Circuit of the Cordillera Huayhuash

The Circuit of the Cordillera Huayhuash has been nominated in several guidebooks as being one of the classic trekking circuits of the world.

The Huayhuash is a compact, rugged range, and includes the second highest peak in Peru, Yerupajá Grande - 6634m. Every day on the trek hikers are treated to awesome views of towering snow capped peaks, glaciers and blue trout-filled lakes. There are 8 passes to cross on this spectacular trek, the highest at 5000m.

Our 15-day trek features a visit to the Base Camp of Siula Grande, made famous by the epic Joe Simpson book and film “Touching The Void”.

There are some demanding days of hiking on this trek and the length of the trek and the number of high passes warrants a grade of Hard. You do need to have at least an average level of fitness and be comfortable with hiking a sustained uphill of two to three hours and be able to manage prolonged descents down from the passes, with some short sections of loose ground..

This trek is an ideal introduction to those seeking to undertake a proper expedition, using pack mules, porters and local experts, Imp Adventures aims to give you an experience that will remain in your thoughts and dreams long after your return to the UK.

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Trip Information

Dates & Prices: View Prices
Price Rate: £1500
Charity Rate: £3000
Grading: D (more info)
No of People: 8

​Book Trip

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Itinerary

• Day A – Depart UK
• Day B – Arrive Lima, Peru and transfer to City Centre Hotel.
• Day C – Coach transfer to Huaraz. (3090m)

Acclimatisation walks

We recommend 3 days of day hikes for acclimatization for this program. This trek has a tough start. Our second camp on trek is at a height of 4300m with an altitude gain of 1400m in one day; followed by a tough day where we cross 2 high passes. Three days of day hikes to altitudes of up to 4440m will help to ensure that you are well acclimatized and fit and will have maximum

• Day D – Huaraz. Acclimatisation hike (Macashca Hills or an easier start with the Cordillera Negra?)
• Day E – Huaraz. Acclimatisation hike (Maybe Laguna 69 & Llanganuco in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca)

• Day 1 – Drive to the village of Llamac and set up our first camp (3300m). 4 to 5 hours drive. We camp near the village football field and can spend the afternoon watching the local kids playing football!
• Day 2 – Walk gradually up the valley, following the Rio Llamac, passing through the villages of Pocpa and Pallca. In 2005 a new road between Llamac and Quartelhuain was completed. For much of the way we follow the road, but it is not a very often-used road and the scenery is so interesting & beautiful that we do not notice the road very much. Today is a relaxing hike with no steep uphill and it is a valuable extra acclimatisation day before we cross our first pass tomorrow. Pallca village the way opens up into a wide grassy valley with rolling hills. Camp at Quartelhuain (4200m) 6 to 7 hours walking.
• Day 3 – In the morning we cross our first pass Punta Cacanan (4700m) then descend to our camp at the beautiful lake Laguna Mitucocha (4220m). 6 hours. From our camp we have close views of the huge peaks Ronday, Jirishanca, Ninashanca

• Day 4 – We cross the pass Paso de Carhuac (4650m) then descend to our camp at the large lake Laguna Carhuacocha (4150m) 6 hours. From our camp we look directly up the lake to the peaks and ice fields of the famous Siula Grande (“Touching the Void”) and the twin peaks of Yerupajá, the second highest mountain in Peru.

  If the weather is good and you are feeling strong, we can take an alternative and more demanding route via a 4800m pass, with great close views of Jirishanca Chica and passing by a beautiful deep blue high lake. There is not a track to follow on the alternative route and there is a short section of rock scrambling, so we only use this route for very fit and experienced trekkers.

• Day 5 – We stay an extra night to enjoy our spectacular surroundings at Carhuacocha. Take a half-day hike around the lake, or a day hike up to the three glacial fed lakes at the base of Siula Grande or have a rest day. Catch trout for dinner!!

• Day 6 – We cross the pass Carnicero (4600m), which is not difficult, climb although we will still feel the altitude, and make an easy descent to camp either at isolated Laguna Carnicero 4300m (also called Juraucocha) or 30 minutes walk further on to another camp in the open valley of Huayhuash (4330m). 5 to 6 hours

  Weather permitting, we can take the alternative more demanding route, which climbs to a 4800m pass, crossing above the glacier fed lakes of Siula and Quesillococha. The views of the mountains and glaciers from here are very close and spectacular, and often we see ice floating in the lakes coming from avalanches off the glaciers. 7 to 8 hours

• Day 7 – We climb to the pass Portachuelo de Huayhuash (4750m) from where you look across to the Cordillera Raura and the snow-topped peak Leon Huacanan. We skirt around the large lake Laguna Viconga before walking up the valley ½ hour to set up camp (4480m) 6½ hours. There are some hot springs near Viconga – maybe have a hot bath!
• Day 8 – Today we cross our highest pass Punta Cuyoc with a sustained uphill hike of 2 to 3 hours to a breath taking 5000m. The initial 50m of the descent is quite steep and then it is easier and we continue descending quickly to the valley Quebrada Huanacpatay where we stop for lunch. We then have a relaxing and easy hike down the valley to our camp (4300m) 5 hours
• Day 9 – We climb to a pass on Cerro Antonio. This is a demanding day with some steep hiking, but by now you should be well acclimatised and feeling strong at altitude. In 2 hours we are on the top of the pass at 4800m, with fantastic views of the all Huayhuash giant mountains and the 3 lakes of Sarapococha, Santa Rosa & Juarau. We can see the Siula Glacier where Joe Simpson crawled down in his epic battle for survival, and we see Siula Base Camp quite clearly in the distance. The descent is initially steep but safe on scree for a around 100m, then we follow a cattle trail winding down to Lake Jaurau and then finally to camp in the Quebrada Calina at Cutatambo (4100m) 5 to 6 hours
• Day 10 – We can walk past the base camp of Siula Grande (Joe Simpson – "Touching The Void") to visit the glacial lakes of Sarapocha and Santa Rosa. Then return back to camp for lunch and a relaxing afternoon.
• Day 11 – We walk back down Quebrada Calinca before turning off just before the village of Huayllapa. We then climb steadily in the afternoon about 2 to 2½ hours to our campsite high up in the flat pasture of Huatiac (4350m) 7 hours
• Day 12 – An easier day, we cross the Pass Punta Tapush 4750m, then pass by Laguna Susucocha before reaching our flat campsite at Cashpapampa (4500m) 3 to 4 hours. From the top of the pass there is an option to climb about another 100m and take a different route into camp.
• Day 13 – During our moderate trek to our next camp the peaks of Rondoy, Jirishanca, Erupajá, Rasac and Sacra come into view. We camp at the beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha (4150m) 4 hours
• Day 14 – We stay at Jahuacocha. Rest Day and maybe try trout fishing? We can take an optional day hike up to Laguna Solteracocha (4120m) and then further to Sambuya Pass at the base of Rondoy Mountain (4750m). Or if you want a demanding hike we can climb up Cerro Amarrillo Peak 5000m for views over the whole Huayhuash range and down into Quartelhuain where we were the first day of trekking. This is a tough day hike and on the top you walk along an exposed ridge for a short way, and there is a short part of the descent on shingle scree but it is worth the effort for the breathtaking views.
• Day 15 – An early start. We leave early, starting with a gradual climb to our final pass Pampa Llamac (4300m) from where we have our final views of the Huayhuash range. Then it is a long descent back to Llamac. 5½ hours. In Llamac the bus will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz for long awaited hot showers!!
• Day 16 – Transfer to Lima, City Centre hotel.
• Day 17 – Flight to UK.
• Day 18 – Arrive UK.

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What's Included

• Professional leadership by an 'International Mountain Leader' throughout.
• Dedicated transport to and from Lima Airport and throughout the trek as required.
• A local trek guide (mandatory in the park).
• All accommodation throughout. (A mixture of tents and guesthouses)
• Breakfasts throughout and all meals when on the Trek.
• All camping equipment (less sleeping bags)

Not included

• International and domestic flights.
• Lunches and Dinners when not trekking.
• Insurance, drinks, gratuities.
• Clothing and Equipment (less tents and catering items)

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Other Information

Accommodation

Our Accommodation will be in a private guesthouse and when on the trek in shared tents. All catering will be provided whilst trekking and will be on a B & B basis whilst in the guesthouse.

Equipment

All camping equipment will be provided and any technical equipment that may be required. Participants will be required to supply their own sleeping bags and cold weather clothing. A full clothing and equipment list will be sent out on booking.

Transport

Transport from Lima Airport and throughout the trek will be by private coach, during the trekking phase mules will be utilised to carry all team and individual clothing and equipment. Participants will be required to carry a small rucksack during trekking.

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