This trek covers a large part of the Cordillera Huayhuash and is considered the second most beautiful trek in the world. The Cordillera Huayhuash is located in the central highlands of Peru south of the Cordillera Blanca. It has 7 mountains that exceed 6000 meters high and other mountains that exceed 5500 meters among them is the second highest mountain in Peru the Yerupaja (6634m) as well as the Siula Grande (6356m) made famous by the climber Joe Simpson "Touching the Avoid" among others like the Rondoy (5879m), Jirishanca (6094m), Yerupaja Chico (6121m), Sarapo (6,127m), Carnicero (5,975m), Trapecio (5,644m), Diablo Mudo (5,223m) and the Pumarinri (5,465m).
Includes:
Departure from the city of Huaraz. Explanation of the route by the guide. View of Rondoy and Ninashanca snow-capped mountains. Arrival to Matacancha, at 4180 m of altitude. Dinner and rest.
From Matacancha we start climbing to the first pass Cacananpunta (4,700m); view of Puca Cocha, then descend to the Janca valley.
We start ascending slowly south to the Carhuac Pass (4650m). From here we have an impressive panorama of the great Nevados de Yerupajá Grande (the second highest mountain in Peru), Yerupajá Chico (6121m) and the Siulá Grande (6344m), the latter famous for starring in the movie "Touching the Void". From here we descend to our campsite on the shores of the Carhuacocha lagoon (4150m), with the possibility of seeing the elusive Vizcachas (Andean rodents) enjoying the tranquility under the sun's rays. Arriving at our camp we have a more direct view of the lagoon and the Siula, Yerupajá and Jirishanka snow-capped peaks. Dinner and rest.
This day we start our hike following the course of the river up to the headwaters of the Queropalca creek and then ascend to the Carnicero pass (4,600m). From here we will have an excellent view of mountains such as: Yerupaja 6,634m (second highest mountain in Peru), Siula 6,356m (mountain made famous by Joe Simpson after his dramatic climb that gave rise to the story in his book and then movie "Touching The Void"). Descent to Huayhuash. Dinner and rest.
This day the trek approaches us to the southern end of the Cordillera Huayhuash and then ascend to the Huayhuash pass (4,700m) from where we can appreciate the view of the Cordillera Raura and excellent views of the south-east face of the Trapezoid. Then we will visit the thermal baths of Putcka. This day we will be able to relax in the hot springs pools.
Today we cross our highest pass, Punta Cuyoc (5000m); with a steady uphill hike of 2 to 3 hours. The panoramas as in all the passes are impressive. To the southeast we see even more of the Cordillera Raura, to the north, several of the gigantic peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash from a new perspective and the Nevado Sarapo (6127m) that appears for the first time in sight. The initial 50m of the descent is quite steep, as we advance the terrain improves until we reach a wide valley, where we stop for lunch and regain strength. Then we have a light hike to our campsite at Huanacpatay (4300m). Dinner and rest.
After breakfast we will start walking down the valley of Huanacpatay towards the village of Huallapa. Where we will make the payment for the camp and continue our journey up towards the Huatiac camp, watching the mountains of this area.
This day we start walking towards the Tapush pass 4750 m, observing the diablo mudo, the susucocha lagoon and in the distance the Cordillera Blanca. Descending through the valley we will visit the susucocha lagoon and continuing with our journey, we will arrive at Rinconada camp, where we will spend the night.
This day after breakfast we start walking towards the Yaucha pass 4800m, where we will observe much of the Huayhuash mountain range and the snowy peaks of the majestic Yerupaja and with a little more luck we can observe the condor, typical bird of the Peruvian Andes. Then we continue our journey down the valley and from the top we can see the beautiful lagoon of Jahuacocha and the Jirishanca, in this place we spend the last night, next to the lagoon of Jahuacocha.
This last day of trekking we will descend through the Huayllan ravine passing between ichus and quenuales until we reach the town of Llamac; here our transportation will be waiting for us to take us to the city of Huaraz.
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