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Preparation
Peru: Huayhuash Trek
On this page: Overview | Itinerary | Pricing
Overview
The Cordillera Huayhuash is an extension of the Cordillera Blanca, located in the northern Peruvian Andes. It lies southeast of Huaraz and boasts spectacular snow - covered rocky peaks that rise like natures teeth to the sky. With new access roads into what is considered the most beautiful mountain scenery of Peru, we have developed this trek into the heart of the mountain range. It offers a new opportunity for those who do not wish to do the longer, classic traditional routes. A pre-requisite, however, is to be well acclimatized since we climb fast!
- Itinerary: Day 1: Huaraz/Chavin; Day 2: Chavin/Huanuco Pampa; Day 3: Queropallca/Carhuacocha; Day 4: Carhuacocha/Mitucocha; Day 5: Mitucocha/Rondoy; Day 6: Rondoy/Jahuacocha; Day 7 Jahuacocha/Llamac/Huaraz
- Duration: 7 days / 7 nights
- Season: Available year around. Best time to hike is March - November.
Groups to Join
- Every Sunday (Minimum 2 persons; single travelers contact us to see if there is a group you can join).
Itinerary
Day 1 HUARAZ / CHAVIN
Drive to the ruins of Chavin; located on the eastern slope of the Andes. It is the oldest pre Inca site of the Chavin - Kotosh culture which has interesting structures and stone carvings, dinner on your own and hotel overnight at Konchucos Tambo lodge in San Marcos (2,960 m / 9,711 ft).
Day 2 CHAVIN / HUANUCO PAMPA
A five hour drive on a paved road leaving San Marcos to Antamina mine brings you over a paved road to Huansala and to the detour to La Union in the department of Huanuco, picnic lunch on the way. From here a half hour drive to Huanuco Pampa, situated on a grand plateau enables us to visit this Inca city, one of the major settlements of the Incas outside of Cusco on the main Inca Road that leads from Quito, Ecuador to Bolivia and beyond.
Day 3 QUEROPALCA / CARHUACOCHA
After a three hour drive through Rondos and Baños we arrive at the trailhead at Queropalca. A half day hike will bring us to the foot of Lake Carhuacocha, a beautiful location. On a calm day the snow-capped peaks of Jirishanca and Yerupaja are reflected in the water. Camp on the shores of the Lake. (Distance: 12km Time: 5-6 hours).
Day 4 CARHUACOCHA / MITUCOCHA
Leaving our campsite behind we hike over another pass at 4,620m (15,157ft) with great views of the surrounding area. Once over the Punta Carhuacocha Pass we come into view of Lake Mitucocha and again in the background Mt. Yerupaja, Rondoy and Ninashanca from the backdrop of our hike. Lunch on route or in the camp. We arrive in the early afternoon with a chance to walk around the lake and get closer views of the mountain. Overnight and camp at Mitucocha. (Distance: 12 km, Time : 5 hours).
Day 5 MITUCOCHA / RONDOY
Leaving our camp we head towards Cacanampunta Pass at 4, 700m (15,420ft). The winding trail to the pass and the aquarium divortium descends on the other side back to camp below until Cuartelwain where we have lunch. Continue over to Rondoy. (Distance: 14Km Time: 6-7 hours).
Day 6 RONDOY / JAHUACOCHA
We ascend through the Rondoy valley towards Sambuya pass at 4750 m (15,583ft) from where we can see the snow-capped peaks of Ninashanca, Rondoy, Jirishanca, Yerupaja, Rasac and Solteracocha. Then we descend towards to Lake Jahuacocha, camp 4000 m (13,120ft) near the lake, below a beautiful cirque. (Distance: 11km Time: 7 hours).
Day 7 JAHUACOCHA / LLAMAC / HUARAZ
We head out the valley leaving this snow - capped range behind, a unique view into the prickly peaks of this granitic and basaltic intrusion. The valley narrows and we head over a ridge to the west to the Llamac Pass, descending on a winding trail to the village of the same name where we will be met by a vehicle and driven to Huaraz. Transfer to your hotel, dinner on your own. Overnight Huaraz (Distance: 14 km, Time: 5-6 hours).
Pricing
2008 Prices:
| # In Group | 2 | 3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | 10-12 | Join Group | Single Supplement |
| Price per Person | $1,415 | $1,195 | $1,075 | $865 | $725 | $890 | $40 |
2009 Prices:
| # In Group | 2 | 3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | 10-12 | Join Group | Single Supplement |
| Price per Person | Available upon request | Available upon request | Available upon request | Available upon request | Available upon request | $945 | $90 |
SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of trek, overnights at Konchucos Tambo Lodge on Day 1, hostel/camp near Huanuco Pampa on Day 2; two-man tents including sleeping pads, pack animals, kitchen crew and commissary gear, all meals, portable toilet, bilingual guide, who will handle the first aid kit.
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Hotel in Huaraz before and after the trek, meals in the cities, alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service, additional tours, insurance, internet, international airfares, domestic airfares or bus to Huaraz,, sleeping bags, hiking boots and other personal gear.