10-Day Huayhuash Trek from Huaraz with Inca Ruins and Lakes

• Meet your guide upon arrival in Huaraz and take part in a donation drive.

• Have breakfast and head to La Union district via a paved highway for approximately 4 hours.

• Reach the Inca ruins of Huanucoviejo, also known as Huanucopampa, and spend an hour at the main building. Observe the main Ushnu (ceremonial centre), the Acllawasi (women's house), the military house, and the Inca bath, and see the six porches that form the principal entrance to the main building.

• Proceed to the other archaeological sites of the Incas.

• Drive to Baños district, famous for its hot springs and Inca bath, then pass through the town and continue to Queropalca.

• Arrive at the campsite in the district of Queropalca at 3841 masl.

• Enjoy breakfast at Queropalca, then hike up along the Carhuacocha River.

• Walk across the highlands full of pastures and delight in your first views of the Huayhuash mountains. As you approach Carhuacocha, you will be greeted by beautiful scenery. Arrive at Carhuacocha and set up your camp.

• Have lunch at the campsite and savour the inspiring views as you walk around the lake.

Dinner and overnight in Carhuacocha (4200 masl).

• Start your trek at 8 a.m. after breakfast and be amazed by the three different-coloured lakes of Siula.

• Reach Siula Pass at 4850 masl and have lunch next to the Carnicero lakes.

• Hike down to your camping place at 4350 masl.

Distance- 13.8 km

Duration- 8 hrs of trekking

Meals- B/L/D

• Trek to Portachuelo de Huayhuash Pass after breakfast.

• Proceed down to your campsite at Viconga for lunch.

• Stroll to the hot springs, a 20-minute walk from the camp (4390 masl).

Distance- 11 km

Duration- 5-6 hrs of trekking

Meals- B/L/D

• Hike to the highest pass of your trip in about 3 hours and enjoy the views of Cuyoc Mountain.

• Hike down to the Guanacpatay Valley for lunch.

• Continue walking for a few hours to reach your camping place in the peaceful Guanacpatay Valley (4150 masl).

Distance- 15 km
Duration- 8-9 hrs of trekking

Meals- B/L/D

• Depart at 8 a.m. and proceed along the valley down to Huayllapa, a small isolated peasant village at 3490 masl. The small Andean shops here provide soda drinks, beers, and first-house necessities.

• Arrive around 1 p.m. for lunch, then go shopping around the village.

Dinner and overnight in Huayllapa (3490 masl)

Distance- 18 km

Duration- 7-8 hrs of trekking

Meals- B/L/D

• Hike for 5 hours to reach Tapush Pass at 4480 masl.

• Walk down the trail for about two hours and arrive at the campsite (4417 masl) by late afternoon.

Distance- 12 km

Duration- 5-6 hrs of trekking

Meals- B/L/D

• Trek to Yaucha Pass (4800 masl) after breakfast and spend the next two hours there.

• Continue down the Huacrish ravine for three or four hours and be surprised by a beautiful panoramic landscape. Jahuacocha Lake, at the base of the mountains Jirishanca, Yerupaja, and Rondoy, is a beautiful green-coloured lake, and your campsite is at 4066 masl.

• Enjoy the spectacular avalanches coming down from the base of Jirishanca.

• Next to your camp, find a typical mountain hut for sheepherders.

Overnight in Jahuacocha at 4050 masl

Distance- 7.8 km

Duration- 4-5 hrs of trekking

Meals- B/L/D

• Enjoy an easy walk to Pampallamac, where you will say goodbye to the Huayhuash Mountains.

• After resting for a few minutes, have lunch and proceed down to Llamac town, arriving at approximately 1 or 2 p.m.

• Drive along the Llamac River to Timpoc, where the Llamac and Pacllon rivers join.

• Continue along the Ainin River to reach Chiquian, stroll around the village, and then continue to Huaraz for 3 hours.

Distance- 10 km

Duration- 6 hrs of trekking + 4 hrs bus ride

Meals- B/L