into the Marañón river, the main tributary of the Amazon. Along its 30km journey from north to south we can see 7 mountains that exceed 6,000 meters and 7 mountains of more than 5,500 meters, along with dozens of glacial lagoons of incomparable beauty; (Carhuacocha, Jahuacocha, Mitucocha, among others). The highest summit of the mountain range is the Yerupajá (6,634m) whose name means “White Dawn”, being the second highest mountain in Peru and the highest point in the huge Amazon basin.
Trekking
Undoubtedly, the Huayhuash circuit is the most spectacular in the Peruvian Andes and, perhaps ,also one of the most beautiful in the world and equal to many of those found in the Himalaya. Although there are several variants, the classic route runs through the most emblematic parts of the mountain range for 9 days and is almost 100 km in length. It should be noted that the highest point of the circuit is in the Punta Cuyoc pass located 5,000 meters above sea level.
May - October























TRAVEL ITINERARY
DAY 1. DEPARTURE FROM SPAIN AND ARRIVAL IN LIMA
Flight to Lima. Arrival in the afternoon/evening, reception and transfer to the hotel in the Miraflores neighborhood.
Hotel accommodation, Miraflores.
DAY 2. TRIP TO HUARAZ
Breakfast.
After breakfast, transfer to the bus station to take the bus to Huaraz (7 hours). Arrival, reception and transfer to the hotel.
Hotel accommodation, Huaraz.
DAY 3. HUARAZ. ACCLIMATION DAY TO LAGOON WILCACOCHA
Breakfast.
3-4 hour walk in the surroundings of the Wilcacocha Lagoon (3,800 m) located in the heart of the Cordillera Negra, with beautiful views over the highest mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. Return to Huaraz.
Hotel accommodation, Huaraz.
DAY 4. HUARAZ. ACCLIMATION WALK TO THE LAGOON CHURUP
Breakfast.
From Huaraz we will take transfer to the vicinity of the small town of Pitec (3,800 m). From there, along a clear path, we will ascend to the beautiful Laguna Churup (4,450 m), located at the foot of it’s snow-capped mountain (5,495 m).
Hotel accommodation, Huaraz.
DAY 5: HUARAZ – MATACANCHA (4,150 M).
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
We will travel by road from Huaraz to Matacancha, which is the starting point of our trek. We will pass through the population of Chiquian (2,100 m) and Llamac (3,300 m). We will strike camp in a green area with an exceptional view of the Rondoy and Ninashanca snowcapped mountains.
Tent accommodation.
DAY 6. MATACANCHA (4,150 M) – MITUCOCHA (4,200). 4 H
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
From Matacancha, we will ascend to the first Cacananpunta high pass, raised to 4,690 m. From there we will descend to the vicinity of Lake Mitucocha, 4,200 m. Where you have a total view of one of the most emblematic mountains of this mountain range, the east face of the Jirishanca of 6,094 m.
Tent accommodation.
DAY 7. MITUCOCHA (4,200) – CARHUACOCHA (4,140 M). 5-6 H
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
In the morning the trail heads south, following the valley full of meadows until reaching 4,640 m from the Carhuac pass, also known as Yanapuna. The views of Siulá and Yerupajá grande are impressive. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the circuit for its spectacular view of the snowy Carnicero, Siulá Grande, Yerupajá Grande, Chico and Jirishaca, all for their wild and abrupt eastern faces. The descent is made through the Yanayana gorge until reaching Incahuaín, next to the beautiful Carhuacocha lagoon.
Tent accommodation.
DAY 8. CARHUACOCHA (4,140 M) – HUAYHUASH (4,300 M). 7-8 H
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
This day is one of the longest and perhaps most difficult, but at the same time it is the most beautiful on the eastern circuit. We will walk along trails that approach the hanging glaciers of Yerupajá and Siula Grande. We will also pass by the three beautiful lakes thatre fed by these glaciers. Continuous avalanches unsettle the calm waters of the lakes located at the foot of these mountains. Once in the Siula Pass (4,830 m) we will descend until we reach the town of Huayhuash (4,300 m) where we will set up camp.
Tent accommodation.
DAY 9. HUAYHUASH (4,300 M) – VICONGA (4,400 M). 4 H
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
On this day we will ascend to the fourth highest pass of the circuit, the Portachuelo de Huayhuash (4,780 m). From the pass and to the east, the Raura mountain range appears, a beautiful chain of mountains which is unfortunately scarred by the exploits of mining, on its entire eastern flank. Later we will descend through a quiet gorge to the huge Viconga Lagoon. We will camp next to some natural hot springs, where we can take a hot water bath and rest for the afternoon.
Tent accommodation.
DAY 10. VICONGA (4,400 M) – HUANACPATAY (4,300 M). 5-6 H
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
On the fifth day, the highest pass of the circuit awaits us, Punta Cuyoc, almost 5,000 m high. From here you have a spectacular view of the southwest faces of mountains such as the Trapezoid, the Siulá, the Rasac or the Yerupajá. The descent is made down sandy trails with a steep slope until we reach the confluence with the Huanacpatay gorge, where we will locate the camp.
Tent accommodation.
DAY 11. HUANACPATAY (4,300 M) – HUATIAC (4,250 M). 5-6 H
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
We will descend from the Huanapatay gorge towards the vicinity of the town of Huayllapa, the lowest place of the trekking (3,800 m). Later we will ascend to 4,250 m. On the route we will cross some characteristic farmhouses surrounded by green pastures, until we reach Huatiac. We will camp near the town.
Tent accommodation.
DAY 12. HUATIAC (4,250 M) – RINCONADA (4,250 M). 5 H
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
From the tranquility of this ravine we will ascend to the sixth highest pass of the route, Punta Tapush (4,750 m). After reaching this high pass, we will descend for an hour to Gashcapampa, a small stone corral. Further down we will arrive at La Rinconada.
Tent accommodation.
DAY 13. RINCONADA (4,250 M) 5 H – JAHUACOCHA (4,050 M). 6 H
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
We will continue along the normal trekking path, overcoming the Yaucha Pass (4,850 m) and descending to Jahuacocha.
Tent accommodation.
DAY 14. JAHUACOCHA (4,050 M) – LLAMAC (3,300 M). 4-5 H
Breakfast food.
We will progressively ascend to the last pass, Pampa Llamac (4,270 m) and begin the descent through the long grassy valley that will take us to the town of Llamac, where we will arrive at noon. In the afternoon we will return to the city of Huaraz.
Hotel accommodation, Huaraz.
DAY 15. HUARAZ – LIMA
Breakfast.
At the agreed time, transfer to the land terminal to take the bus back to Lima. Transfer to the hotel or airport, according to the schedule.
DAY 16. ARRIVAL HOME
INCLUDED
- 5 nights hotel accommodation.
- 9 nights of accommodation in tents.
- Diet according to program.
- Local English-speaking X-plore guide.
- Reception at the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima and transfer to the hotel.
- Transfer to the Lima Bus Terminal
- Lima – Huaraz – Lima bus tickets.
- Acclimatization treks in Huaraz
- Transportation Huaraz – Matacancha and Llamac – Huaraz
- Chef
- Muleteers (muleskinners) and mules (donkeys or mules) or porters to transport material.
- Dining tent and kitchen tent.
- 2-personal mountain tents with mats.
- Kitchen, fuel and personal dining implements.
NOT INCLUDED
- International air tickets
- Food in Lima and Huaraz (city)
- Local payment for camping to the rural communities of Huayhuash (190 Peruvian soles)
- Personal and mountain equipment (sleeping bags, clothing, crampons, harness, ice axes, etc.). Hard material like helmet, ice axes or crampons can be rented in Huaraz (on request).
- Mountain insurance (Federal license or similar insurance)
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Anything not specified in the “INCLUDED” section.

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