Breakfast
Porridge, quinoa or cereal, with eggs, pancakes or toast and marmalade.
The Full Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit, 12 Days
The full Huayhuash circuit at a steady pace. Instead of driving to Quartelhuain, you start walking at Llamac (3300m) and spend the second day climbing the rarely used Quebrada Llamac, an extra acclimatisation day before the first pass. Then come eight passes, the highest Cuyoc (5000m), among Yerupajá Grande (6634m), the second highest peak in Peru, and half a dozen summits above 6000m.
Eight passes through a world-classic range
- Grade: Hard
- Duration: 12 days
- Passes: 8, highest Cuyoc 5000m
- Above 4000m throughout
- Highlights: Siula Grande, Yerupajá, Jirishanca
The hiking is not technical, but the length of the circuit and the number of high passes earn the Hard grade. You need an above-average level of fitness and to be comfortable with sustained two-to-three hour climbs and long descents. The reward is one of the most dramatic mountain panoramas in the Andes, including the west faces made famous by “Touching the Void”.
High Altitude Tactical Itinerary
Review the route day by day: altitudes, distances and acclimatisation.
Huaraz to Llamac via Chiquián by road
Walking time
4 to 5 hours driveHighest point
3300mWe drive from Huaraz to Chiquián with distant views of the Huayhuash, then descend through cactus-and-scrub country to the village of Llamac (3300m) for our first camp.
How your Huayhuash trek runs
A private trek with your own crew, from the drive out of Huaraz to the day you walk back into Llamac. The community access and camping fees are included.
Included in your trek
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A licensed trekking guide, a cook and an assistant (one for 3 or 4 clients, two for 5 or more)
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Donkeys and donkey drivers to carry your bag, the tents and the food
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Five meals a day, from fresh produce; vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free on request
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Twin-share tents, dining tent with table and chairs, foam mat and inflatable Thermarest
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Private transport to the trailhead and back
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Community access and camping fees
Not included
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Hotels in Lima and Huaraz, and meals in town
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Getting from Lima to Huaraz and back
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Sleeping bag (we can arrange hire)
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Acclimatisation day hikes before the trek
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Travel, rescue and cancellation insurance
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Tips for the crew
Plan your trek
Ask about this trek
Tell us your dates and how many of you there are. You will hear back from the family that runs the trip, with honest advice on acclimatisation and the route, and a full price for your group.
How we price this trek. It depends on how many of you there are and how many days you trek, and the price per person comes down as the group grows. The community fees are included, and our quote is valid for 31 days.
When I started inquiring about trips many companies either didn’t respond or took a week or more, but right from the first prompt email Peruvian Andes Adventures was professional and thorough.
Essential Trekking Notes & Rules
Grading
Although not technically difficult, the length of the trek and the number of high passes warrant a Hard grading. You need at least an above-average level of fitness and to be comfortable with sustained two-to-three hour ascents and prolonged descents. You are above 4000m throughout and trails can be steep, slippery and rocky.
Alternative Start & Flexible Days
You can drive direct from Huaraz to Quartelhuain instead of hiking the first stage, but only if you already have at least three days of acclimatisation hikes in Huaraz. The day gained can be used as an extra day at Elefante camp, to split the long two-pass day to Jahuacocha, or as a rest day.
More Demanding Alternative Routes
In good weather and for fit, experienced trekkers, higher alternative routes exist between Mitucocha and Carhuacocha and beyond Carnicero via the Siula glacial lakes, with closer mountain views but some pathless terrain and scrambling.
Community Projects
At the Laguna Jahuacocha and Quartelhuain campsites, look out for the toilets built by Peruvian Andes Adventures in 2009 and 2011 as part of our Community Projects scheme.
Hiking Hours & Kms
Walking times are averages including breaks; altitude affects people differently, so some will be faster and others much slower. Access roads are unpaved and bumpy, so road travel is slower than the distance suggests.
Five meals a day, at 4,000 metres
Good food is how your body keeps going at altitude. Every year, before the season starts, our cooks spend a course learning new trekking dishes, and on the trail they cook from fresh vegetables, fruit, chicken and meat. All drinking water is boiled. Menus change with each cook's favourite dishes; this is a typical day.
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten-free
Lactose-free
Trail snack box
Nuts and dried fruit, biscuits, chocolate or sweets, a piece of fruit and a small fruit juice.
Cooked lunch
Protein, carbohydrate and vegetables — say a tuna and tomato salad with carrot, cauliflower, broccoli and rice — with herbal tea.
Afternoon tea
Popcorn, crackers, cheese, spreads and nuts, with extra treats like wontons and guacamole.
Dinner
A fresh soup (never from a packet), a main of chicken, fish, meat or a vegetarian dish with pasta, rice or potatoes and vegetables, and dessert.
What our Huayhuash trekkers say
"We were very particular about the itinerary and they work with us to make our specific desires happen… Our cook made the most amazing Peruvian food, and it may be the only trek where I gained weight."
Brian (USA) — Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, May 2018
"Our guide David is very knowledgeable in the history, flora, fauna and peaks. It’s amazing how he remembered the exact elevations of all the peaks we saw!"
Carolyn (Canada) — Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, June 2018
"Giovanni always making sure that I had protein at every meal! … I have been vegan for 16 years… I can’t believe that over 10 days I didn’t touch my emergency supply!"
Tamsin (UK) — Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, September 2017
What to pack for the cold
On a clear night in the Huayhuash the air can drop to between −5 and −12°C, and the sheltered campsites are the coldest. The ground is colder still, so bring a good four-season sleeping bag rated to at least −20 to −25°C, and a down jacket for the evenings.
- Your trek bag travels by donkey: a soft duffel or backpack, never a hard suitcase, up to 15kg.
- Line it with a waterproof bag so your sleeping bag stays dry if it rains.
- We provide the tent, a foam mat and an inflatable Thermarest. If you have a good Thermarest of your own, it is worth bringing.
- No sleeping bag? We can arrange one for hire in Huaraz.
Getting there & when to go
From Lima there is one LATAM flight a day, leaving at 7am and landing in Huaraz at 8.10am, or an eight-hour tourist-class bus with Cruz del Sur or Movil Tours, by day or overnight.
The best months are May to September. June and July are the busiest. May and September are quieter, and May is green and full of wild flowers after the rains. Weather in the Andes is changing, so come ready for cloud and rain in any month.
Ready for the Huayhuash?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a full price and everything it includes.
Related routes
More routes in the same spirit — the same range or the same kind of trip. Tap any one for the full itinerary, or write to us and we will tailor your own.
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May - SeptFrequently Asked Questions: The Full Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit, 12 Days
Essential answers about this high-altitude route.
No, the hiking is not technically difficult. The Hard grade comes from the length of the circuit and the eight high passes; you need above-average fitness and to be comfortable with sustained climbs and long descents.
Punta Cuyoc at 5000m, crossed on day eight after a sustained two-to-three hour climb, with panoramas of the Cordillera Raura and Sarapo.
Yes. You can drive in to Quartelhuain if already acclimatised, and the long two-pass day to Jahuacocha can be split into two shorter days using a camp between the passes.
Yes. From the Carhuac pass and Laguna Carhuacocha you look directly onto Siula Grande and Yerupajá, the peaks at the heart of Joe Simpson’s story.
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