Breakfast
Porridge, quinoa or cereal, with eggs, pancakes or toast and marmalade.
Huayhuash Mini Trek (ex Huánuco) — 8 Days
An eight-day journey into the pristine heart of the Cordillera Huayhuash, one of the most stunning, best-kept secrets in the Americas for trekkers who lack the time for the full 12 to 15 day circuit but still want serious hiking among great peaks.
It is the least demanding of the Huayhuash options, with some shorter days and extra nights for rest, yet still a moderately hard trek crossing four high passes.
The heart of the Huayhuash, gently paced
- Grade: Moderate
- Duration: 8 days
- Highest point: 4750m
- Passes: 4 above 4500m
- Bonus: Inca ruins of Huánuco Viejo
Designed to capture the overwhelming majority of the range’s breathtaking sections, the route camps beside beautiful lakes beneath Yerupajá (6634m), Siula Grande (6344m) of “Touching the Void”, and Jirishanca (6094m). A relaxed start visits the impressive Inca ruins of Huánuco Viejo, making it a fine option for active people and families — not ready for a full circuit.
High Altitude Tactical Itinerary
Review the route day by day: altitudes, distances and acclimatisation.
Drive Huaraz to Huánuco Pampa, visit the Huánuco Viejo ruins
Distance
230 km driveWalking time
5 to 6 hours driveHighest point
3736mA 5 to 6 hour drive (230km) to Huánuco Pampa (3736m), with first distant views of the Huayhuash. We camp near the Inca ruins of Huánuco Viejo a vast site on the old Cusco–Quito road, with fine interlocking stonework, the usnu temple and Inca quarters and spend the afternoon exploring.
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 graded moderate, you cross four passes above 4500m, which means demanding hiking and a need for reasonable fitness and adequate acclimatisation. It is the least physically demanding of the Huayhuash options thanks to some shorter days and extra rest nights.
Horses
Horses can be arranged for those who want to visit the Huayhuash but not hike the whole distance. You can ride on flat and undulating ground and to the tops of passes, but must descend from passes on foot. Horse hire carries an extra cost.
Hiking Hours & Kms
Hiking hours include breaks and the lunch stop and are averages for our groups; some hikers are faster, 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.
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May - SeptFrequently Asked Questions: Huayhuash Mini Trek (ex Huánuco) — 8 Days
Essential answers about this high-altitude route.
It captures most of the Huayhuash’s finest scenery in eight days rather than 12 to 15, with shorter days and extra rest nights. It is the least demanding Huayhuash option while still crossing four passes above 4500m.
Yes. It is a good option for active people and families who may not feel ready for a full circuit. Reasonable fitness and acclimatisation are still required, and horses can be arranged for part of the route.
The trek begins with a visit to the extensive Inca ruins of Huánuco Viejo, an important settlement on the Cusco–Quito road with fine Inca stonework and the usnu temple.
Yes. Horses can be hired (at extra cost) for flat and undulating ground and up to the tops of passes, although you must descend from the passes on foot.
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