|
|
 |
| |
Trip Duration 12 days (including 11-day trek)
Trip Type Trekking Adventure
Grading Moderate to Challenging
Starting Point of Trek Matacancha
Finishing Point of Trek Llamac
Highest Point Cerro Gran Vista 5152m
Distance Approx. 165km
|
|
|
The Cordillera Huayhuash is a mere 30km long, but it is packed with stunning lakes, cascading glaciers and towering, fluted peaks over 6000m. These include Yerupaja (6634m), the world’s second highest tropical mountain, and Siula Grande (6356m), made famous by Joe Simpson and Simon Yates in the award winning book and film ‘Touching the Void’.
Situated to the south of the well-known Cordillera Blanca, this small and compact mountain range features a dense collection of unspoiled, trout-stocked lakes in shades of azure, emerald and turquoise; glacier-clad peaks that rival any in the Himalayas; and idyllic alpine meadows perfect for camping.
The full circuit trek through this remote and pristine range is considered by many as one of the most spectacular in the world.
|
|
|
|
|
"When I sighted the snow-covered peaks as we rounded the valley far above the village of Huayllapa I registered only pleasant surprise to see old friends again. The ice-sheathed peaks of Rasac and Yerupaja dominated the head of the valley. My reaction was one of interest rather than foreboding. I had forgotten how beautiful these mountains were and realised whith a start that despite twenty years of climbing mountains all over the world the Cordillera Huayhuash was still the most beautiful mountain range I have ever laid my eyes upon. It made me smile."
Joe Simpson, Touching the Void
|
|
| |
|
|
DAY 1 Drive to Matacancha (4170m), via Huallanca Village and Cuncush Pass (4750m).
Approx. 7 hours driving
DAY 2 Trek to Mitucocha (4240m), via Cacanan Pass (4700m).
Approx .6 hours trekking
DAY 3 Trek to Carhuacocha Lake (4150m), via Carhuac Pass (4630m).
Approx 6. hours trekking
DAY 4 Trek to Huayhuash (4350m), via Siula Pass (4830m).
Approx. 8 hours trekking
DAY 5 Trek to Viconga (4360m), via Portachuelo Pass (4770m). Option to go to the hot springs in the afternoon.
Approx. 6 hours trekking
DAY 6 Trek to Pampa Cuyoc (4320m), via Cuyoc Pass (5000m).
Approx. 5 hours trekking
DAY 7 Trek to Cutatambo (4270m), via Jurau Pass (5060m) and Lake Jurau (4370m).
Approx. 6 hours trekking
DAY 8 "Rest Day" in Cutatambo (4270m). Hike to Lake Sarapococha (4620m) and Cerro Gran Vista (5152m).
Approx. 8 hours trekking
DAY 9 Trek to Huatiac (4300m), via Calinca Valley and Huayllapa Village (3500m).
Approx. 8 hours trekking
DAY 10 Trek to Jahuacocha Lake (4060m), via Tapush Pass (4790m), Yaucha Pass (4850m) and Cerro Huacrish.
Approx. 8 hours trekking
DAY 11 "Rest Day" at Jahuacocha Lake (4060m).
Hike to Sambunya Pass (4750m) via Lake Solteracocha (approx. 7 hours trekking).
DAY 12 Trek to Llamac Village (3240m), via Pampa Llamac Pass (4270m). Drive to Huaraz, via Chiquian.
Approx. 5 hours trekking, 5 hours driving |
| |
|
Please note that there are many possible itineraries for the full circuit Huayhuash trek, lasting anything from 8 to 14 days, some much more challenging than others.
The most frequent open group departures, however, are for the 10, 11 or 12-day treks.
Have a look at the map below to see the different possibilities: the 12-day itinerary, as described above, is marked in red; the 11-day alternative itinerary, which is the most challenging, is marked in pink; and the 10-day standard itinerary, which is the easiest, is marked in yellow.
These itineraries include some “rest days”, which can be used to indeed rest, but for those willing to explore more of the range, some hiking is planned, often to the most beautiful parts of the range. Those “rest days” can in fact end up being some of the longest, most challenging days. If you wish to somehow shorten the itinerary, then you can simply take off some of the rest days.
On day 2 and 3, it is possible to take alternative trails, demanding a greater level of fitness as they cross higher passes, are longer and go on rockier, steeper terrain. We cannot guarantee in advance that you will be able to go on these trails, simply because we cannot assess each participant’s level of fitness and adaptation to the altitude while at the office, but while on trek the guide will assess the situation and offer to use the alternative trails if he feels it suitable for the group. Of course bear in mind that given that those trails are during the first days of the trek, some participants could still be adjusting to the altitude and it is not wise for them to overexert themselves right from the beginning.
It is also possible to add to any of the itineraries the ascent of a peak - such as Diablo Mudo or Pumarinri, which are non-technical ascents - but this of course requires more days and can generally only be organised as a private service, because the open group departures are mostly for standard treks only.
If you are interested in an itinerary that is different to the 12-day itinerary described above, please contact us, so that we can send you the required itinerary. We can also custom make an itinerary according to your preferences.
 |
|
|
|
