TREKS IN PERU- PROGRAMS OF OUR PARTNER

Start: daily, best time of the year May - September
Duration: 18 days/ 17 nights
Grade: hard
Min. participants: 1 person

The Circuit of the Cordillera Huayhuash is 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 snowcapped peaks, glaciers and blue trout-filled lakes. There are no less than 8 passes to cross, 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"
Although not difficult, the length of the trek and the number of high passes warrants a grade of Hard.

Day 1: Arrival in Huaraz (3090m).

Day 2 & 3: Acclimatization day hikes in Huaraz.

Day 4: Drive to the village of Llamac and set up our first camp (3300m). 4 to5 hours drive. We camp near the village football field and can spend the afternoon watching the local kids playing football!

Day 5: Walk 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 that we do not notice the road very much. After Pallca the way opens up into a wide grassy valley with rolling hills. You are going to reach the Camp at Quartelhuain (4200m) in 6 to 7 hours.

Day 6: 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 7: We cross the pass Paso de Carhuac (4650m) then descend to our camp at the big lake Laguna Carhuacocha (4150m) 6 hours. From our camp we look directly up the lake to the peaks and ice fields of Siula and the two peaks of Yerupajá. 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 8: Rest Day at Laguna Carhuacocha, take a half day hike around the lake, or visit Siula Lake. Catch trout for dinner!!

Day 9: We cross the pass Carnicero (4600m) that is not difficult, and make an easy descent to our camp at isolated Laguna Carnicero 4300m (also called Juraucocha). 5 to 6 hours. Weather permitting, we can take an 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 hiking today.

Day 10: 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 11: We cross our highest pass Punta Cuyoc (5000m) then descend to the valley Quebrada Huanacpatay where we have an easy walk to our camp (4300m) for 4½ hours.

Day 12: We climb to a pass on Cerro Antonio. The first ½ hour is quite steep, and then it is easier. 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 and 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 down through the lupins to camp in the Quebrada Calina at Cutatambo (4100m) 5 hours of hike today.

Day 13: 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, and see where Joe Simpson crawled through the moraine during his incredible survival epic. Then traverse around to Laguna Jurau, before dropping back down to camp for lunch. ½ day hike.

Day 14: 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 of hike in total today.

Day 15: 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 16: We cross another high pass, Punta Yaucha (4800m). During the descent the peaks of Rondoy, Jirishanca, Arapaho, Rasa and Sacra come into view. Camp at the beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha (4150m) 4 hours of hiking.

Day 17: Climb up Cerro Amarrillo Peak 5000m for views over the whole Huayhuash range and down into Quartelhuain where we were on day 5 (6 to 7 hours). On the top you walk along an exposed ridge for a short way, but it is worth the effort for the breathtaking views. Or you make like an easier walk to visit Soltera Cocha Lake, OR take a rest and try trout fishing.

Day 18: 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. 5 ½ hours. In Llamac the bus will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz for hot showers!!

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