Huayhuash Circuit

5.0Based on

Trekking and Hiking Guided and Escorted

Carbon neutral

19 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Challenging

Demands good physical fitness and stamina for more intense or extended activities.

Starts

Lima, Peru

Ends

Lima, Peru

Highlights

Undertake the challenging 127 km circuit around the Cordillera Huayhuash in Northern Peru - some of the best trekking in South America

Trek among towering peaks over 6000m, cascading glaciers, alpine meadows and azure glacial lakes

Explore Huaraz and the stunning Cordillera Blanca

Experience indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems

Behold views of incredible landscapes providing endless photo opportunities

Itinerary

If you’re captivated by Peru’s wildest mountain landscapes, the "Huayhuash Circuit" offers a 19-day trekking challenge around the spectacular Cordillera Huayhuash. Starting and ending in Lima, this guided tour is perfect for seasoned hikers and adventurous travelers eager for remote alpine beauty.

The trek includes ample time for acclimatisation in the Cordillera Blanca before a 12-day circuit crossing high passes near 5,000m, with daily views of jagged peaks like Yerupaja (Peru’s second highest) and the distinctive Jirishanca. A side trip to Siula Grande Base Camp—made famous by "Touching the Void"—and an ascent of Cerro Bella Vista provide even more awe-inspiring vistas.

Unique to this circuit is the opportunity to camp beside tranquil glacial lakes in settings most trekkers only dream about, delivering a true sense of adventure and achievement in one of the Andes’ most spectacular corners.

day 1 - Arrive Lima

If you’re flying into Lima today you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel, where the remainder of the day is free at leisure for you to rest or start exploring. We plan to have a group briefing before dinner, however this will be subject to all group members arriving during the day – otherwise we will have the briefing tomorrow. Our hotel is in the Miraflores area, home to some of Lima’s best galleries, restaurants and shops. Steeped in fascinating history, Lima is South America’s oldest capital. It was in 1535 that the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro overthrew the Inca Empire and moved the capital from Cusco, establishing the new city of Lima. Peru’s busy capital is now a sprawling metropolis that’s blessed with world-class restaurants, brilliant museums and galleries, and a superb combination of Spanish colonial and 19th century European architecture. If you have time to visit a museum we would recommend the Museo de La Nacion or the Larco Herrera Museum.

Overnight in Lima.

day 2 - Drive to Huaraz

Today we travel to Huaraz, our gateway to the stunning Cordillera Blanca. It’s a long day’s journey but we’ll be treated to some incredible scenery along the way. Groups operating with 10 or more people will have private transport. For smaller groups, we will travel with our guide on a comfortable tourist class air-conditioned coach which provides restrooms, reclining seats and touch screens.

Meals:Breakfast

day 3-4 - In Huaraz, day hikes

We now have two days in Huaraz to explore this stunning region with some day walks—and at an elevation of 3,052 m (10,013 ft), our time spent in Huaraz is crucial to our safe acclimatisation. Huaraz is a scenic town set at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca with views directly up to the highest peak in Peru, Huascaran (6,768 m / 22,205 ft). There is a range of different walking excursions we can make from our base here for a couple of days, and these hikes will be invaluable acclimatisation for our trekking program ahead. As the gateway to the Cordillera Blanca, Huaraz is a bustling tourism hub and also serves as a pick up point for our crew and all supplies and equipment for the trek. On Day 3, we enjoy a 4hr loop walk on the Cordillera Negra to Laguna Wilcacocha (3,714m / 12,185ft). It is one of the simplest hikes to do, given its closeness to Huaraz, with some fantastic views over the impressive peaks of the Cordillera Blanca range. On Day 4, we make a day trip to Laguna Churup (4,485 m / 14,715 ft), a beautiful glacial lake set at the base of Nevado Churup (5,493 m / 18,022 ft). This is one of the most popular day treks in the Cordillera Blanca and takes around 4–5 hours to complete. Today’s trek is an excellent training and acclimatisation hike for our upcoming Huayhuash Circuit, and our efforts will be justly rewarded when we arrive at this stunning turquoise glacial lake.

Overnight in Huaraz.

Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

day 5 - Drive to Pukatzaka and trek to Jahuacocha (trekking time approx. 2 hours)

Today we head south of Huaraz to our first campsite Jahuacocha (4,050 m / 13,287

ft). Today we get our first glimpses of the Huayhuash range, we’ll pass Conococha

Lake and the pinteresque Pacllon village. After around 5 hours of driving, we’ll arrive

at our trail head, Pukatzaka (3,900m / 12,795ft), where our “arrieros” (muleteers) and “burros” (donkeys) will be waiting. After around 2 hours of gently climb, we’ll arrive at our first night’s camp at Jahuacocha, a beautiful place, a perfect location to appreciate

a beautiful sunset. Camp around the Jahuacocha Lake.

Overnight: Wilderness Camp