Short Circuit Trek To Laguna Jahuacocha

Time:

4 days

Optional:

Can be 5 days with an extra day at Jahuacocha

Grade:

Moderate to Hard

Highest Point:

4750m / 15584ft

Horse Trek Option Available for a Relaxing Holiday

The Huayhuash is a compact, rugged range of jagged, vertical summits, including the second highest peak in Peru, Yerupajá Grande (6634m), as well as half a dozen other peaks above six thousand metres.

This is a special short trek into Laguna Jahuacocha, one of the most beautiful sites along the Cordillera Huayhuash circuit for those who would enjoy the grandeur of the Cordillera Huayhuash, but do not have time for a longer circuit trek

Note 1

Although the hiking is not technically difficult, the high altitude during the trek warrants a grading of ‘Medium to Hard’. You do need to have a good level of fitness and be comfortable with hiking a sustained uphill stretch up to three hours. You should also be able to manage prolonged descents from the passes. Trails are not formed paths and are not maintained, they are dirt trails also used by animals and are uneven underfoot.

Most trekking options in the Cordillera Huayhuash & Blanca should be considered to be physically demanding owing to the altitude (you are above 4000m for the duration of the treks) and the mountainous nature of the terrain. Trails on this trek are often steep – both ascending and descending and can be slippery & rocky in places. If you do not think you can enjoy this type of trekking, let us know and we can suggest some easier options

Note 2

Walking times are average hiking times. The altitude affects people differently. Some people will be faster than the indicated times and others will be much slower

Note 3

The Cordillera Huayhuash is becoming known to be one of the most beautiful high altitude treks in the world. Although you are trekking through a remote area, you can expect that there will also be several other groups and also independent hikers on the route

Note 4

The Huayhuash trek route is all on community owned farmland. There are small farm houses and some farm animals (cattle, sheep, horses and sometimes alpacas & llamas) all along the trekking route, included surprisingly at the top of the high passes

Note 5

All land along the Cordillera Huayhuash trekking routes is privately owned community farmland (not National Park or Government owned). The local Huayhuash communities allow trekking groups to pass through and camp on their private land and we ask that all hikers respect their goodwill in allowing us to hike in the beautiful Cordillera Huayhuash by leaving no rubbish, taking care of farm animals and respecting the local people that we will meet along the trek route and in campsites. Each community charges access and camping fees for each campsite (included in trek fee). As part of the camping fee they provide toilets in the campsites.

HORSE TREK OPTION: This trek route is suitable for horse riding for those who do not feel they may be able to manage the long climbs up (and down) from the passes but would still like to enjoy the beauty of the Cordillera Huayhuash. Ask us for information & prices

Itinerary

Day A: Arrive Huaraz (3090m / 10138ft)
Day B & C: Acclimatization days in Huaraz (minimum 2 days / 3 nights recommended) with doing day hikes

Huaraz to Quartelhuain via Huallanca Village and afternoon hike

We depart Huaraz at 07:30am initially following the paved highway leading towards the town of La Union. After around 4 ½ hours very scenic drive we come to the village of Huallanca where we turn off the main highway onto a well maintained dirt road. The road climbs to a pass named Cuncush at 4600m / 15092ft where we arrive around 01:00pm. We stop here for lunch and then we start our relaxing afternoon hike. We descend down from the pass following paths flanking the hillside, heading down continuously and stopping often to take in the amazing views and marvel U-shaped grassy valley with rolling hills and flanked by broad expanses of Ichu grass, and we also have our first glimpses of the Huayhuash mountains. We hike down for around 1 ½ to 2 hours to reach our first campsite at Quartelhuain (4200m / 13780ft) at around 3.30pm. The crew will have gone ahead by road & set up the camp, and a delicious afternoon tea will be waiting

To Laguna Jahuacocha via the Rondoy Pass

We make a long traversing ascent to the Rondoy Pass (4750m / 15584ft). This is a hard hike climbing to the top of the pass – with 550m / 1804ft gain in altitude from the campsite to the pass – but we will go slowly and take lots of rest breaks to stop and admire the stunning views.

From the pass we enjoy yet more awesome views of the nearby peaks, the highest Huayhuash peak, Yerupaja (6634m), as well as Rondoy and others, dominating the panorama. The descent from the pass takes us first past a stunning, milky-blue glacial lake, Solteracocha, and then along the shore of the beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha to our picturesque camp at the head of the lake (4150m / 13615ft).

Free day at Laguna Jahuacocha for Rest & Relaxation or a Side Trip

The awesome setting, together with options for side-trips, means we stay an extra day at Laguna Jahuacocha.

We can take a day hike up to the Yaucha Pass 4847m / 15902ft to take a look at the western side of the Cordillera Huayhuash range or head up the Quebrada Rasac valley to the Rasaccocha glacial lake.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a rest day and go fishing for trout! Why not visit the farmhouse just behind our camp and buy a beer to go with your trout?

This short trek and stunning location at Laguna Jahuacocha is a great place to celebrate a special occasion – a special birthday, anniversary or honeymoon. Our crew will make sure that you have a happy time and go home with very special memories.

Walk from Laguna Jahuacocha to Llamac. Drive from Llamac to Huaraz

After an early start and gentle descent for an hour, we start our gradual climb to the final pass, Pampa Llamac (4300m / 14108ft), from where we have our final views of much of the Huayhuash range. Then it is a long descent back to the Llamac valley and the village of Llamac at 3300m / 10827ft.

In Llamac the bus will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz and your hotel for that long-awaited hot shower!! We arrive in Huaraz at about 06:00pm.

Optional Day 5

Stay another day at stunning Laguna Jahuacocha camp to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings or do one of the day hikes options

Hiking Hours & Kms Hiked

Hiking hours are estimated times including rest breaks and lunch stop. Times are for our average groups based on past experience. Some people may be much faster and others slower.

Kms hiked are estimated.

Trek Roads

Access roads to and from treks are generally dirt mountain roads (not paved) and in some places can be bumpy. Road travel times are slower than you may expect for the kms travelled.

Print Copy / PDF trek description & more photos