Full Huayhuash trek, 14 days + acclimatization

In the morning we will drive heading south through the mountain villages of Llamac and Pocpa. The last one is the gateway of the Cordillera Huayhuash.

Here we start walking towards Cuartelhuain along the Rio Llamac. As we approach to the entrance of the Rondoy valley, the view starts opening up into a rolling grassy area. Overnight camp at Cuartelhuain.

Today we will cross the Cacanampunta Pass. After a rest at the top, we will descend to the Quebrada Caliente valley and then move in direction to the Laguna Mitacocha (4200m).

Overnight camp at Janca.

On this day we will climb up to the next pass, the Carhuac. Then, on our descent towards Laguna Carhuacocha we will admire excellent panoramic views of several peaks. We will set up our camp above the lake at 4200 meters of height. This camp is the best on the east side of the mountain range, lying beneath the peaks of Yerupaja and Jirishanca.

We will spend an extra day at the spectacular Carhuacocha Lake. Here we’ll have two options:

• To enjoy a resting day in the camping spot.

• An optional hike to visit the 3 lakes of Ganrajanca, Siula and Quesilojanca, below the east faces of the Yerupaja and Siula Grande. We can also take an easy walk around the Carhuacocha Lake, where we can fish. Overnight camp at Lake Carhuacocha.

Today we have 2 routes options: the first one follows a demanding and challenging trail to cross the steep pass of Punta Suila.

The other option is to walk via the normal route crossing the Punta Carnicero (4600m), which is an easier trek.

We will camp at the small hamlet of Huayhuash.

We will start walking on the valley heading south towards the spectacular pass of Portachuelo. Then we will descend in direction to the Viconga Lake until we get to the Viconga campsite, below the Puscanturpa and the Cuyoc Mountains. In the afternoon we can have a relaxing bath in the hot springs close to our campsite.

This day we will hike uphill to the second highest pass on our trek. However, after seven trekking days in high altitude, your body is now well acclimatized to cross the Punta Cuyoc Pass. From the pass we will have the most impressive mountain views of the Siula Grande, the Sarapao Yerupja and Rasac.

After that we’ll descend some scree slopes, which lead us to the bottom of a grassy valley and then, to Jatun Cuyoc campsite in Quebrada Huanacpatay.

This day we will cross another pass at 5000 meters of height until we reach the San Antonio pass. On the way, we’ll see some vicunas as well as condors overflying. Then we will descend to the Calinca valley in order to get to the Cutatambo campsite, where we’ll spend the night.

This day is a good time to catch up on some daily laundry issues or just to relax.

For those with enough energy there is an option of trekking up to the Siula Grande Base Camp. Here is the place where Joe Simpson’s movie was filmed, called “Touching the Void”, where we can clearly see the route that Joe followed crawling down the glacier and across the moraine rocks. Finally, we will return to the campsite in Cutatambo.

We will walk down along the Calinca valley until we reach the small isolated mountain village of Huayllapa, with beautiful views of the waterfalls. In the afternoon we climb a steep trail to a high camp in the pasture of Huatiac.

After our breakfast we will walk towards the Tapush Pass. On the trail we will enjoy taking spectacular pictures of the mountains. After that we will descend to our next campsite in Cashpapampa.

This day we wil hike up towards the Punta Yaucha Pass, taking a zig-zag trail in direction to the Punta Jahuacocha. Then, a steep descent takes us to Quebrada Whacrish. Following the trail we will get to the Jahuacocha campsite, where we’ll spend the night in tents.

The first option is to simply rest in the campsite or go fishing to the lake.

The second option is to do a half day hike to a great viewpoint, where we will have the most breathtaking views of the surrounded Andean peaks.

Last night camp at Jahuacocha Lake.

After an early breakfast we will cross the final pass of the route, the Punta Llamac. Then, a final descent to Llamac, where our private transfer will take us back to Huaraz.