After staying a few days in Huaraz and acclimatizing, you will be able to embark on one of the most beautiful walks in the world “HUAYHUASH” where you will discover and enjoy the snow-capped mountains like the 6617-meter Yerupaja, the highest of this mountain range.
It is one of the shorter circuits that connects Huaraz with the town of La Union and Queropalca, the starting point of the tour and returning through the town of Llamac and Chiquian.
Hospitable people, wonderful mountains, crystal clear lagoons, deep valleys and rich wildlife are prizes for those who venture to do this circuit.
Note:
- We recommend 2 to 3 days of acclimatization. ¡This will allow you to fully Discover and Enjoy this beautiful walk!
- The direction of the itinerary can be reversed according to the availability of the mountain assistants.
- On this route we have options for fewer or more days of walking, please consult.
Itinerary:
Very early in the morning we will pick you up by transport along with all the camping equipment, food, guide and cook to head south, passing through the typical villages of Recuay and Ticapampa. On the way we will make some stops to observe the “Andean Sunrise” in the Conococha Lagoon and its various fauna, in the viewpoint of the Cordillera Blanca and in the town of Conococha. After walking a little and taking many photos, we will continue the trip observing some snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash, a local cattle ranch and much more. After 4 to 5 hours of travel we will arrive at the town of La Union where we will make a short stop, then we will take a detour to the South West along a confirmed road. On the way we will stop to visit one of the impressive DRUMS of the Incas “Huanucopampa “, After a guided visit and eating an Andean lunch we will continue the trip passing through the towns of Jivia, Huarin, Baños and finally arriving at the town of Queropalca where our muleteer will be waiting to install our camping equipment, and then spend the night.
Walking time: 2 to 3 hours in total.
Travel time by car: 8 to 9 hours.
Approximate difference in altitude: 850 m. going up
After breakfast we will start the walk under the guidance of our guide, we will slowly climb the Carhua Valley while enjoying the scenery and the typical housing huts. After 4 to 5 hours of walking we will arrive at the wonderful Carhuacocha lagoon surrounded and decorated by many impressive snow-capped mountains.
In the afternoon, we will take a short walk next to the lagoon and continue appreciating this magical place.
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours in total.
Approximate difference in altitude: 238 m. going up.
This day is one of our most impressive and beautiful days because we will walk in front of the majestic snowy Yerupaja, the highest in this mountain range, next to 3 beautiful lagoons (Ganracocha, Siula and Quesillo) and you will be able to enjoy the panoramic view of many snowy mountains and lagoons. This is one of our ALTERNATE routes.
We will start walking on a flat path next to the lagoon, then we will start to climb little by little until we reach the 3 lagoons. After the photos we will continue with a more intense ascent towards the viewpoint and the Siula pass. After enjoying these wonderful places and lunch we will all return to our camp where our cook will be waiting with a delicious hot meal.
Walking time: 7 to 8 hours in total.
After breakfast we will start walking along the lagoon and in a few minutes our guide will lead us on our next ALTERNATE route, we will leave the classic path to turn a little to the West and travel along a barely visible path close to the snowy mountains which allows us to reach the beautiful Alcaycocha Lagoon and a spectacular viewpoint. After resting and taking dozens of photos we will continue towards the high point that has a unique view of the snowy mountains such as Hirishanca, Yerupaja, Ninashanca, Rondoy and others.
After enjoying this wonderful place, we will begin to descend. On the way we will be surprised by the beautiful Mitucocha lagoon, seen from the upper angle, this is a unique view that can be achieved of this lagoon and the landscape in general, we will stay there as long as necessary and then we will continue with our walk down to the camp located at the base of some Mitucocha.
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours in total.
Approximate difference in altitude: 612 m. rise and 520 m. down.
After a rest and a tasty breakfast we will start walking towards the Mitucocha Lagoon and upon reaching the lagoon we will begin to ascend to our next ALTERNATE route to the Ninacocha Lagoon, located at the foot of the Hirishanca and Ninashanca mountains. This place offers a wonderful view, after resting at the lagoon and taking many photos we will continue with the walk downhill to the classic path that goes towards the Cacanan pass. After lunch and staying the appropriate time in the pass we will continue our adventure going down to the Matacancha camp.
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours in total.
Approximate difference in altitude: 470 m. rise and 600 m. down.
After breakfast we will start to descend to the Rondoy Valley. When we reach the base of the valley, we will begin to climb towards the Rondoy pass, this place offers a spectacular view of both Rondoy and Jahuacocha Gorges. After lunch we will continue on another of our ALTERNATE routes heading towards the view of Minapata that allows us to obtain a panoramic and spectacular view of the valley, lagoons, rivers and its impressive snow-capped mountains such as Rasac, Huacrish, Diablo Mudo, Yerupaja, Rondoy and others. We will then continue down to the camp where our cook will be waiting with a hot drink.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours in total.
Approximate difference in altitude: 650 m. climb and 684 m. down.
This day we have two options:
Hike to the next ALTERNATE route, an impressive viewpoint called Rasac. We start only with the attack backpack. Today our camp will not move. We will go into the Huacrish Valley, visiting the Sacred Lagoon and its Andean geese, then we turn towards the impressive Rasac pass, that has a spectacular 360-degree view of the valleys, lagoons and impressive snow-capped mountains such as the Diablo Mudo, Sacra, Rasac, Yerupaja, Hirishinca and many others. After many photos we will begin to descend to the opening of the Barrosococha, Solterococha and Jahuacocha Lagoons where we will spend the last night of this expedition.
. After a Short walk to the Solterococha lagoon, fishing and relaxing at the river and lagoon.
Walking time: 7 to 8 hours in total.
Approximate difference in altitude: 934 m. climb and 934 m. down.
“As everything in life ends, our adventure in Huayhuash has also ended.” After breakfast we will start walking descend and then a short ascent to the Pampa Llamac pass that allows us to take the last look at the majestic Huayhuash Mountain Range. After taking the last photos we will continue down to the town of Llamac where we will take transport to return to Huaraz, arrival time approximately 5:00 pm
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours in total.
Approximate difference in altitude: 234 m. rise and 1000 m. down.
Services:
Our programs included:
- Pick up from the bus station.
- Day hike for acclimatization around of Huaraz.
- Transport to and from Huaraz.
- Guide.
- Cook
- All meals during the expedition: 05 meals. Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, tea (hot chocolate, pop corn, salad of avocado) and Dinner. Coca tea every day in the morning to wake up. “Hot wine the last night”
- Hot water for washing.
- Basic first aid kit.
- Donkeys, Muleteers.
- Camping Equipment: Cooking tent, Dinner tent, Toilet Tent. Sleeping tent (3 people tent for 2 clients Sierra designs, Eureka). 02 sleeping mats per person (inflatable and classic mattress). Table, chairs, Stove, gas, and all kitchen utensils.
- Pisco sour and souvenirs for celebrate your expedition.
- Banner with your name and of the trek.
Fees not included:
- Huayhuash Mountain range $ 78.00
- Return from our tour before the arranged date: transport, food and possible accommodation costs (also for staff).
- Sleeping bag.
- Breakfast on the first day.
- Dinner on the last night.
- Copy of passport or original.
- Sleeping bag. (If you do not have one, we have a savannah included for rent for $ 6.00)
- Sunscreen and lip balm.
- Water bottle (01 bottle of 02 liters or 02 bottles of 1 liter each).
- One-liter water purifier (Micropur or other). Please bring from your country because in Huaraz they are not to be found.
- Insect repellent.
- Walking sticks (if you did not bring one, we have for rent, 10 soles per day, per pair)
- Flashlight: front or handheld plus extra battery.
- Sunglasses.
- The entrance to the park, per person: S/ –. soles for the complete 10-day Huayuash Circuit.
- Personal clothing: Waterproof jacket and pants, Wool sweater and pants, Gloves, wool hat, Warm socks
- Small towel, soap, toothpaste, brush and others.
- Down and fleece jacket.
- Toilet paper,
- Hat / cap for the cold.
- Waterproof hiking shoes.
- Large suitcase to share (to be transported by donkeys, if You do not have one, do not worry we will provide one for you).
- Personal backpack.
- Personal kit, on each expedition we will carry one, but we suggest you bring a personal medical kit, with, Medications, prescribed by your doctor, and knee pads, For blisters, bandages and other medicines for general discomfort.
For the walk in Huayhuash take an extra battery and a bathing suit, in Viconga there is a pool with hot water, that comes from the ground where you can also wash your clothes.