12-Day Huayhuash Trekking Expedition with Lakes, Passes and Hot Springs

12 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Support local communities as you embark on a 12-day journey across the Huayhuash mountain range, a spectacular landscape of fantastical lakes, towering peaks, a...

Duration: 12 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Budget · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Huaraz, Cordillera Huayhuash · Languages: English

About Huaraz

Peru

Huaraz

Acclimatize to Huaraz with the help of one of Everest Global Hub’s local guides. Experience the Santa Cruz Valley trails and the dramatic cloud forests and Andean lakes that abound in the region.

Explore Huaraz Peru All destinations

What's Included

One day acclimatization community support tour
Transfer in/out from your hotel in Huaraz to the trailhead and trail end
Official Huaraz trekking guide
Emergency horse and guide assistance for more than 5 passengers
Cook for more than 5 passengers; otherwise, the guide cooks for fewer than 4 passengers
Cook helper for more than 5 passengers
Boiled drinking water for your bottles
Donkey carriers
Donkeys for carrying camping logistics as needed
Emergency horse for evacuation
Cooking tent
Group tent for more than 5 passengers
Cooking utensils
Chairs and tables
Complete food during your trek, except for the first breakfast at your hotel and the last dinner in Huaraz on your own
Sleeping tents for two people per tent
Sleeping mattresses
Emergency basic first aid kit
Oxygen
Hot water for washing hands in the mornings
Any other items needed to make your trekking comfortable

Not Included

Huayhuash community entrance fees
Personal medicines if you have a medical prescription
Personal trekking clothes or equipment (warm clothes, rain clothes, hiking sticks, etc.)
Personal toiletries
Extra services, additional transfers, or services outside the itinerary
Tips for staff

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Acclimatization and Community Support Around Huaraz

Make the most of this day reserved for acclimatization, during which you can offer donations to nearby villages. Make the most of this day reserved for acclimatization, during which you can offer donations to nearby villages. Make multiple stops to visit lakes, viewpoints, natural tourist sites, or local artisans, and observe local traditions and culture. The Huaraz tour guides will make the donation in the presence of contributors so they can witness the real benefits instead of making deposits into black bank accounts. Make multiple stops to visit lakes, viewpoints, natural tourist sites, or local artisans, and observe local traditions and culture. The Huaraz tour guides will make the donation in the presence of contributors so they can witness the real benefits instead of making deposits into black bank accounts. At the appropriate time, return to your hotel in Huaraz, arriving at around 7 pm from wherever you are. At the appropriate time, return to your hotel in Huaraz, arriving at around 7 pm from wherever you are.
2

Day 02

From Huaraz to Cuartelhuain via Llamac and Pocpa Valley

Pack your bags and leave Huaraz for Llamac at 3350 m, a drive of about 5 hours. Pack your bags and leave Huaraz for Llamac at 3350 m, a drive of about 5 hours. Drive south and cross the wild paramo (puna) of Conococha Pass at 4500 m, passing the southernmost peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. The Huayhuash range, containing in a single cluster seven of the highest and most dramatic summits in Peru, reveals itself on your descent to the small town of Llamac. Drive south and cross the wild paramo (puna) of Conococha Pass at 4500 m, passing the southernmost peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. The Huayhuash range, containing in a single cluster seven of the highest and most dramatic summits in Peru, reveals itself on your descent to the small town of Llamac. Continue uphill through the Pocpa Valley and reach the peasant village of Pocpa at 3600 m. It is the last town in this valley where you can buy some soda drinks for the sunny route. Continue uphill through the Pocpa Valley and reach the peasant village of Pocpa at 3600 m. It is the last town in this valley where you can buy some soda drinks for the sunny route. After a few hours of trekking, at approximately 1 pm, arrive in Pallca, where you will have lunch. After a few hours of trekking, at approximately 1 pm, arrive in Pallca, where you will have lunch. From here, after half an hour, reach your campsite at Matacancha (4100 masl). Here, appreciate Ninashanca Mountain (5607 masl) and Rondoy (5870 masl). From here, after half an hour, reach your campsite at Matacancha (4100 masl). Here, appreciate Ninashanca Mountain (5607 masl) and Rondoy (5870 masl). Overnight camping at Cuartelhuain (4200 masl). Direct drive from Huaraz to Cuartelhuain: approximately 5 hours, plus one hour for lunch - about 167 km. Meals: L/D
3

Day 03

Trek from Cuartelhuain to Mitucocha

After breakfast, get your things ready and start your trek at 8 am. This hike will be a bit difficult, as climbing to the pass will take about 2 to 3 hours. After breakfast, get your things ready and start your trek at 8 am. This hike will be a bit difficult, as climbing to the pass will take about 2 to 3 hours. From the pass, go down and then climb again for approximately 30 minutes. From the pass, go down and then climb again for approximately 30 minutes. Have lunch after the short climb. Have lunch after the short climb. Take the alternative trail to reach the campsite early and avoid taking the same route the next day. Along this route, appreciate the Andean rabbits called vizcachas. Take the alternative trail to reach the campsite early and avoid taking the same route the next day. Along this route, appreciate the Andean rabbits called vizcachas. Arrive at the campsite early, then go fishing around the lake while your cook prepares dinner. Arrive at the campsite early, then go fishing around the lake while your cook prepares dinner. Camp at 4170 masl.
4

Day 04

Mountain Views on the Way to Carhuacocha

After breakfast, start trekking at 8 am. After breakfast, start trekking at 8 am. Reach the pass after a 3-hour hike, where you will have lunch. Enjoy the view of white-peaked mountains such as Yerupaja, Jirishanca, and Siula. Reach the pass after a 3-hour hike, where you will have lunch. Enjoy the view of white-peaked mountains such as Yerupaja, Jirishanca, and Siula. Arrive at the campsite around 3 or 4 pm. You will be surprised by a beautiful lake reflecting the mountains' silhouettes in green-coloured waters. Arrive at the campsite around 3 or 4 pm. You will be surprised by a beautiful lake reflecting the mountains' silhouettes in green-coloured waters. Set up camp at a special place facing the lake. Set up camp at a special place facing the lake. Camp at 4150 masl. 8.7 miles (14 km) - 5-6 hours of trekking Meals: B/L/D
5

Day 05

Siula Pass and the Three-Coloured Lakes

At 8 am, after breakfast, start your trek. At 8 am, after breakfast, start your trek. Be amazed by the three different-coloured lakes of Siula. Be amazed by the three different-coloured lakes of Siula. Reach Siula Pass at 4850 masl and have lunch next to the Carnicero lakes. Reach Siula Pass at 4850 masl and have lunch next to the Carnicero lakes. Hike down to your camping place at 4350 masl. Hike down to your camping place at 4350 masl. 8.6 miles (13.8 km) - 8 hours of trekking Camp at 14,355 ft (4350 m) Meals: B/L/D
6

Day 06

Trek to Viconga and Relax in the Hot Springs

After breakfast, continue trekking with an easy ascent to Portachuelo de Huayhuash Pass. After breakfast, continue trekking with an easy ascent to Portachuelo de Huayhuash Pass. From here, go down to the campsite at Viconga to have lunch. From here, go down to the campsite at Viconga to have lunch. Walk 20 minutes downhill from the campsite to the hot springs. Those who do not want to go to the hot springs will have a free afternoon to rest at the campsite. The camp will be at 4390 masl. Walk 20 minutes downhill from the campsite to the hot springs. Those who do not want to go to the hot springs will have a free afternoon to rest at the campsite. The camp will be at 4390 masl. 6.8 miles (11 km) 5-6 hours of trekking, camp at 14,480 ft (4390 m) Meals: B/L/D
7

Day 07

Cross Cuyoc Pass to the Peaceful Guanacpatay Valley

Climb moderately to the highest pass of the whole trip, which will take approximately 3 hours. This ascent will be enjoyable because Cuyoc Mountain will be closer to you. Climb moderately to the highest pass of the whole trip, which will take approximately 3 hours. This ascent will be enjoyable because Cuyoc Mountain will be closer to you. Reach the highest pass on your trek. Reach the highest pass on your trek. Then head down the Guanacpatay Valley to have lunch. The trail after the pass is very dusty and rocky. Then head down the Guanacpatay Valley to have lunch. The trail after the pass is very dusty and rocky. Reach a beautiful grassy field and take a walk to the place where you will have lunch. Reach a beautiful grassy field and take a walk to the place where you will have lunch. After a few hours of walking, arrive at your campsite in the peaceful Guanacpatay Valley at 4150 masl. After a few hours of walking, arrive at your campsite in the peaceful Guanacpatay Valley at 4150 masl. 9.3 miles (15 km) - 8-9 hours of trekking Camp at 13,615 ft (4150 m) Meals: B/L/D
8

Day 08

Santa Rosa Pass to Huayllapa Village

Enjoy a typical breakfast and then start climbing to Santa Rosa Pass. Enjoy a typical breakfast and then start climbing to Santa Rosa Pass. Reach the pass in about 2 hours and enjoy the beautiful views of the Siula Mountains. This is also a historical area for cinema, as the film "Touching the Void" was made on Siula Mountain. Reach the pass in about 2 hours and enjoy the beautiful views of the Siula Mountains. This is also a historical area for cinema, as the film "Touching the Void" was made on Siula Mountain. Start hiking down the valley to Huayllapa. This small, isolated peasant village lies at 3490 masl and has small Andean shops selling soda drinks and basic household necessities. Start hiking down the valley to Huayllapa. This small, isolated peasant village lies at 3490 masl and has small Andean shops selling soda drinks and basic household necessities. Arrive around 6 pm for dinner. Arrive around 6 pm for dinner. Go shopping around the village, then have dinner and overnight in Huayllapa at 3490 m. Go shopping around the village, then have dinner and overnight in Huayllapa at 3490 m. 11.2 mi. (18 km), 7-8 hours of trekking Camp at 11,520 ft (3490 m) Meals: B/L/D
9

Day 09

Climb Tapush Pass and Camp at Cashpapampa

Climb up to Tapush Pass at 4800 masl in about 5 hours. Climb up to Tapush Pass at 4800 masl in about 5 hours. Walk down the easy trail for about two hours. Walk down the easy trail for about two hours. Arrive at the campsite late in the afternoon. Arrive at the campsite late in the afternoon. Overnight at 4417 masl, 7.5 mi (12 km) 5-6 hours of trekking Camp at 14,578 ft (4417 m) Meals: B/L/D
10

Day 10

Yaucha Pass and Panoramas over Jahuacocha

After breakfast, start trekking on the moderate route to Yaucha Pass (4800 masl). Stay at the pass for a couple of hours. After breakfast, start trekking on the moderate route to Yaucha Pass (4800 masl). Stay at the pass for a couple of hours. After resting, continue descending along the Huacrish ravine for approximately three to four hours, and suddenly you will be surprised by a beautiful panoramic landscape. Jahuacocha Lake lies at the base of Jirishanca, Yerupaja, and Rondoy, a beautiful green-coloured lake at 4066 masl where the campsite is located. After resting, continue descending along the Huacrish ravine for approximately three to four hours, and suddenly you will be surprised by a beautiful panoramic landscape. Jahuacocha Lake lies at the base of Jirishanca, Yerupaja, and Rondoy, a beautiful green-coloured lake at 4066 masl where the campsite is located. Enjoy the spectacular avalanches coming down from the base of Jirishanca. Enjoy the spectacular avalanches coming down from the base of Jirishanca. Then head to your camp. Then head to your camp. Find a typical mountain hut for sheepherders. Find a typical mountain hut for sheepherders. Overnight in Jahuacocha at 4050 masl. 4.8 mi (7.8 km) - 4-5 hours of trekking Camp at 13,365 ft (4050 m) Meals: B/L/D
11

Day 11

Rest Day at Jahuacocha Camp

Wake up as late as you wish, as this beautiful place offers a relaxing campsite. Wake up as late as you wish, as this beautiful place offers a relaxing campsite. Go fishing and hike around Rasac Lake. Go fishing and hike around Rasac Lake. Continue to Solterococha. Continue to Solterococha. Return to the campsite in the afternoon. Return to the campsite in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Jahuacocha camp.
12

Day 12

Farewell to Huayhuash and Return to Huaraz

Take the easy walking route up to Pampallamac, where you will say goodbye to the Huayhuash Mountains. Take the easy walking route up to Pampallamac, where you will say goodbye to the Huayhuash Mountains. A few meters down, have lunch. A few meters down, have lunch. After resting for a few minutes, continue down to Llamac town, arriving at approximately 1 or 2 pm. After resting for a few minutes, continue down to Llamac town, arriving at approximately 1 or 2 pm. Then leave Llamac by driving along the Llamac River to Timpoc, where the Llamac River and the Pacllon River join. Then leave Llamac by driving along the Llamac River to Timpoc, where the Llamac River and the Pacllon River join. Start going up to Chiquian along the Ainin River, arriving at Chiquian. Start going up to Chiquian along the Ainin River, arriving at Chiquian. Walk around the village, then continue to Huaraz on a 3-hour drive. Walk around the village, then continue to Huaraz on a 3-hour drive. 6.21 miles (10 km), 6 hours of trekking - 4 hours by bus Meals: B/L