Huayhuash Circuit
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Overview
Highlights
- Trek the challenging 165 km (103 mi) circuit around the Cordillera Huayhuash in Northern Peru—some of the best trekking in South America
- Undertake an exhilarating circuit among towering peaks over 6000 m, cascading glaciers, alpine meadows and azure glacial lakes
- Explore Huaraz and the stunning Cordillera Blanca
- Experience indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems
- Behold views of incredible landscapes providing endless photo opportunities
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- 18 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 13 dinners
- airport transfers if arriving on Day 1 and departing on Day 19
- expert bilingual guide
- group medical kit
- comfortable and central hotels, primarily Casa Andina Classic hotels
- all internal transportation
- the use of a gear pack including sleeping bag, fibre filled jacket and thermarest sleeping mat
- group camping equipment
- porters on trek to carry personal gear
- portable altitude chamber carried on trek
Itinerary
If you’re flying into Lima today you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel, where the remainder of the day is free at leisure for you to rest or start exploring. We plan to have a group briefing before dinner, however this will be subject to al...
Today we drive via private transport to Huaraz, our gateway to the stunning Cordillera Blanca. It’s a long day’s journey but we’ll be treated to some incredible scenery along the way! Overnight in Huaraz.
meals : B
We now have two days in Huaraz to explore this stunning region with some day walks—and at an elevation of 3,052 m (10,013 ft), our time spent in Huaraz is crucial to our safe acclimatisation. Huaraz is a scenic town set at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca with views ...
Today we head south of Huaraz to our first campsite Matacancha (4,185 m / 13,730 ft). Today we get our first glimpses of the range, and we’ll pass Conococha Lake, the village of Chiquián and our trek finishing point at Lllamac. After around 6 hours, we’ll arrive at ou...
Trekking to our first pass and crossing the divide to the east, we gain our first serious views of the mountains. Zigzagging steadily upwards over rocky and loose terrain above our previous night’s camp, the trail then becomes steep in a final hill across to the Cacan...
Today we trek for around 6 hours, making our way to Lake Carhuacocha (4,180 m / 13,914 ft). After trekking south for 3-4 hours, steadily gaining altitude, we reach the Carhuac Pass (4,650 m / 15,256 ft). The trail then drops steeply for the next hour, passing a couple...
Today’s trek is a long one as we make our way to the tiny village of Huayhuash. Leaving Lake Carhuacocha by its eastern side, we trek southward past some of the grandest peaks of the range including Suila Grande (6,344 m / 20,814 ft) and Carnicero (5,960 m / 12,554 ft...
Once again, the day begins with three hours of scenic climbing towards our next mountain pass, with the peaks of Puscanturpa (5,442 m / 17,854 ft) before us. From the Portachuelo Pass (4,750 m / 15,584 ft) we make a long descent towards Laguna Viconga, an immense glac...
Today we cross the highest pass of our trek, the Cuyoc Pass (5,000 m / 16,404 ft). From camp we head in a northwest direction, switching back and forth for around 3 hours as we make our way to the gap between Puscanturpo Sur (5,440 m / 17,848 ft) and Nevado Jirishanco...
Today we begin with a 2 hour ascent to the Santa Rosa Pass (5,078 m / 16,660 ft), where we’ll have views of three glacial lakes: Siula, Sarapo and Jurau. From the pass we begin our descent into the Sarapo Valley, making our way to our camp at Cutatambo, passing the beautiful lakes we saw this morning from afar. Overnight at campsite.
meals : B,L,D
Today we’ll be using our camp at Cutatambo as a base while we pack a picnic lunch and head out on a day trek to the summit of Cerro Bella Vista (5,150 m / 16,896 ft). Today’s excursion offers what are arguably some of the best views in all of Peru! After a fulfilling day in the mountains we descend back to our camp at Cutatambo for the night. Overnight at campsite.
meals : B,L,D
This morning we take a half-day to descend the Huancho Valley at a leisurely pace, following the river to the pretty farmlands of Huaylapa. We have lunch just outside the village, then start climbing up the valley for another three hours to our beautiful camp at Huati...
Leaving camp, we trek northwards and wind our way up and over a lesser-defined trail to the plateau. After around three hours we cross the Tapush Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft), continuing on past a small glacial lake and several alpine meadows as we make our way to our next campsite, a couple of hours away. Overnight at campsite.
meals : B,L,D
We start today with a 2 hour ascent to our last mountain pass of the trek, followed by an easy descent to Jahuacocha Lake, our camp for the next two days. If this circuit trek had a highlight it would most likely be the views from this camp, truly encapsulating the wi...
Today we have a rest day in our stunning camp at Jahuacocha. In the morning we’ll take a hike up to Lake Solterococha Lake where we’ll have really close views of the main glaciers of the Huayhuash range. In the afternoon we will try the famous ‘Pachamanca’—a traditional Peruvian BBQ feast of meat and vegetables cooked in the ground using hot stones. Overnight at campsite.
meals : B,L,D
On the last day of our trek we see distinct changes in climate and flora as we descend through farmland to the warm, desert environment that we originally set out from. We follow a canal for 4 hours to our lunch stop, and then descend steeply for two hours to the small village of Llamac (3,320 m / 10,892 ft). Overnight at campsite.
meals : B,L,D
With our trek now complete, we make our way by private vehicle south to Lima. A full day’s driving of around 8 hours. Overnight in Lima.
meals : B
After breakfast, our trip concludes. If you are flying home today, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departure.
meals : B
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
World Expeditions Reviews & Ratings
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Tour Operator
Taking the Paths Less Travelled Since 1975
Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as an innovator and world leader in quality, small group adventure holidays. Responsible travel at our core, we always believed that it is not only where but also how you travel that truly creates an experience of a lifetime. Over the past decades World Expeditions has been operating authentic and innovative adventure holidays with a genuine focus on the paths less travelled. We are the pioneers in designing groundbreaking itineraries and many say our trips start where others end. As a leader in responsible travel, we offer big adventures with a small environmental footprint. While safety is core to how we operate, we’re also focused on the fun factor and suitably challenging you to reach that great sensation of personal achievement while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded travellers.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Cost of laundry and alcoholic beverages (except wine on last trek day)
- Medical treatment
- International flights
- Airport taxes
- Excess baggage costs
- Travel Insurance
- Visas
Accommodation
- 12 day trek
- 5 nights hotel
- 13 nights camping
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