The hike around the Huayhuash range is one of the world's great treks. It crosses five high  passes, permitting views of spectacular, snow- capped peaks, turquoise colored glacial lakes, and forests, teeming with rare species of birds. The Cordillera Huayhuash is located  300 km north-east of Lima. Although the range extends only for 30 km from North to South, it contains six peaks  surpassing 6000m (the highest, Yerupaja 6634m) and 15 summits that are higher than 5400 m. The trekking route circles the range, except for the Western site, never straying more than 4 km from the icy mountains.

General information
The 11- day Huayhuash trek is very strenuous as, for  most  of the trek, the trail runs at altitudes between 4000m and 5000m. Every day a pass has to be negotiated. One should be in  good physical condition. It is absolutely necessary to acclimatize for at least three days at altitudes above 3000m before doing the trek. The weather can change very fast. It can be extremely cold, especially at night so warm clothing and a good sleeping bag are a must. This is a remote area and in case of emergency, the nearest hospital or doctor is far away. During the trek all food is included and your luggage, except for your daypack, will be carried by mules.

Day 1: Huaraz- Llamac 
We leave early morning by bus to Chiquián, where we will have  breakfast. We continue to the village of  Llamac. In the afternoon we visit nearby chullpas  (tombs of pre-Inca cultures). In Llamac (3300m) we stay in a basic hotel.

Day 2: Chiquian- Laguna Jahuacocha  (6 hours).
 Today we enter the high Andes, crossing the Pampa Llamac pass (4300m). From here there are the first stunning views of the  highest peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash. Descending, the trail passes through some beautiful quenua forests and heads to one of the highlights of the trek, Laguna Jahuacoche. From here are very good views of the lake, surrounded by the highest mountain,  the Yerupaja (6634m) and the spectacular Jirishanca (6094m). We camp near the lake(4025m).

Day 3 : Jahuacocha- Cuartelhain  (6 hours).
In the morning we cross the Punta Rondoy pass (4750m).  From here there are excellent views of  Rondoy (5870m) and Yerupaja (6617m), looming over the blue  Solteracocha. Here the track descends, passing through grassy meadows and farming settlements before arriving at our camp at Cuartelhain (4100m).

Day 4: Cuartelhain-  Mitucocha (5 hours).
Another pass (4700m) has to be negotiated. This is the divide between the Atlantic and the Pacific and sometimes the Andean condor is spotted. Continuing on the descending trail, the red  lake Pucacoche can be seen. Passing through the isolated valley of Janca we arrive at our campsite near lake Mitucocha (4200m). In the afternoon it is worthwhile to walk to the south side of the lake for superb views of Jirishanca ((6094m).

Day 5: Mitucocha- Carhuacocha (4 hours).
 We backtrack for part of the day then  leave the valley by ascending to   Carhuac pass (4650m). From here we go down through a very remote area with grassy pastures before arriving at a cliff top, overlooking spectacular Carhuacocha. This glacial lake is superbly situated  below the enormous massifs of Siula Grande (6344m), Yerupaja (6634m) and Jirishanca (6094m). In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore this stunning area. We camp at the lake (4200m).

Day 6: Carhuacocha- Huayhuash (8 hours).
This is one of the most spectacular days and gets us  very close to the massif. From the steep mountain slopes we have excellent views of three beautifully colored glacial lakes and the nearby snowy peaks. Arriving at the pass (4800m) there are excellent views in all directions, including the Cordillera Raura. From there we only descend and pass through a large marshy area before arriving at our camp at the settlement of Huayhuash (4375m). Because this route is only possible with good weather conditions, there is an alternative trail.

Day 7: Huayhuash- Laguna Viconga  (4 hours).
 Today is a relatively easy day. We ascend to the Portachuelo de Huayhuash pass (4750m), which offers  views over the snow capped Cordillera Raura. Going down, the spectacularly situated Laguna Viconga appears. We camp at the pampa below the lake (4380m). A bath in the nearby hot springs is a delight.. 

Day 8: Viconga- Laguna Jurau  (8 hours).
In the morning we negotiate the highest pass of the trail, de Punta Cuyoc (5000m) with stunning views of nearly all the high peaks of the Huayhuash and the Cordillera Raura. Next we descend into the remote but pretty valley of Quebrada Guanacpatay. Arriving at the river Calinca, once more we head for fantastic high Andean scenery. We camp at the pampa below the Laguna Jurau (4343m).

Day 9: Laguna Jurau- Huayllapa  (3.5 hours).
In the morning we have the opportunity to visit the spectacularly situated glacial lake Jurau (4343m). We continue along the moraine to the turquoise blue glacial lake of Sarapococha (4505m)  with great views of the very close, mighty south face of the Siula Grande (6356m). After having lunch at our camp we continue to the village of Huayllapa (3500m), where we stay.

Days 10 and 11:Huayllapa-Tapush- Llamac- Huaraz  .
On this day, we cross the last pass (4850m), before the trail winds down, leaving the magnificent Cordillera Huayhuash behind. We camp at a Laguna. The last day we continue our trek towards Llamac, where in the afternoon we will board our bus to Huaraz. 

Print out program

What to take:
Sleeping bag (it can be freezing), warm clothes, bathing- suit (for thermal baths), raingear, mosquito repellant, flashlight, toilet paper, sun protection, personal first-aid kit, daypack.

After the Tour.
We can arrange :
-bus ticket Lima- Huaraz- Lima
 -hotel in Lima and Huaraz.

Tour extensions 

Dates of departure and prices 2007

Tour dates are on request and can leave any day between July and October 2007. 

Prices start at  $599,-

Included:
-Transportation Huaraz- Llamac- Huaraz
-Professional, English speaking guide 
-9 nights camping, 1 night hotel in Llamac
-Horses/ Mules (for equipment and luggage ) inc. muleteer 
-Cook  (for all meals during trek)
-Equipment (tent for two, tent for dining, tent for cooking, tables,   chairs, mattress, first aid & emergency oxygen bottle.

Not included:
- Sleeping bag (to rent for $5,- per day)

Contact us:  info@chakanatours.com