Circuit of Cordillera Huayhuash 10 or 11 days with Viconga Thermal Bath & Cuyoc Pass

Timing: 10 or 11 Days
Grade: Hard

With this trek we offer a complete circuit of the majestic Cordillera Huayhuash range, following the same circuit as our 12 day trek but in a condensed timeframe.

It is important that you are well acclimatised to the altitude for this trek and that you have a good level of fitness.

Testimonial: Michie l(Netherlands) Huayhuash Trek: I really enjoyed my trip to the Cordillera Huayhuash and was very pleased with the service of Peruvian Andes. I would like to add my sincerest gratitude to the staff on the trek, they were very nice and helped us attentively during the trek. The food was great and clearly well prepared. I will certainly recommend your services to my friends.

Kathy from South Africa said: The hiking was tougher than we expected due to the altitude but the 3 days of acclimatisation hikes were absolutely worthwhile and we would recommend the same for everyone doing this trek.

There are various options to make a 10 or 11 day trek.

You can choose to start the trek from either Llamac (3300m) or Quartelhuain (4200m) and add or omit some extra days spent at campsites. Check the trek notes in the PDF attached for options or contact us for advice.

We have described one 10 day option here, starting from Quartelhuain.

Day A: Arrive Huaraz (3090m)

Day B, C & D: Acclimatization days in Huaraz three days.

Day 1: Drive direct from Huaraz to the village of Llamac and then on to Quartelhuain where we set up camp in a wide grassy valley with rolling hills. 6 hours drive (4200m)

Day 2: In the morning we cross our first pass Punta Cacanan (4700m) then descend to our camp at the beautiful lake Laguna Mitucocha (4220m). 6 hours

Day 3: We cross the pass Paso de Carhuac (4650m) then descend to our camp at the big lake Laguna Carhuacocha (4150m) 6 hours.

Day 4: We spend an extra day at spectacular Carhuacocha. Hike up to visit the three lakes of Siula, take an easy walk around Carhuacocha lake, go trout fishing or have a rest day and enjoy your mountain surroundings.

Day 5: Options: EITHER follow around Siula Lakes then climb to the top of Siula Pass at 4800m. This is an alpine type crossing with some steep sections and can be on loose scree in a few places– best only in good weather. Descend and continue to Huayhuash camp in the open Huayhuash Valley (4340m) 8 hours OR a scenic route on a more used trail via Carnicero Pass (4600m) skirting around the side of beautiful Carnicero Lake to Huayhuash 5 to 7 hours

Day 6: We climb to the pass Portachuelo de Huayhuash (4750m). We skirt around the large lake Laguna Viconga before walking up the valley ½ hour to set up camp (4480m) 6½ hours. There are some hot springs near Viconga – maybe have a hot bath!

Day 7: We cross our highest pass Punta Cuyoc (5000m) then descend to the valley Quebrada Huanacpatay where we have an easy walk down the valley to our camp (4300m) 6 hours

Day 8: We continue down the Quebrada Huanacpatayand then climb steadily in the afternoon about 2 to 2½ hours to our campsite high up in the flat pasture of Huatiac (4350m) 7 hours

Day 9: A tough day as we cross two passes – Pass Punta Tapush 4750m then Punta Yaucha (4800m). Descend to camp at the beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha (4150m) 8 hours.

Day 10: We leave early, starting with a gradual climb to our final pass Pampa Llamac (4300m) then it is a long descent back to Llamac. 5 ½ hours. In Llamac the bus will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz for hot showers!!

Map – trek route
Download PDF for Trek description & notes
Adobe Acrobat Reader

Contact us for more information and prices.

If you know, tell us the approximate dates that you would like to be trekking and the number of people in your group, as well as if you prefer a private trek or would be happy to join with other people.

 

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