12-Day Huayhuash Trekking Expedition with Lakes, Passes and Hot Springs

• Make the most of this day reserved for acclimatization, during which you can offer donations to nearby villages.

• Make multiple stops to visit lakes, viewpoints, natural tourist sites, or local artisans, and observe local traditions and culture. The Huaraz tour guides will make the donation in the presence of contributors so they can witness the real benefits instead of making deposits into black bank accounts.

• At the appropriate time, return to your hotel in Huaraz, arriving at around 7 pm from wherever you are.

• Pack your bags and leave Huaraz for Llamac at 3350 m, a drive of about 5 hours.

• Drive south and cross the wild paramo (puna) of Conococha Pass at 4500 m, passing the southernmost peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. The Huayhuash range, containing in a single cluster seven of the highest and most dramatic summits in Peru, reveals itself on your descent to the small town of Llamac.

• Continue uphill through the Pocpa Valley and reach the peasant village of Pocpa at 3600 m. It is the last town in this valley where you can buy some soda drinks for the sunny route.

• After a few hours of trekking, at approximately 1 pm, arrive in Pallca, where you will have lunch.

• From here, after half an hour, reach your campsite at Matacancha (4100 masl). Here, appreciate Ninashanca Mountain (5607 masl) and Rondoy (5870 masl).

Overnight camping at Cuartelhuain (4200 masl).

Direct drive from Huaraz to Cuartelhuain: approximately 5 hours, plus one hour for lunch - about 167 km.

Meals: L/D

• After breakfast, get your things ready and start your trek at 8 am. This hike will be a bit difficult, as climbing to the pass will take about 2 to 3 hours.

• From the pass, go down and then climb again for approximately 30 minutes.

• Have lunch after the short climb.

• Take the alternative trail to reach the campsite early and avoid taking the same route the next day. Along this route, appreciate the Andean rabbits called vizcachas.

• Arrive at the campsite early, then go fishing around the lake while your cook prepares dinner.

Camp at 4170 masl.

• After breakfast, start trekking at 8 am.

• Reach the pass after a 3-hour hike, where you will have lunch. Enjoy the view of white-peaked mountains such as Yerupaja, Jirishanca, and Siula.

• Arrive at the campsite around 3 or 4 pm. You will be surprised by a beautiful lake reflecting the mountains' silhouettes in green-coloured waters.

• Set up camp at a special place facing the lake.

Camp at 4150 masl.

8.7 miles (14 km) - 5-6 hours of trekking

Meals: B/L/D

• At 8 am, after breakfast, start your trek.

• 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.

8.6 miles (13.8 km) - 8 hours of trekking

Camp at 14,355 ft (4350 m)

Meals: B/L/D

• After breakfast, continue trekking with an easy ascent to Portachuelo de Huayhuash Pass.

• From here, go down to the campsite at Viconga to have lunch.

• Walk 20 minutes downhill from the campsite to the hot springs. Those who do not want to go to the hot springs will have a free afternoon to rest at the campsite. The camp will be at 4390 masl.

6.8 miles (11 km)

5-6 hours of trekking, camp at 14,480 ft (4390 m)

Meals: B/L/D

• Climb moderately to the highest pass of the whole trip, which will take approximately 3 hours. This ascent will be enjoyable because Cuyoc Mountain will be closer to you.

• Reach the highest pass on your trek.

• Then head down the Guanacpatay Valley to have lunch. The trail after the pass is very dusty and rocky.

• Reach a beautiful grassy field and take a walk to the place where you will have lunch.

• After a few hours of walking, arrive at your campsite in the peaceful Guanacpatay Valley at 4150 masl.

9.3 miles (15 km) - 8-9 hours of trekking

Camp at 13,615 ft (4150 m)

Meals: B/L/D

• Enjoy a typical breakfast and then start climbing to Santa Rosa Pass.

• Reach the pass in about 2 hours and enjoy the beautiful views of the Siula Mountains. This is also a historical area for cinema, as the film "Touching the Void" was made on Siula Mountain.

• Start hiking down the valley to Huayllapa. This small, isolated peasant village lies at 3490 masl and has small Andean shops selling soda drinks and basic household necessities.

• Arrive around 6 pm for dinner.

• Go shopping around the village, then have dinner and overnight in Huayllapa at 3490 m.

11.2 mi. (18 km), 7-8 hours of trekking

Camp at 11,520 ft (3490 m)

Meals: B/L/D

• Climb up to Tapush Pass at 4800 masl in about 5 hours.

• Walk down the easy trail for about two hours.

• Arrive at the campsite late in the afternoon.

Overnight at 4417 masl, 7.5 mi (12 km)

5-6 hours of trekking

Camp at 14,578 ft (4417 m)

Meals: B/L/D

• After breakfast, start trekking on the moderate route to Yaucha Pass (4800 masl). Stay at the pass for a couple of hours.

• After resting, continue descending along the Huacrish ravine for approximately three to four hours, and suddenly you will be surprised by a beautiful panoramic landscape. Jahuacocha Lake lies at the base of Jirishanca, Yerupaja, and Rondoy, a beautiful green-coloured lake at 4066 masl where the campsite is located.

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

• Then head to your camp.

• Find a typical mountain hut for sheepherders.

Overnight in Jahuacocha at 4050 masl.

4.8 mi (7.8 km) - 4-5 hours of trekking

Camp at 13,365 ft (4050 m)

Meals: B/L/D

• Wake up as late as you wish, as this beautiful place offers a relaxing campsite.

• Go fishing and hike around Rasac Lake.

• Continue to Solterococha.

• Return to the campsite in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Jahuacocha camp.

• Take the easy walking route up to Pampallamac, where you will say goodbye to the Huayhuash Mountains.

• A few meters down, have lunch.

• After resting for a few minutes, continue down to Llamac town, arriving at approximately 1 or 2 pm.

• Then leave Llamac by driving along the Llamac River to Timpoc, where the Llamac River and the Pacllon River join.

• Start going up to Chiquian along the Ainin River, arriving at Chiquian.

• Walk around the village, then continue to Huaraz on a 3-hour drive.

6.21 miles (10 km), 6 hours of trekking - 4 hours by bus

Meals: B/L