How is this different from the standard circuit?

It is a shorter circuit that crosses the spectacular Trapecio pass (5050m) rather than the Cuyoc pass, taking in the southern Huayhuash in fewer days.

What is the Trapecio pass like?

An unformed alpine crossing — route-finding through tussock grass and over moraine rock — with a steep, unmarked descent past Laguna Huanacpatay. You should be comfortable with this kind of hiking.

Expedition Dossier

Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit via Trapecio Pass — 8 or 9 Days

Q: What is the difference between the 8 and 9 day versions?

The 9-day version adds a rest day at Laguna Carhuacocha with a hike to the Siula lakes; the 8-day omits it.

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 7 passes to cross, the highest the Trapecio pass at 5050m — an unformed alpine crossing through tussock grass and over moraine for adventurous, well-acclimatised trekkers.

Duration

9 Days trekking (option for 8)

Grade

Hard

Highest Point

5050m

Cordillera Huayhuash · Trapecio pass

A shorter circuit over the Trapecio pass

Grade: Hard
Duration: 8 or 9 days
Highest point: Trapecio 5050m
Passes: 7
Crossing: unformed Trapecio alpine route
Above 4000m throughout

A condensed circuit that still takes in the spectacular Trapecio pass. The trail over Trapecio is unformed — route-finding through tussock and moraine — so you need good fitness, full acclimatisation and comfort with this kind of hiking. The Siula lakes can be taken as an alternative route to Huayhuash.

Expedition Logistics

Essential Trekking Notes & Rules

Acclimatisation & Fitness

A demanding trek. From Huaraz you gain about 1130m by road to Quartelhuain (4200m) and cross a 4700m pass on day one, so three days of acclimatisation hikes in Huaraz are strongly recommended. The Trapecio crossing is unformed route-finding over tussock and moraine.

8 or 9 Day Option

The 9-day version includes a rest day at Laguna Carhuacocha (with a hike to the Siula lakes); omit it for the 8-day trek.

Community-Owned Land

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 & Terrain

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 & Kms

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.

Route Progression

High Altitude Tactical Itinerary

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

Technical Timeline // Day 01

Huaraz to Quartelhuain via Chiquián and Llamac by road

Distance

174 km drive

Time Window

6 hours drive

Max Altitude

4200m

Delta Profile

We drive from Huaraz to Chiquián, then past Llamac (3300m) into a wide U-shaped grassy valley flanked by quenual forest to camp at Quartelhuain (4200m).

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.