| “THE GRAND MOUNTAIN JOURNEY OF THE ANDES”
▪ Dramatic mountain scenery
▪ Peru's most remote valleys
▪ Quechua Indian culture
▪ Optional climb of Cerro Jyamy
▪ Sightseeing in Lima and Huaraz
 View / download a detailed trip itinerary
The Cordillera Huayhuash is a mountain range in the Andes of Peru. Aligned north to south, the main range of some twenty peaks stretches for approximately 15 miles, with a subsidiary range of smaller peaks stretching out to the west for approximately 9 miles. Six of the peaks exceed 6000 meters. Included among them are Yerupajá (6617m), the second highest mountain in Peru (behind Huascarán at (6768m) and Siula Grande (6344m).
There are many lesser peaks surrounding those covered by ice, and several passes exceeding 5000 meters. It is necessary to travel a considerable distance from the central range to find ground lower than 10,000 feet / 3000 meters, even on valley floors, and the Cordillera Huayhuash is often taken to include this much larger area. The area is barely populated at all, with what hamlets there are being very small and generally only found below 4000 meters (the snowline is found at approximately 4800 meters). The nearest villages are Chiquián (3400m) and Cajatambo (3375m). Some mining takes place in the area, so to the north of the mountains there is an unpaved road leading up to as high as 4750 meters. In 2002 the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture declared the Huayhuash a "reserved zone" and prohibited certain economic activities, including any future mining.
The range has become noted for trekking in the form of the Huayhuash Circuit, which is considered quite a challenge and is undoubtedly far more demanding than the famous Inca Trail in the south of Peru. Fewer people trek the Huayhuash than the nearby Cordillera Blanca. The circuit generally takes between ten and fourteen days, depending on the route taken. Most of the walking, and most of the campsites, are above the 13,000 feet / 4000 meters tree line, so the landscape appears rugged and mountainous, affording views over very wide areas. The area is noted for its spectacular glacial lakes and hot springs. Condors, llamas, alpacas and viscachas roam the land sometimes within eyesight. Trekking is almost always undertaken in the dry winter months of May to September, and the large town of Huaraz over 60 miles away is the usual choice for a base, with Chiquián acting as the "Gateway to the Huayhuash". It is possible to penetrate into the mountains as far as the village of Llamac (3300m), reached by road built in the late 1990s.
2012 TRIP DEPARTURE DATE:
May 25 to June 15, 2012
The Peru - Huayhuash Circuit Trek is part of our Worldwide Adventure Tours Series. In addition to our group departure date we are also able to arrange this trek beginning on any date during the months of May through June for a group of 4 to 10 people.
Please contact us with any questions or to receive a detailed day to day Trip Itinerary.
2012 LAND ONLY PER PERSON TRIP PRICE:
4 People: $3940.00
5 to 6 People: $3625.00
7 to 8 People: $3385.00
9 to 10 People: $3305.00
Single room and tent supplement: $345.00 per person
Please inquire for prices if group size is less than 4 people.
TRIP SNIPPETS:
22 days, 6 nights hotels, 15 nights camping, 15 days of trekking. All meals on trek are included.
Trek Grade: Strenuous, Max. altitude: 16,730 feet on the Punta Cuyoc Pass.
TRIP OUTLINE:
Day 1. Arrive in Lima
Day 2: Drive to Huaraz
Day 3: Acclimatization and exploration in Huaraz
Day 4: Acclimatization to Laguna Churup
Day 5: Drive to Quero and trek to Pomapata
Day 6: Trek to the Valley of the Condors
Day 7: Trek to camp above Quartlehuin
Day 8: The Cancanampunta Pass to camp at Janca
Day 9: Trek to Laguna Carhuacocha
Day 10: Exploration from camp
Day 11: Cross the Punta Huayhuash to Huayhuash Village
Day 12: Trek to camp below the Punta Cuyoc
Day 13: Cross the Punta Cuyoc
Day 14: Explore below Laguna Sarapo
Day 15: Trek to foot of the Punta Tarpush
Day 16: Optional ascent of Cerro Jyamy
Day 17: Trek to Laguna Jahuacocha
Day 18: A day for exploration
Day 19: Trek to the roadhead at Llamac
Day 20: Drive to Huaraz
Day 21: Drive to Lima
Day 22: Morning sightseeing in Lima. Depart Lima
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