Cordillera huayhuash trekking standard – 12d / 11n

Arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru, during the day. On the same day, you can travel by public bus heading north to the city of Huaraz (3100 m); the trip takes about 8 hours. There is also the option to fly from Lima to Anta - Ancash. Flight times every day: Lima to Anta - Huaraz at 7:30 am, Anta to Lima at 9:15 am; and on Tuesdays and Thursdays: Lima to Anta at 11:15 am, Anta – Lima at 1:15 pm. If you are traveling only for vacation to enjoy these programs, we recommend at least 2 days of acclimation; if you have already been traveling through different Andean countries, the acclimation days listed below might not be necessary.

Departure from Huaraz at 8:00 am for the Parón Lake tour (4,250 m) heading north, accompanied by an official tour guide and tourist transport. During the trip, we visit Carhuaz (known as the ice cream city), Yungay (Campo Santo), and Caraz (famous for its manjar blanco sweets), then proceed to Parón Lake. We stay here for 3 to 4 hours to climb to the viewpoint and enjoy boat or kayak rides. Return to Huaraz (hotel) around 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

Departure from Huaraz at 6:00 am for the Rocutuyoc Lake tour (4,450 m) heading north with an official guide and tourist transport. We visit the Cashapunta viewpoint, offering views of the Vicos valley and the Cordillera Blanca, the Ruripaccha waterfall, cave paintings, Rocutuyoc Lake, the frozen lake, and the Ruripaccha glacier (4,650 m). The tour takes about 9 to 10 hours. Return to Huaraz hotel at 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

At 5:00 am, we pick you up from your hotels to board our private transport for a 2.5-hour drive to the first breakfast stop, then continue to Cuartelwain for another 2 hours. Here, the muleteers await with donkeys to start the Huayhuash trek, crossing the first pass, Cacananpunta (4,700 m). After the pass, we descend to the first camp, Jancapampa (Mitucocha).

Second day of trekking at 7:00 am. After breakfast, we start the hike through the Jancapampa valley, crossing the second pass, Carhuac (4,650 m). If the group is well-acclimated and seeking adventure, we can take the alternate route to the three lakes viewpoint. After enjoying the view, we descend to camp with views of the mountains: Carnicero (5,960 m), Siula (6,344 m), Yerupaja (6,634 m), and Toro (6,121 m).

Breakfast at 6:00 am. This is the most demanding day of the trek, walking about 8 to 9 hours. The trail leads between streams and lagoons to the viewpoint of the three colored lakes: Siulacocha, Ganrajanca, and Quesillacocha. About two hours from the viewpoint, we reach the Siula pass (4,800 m), where we see the mountains Carnicero, Jurao, and Trapecio. To the east, the León Dormido mountain (5,400 m) in the Raura range is visible. After the views, we descend to the Huayhuash camp.

Breakfast at 7:00 am to start the hike between the Trapecio and Putscanturpa mountains up to the Trapecio pass (5,030 m). From here, the Azulcocha lagoon and Cuyoc mountain are fully visible. We then descend to the Cuyocpampa camp. If the weather is good, after lunch you can climb to the San Antonio viewpoint (5,120 m) to enjoy the sunset. Return to camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Eighth day breakfast at 6:00 am to start the trek around 6:30 am and enjoy the morning sun at the Santa Rosa pass (5,080 m). We'll have an incredible view of the north face of the Cordillera Huayhuash. After enjoying the view, we descend via Jurao lagoon and the Calinca valley to the Huayllapa village camp. Optional: here you can stay at a guest house to charge batteries, take a warm shower, and use Wi-Fi.

Breakfast at 7:00 am, then start a climb of 1,170 m to the Tapush pass (4,800 m). The path is not steep but it is a long ascent. Descending from the pass, you can see the Diablo Mudo peak (5,350 m) on the right. In approximately 1 hour, we reach Gashpapampa camp (Diablo Mudo base camp).

Penultimate day of trekking. Breakfast at 7:00 am, starting with a 30-minute descent, then a climb to the Yaucha pass (4,800 m). From the pass, we head to the Huacrish viewpoint for a total view of the highest peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash and an incredible panorama of Jahuacocha and Solteracocha lakes. Finally, descend to our last camp at Jahuacocha.

Last day of trekking. Very early breakfast to progress before the day's heat. The trek starts flat for 50 minutes along an irrigation canal toward the Pampa Llamac pass (3,900 m). From here, the descent to the village of Llamac begins, where transport awaits to take you to Huaraz. End of our services.

You have the option to return by public bus or flight from Huaraz to Lima.