Amazing 15-day trek at Cordillera Huayhuash

Bus transfer to Huaraz.

Upon your arrival, our transportation representative will be waiting for you at the entrance to transfer you to the hotel.

Overnight in Huaraz.

Early breakfast in the hotel and bus transfer to Yungay 2500 m.a.s.l. Of course, during the trip making photo stops in the best places that the drivers already know or the passengers will ask for.

Starting at Yungay, we’ll climb to Llanganuco valley appreciating the biggest mountain in Peru: Huascaran. Each time as we climb we’ll be near to Huascaran 6768 m.a.s.l. Once we have arrived to Llanganuco lake, we will have a walk around the lake and we will go to the end of the valley. After it, we have to come back to Yungay to continue to Caraz (2290 m.a.s.l) 15 km north side, where we will have lunch.

Caraz is the last town in the Callejon de Huaylas, and from here we will come back to Huaraz. Overnight in Huaraz.

Back-tracking from Huaraz, we take the side road at Quebrada Carpa passing Pachacoto where we will observe the famous Puya Raymondi, the largest flowering cactus. On the way we will have beautiful views of the peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, part of the Huascarán National Park, are visible.

We drive over the Huarapasca pass (4,780 m.a.s.l.), before reaching a second pass at Yanashallash (4,680 m.a.s.l.) where we have views of the Cordillera Blanca, Huayhuash and Huallanca. The road descends to the Huallanca community.

We follow the San Juan river until we cross the pass of Cuncush (4,750 m.a.s.l.) and finally descend to set up camp at Cuartelwain. Lunch on route, overnight at camp at 3,900 m.

The trail winds slowly over the pass of Cacananpunta (4,700 m.a.s.l.) with incredible views of the surrounding countryside from where we can see the peaks that surround our campsite.

The pass is the watershed of the waters flowing into the Amazon to the east, and the Pacific to the west. We arrive at camp below the peaks of Jirishanca Chico y Grande, Rondoy and Ninashanca at the edge of the Mitucocha lake.

• Time: 6 hrs.
• Distance: 5 kms.

We continue over the Carhuacocha pass at 4,600 m.a.s.l. with views of Jirishanca Chico and the peaks of Siula, Yerupaja, Sarapo and Toro. Highland savannah known as puna surrounds the campsite and the countryside.

• Located at another lake we have fantastic views of the snow-capped peaks which surround the western side of Carhuacocha. Time: 7-8 hrs.
• Distance: 8 kms.

Late breakfast.

Day free for resting and to go fishing , visiting Siula Lake or just to go exploring the area.

As we ascend to the narrow pass at Carnicero (4,750 m.a.s.l.) the peaks of the Huayhuash to our right, we will pass a series of lakes. Descending we reach our campsite below Jurau with views of the valley of Huayhuash, a small community of herders. Where there are views of the peaks of Trapecio, Carnicero and Jurau.

• Time: 8 hrs.
• Distance: 9 kms.

Passing by the seasonal community of Huayhuash, we start our ascent to the pass of Huayhuash (4,580 m) with views of the Cordillera Raura to the south as we leave the jagged peaks of the Huayhuash slowly behind. There are views of Mt. Leon Huacanan and Quesillojanca, as well as Puscanturpa. Here we descend and camp at Lake Viconga.

• Time: 7-8 hrs.
• Distance: 8 kms.

This day we’ll have moderate going-up to the highest pass in our whole trip, but the going-up will take us approximately 3 hours, so this time it will be enjoyable because the Cuyoc Mountain will be closer to us. We have reached the highest pass in our trekking, the only one.

After  reaching this pass we will go-down the Guanacpatay valley to have lunch. Going-down from the pass is very dust and rocky.

After it, we’ll reach the beautiful field full of grass to walk, where we will have lunch. After few hours walking we’ll find our camping place in the peaceful Valley of Guanacpatay at 4300 m.a.s.l.

Departure at 8 am, this time will be easy for the trekkers due to all going down only. We will be stopping for lunch at the joining of Huayllapa river and Guanacpatay river, after we have to walk along the Huayllapa river rocky trail until Huayllapa village.

Huayllapa is the small isolated peasant village lies at 3700 m.a.s.l. Citizens from this village made this small town even without electricity or car trails arriving.

Can you imagine how they made this village? You’ll have the answer visiting the village, we’ll camp in the football field in the middle of this town, where the small Andean shops will provide us soda drinks, beers, and first house necessities.

5 hours walking up and 2 hours going down Tapush 4800 m.a.s.l. This time we’ll have a bit difficult to go-up to the Tapush pass.

After getting the pass, we will walk down an easy trail. We will arrive at the camp place early and a bit tired. From here we will feel that we are almost round the Huayhuash trekking, overnight at 4600 m.a.s.l.

Yaucha Pass 4800 m.a.s.l. after breakfast, as always in the morning, we’ll start our trekking moderate going-up to the Yaucha Pass, in two hours we’ll arrive to the pass.

After, we will have time to rest and take pictures, we’ll continue going down along the Huacrish ravine for approx two or three hours, and suddenly we’ll be surprised by a beautiful panoramic landscape.

The Jahuacocha lake in the base of the mountains Jirishanca, Yerupaja, and Rondoy, a beautiful green color lake that lies at 4066 m.a.s.l. Where is our camp place, from this point we can enjoy the spectacular avalanches coming down from the base of the mountains Jirishanca.

Next to our camp, we’ll find a typical mountain hut for sheepherders; and his owner Mr. Delao Huaranga will receive us with a gentle treat just being friendly or to offer us a cold beer and soda. It’s hard to find at this altitude the famous Coca Cola but tourists can find it in Mr. Delao’s Humble hut, that he sells to the visitors or to people who camp in Jahuacocha.

Of course the tourists who want to know more about the Jahuacocha and the mountains, Mr Delao Huaranga will provide the information and tourists enjoy asking for the lifestyle in the mountain as Mr. Delao Huaranga’s living with his lots of sheep.

Overnight in Jahuacocha at 4066 m.a.s.l.

This day is for a free excursion.

Our guide will explain many alternatives to the tourists, such as: fishing, going to the upper Solterococha lagoon, walking around the lagoons, staying at the lagoon wash, etc. The passengers will have coordinated the day before to provide the box lunch and other items.

Our staff will prepare dinner for the success of this hike.

On this day, we will bid farewell to the stunning trek we’ve experienced. We will hike up to the Pampallamac area (4300 m), where we will take one last look at the beautiful Huayhuash Mountain Range. A few meters below, we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch. After a short rest, we will descend to the village of Llamac, arriving around 3 or 4 pm.

Llamac is the home of our muleteers: Justino Basilio and his team, who will share insights into their way of life, traditional customs, agriculture, and local crafts.

Llamac is still an undiscovered gem for its handicrafts. Here, Mrs. Rosario Huaranga, wife of Mr. Justino Basilio and daughter of Mr. Delao Huaranga from Jahuacocha, offers handmade woolen blankets, sheets, and other textiles dyed with natural plant colors. These authentic handicrafts are made without synthetic fibers, making them some of the most beautiful and typical in all of Peru. Many visitors seek out the original wool ponchos in their natural colors. After a brief rest in Llamac, we will depart at 4 pm.

We will then begin our descent along the Llamac River toward Timpoc, where the Llamac and Pacllon rivers converge. From here, we will start ascending to Chiquian via the Ainin River, arriving in Chiquian around 5 or 6 pm. Passengers will have a short break before continuing the drive to Huaraz (3-hour journey), passing through the Conocoha pass at 4500 m.

Overnight accommodation in Huaraz.

At the agreed time, you will be transferred to the bus station to return to Lima.
End of services.