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 T18 HUAYHUASH Cordillera Huayhuash lies to the south of the Cordillera Blanca and although not as well known as its northerly neighbor, it constitutes for well-traveled trekkers one of the most spectacular trekking experience in the world. This trek of 160km circling the entire mountain range boasts of many fantastic views to ice-covered peaks, several high passes over 4600m to be crossed, narrow mountain valleys with waterfalls cascading down the slopes and crystal clear lagoons. Other interesting aspects of this trek are an insight into the rural life of the indigenous population and the varied flora and fauna encountered in this high altitude trek averaging 4000m in altitude. T 18 : 13 days / 12 nights Day 1 Arrival in Huaraz and transfer to hotel in the provincial capital. Day 2 We drive from Huaraz to Chiquian where we arrive after 4-5 hours. The afternoon is spent exploring the surrounding area and to get ready for tomorrow. Day 3 We leave Chiquian and drive to Llamac, our starting and ending point of our trek. We arrive at this small farming village located at 3250m in 1 1/2 hours. We load our stuff on donkeys and start our hiking towards our first camp site at Cuartelhuain. After the first hour we pass Garahualanca and arrive after 3 more hours at the small village of Pocpa located at 3450m. After another 3 hours walking through nice puna vegetation with lupines and other typical plants we arrive at Cuartelhuain our first camp located at 4000m. Day 4 The next morning we continue our trek and start climbing our first high pass of 4700m at Cacanan. On this trail we might see some condors as they are known to be there but if not there will be other chances of observing the largest flying birds in the world. From there it is downhill to our next campsite situated at the lake Mitucocha at 4300m. This lake boasts of many trout and we try to catch some for our diner. For this whole stretch we need 5 hours and after lunch we visit the lake Ninacocha located at 4500m at the foot of Jirishanca y Rondoy peaks. Day 5 Today's hike lasts another 5 hours taking us to our next camp at Laguna Carchuacocha. First we descend along the right side of the river to a valley from there we have to ascend to another pass called Carhuac of 4650m. On top we have great views to the peaks of Siula and Yerupaja at 6634m, Peru's second highest mountain and highest one in the Cordillera Huayhuash. We hike then down to the lake Carchuacocha at 4140m and put up our tents for the next two nights. Day 6 Today we stay at camp and explore the surrounding area. From the camp we have great views to the snow covered peaks of the range and we get closer to them by taking the trail up to the small lagoon of Siula at 4300m and continue then on to the lake Quesillococha located 200m higher just below the impressive east face of Siula. An optional hike up Azulcocha lagoon located at around 4700m can also be done or we go back to camp to rest and relax. Day 7 Starting out in the morning we walk away from the lake and hike to the valley of Queropalca from where we take the trail south up to Punta Carnicero, another pass at 4600m surrounded by several small lakes. We hike then down to Huayhuash, a small farming community consisting of a few rural houses and located at 4300m. Day 8 Today we continue our hike by climbing up to Portachuelo pass at 4750m, which we reach in 3 hours. From there we have great views southeast to the Cordillera Raura and to the peaks of Trapecio and Puscanturpa in the Huayhuash range. Descending for another two hours we arrive at our next camp at Viconga lake at 4400m. Day 9 After an early breakfast we start the steep ascent to Punta Cuyoc at 5000m, the highest point in the circuit. First we move through grassland with the typical pajonal of the Andes till at the top it turns into a rocky trail. We have another great panoramic view to the peaks of Huayhuash. We descend then down the Huanacpatay valley, till we reach the Huayllapa river. There we put up our tents for the next two days. Today's hike is a longer 8 hours. Day 10 We put in an easy day after yesterday's long hike and even a longer one awaiting us tomorrow. We explore a little bit the river valley of Huayllapa by hiking up along the river towards Caramarca peak which stands somewhat by itself. People feeling strong may hike up to Sarapococha or Jurau lakes situated close to the mountains. Day 11 Another long day of some 9 hours of hiking awaits us as we leave the camp and after passing the village of Huayllapa take the trail up to Punta Tapush at 4800m. We descend then to Susococha Lagoon our next campsite which is close to the peak of Diablo Mudo. Day 12 We leave the lake and ascend to the last pass at our circuit Yaucha with a height of 4800m. The peaks of Yerupajá and Jirishanca can be admired from up there. Afterwards we descend to the valley of Huacrish till the reach Jahuacocha at 4070m our last camp site. Day 13 We start out on the last day of our trek walking to Llamac, which we reach after 4 hours. Transport awaits us there at noon and we drive straight back to Huaraz where we arrive late afternoon and end our trekking adventure there.
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