Cordillera Huayhuash Trek

On this Peru trekking trip, a Wildland Trekking representative will pick you up from the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru. We transport you to our hotel (included) in the popular Miraflores district of Lima. The afternoon/evening is yours to rest, explore the city, and eat on your own. Be sure to drink copious amounts of water en route, as flying and traveling will certainly dehydrate you, and the elevation in Huaraz tomorrow is over 10,000 feet. Being hydrated (i.e. drinking lots of water and not drinking alcohol in excess), well fed, and being well rested are all critical components of dealing with significant elevation changes and properly acclimatizing. Proper self-care is important before, and during the trek.

• Shuttle: 7-8 hours

This morning breakfast is included at the hotel and then the group will meet at 7am to share a private vehicle transfer to Huaraz, Peru. Along our scenic drive we will stop for lunch and restroom breaks whenever needed. Once we arrive in town, we’ll get checked into our rooms and the afternoon will be yours to relax or explore the city. At 6pm we will have our scheduled orientation meeting. After our meeting we will walk to our favorite, local Huaraz restaurant for dinner.

• Hiking Distance: 3.5 mi (5.6 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1755 feet (535 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2060 feet (628 m)
• Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

This morning we enjoy a Peruvian breakfast at the hotel in Huaraz. Following breakfast, we pack our day packs and head to Chiwipampa, where we find the trailhead for our hike. We’ll set out on a 2-3-hour hike along locally farmed fields and beautiful sections of trail lined with the unique native plant species up to Wilcacocha Lake. At the lake, we’ll have lunch and take in the amazing panorama of the whole Cordillera Blanca Mountain range while helping our bodies acclimatize. After lunch, we descend to our transportation and ride back to Huaraz, where we’ll have free time until we meet for dinner.

• Hiking Distance: 3.8 mi (6.1 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2360 feet (720 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2360 feet (720 m)
• Trekking Duration: 5-7 hours

This morning will serve as a second acclimatization day. After another delicious hotel breakfast we’ll pack our day packs and drive roughly 1 hour to the village of Pitec. At Pitec, we begin to hike slowly on our way up to Churup Lake. The walk will take 3-4 hours and once we arrive, we’ll have lunch and enjoy the amazing glacial lake and stunning mountain scenery. When we are ready, we’ll descend down a different trail between 2-3 hours until we get back to Pitec. Upon arrival at Pitec, we board our transportation for the 1-hour drive back to Huaraz. We will have time to freshen up before meeting for dinner.

• Shuttle: 8-10 hours
• Camp Elevation: 12,569 feet

This morning after a filling breakfast we depart Huaraz and drive approximately 4 hours to the ruins of Wanuku Pampa. Wanuku Pampa is an ancient ruin built by the Inca (Quechua) people on the trading highway from Cusco, Peru to Quito, Ecuador. We’ll have lunch and spend some time exploring the ruins and historical area. When we are ready, we’ll continue our drive 4-5 hours more to Queropalca where our night’s camp will be set up and ready for us.  Tonight’s dinner will be our first of many meals prepared by our team’s chef.  After dinner your guide will provide the plan for the start of our multi-day trek tomorrow!

• Hiking Distance: 6 mi (9.7 km) / (Optional Hike: 2.25 mi/12.1km)
• Elevation Gain: 1620 feet (494 m) / (Optional Hike Gain: 1525 feet/465 m)
• Elevation Loss: 585 feet (178 m) / (Optional Hike Loss: 1525 feet/465 m)
• Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours / (Optional Duration: 1-2 additional hours)

After a nutritious breakfast, we’ll breakdown camp and pack our gear onto the mules. From here, we lace up our boots and begin hiking. We’ll be accompanied on our walk today with breathtaking mountain views of Siula Grande, Yerupaja and Ninashanca. We walk 4-5 hours until we arrive at the Carhuacocha Lake camp (13,615′), where we’ll have a relaxed lunch and camp for the next 2 nights. With our extra time here, you can relax at the lake and take in the amazing scenery. For anyone wanting an extra challenge and to explore a bit more, we can hike up to a viewpoint high above the lake before our much deserved dinner prepared by our chef and served by our camp staff.

• Hiking Distance: 8.1 mi/13 km
• Elevation Gain: 2650 feet (808 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2650 feet (808 m)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll leave our camp set-up and start our day hike up the valley to the Laguna Quesillococha, Laguna Siula, and Laguna Jancacocha. We will spend some time taking in the spectacular scenery from viewpoints along the way and pick a great spot to have our packed lunch. The prize view of the day comes from climbing up to our highest point of our hike and looking back over our trail and the lakes. After taking in this extremely picturesque vista, we’ll start heading back to camp the way we came. Today’s hike might be strenuous but is absolutely one of the highlights of the trip. At camp we’ll have time to change clothes and rest until our dinner is served.

• Hiking Distance: 7.5 mi (12.1 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1800 feet (549 m)
• Elevation Loss: 1515 feet (462 m)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast this morning we’ll pack up camp and start off on our trek for the day. We begin hiking for roughly 3 hours until we reach the Carhuac pass (15,255′). At the pass we’ll stop to appreciate and photograph awe-inspiring views of the giant mountains Jirishanca (20,098′) and Ninashanca (18,396′). We’ll enjoy our lunch and take in the sweeping views around us before descending to Mitucocha camp (13,878′). Upon arrival at camp, we are greeted by our crew with hot drinks and snacks. You’ll have free time to relax or explore the area around Lago Mitucocha before dinner is served.

• Hiking Distance: 5.6 mi (9 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2475 feet (755 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2200 feet (671 m)
• Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

After an early breakfast, we pack up and leave camp by 8 am. We begin our ascent to our second pass, Cacanan (15,419′). Once again, we are surrounded by gigantic, glaciated mountains and breathtaking views. We are literally hiking in the Land of Giants today, which for most guests is an indescribably rich and humbling experience. We’ll have lunch at or near the pass and descend to the Quartelhuain camp (13,468′). Tonight’s camp is picturesquely set in a high meadow landscape beneath the surrounding towering peak of the Cordillera Huayhuash. We’ll have time to relax and take photos of this amazing camp before another chef prepared meal.

• Hiking Distance: 8 mi (12.9 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2675 feet (815 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2995 feet (913 m)
• Trekking Duration: 8-9 hours

After another breakfast in camp, we’ll pack up and begin our 3-4 hour ascent to our third pass and the highest elevation we’ll reach on our trek, Sambuya Pass (15,584′). As we hike we’ll soak up fantastic views of the mountains Ninashanca, Jirishanca, Yerupaja and Rondoy. After lunch, we’ll head down to our final camp at Jahuacocha lake (13,287′). Upon arrival at camp, we’ll have free time to relax with hot drinks and snacks. Dinner will be served with the outstanding views from camp as our backdrop. Your guide will provide the plan for our last day of hiking before we enjoy another well-deserved night of sleep in the Cordillera mountains.

• Hiking Distance: 8 mi (12.9 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2040 feet (622 m)
• Elevation Loss: 4665 feet (1422 m)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

After a delicious breakfast, we begin hiking on a mostly flat trail until a short climb to our fourth and final pass, Pampa Llamac (14,108′). We’ll make sure to take a long break here and soak in our final panoramic views of the surrounding mountains before descending to the end of our hike at Llamac Village (10,827′). Here we’ll have lunch and board our private vehicle for the 4.5 hour drive back to Huaraz. Upon arrival in Huaraz, we’ll check into our hotel rooms, have showers and meet for our final celebratory dinner together. Here we will say goodbye to our guide and thanks for a successful trip.

• Shuttle: 7-8 hours

This morning breakfast is served at our hotel before our private group transfer back to Lima leaves at 7am. Along the way we will stop for restroom breaks and lunch. We will drop guests at the Lima airport no later than 3pm. Departure flights should be planned after 6pm. Our Adventure Consultant team can help book any extra add-on hotel rooms and airport transfers in Lima if desired. What an adventure it has been, thank you for choosing Wildland Trekking!