Huayhuash trek: a great 10-day hiking adventure

The day starts at 8 AM driving south in direction to Chiquian at 3400 m. Here we must walk down for about 1 hour and up again to Llamac (3300 m). We’ll arrive there by 2 PM where we will have lunch and spend the night.

After breakfast in Llamac we will start the hike up for about 4 or 5 hours to the Cuartelhuain campsite. Along this route we will pass Popca, a small town. Later we will arrive at a small Pallca mine and finally we’ll get to the camping lot by 2:30 PM. From here we can see the Ninashanca Mountain in the south side. Overnight camp at 4300 m.

This day we start our hike at 8 AM. We must go up to the Cacanan Pass enjoying nice views around such as the Chaupijanca and the Cunchush. After that pass we will go down for about 2:30 hours to the Mitucocha campsite at 4200 m.

After breakfast we will start our trek to the southeast for about 2 – 3 hours to the Carhuac Pass. Then, we will go down for about 1:30 hour to the Carhuacocha lake, visiting the Jirishanca, Yerupaja and the Siula mountains. Overnight camp in Carhuacocha (4250 m).

In the morning we will walk down for about 30 minutes and then near the Carhuacocha Lake for about 4 more hours continuing up to the Siula Pass. After the pass, we will go down to Huayhuash for about 2:30 hours where we can see the Trapecio Mount in the west side. Overnight camp at 4300 m.

After breakfast in Huayhuash we will start to climb up to the Portachuelo pass at 4700 m. From there, we will enjoy the views of the Trapecio, Cuyoc and other mountains. After that we will start to descend to Viconga for about 4 hours, having lunch during the hike, until we get to the thermal waters of Jatuncocha, where you can take a relaxing bath. Overnight camp at 4100 m.

After breakfast in Viconga we will climb up to the Cuyoc Pass, the highest pass of the trip. From here we can see the peaks of Puscanturpa, Cuyoc and the Pumarinri glacier. So then we must descend to Huanacpatay for about 3 hours, where we will spend the night.

After breakfast in Huanacpatay we will start going down to Huayllapa for about 4 or 5 hours. It is a village at 3400 meters of altitude. Then we must ascend to Huatiac for about 3 more hours, where we can enjoy the nice view of the Diablo Mudo peak. Overnight camp at (4400 m).

Today we must walk up to the Tapush Pass for about 3 hours and after that we will go to the Yaucha Pass for other 2:30 hours. We will then continue going up to Jahuacocha for 2 hours and spend the night in the campsite at 4100 m.

After breakfast in Jahuacocha we will start hiking for about 1 hour, then we will go up to the Pampallamac Pass, at 4300 meters. After that, we will walk down to Llamac, where our private transfer will be waiting for us to take us back Huaraz. End of the program.