Peru Cordillera Huayhuash Trekking Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Andre L.

André is an accomplished mountaineer who has dedicated over 25 years to climbing and exploring the Peruvian and Patagonian Andes ranges. He grew up in central Chile and fell in love with Patagonia at first sight and made it his home for 20 years before recently moving to Chile's Araucania region. In over ten mountain expeditions in Patagonia, he accomplished many first ascents, and has climbed the Paine towers in Chile and Alpamayo in Peru. A very enthusiastic guide, André’s love for nature and respect for the mountains is infectious to all who travel with him.

Sergio F.

Sergio is a legendary trekking guide with over 40 years of experience and 300 trips to his name! Besides leading our expeditions in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina's Aconcagua, he also loves to lead some of our more challenging treks in Nepal and Peru. His recent expeditions include leading our 50th Anniversary Base Camp Trek, Chile's Dientes de Navarino mountains, and an epic hiking adventure in the Dolomites. Sergio has acquired a loyal following, and is one of our most respected guides.

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                    [Headline] => Arrive in Lima & Transfer to Huaraz
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Arrive at Lima airport early (we recommend arriving in Lima the day before) and meet an MT Sobek representative who will assist you with your ~8 hour land transfer to Huaraz, departing Lima airport around 6:30am. Later this evening in Huaraz, meet up with your group for a welcome dinner.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 8-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 12.0464 S
                    [Longitude] => 77.0428 W
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                    [Headline] => Discover the Ancient Center of Chavin de Huantar
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3-hour guided visit to archaeological site
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Continue your acclimatization with a day trip from Huaraz to the monumental site of Chavín de Huantar, one of the oldest archaeological sites you can visit in Peru - first inhabited as early as 1500 BC! Nestled at 10,500 feet, between the eastern and western ranges of the Andes, this complex of temples, terraces, and underground mazes belonged to the Chavin culture, who pre-dated the Inca by over 2,000 years. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, Chavin was a gathering place for worshipers from around the region. Admire the pyramidal temple and buildings of the ceremonial center, with outstanding examples of zoomorphic stone carvings, step inside recently uncovered passages of underground tunnels, and visit the small on-site museum that houses artifacts found at the site including carved stone figurines and musical instruments.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 5-hour private van transfer 
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                    [Latitude] => 9.5261 S
                    [Longitude] => 77.5288 W
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                    [Headline] => Hike to Ararcocha & Huilcacocha Lakes
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4 hours/3.5 miles hiking with 2746\' elevation gain & 121\' elevation loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => Take in the breathtaking scenery of the Cordillera Blanca as you travel into the mountains by bus, then hike to two pristine Andean glacial lakes. This is a great acclimatization hike to help you adjust to the thinner air and prepare you for more challenging future hikes. From Rumichuco Bridge, ascend toward Ararcocha (12,116\') and Huilcacocha (12,221\') Lakes, boasting some of the best panorama views of the Cordillera Blanca range, including the highest peak in the Cordillera Blanca — Mount Huascarán, whose glacier-topped pinnacle sits at 22,204 feet! After a hearty lakeside lunch, meet your bus for the drive back to Huaraz.

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                    [Travel_Type] => 1-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 9.5966 S
                    [Longitude] => 77.5325666 W
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                    [Headline] => Journey to Chiquian & the Cordillera Huayhuash
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Starting out in the early morning, enjoy a 2-hour transfer south along a paved road to the town of Chiquian. Stop at a vista point to admire views of the Cordillera Huayhuash including Yerupaja, the second highest peak in Peru. The last section of the drive is on a dirt road towards the village of Llamac, gateway to the Cordillera Huayhuash. Past the village of Pocpa and the Pallca mine, arrive at the entrance of the Rondoy Valley at 13,287 feet. Here, the scenery opens up into rolling grasslands, dominated by the snow- capped peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash. Set up camp in Cuartelhuain at 13,772 feet.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 5-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 9.2267 S
                    [Longitude] => 77.4470 W
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                    [Headline] => Hike over Cacananpunta Pass to Lake Mitucocha 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,853\' elevation gain & 1,719\' elevation loss 
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Begin your trek in earnest, ascending up and over the Cacananpunta Pass (15,367\') at the northern end of the range, keeping an eye out for Andean condors soaring overhead. This is the Continental Divide, and from this point on, rain that falls on the western slopes flows to the Atlantic and rain that falls on the eastern slopes flows to the Amazon. From here, descend through a multicolored landscape to the beautiful, flat, and grassy campsite at Janca (13,923\'), not far from Lake Mitucocha. Marvel at the turquoise waters reflecting the Ninashanca, Rondoy and Jirishanca peaks. This is a short walking day to aid acclimatization, but if you\'re still feeling energetic, you can take the short walk to Lake Mitucocha in the afternoon.

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                    [Latitude] => 10.1761 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.8881 W
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                    [Headline] => Hike over Carhuac Pass to Lake Carhuacocha 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/6 miles hiking with 1,270\' elevation gain & 3,064\' elevation loss
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Today\'s pass, the Carhuac (15,174\') takes a bit longer but is not too steep, with splendid views of Yerupaja (21,765\'), the highest mountain in the Huayhuash. Descending to the rim of a hanging valley, look down on the crystalline blue-green waters of Lake Carhuacocha. Tonight\'s campsite below the lake (13,710\') offers an incredible vista of peaks and hanging glaciers, proving you don\'t need 26,000-foot peaks to have the most inspiring mountain scenery.
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                    [Latitude] => 10.2447 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.8656 W
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                    [Headline] => Hike over Siula Pass to Huayhuash Camp
                    [ActivityOverview] => 8-9 hours/8.6 miles hiking with 3,032\' elevation gain & 2,047\' elevation loss
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Wake up before dawn if you\'d like to catch the sunrise over the lake. The sun\'s first rays catching the peak of Yerupaja certainly make the effort more than worthwhile. After breakfast, set out on a long but gradual climb up a verdant valley, surrounded by the snowcapped peaks of Yerupaja, Yerupaja Chico, Siula Grande, Jirishanca, Santa Rosa, and Carnicero. Also pass a series of pristine and crystal clear lakes - Gangrajanca, Siula and Quesillacocha. Then, climb steeply to the top of the rocky Siula Pass (15,866\'), before descending to Huayhuash Campsite (14,281\'), where you\'ll sleep nestled at the foot of Mount Trapecio and the three peaks of Jurua.
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                    [Latitude] => 10.27066 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.908 W
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                    [Headline] => Hike to the Viconga Thermal Bath
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-7 hours/7.2 miles hiking with 1,759\' elevation gain & 1,634\' elevation loss
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Start your day with a gradual, three-hour climb towards the Portachuelo de Huayhuash pass (15,675\'). From this beautiful vantage point, descend along the valley, passing grazing llama and sheep. After a walk beside the large Viconga Lake, take a short climb up to reach Viconga Thermal Baths (14,327\'), a natural hotsprings, and your camp for the night.
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                    [Latitude] => 10.406 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.843 W
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                    [Headline] => Climb to Cuyoc Pass
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-7 hours/5.5 miles hiking with 2,342\' elevation gain & 1,693\' elevation loss
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Tackle a long, challenging day ascending to Cuyoc Pass (16,558\'). Stop to take in the marvelous views of the surrounding high mountains before descending down over a rocky section. Finally, hike along the valley to camp at Pampa Cuyoc (14,862\').
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                    [Latitude] => 10.393 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.879 W
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                    [Headline] => Hike over Santa Rosa Pass to the Calinca Valley
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/4.2 miles hiking with 2,067\' elevation gain & 2,743\' elevation loss
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Start the day\'s trek with a very steep ascent to Santa Rosa Pass, the highest pass on the trek (16,617\'). Take in incredibly panoramic views of snowcapped peaks, then start the descent into the Calinca Valley. Set up camp for the next two nights at Cutatambo Camp (14,068\'), not far from the base camp of author Joe Simpson before his climb of Siula Grande that resulted in the 1988 book, \'Touching the Void.\'
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                    [Latitude] => 10.341 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.903 W
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                    [Headline] => Enjoy a Rest Day at Camp
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5 hours/5.3 miles optional Cerro Gran Vista hike with 2,064\' elevation gain & loss
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Take a break from hiking and enjoy the dramatic setting of icy glaciers and crystalline lakes. There are some fine walks nearby, and you can choose to explore the area more if you wish - take a short walk to the base camp of Joe Simpson, or climb the Cerro Gran Vista, a panoramic lookout over the peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash.
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                    [Latitude] => 10.293 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.907 W
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                    [Headline] => Climb to the High Meadow of Huatiac 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 8-9 hours/10.2 miles hiking with 3,031\' elevation gain & 2,831\' elevation loss
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Retrace your steps down the Sarapococha Valley and drop to warmer climes, continuing to the cultivated lands belonging to the remote village of Huayllapa (11,797\'), with beautiful views of alpine waterfalls. In the afternoon, climb steeply again to spend the night at Huatiac, a high grazing meadow at 14,101 feet, under the shadow of Diablo Mudo, the \'Mute Devil\'. This is probably the hardest day, but tomorrow will be shorter and easier.
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                    [Latitude] => 10.293 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.998 W
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                    [Headline] => Cross Punta Tapush Pass
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4 hours/4 miles hiking with 1,775\'  elevation gain & 784\' elevation loss
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Enjoy an easy day crossing the Punta Tapush Pass (15,715\'), then descend approximately one hour to camp at Gashpapampa (14,947\'). From the campsite, take in a glorious sunset behind Mount Diablo Mudo, weather permitting.
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                    [Latitude] => 10.238 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.955 W
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                    [Headline] => Hike over Yaucha Pass to Laguna Jahuacocha
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/6.2 miles hiking with 1,525\' elevation gain & 3,517\' elevation loss
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Trek down to Angoshcancha Valley, with its forest of quenual (paper bark) trees, then ascend to steep and scree-covered Yaucha Pass (15,912\'). On a clear day, you\'ll get magnificent views of the highest peaks of the Huayhuash range and long-distance panoramas to the peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. This is also another good spot for sighting Andean condors. After a long descent, reach the indescribably beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha, which lies beneath the glacier-covered west faces of Jerupaja, Jirishanca, Rasac, Rondoy, and El Toro and is widely held to be the scenic gem of the whole range. Overnight at 13,372 feet.
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                    [Latitude] => 10.238 S
                    [Longitude] => 76.955 W
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                    [Headline] => Climb Mancanpunta Pass, Descend to Pocpa & Return to Huaraz
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/5.8 miles hiking with 1,801\' elevation gain & 3,622\' elevation loss
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After breakfast, depart early to return to Huaraz. Ascend a steady but gradual climb up to our ninth and last pass: Mancanpunta Pass (15,000\') and take a brief rest, taking in the surrounding Andean ranges. Then, descend a steep, gravelly trail to Pocpa (11,427\') to meet your private transportation to transfer back to Huaraz.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 4.5-hour private van transfer 
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                    [Latitude] => 9.5261 S
                    [Longitude] => 77.5288 W
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                    [Headline] => Transfer to Lima & Depart
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Early morning you will be transferred ~8 hours by land to Lima, arriving in time for international flights departing Lima at 6pm or later. Alternatively, extend your adventure with a trip to the Peruvian Amazon, Nazca Lines, or Machu Picchu!
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                    [Travel_Type] => 8 hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 12.0464 S
                    [Longitude] => 77.0428 W
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    [ActivityHighlight] => This is a very challenging trek with consecutive days of strenuous hiking on rocky terrain, generally between elevations of 13,000-16,000 feet (and two high passes around 16,600 feet). Overnight camps are at elevations of ~13,300-14,800 feet. Physical exertion is further challenged by basic camping conditions and varying weather. Participants should look forward to a goal-oriented experience.
    [Trip_Level] => 5
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Accommodations

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Comfortable camps with three-person tents and sleeping pads, bookended by stays in the comfortable Andino Club Hotel.

Hotel Andino – Huaraz, Peru

Comfortable Hotel

Surrounded by lush gardens, the Andino Club Hotel offers panoramic views of the Callejon de Huaylas mountain range. Each room is comfortably outfitted with modern amenities, including Wi-Fi, LCD TV and a hairdryer.

MT Sobek Camp Cordillera Huayhuash

Comfortable Camping

Remote trekking means remote camping, with different tranquil settings each night. Rest up from your day's adventure in comfortable camps outfitted with four-person tents (one tent for every two travelers, or one tent per single traveler) and sleeping pads. Sturdy 3-season-plus tents each have 61 sq.ft. of floor space and an interior height of 60 inches. Delicious food is served each night, and guests can enjoy a selection of authentic Peruvian fare in the separate dining tent, equipped with solar energy lamps, standard-height table, and folding stools, before retiring to their tents for a good night's rest in the beautiful Cordillera Huayhuash.

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