Trek Itinerary
Day One - Entering the Huayhuash
Today we will have a briefing for you to make sure everything is ready and that you're happy with your equipment before we head off to Llamac, the gateway to the Cordillera Huayhuash. You will spend the night here as it's an early start tomorrow.
Day Two - The trek begins
Early this morning we'll take a local bus along the valley to Quartelhuain from where we begin our trek. From here we will climb up to the first pass, Catananpunta at 4690m. From here the rest of the first day is pretty straightforward as we descend to our campsite at the stunning Laguna Mitacocha, where we will spend the night.
Day Three - Mitacocha to Carhuacocha
A fairly relaxing day today as we havea gentle climb up to the Carhuac pass (4640m) before heading back down to Carhuacocha where we will spend the night. From our campsite we will have great views of some of the famous peaks in the Huayhuash such as Jirishanca (6094m), Yerupaja (6617m) and Yerupaja Chico (6089m).
Day Four - Up to Huayhuash
A tougher day today as you head along unmarked trails to see one of the wonders of Peru in the three lagoons of the Gangrajanca valley. Each is a glacial lake and each has a unique colour ranging from ice-blue to a milky turquoise, caused by the different minerals brought down from the slopes below. You'll stop for lunch overlooking the lagoons before you begin one of the tougher segments of the trek as you climb up to the Siula Punta at 4864m and then down and up again to Punta Carnicero at 4600m. You'll then have a well-earned night's rest near the hamlet of Huayhuash.
Day Five - Mirador de San Antonio
Today is definitely a toughie as it has two high passes in one and then an optional detour up to the Mirador de San Antonio - a spectacular viewpoint which is one of the high spots of hiking in Peru. With some good hiking, the two passes (4785m and 4950m) should be over before lunch so you then have an easy afternoon heading down the Huanacpatay valley before you decide whether to add on the steep 2-hr climb up to the mirador...
Day Six - Incahuain
There is a long but easy morning walking along the valley to Huayllapa where you and your cook can purchase new supplies (including beer!) before you begin a steady climb up to your campsite at Incahuain. You should arrive in the early afternoon so you'll be able to relax before a fairly tough day tomorrow.
Day Seven - Just two more passes
There is a long but easy morning walking along the valley to Huayllapa where you and your cook can purchase new supplies (including beer!) before you begin a steady climb up to your campsite at Incahuain. You should arrive in the early afternoon so you'll be able to relax before a fairly tough day tomorrow.
Day Eight - The end of the trek
A very early start this morning as we need to be in the town of Pocpa in time to get the bus out of the Huayhuash. It will mean an hour's hiking in the dark and then there's a steep climb up to Punta Mancan (4575m) before you begin the descent to Pocpa where you can relax knowing all your exertions are over! From here we will take you by bus back to Huaraz for you to enjoy a well-earned meal out in one of the town's great restaurants - we'll recommend a couple if you like!
Prices
This trek can fit into any of our tailormade Peru holidays and the price of £850pp includes the following:
- Top-class trekking equipment, including tents, cooking equipment, sleeping bags and sleeping mats
- All transfers to/from Huaraz
- The services of a guide, arriero and mules/horses for the duration of the trek
- All meals on the trek