The key moments
The Huayhuash Range is often considered one of the most beautiful high-mountain treks in the world. It’s a world of ice giants, passes brushing against or exceeding 5,000 meters, and turquoise lagoons of absolute purity. This 12-day tour takes you into the heart of the Peruvian Andes.
- Careful acclimatization: Three full days dedicated to preparing your body before tackling the major passes.
- Legendary panoramas: Breathtaking views of Yerupajá (6,617 m), Peru’s second-highest peak.
- Crossing legendary passes: Unforgettable crossings above 4,700 m and up to 5,000 m (Trapecio, San Antonio).
- The magic of the Andean lagoons: Carhuacocha, Jahuacocha, Mitucocha… true emerald-colored jewels at the foot of the glaciers.
- A historic transition: A return to Lima through the coastal desert, visiting Caral, the oldest sacred city in the Americas.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Flight from Lima to Huaraz – Entering the World of Altitude
Your adventure begins very early with a transfer to Lima airport for your domestic flight to Huaraz, located at 3,052 meters altitude. This is where your essential acclimatization process begins. The air here is already thinner, and to gently get your body used to it, we recommend spending your afternoon resting, hydrating regularly with water or coca-leaf tea, and taking a very gentle walk through the streets of the city.
Day 2: Acclimatization Hike to Laguna Churup (4,450 m)
To best prepare your lungs and heart for the intense efforts of the trek, today you’ll do a magnificent acclimatization hike. Accompanied by your private French-speaking guide, you’ll climb at your own pace to the splendid glacial lagoon of Churup, nestled at 4,450 meters altitude. This first moderate, progressive effort is ideal for testing your reaction to altitude on a steep mountain trail, while enjoying grand alpine panoramas.
Day 3: Huaraz – Quartelhuain – Final Acclimatization Day
You’ll leave Huaraz in the morning for a 4.5-hour private transport journey through spectacular Andean landscapes. You’ll reach the trek’s first campsite at Quartelhuain, located at 4,170 meters altitude. This day marks the end of your acclimatization protocol: walking is deliberately limited to a small, optional one-hour stroll around camp in order to preserve your strength and allow your body to fully adjust before tackling the major passes.
Transport time: 4.5 h | Walking time: 1 h | Elevation: +150 m / -150 m
Day 4: Quartelhuain – Cacananpunta Pass – Janca (Mitucocha)
This is the true start of the trekking adventure. You’ll begin the morning with the climb to Cacananpunta Pass, which tops out at 4,690 meters altitude. Crossing the pass offers an immediate visual reward before beginning the descent toward Quebrada Caliente and on to Janca camp. In the afternoon, you can walk freely to the wild shores of Laguna Mitucocha before sharing a hot dinner prepared by our team.
Walking time: 6 h | Elevation: +540 m / -490 m
Day 5: Janca – Punta Jirishanca Pass – Laguna Carhuacocha
A splendid 9-kilometer stage awaits you today. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll tackle Punta Jirishanca Pass at 4,750 meters altitude, which winds beautifully between the snow-capped peaks of Jirishanca Chico and Col Yanayana. On the descent, the trail takes you past Lake Alcaycocha before revealing one of the most beautiful panoramas of the whole trek: Laguna Carhuacocha, where you’ll set up camp facing the glaciers.
Walking distance: 9 km | Elevation: +450 m / -550 m
Day 6: Laguna Carhuacocha – Siula – Punta Huayhuash
This day takes you deep among the giant peaks of the range, notably skirting the eastern flank of the majestic Yerupajá. The trail invites you to discover four superb high-altitude lagoons in shades of emerald and turquoise, before crossing the pass and reaching Punta Huayhuash camp for a night under a spectacular starry sky.
Walking time: 6–7 h | Elevation: +600 m / -400 m
Day 7: Punta Huayhuash – Trapecio Pass – Huanacpatay
Today’s stage is marked by the crossing of your very first 5,000-meter pass: Trapecio Pass. The effort is intense, but the reward is immense, offering a sweeping, clear view over the entire southern section of the range. The descent takes you gently along Huanacpataycocha lagoon to your overnight camp at Huanacpatay.
Walking time: 7 h | Elevation: +600 m / -650 m
Day 8: Huanacpatay – San Antonio Viewpoint – Huayllapa
A big, particularly wild day awaits you. You’ll climb up to the spectacular San Antonio Viewpoint, a steep pass at 5,000 meters altitude offering one of the most breathtaking and complete views over the walls of the Huayhuash Range. A long, significant descent of 1,500 meters then brings you back down to the valley and the village of Huayllapa.
Walking time: 8–9 h | Elevation: +650 m / -1,500 m
Day 9: Huayllapa – Tapush Punta Pass – Gashapampa
You’ll gain altitude again, heading toward the western part of the range. The trail climbs steadily toward Tapush Punta Pass at 4,750 meters. After crossing this new pass, you’ll descend gently into the lush Quebrada Gashapampa, an ideal haven of peace to set up the overnight camp.
Walking time: 7–8 h | Elevation: +1,250 m / -350 m
Day 10: Gashapampa – Yaucha Punta Pass – Laguna Jahuacocha
Today you’ll cross your very last major pass, Yaucha Punta, topping out at 4,847 meters. Along the ridgelines and throughout the descent, the view of the snow-capped Huayhuash peaks is simply grandiose. You’ll set up your final camp on the shores of the splendid Laguna Jahuacocha, a glacial mirror of unforgettable beauty.
Walking time: 6–7 h | Elevation: +600 m / -850 m
Day 11: Laguna Jahuacocha – Mancan Pass – Huaraz
For this final day of walking, you’ll cross Mancan Pass at 4,580 meters altitude, enjoying one last panoramic look at the ice giants of the range. A long final descent brings you down to the village of Pocpa, where your private vehicle will be waiting to comfortably take you back to Huaraz. Enjoy a good hot shower and well-deserved rest at the hotel.
Walking time: 6 h | Elevation: +600 m / -1,200 m
Day 12: Huaraz – Caral – Lima
You’ll leave the Andean heights behind to begin your return to the Pacific coast. Along the way, your route crosses the desert to bring you to the archaeological site of Caral. Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll visit the adobe pyramids of the oldest city in the Americas before reaching Lima at the end of the day.
Budget
What’s included:
- All transportation included in the program, including the domestic flight between Lima and Huaraz, as well as private and shared ground transfers.
- Hotel nights in Lima and Huaraz with breakfast, as well as tent nights during the trek.
- Guidance by a private French-speaking guide for the acclimatization day at Churup, and by a professional English-speaking trekking guide throughout the 9 days in the Huayhuash Range.
- A complete local trekking team, including a professional cook and muleteers for transporting all the group equipment.
- All camping and cooking equipment necessary for the adventure.
- All entrance fees for Huascarán National Park, access fees for the local Huayhuash communities, and the guided entry to the Caral site.
- The meals mentioned in the itinerary (full board during the trek).
What’s not included:
- International flights to and from Peru.
- Your personal trekking gear, such as a high-mountain sleeping bag or trekking poles.
- Lunches and dinners in the cities of Huaraz and Lima.
- Individual drinks other than the water provided during the trek.
- Customary tips for the local mountain team (guide, cook, muleteers).
- Personal travel insurance (repatriation insurance covering high-altitude trekking is mandatory).
