The Cordillera Huayhuash measures only 30 kilometres but within this small area there is an astonishing display of stunning white peaks, fluted ice faces, glaciers, grassy valleys and wonderful turquoise blue lakes. The highest mountain in the cordillera is Yerupaja (6634m), the second highest peak in Peru, but on this trek you will see many other peaks which are just as beautiful and impressive, such as Jirishanca, Rondoy, Trapecio, Puscanturpa, Diablo Mudo. This hike is considered a difficult to strenuous trek, and the whole circuit covers a distance of more than 140 kilometres. This trek around the Cordillera Huayhuash range is rightly considered one of the finest walks in the world. There are brilliant views of the main peaks all the way round and you also visit the most stunning lakes of the range at Mitucocha, Carhuacocha and Jahuacocha. These high lakes are home to many varieties of wading birds, waterfowl, geese and ducks, including Andean Ducks with their grayish-ruffus bodies and blue bills. Occasionally Giant Andean Coot, enormous birds with red feet is seen on the more remote upland lagoons, and Puna Ibis, Andean Lapwings, Puna Tinamous, and many others. Added to this, you may see condors and other raptors soaring overhead, viscacha hopping over boulders in the sunshine, and occasionally vicunas, which roam some of the more remote valleys. They blend so well into the scenery that you may only be alerted to their presence by their shrill whistles and if you are lucky you can spot the Vicuñas, with their fines figures along the ridges of the low mountains.
The Huayhuash Trek
DURATION: 10 days/ 9 nights
DIFFICULTY: Easy
MINIMUN: Minimum 4 people booking together
REGULAR LEAVING DATES:
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Day 1 HUARAZ - CHIQUIAN - LLAMAC
Early meeting at your hotel and the drive take you by Conococha Lake, initial vistas of Huayhuash range, above the Chiquian town. Passing by the town of Chiquian, the bus follows a nice scenery road to Llamac. We drive through a fertile canyon and arrive into the small village where we will be meeting our donkeys drivers and pack the animals, the hike starts along the valley following the river. An easy 4 hour hike takes us to the campsite at Cuartelhuain. (3hrs Bus transfer - 4hrs of trekking, camp at 4150m) Accommodation Tents Meals L, D
Day 2 CUARTELHUAIN – LAGUNA MITUCOCHA
Today we start by climbing to the pass of Punta Cacanan at 4700 m. We cross the cordillera and we have a spectacular view of the valley that leads to the Amazon basin. We continue to our campsite at Mitucocha. In the evening, we camp at the foot of the mountain in the Rondoy canyon. (6hrs of trekking, camp at 4200m) Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, D
Day 3 LAGUNA MITUCOCHA - LAGUNA CARHUACOCHA
The day starts with a long ascent to the Carhuac pass (4650m). We camp by the lagoon, facing the Cordillera, on an Inca site. Probably one of the most beautiful places to camp during this trip.
(5hrs of trekking, camp at 4250m) Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, DDay 4 LAGUNA CARHUACOCHA – HUAYHUASH
Crossing a 4800m pass, we reach the Juraucocha lagoon (4500m). We camp in the village of Huayhuash which gives its name to the Cordillera. (6hrs of rekking, Camp at 4350m). Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, D
Day 5 HUAYHUASH - YANAPAMPA
Today we climb one of the highest passes on the circuit, the Punta Trapecio, at 5010m, amazing views of Puscaturpa and Trapecio, before reaching the pass you will also see to the east the Cordillera Raura. Afterwards the descend follows a very nice and quiet valley, few lakes and good chances to spot “vicuñas”. Then we continue to our campsite in Yanapampa. 6 hours hike Camp at 4500m. Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, D
Day 6 YANAPAMPA - YARUSH
We leave the campsite and start the two hour climb to the San Antonio Pass (5,000 m). From here you have a 360 degree view of the southwest Cordillera Huayhuash: Nev. Sarapo (6,143 m), Siula Grande, left Nev. Yerupaja, to your right the Carnicero, Los Juraos y el Trapecio. You can also see the lakes of Jurao (4343m) and the Qda. The mountains Sarapococha and the Siula Grande, (this mountain is where Joe Simpson had his accident – and survived to write the amazing book touching the Void) You might even see some vicuñas. Descend for two hours to Cutatambo and then a small ascent to reach our camp at Yarush, at the feet of Siula Grande. Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, D
Day 7 YARUSH - HUATIAC
We leave the campsite and start the descend along the valley leaving behind extraordinary views of Sarapo (6,143 m), Siula Grande, Nev. Yerupaja, to your right the Carnicero, Los Juraos y el Trapecio. You can also see the lakes of Jurao (4343m). The mountains Sarapococha and the Siula Grande, (this mountain is where Joe Simpson had his accident – and survived to write the amazing book touching the Void) You might even see some vicuñas. After the village of Huallapa we continue the hike up to Huatiac, where our cook awaits with a nice diner. Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, D
Day 8 HUATIAC - JAHUACOCHA
From our camp it is a couple of hours walk to the pass of Tapush (4750 m), which has a view of the Diablo Mudo, and Tapush. From there it is a two and a half hour hike to Yaucha Punta Pass (4847 m), afterwards there is a two hour descent to Lag. Jahuacocha. Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, D
Day 9 JAHUACOCHA
One day to rest around this amazing spot in front of the mountains that we just circled in our hike, Jirishanca, Yerupaja, Rondoy. If you wish there is plentu of time to enjoy some trout fishing. Accommodation Tents Meals B, L, D
Day 10 JAHUACOCHA – LLAMAC - HUARAZ
Early start to reach the pass of Pampallamac (4,300 m), then descend into the valley of Llamac, passing by cacti and bushes of the dry area. There we say goodbye to our donkey drivers and catch our bus back to Huaraz. Meals B, L
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What is Included:
- Private Transfers Huaraz- / Llamac - Huaraz
- 2-Person Tents
- Mattresses
- Dining Tent
- Camp Tables & Chairs
- Cooking Tent
- Cooking & Eating Utensils
- Toilet Tent
- Guide
- Cook
- Donkey Drivers
- Donkeys
- Emergency Horse with Saddle
- All Food while on Trek from Lunch on Day 1 to Lunch on Day 10
- First Aid Kit
What is not Included:
- Medical Insurance
- Sleeping Bag
- Tips to Staff
- Entrance Fees to the Communities or Park fees
- Hotels & Food in Huaraz and Lima
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Laundry and any other Personal Expense.
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We recommend that you bring
- Duffel bag, large (to hold all gear and store extra clothes/souvenirs at hotel while trekking)
- Duffel bag, medium (to hold gear and sleeping bag during trek)
- 2 large plastic trash bags to line duffel bag if it rains
- Rain cover or 2 large plastic trash bags for your pack
Daypack, 2000-2500 cu. in. to carry lunch, camera, water bottles, etc. - Camping Gear Sleeping bag with stuff sack (rated to -10°C)
- Clothing Midweight fleece or wool sweater
- Midweight fleece pants
- Midweight thermal underwear top and bottom, synthetic or wool
- Hiking pants, lightweight, synthetic and loose-fitting
- Hiking shorts, synthetic and quick-drying
- Long-sleeve shirt(s)
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks
- Casual socks
- Clothing Accessories Sun hat
- Wool or fleece hat
- Wool or fleece gloves
- Thin liner gloves
- Outerwear Rain jacket, waterproof and breathable
- Rain or wind pants, waterproof and breathable side-zip pants are highly recommended
- Insulated parka/ski jacket, down or synthetic, able to accommodate your sweater underneath
- Footwear Sturdy hiking boots, waterproof, lightweight, broken-in, aggressive tread
- Camp shoes (tennis shoes or sandals)
- Gaiters, ankle-high
- Travel Accessories 2 one-quart water bottles or hydration system
- Flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries/bulb
- Pocket knife or pocket tool
- 1 roll toilet paper
- Water purification tablets or filter
- Bic lighter
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Small washcloth and small bath towel
- Baby Wipes or hand sanitizer gel
- Personal first-aid kit (including Moleskin and Band-Aids)
- Insect repellent
- Optional Field Gear
- Altimeter
- Whistle
- Small freestanding flashlight/lantern for use inside tent
- Knee supports
- Trekking poles
Additional options
- Climb to Diablo Mudo as an option,
Please note
- Cellphone and charger
- Digital camera, batteries, memory
- cards, Ipod/Mp3 playes, headphones, batteries
- Camera case
- Foreing –language dictionary or phrase book
- Journal/notebook & pen
- Reading material.
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