Is the Huayhuash Circuit technical?

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.

What is the highest pass?

Punta Cuyoc at 5000m, crossed on day eight after a sustained two-to-three hour climb, with panoramas of the Cordillera Raura and Sarapo.

Can the itinerary be shortened or eased?

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.

Will I see the peaks from “Touching the Void”?

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.

Expedition Dossier

Circuit of the Cordillera Huayhuash — 12 Days

Repeatedly named one of the classic trekking circuits of the world, the Cordillera Huayhuash is a compact, rugged range of jagged, vertical summits — among them Yerupajá Grande (6634m), the second highest peak in Peru, and half a dozen others above 6000m.

Every day brings towering snow peaks, hanging glaciers and turquoise, trout-filled lakes. There are eight passes to cross, the highest at Cuyoc (5000m).

Duration

12 Days trekking

Grade

Hard

Highest Point

5000m

Cordillera Huayhuash

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”.

Expedition Logistics

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 Huanacpatay, 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.

Route Progression

High Altitude Tactical Itinerary

Review the route day by day: altitudes, distances and acclimatisation.

Technical Timeline // Day 01

Huaraz to Llamac via Chiquián by road

Distance

Time Window

4 to 5 hours drive

Max Altitude

3300m

Delta Profile

We 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.

Bespoke Cross Selling

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.