Huayhuash Alpine Routes “The Lot”: Trapecio & Siula Base Camp — 10 Days

A very hard trek. From Huaraz you gain 1100m by road to Quartelhuain (4168m) and cross a 4680m pass on day one, so three days of acclimatisation hikes in Huaraz are strongly recommended. You must have good fitness and be comfortable route-finding over tussock, moraine and steep alpine scree.

Access to the Calinca Valley and Siula Grande Base Camp is controlled by the Huayllapa community and is not guaranteed; the decision is made when groups arrive. If access is refused, we camp in the Huanacpatay valley and day-hike to the Cerro San Antonio pass for views of Siula Grande and its Base Camp.

The entire Huayhuash circuit crosses privately owned community farmland, not a national park. Communities allow groups to pass and camp and charge access and camping fees (included in the trek fee), providing toilets at campsites. Please leave no rubbish and respect the local people and their animals.

Trails are unformed, unmaintained dirt paths also used by animals and uneven underfoot, often steep both ascending and descending and slippery or rocky in places.

Hiking hours are estimates including breaks and the lunch stop, for our average groups; the altitude affects people differently, so some are faster and others much slower. Distances are estimated. Access roads are unpaved and bumpy, so road travel is slower than the distance suggests.

The Lot is built around three alpine crossings, but the mountains and the local communities have the last word. These are the choices your guide may offer along the way.

• Day 3, the harder way to Carhuacocha. In good weather, and only for very fit and experienced trekkers, we can cross a 4800m pass past the deep-blue Laguna Alcaycocha, with close views of Jirishanca Chico. There is no path, and one short section needs some scrambling on rock.
• Day 4, Siula pass or Carnicero pass. Siula pass (4800m) is a good-weather route, and the donkeys and the rescue horse cannot cross it. Carnicero pass (4686m) is easier and still beautiful. Your group can split: some can go over Siula with the guide while others take Carnicero with the cook.
• If the Calinca Valley is closed. The Huayllapa community decides on the day whether groups may enter. If they say no, we spend an extra night at Huanacpatay and hike up to the Cerro San Antonio pass to look across to Siula Grande. The spare day becomes a rest day, or a night in the remote Rasac valley near Laguna Jahuacocha.
• Day 10, finish at Rondoy. Instead of walking out to Llamac, many of our clients finish over Rondoy pass (4750m) for a last look at Yerupajá, Jirishanca, Rasac and Rosario. You are back in Huaraz between 7 and 8pm, an hour or two later than via Llamac. The extra transport is quoted separately.
• Nine days instead of ten. Leave out the free day at Cutatambo and the trek becomes nine days, with the same three alpine crossings and no time for Cerro Gran Vista.
• Before the trek: three days in Huaraz. We strongly recommend three full days (four nights) in Huaraz before you leave, with day hikes that climb above 4000m. We can guide them, or arrange transport and advise you if you prefer to walk on your own.