In recent years the Cordillera Huayhuash has been “discovered” by avid hikers and is becoming known to be one of the most spectacular trekking circuits in the world
The full circuit treks circumnavigating around the compact Huayhuash mountain range offer true high altitude trekking with several days spent over 4000m (13100ft) , multiple high passes to cross – some up to 5000m (16400ft) with long climbs to the top of the pass followed by long descents back down
Every day on these treks, hikers are treated to awesome views of towering snow-capped peaks, glaciers and turquoise blue trout-filled lakes
All the full circuit Huayhuash treks should be considered to be hard to very hard hiking. There are some demanding days of hiking and the length of the treks and the number of high passes together with up to two weeks of being continuously at altitudes above 4000m warrants a grade of Hard. You do need to have a good level of fitness and be comfortable with hiking a sustained uphill climb of up to three hours, and be able to manage prolonged descents from passes, with some short sections on loose & uneven ground. Trails are not formed paths and are not maintained, they are dirt trails also used by animals and are uneven underfoot
Some of the highlights around Cordillera Huayhuash full circuit treks are:
There are various options for full circuit treks – some taking slightly different routes via an alternative valley or pass.
- Laguna Carhuacocha – overlooked by Yerupajá mountain and glacier – the second highest mountain in Peru
- Siula Lakes – 3 stunningly beautiful glacier fed lakes – all a different colour of sparkling blue to green
- Viconga Thermal baths – enjoy a hot soak in outdoor thermal baths near Lake Viconga
- Cerro San Antonio & Santa Rosa Pass – a 5000m / 16404ft alpine crossing with stunning views to Siula Grande & Lake Jurau
- Visit to Siula Base Camp (Joe Simpson “Touching the Void) and option to climb up Cerro Gran Vista (15 day trek)
- Laguna Jahuacocha – said by some to be the most beautiful campsite in the Huayhuash.
- Trapecio Pass – a remote alpine pass at 5050m / 16568ft (9 or 10 day trek)
Flexible Trek Routes
The trek descriptions & routes listed below are just some of the Full Circuit Cordillera Huayhuash trek options and are the options that clients often ask information for. There are many other route variations for full circuit treks from 8 days to more than 15 days and anything in between. Just let us know how many days you would like to be trekking, how difficult you think you would like the hiking to be and if there are any particular places, lakes, passes, valleys that you would like to include in your trek and we can work with you to develop an itinerary that you will be happy with and enjoy.
“Rest” Days / or Day Hike
Many of the longer treks include “rest” days – an extra night spent at the same campsite. These “rest days” are included to give you an opportunity to take a break from the continuous high altitude hiking, enjoy a late start with not rising early to get ready & pack to depart every morning, read a book, and enjoy delicious hot lunch at camp. It is however OPTIONAL whether you treat the day as a rest day OR you can go hiking for the day. All the campsites for the rest days have been chosen for the stunning location they are at and all have options for beautiful full day or half day hikes. You can decide at camp whether you would like to go hiking for the day or relax, take a rest and explore around the camp. The rest days are also included to give the trek donkeys a well-earned break from carrying equipment and spend a day on the hills resting and eating grass.
15 DAY CIRCUIT – SIULA BASE CAMP TREK
Duration: 15 days
Grade: Hard
Highest Point: 5017m / 16560ft
No. High Passes: 9
Starts From: Llamac
No. Rest Days: 3
Features:
- Siula Lakes & Siula Pass
- Viconga Thermal Baths
- Cuyoc Pass
- Cerro San Antonio / Santa Rosa Pass
- Siula Base Camp & Cerro Gran Vista
Acclimatisation Recommended: 2 days
12 DAY CIRCUIT – VICONGA THERMAL BATHS / CUYOC PASS
Duration: 12 days
Grade: Hard
Highest Point: 5017m / 16560ft
No. High Passes: 8
Starts From: Llamac
No. Rest Days: 2
Features:
- Siula Lakes
- Siula Pass option
- Viconga Thermal Baths
- Cuyoc Pass
- Can be 10 or 11 days
Acclimatisation Recommended: 2 days
9 DAY CIRCUIT – VICONGA THERMAL BATHS / CUYOC PASS
Duration: 9 days
Grade: Very hard
Highest Point: 5017m / 16560ft
No. High Passes: 8
Starts From: Quartelhuain
No. Rest Days: 0
Features:
- Siula Pass option
- Viconga Thermal Baths
- Cuyoc Pass
- 9 days continuous hiking
- Very good fitness & acclimatisation required
Acclimatisation Recommended: 3 days
8 or 9 DAY CIRCUIT – TRAPECIO PASS
Duration: 8 or 9 days
Grade: Very hard
Highest Point: 5050m / 16568ft
No. High Passes: 7
Starts From: Quartelhuain
No. Rest Days: 0 or 1
Features:
- Siula Pass & Siula Lakes option
- Trapecio Pass
- 8 days continuous hiking
- 9 day option with a rest day
- Very good fitness & acclimatisation required
Acclimatisation Recommended: 3 days
10 DAY CIRCUIT – all the ALPINE PASSES
Duration: 10 days
Grade: Very hard
Highest Point: 5050m / 16568ft
No. High Passes: 8
Starts From: Quartelhuain
No. Rest Days: 1
Features:
- Siula Pass & Siula Lakes
- Trapecio Pass
- Cerro San Antonio / Santa Rosa Pass
- Siula Base Camp & Cerro Gran Vista
- Very good fitness & acclimatisation required
Acclimatisation Recommended: 3 days
“TAILOR MADE” FULL CIRCUIT HUAYHUASH TREKS
Any routes from 8 days to 15 or more days. Just ask us
10 or 11 DAY CIRCUIT – VICONGA THERMAL BATHS
The same circuit as the 12 day trek
- Start from Llamac or Quartelhuain
- Omit one or both of the rest / extra days to make a 10 or 11 day trek
- Check the description for 12 day trek then contact us for information on a 10 or 11 day hike
CLIMB DIABLO MUDO
Optional climb of a non-technical snow peak during the Huayhuash trek. Trek with climb can be from 10 to 15 days – Just ask us
Trek Duration
Is the actual number of days out on trek – from departing Huaraz to returning to Huaraz. Travel days and acclimatisation days are extra
Grading
We have graded the treks as being hard to very hard based on comments received from previous clients. The high altitude makes the hiking seem harder to some people, while others may have acclimatised to the altitude faster and they can consider the hiking to be less physically demanding. These treks are long in duration which means you are several days hiking and sleeping at high altitude and the cumulative effect of being so many days up high can be tiring on the body. A grading of hard does not necessarily mean you will find the hiking to be tough – our guides always go slowly, make sure you have plenty of rest breaks and will adjust the pace to suit how you are feeling.
See our Cordillera Huayhuash Treks page for more information on trek grading and fitness
Prices & Booking Conditions
For more Huayhuash Trek information, prices, advice and personalised advice
