12-day Cordillera Huayhuash trek

Drive from Huaraz to the village of Llamac to set up camp (3300 m). 4 to 5 hours drive.

We’ll follow the river Llamac, hiking gradually up the valley to camp in open grassy countryside at Quartelhuain (4200 m). 6 hours hike.

We’ll cross our first pass, Punta Cacanan (4700 m) and then descend to the camp at a large lake Laguna Mitucocha (4220 m). 6 hours hike.

We’ll climb steadily to our next pass, Punta Carhuac (4650 m), to camp at the trout filled Laguna Carhuacocha (4150 m) 6 hours.

We’ll spend an extra day at the spectacular Laguna Carhuacocha. Hike up to visit the three lakes of Siula, take an easy walk around Carhuacocha lake, go trout fishing or have a rest day and enjoy the surroundings.

There are 2 options: A gradual ascent on a good path to cross Pass Carnicero (4600 m), which takes around 5 or 6 hours. Or a more demanding alternative Siula Pass (4800 m), which is a 6 to 7 hours hike. We’ll camp by the small Laguna Carnicero (4300 m).

We’ll go through the small settlement of Huayhuash, where a few farming families live, and then climb to yet another pass Portachuelo de Huayhuash (4750 m). We’ll descend past the large lake Viconga where we often see large herds of Llama and Alpaca to camp at (4480 m).

By now you should be well acclimatised and ready to cross our highest pass: Punta Cuyoc (5000 m). The descent is initially steep but then it becomes easier and we’ll arrive to our camp in the large and open Huanacpatay valley (4300 m). 6 hours hiek.

We’ll go down down the valley Qto the large mountain village of Huallapa. In the afternoon we’ll climb through a steep valley to a high camp in the pasture at Huatiac (4350 m). 6 hours hike.

We’ll cross two passes, Punta Tapush (4750 m) and Punta Yaucha (4800 m) and then descend to our camp at the beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha (4150 m). 8 hours hike.

An extra day at Laguna Jahuacocha which must be one of the most beautiful sites in the Huayhuash. Climb up Cerro Amarrillo Peak (5000 m), visit Soltera Cocha Lake, hike up the pass Sambunya (4750 m) or take a rest and try trout fishing.

The final pass Pampa Llamac (4300 m) and a long descent to Llamac. 5½ hours. Return to Huaraz in our private van.