Français 
Español 
What Awaits You
This 16-day athletic adventure is a magnificent circuit widely regarded by mountain trekking enthusiasts as one of the most beautiful in the world. Located just 100 km from the Pacific Ocean, the Cordillera Huayhuash is the second-highest tropical mountain range on the planet. Six of its twenty main peaks exceed 6,000 metres, including the one made famous by the documentary film Touching the Void, based on the dramatic experience of climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates.
We begin with a short acclimatisation period around Huaraz, before heading to the villages of Chiquian and Cuartelhuain, the starting point of the trek. Over 9 days of walking (averaging 13 km and 6 hours per day), you will cross high passes, vast plateaus and isolated villages in the middle of nowhere, constantly surrounded by the most stunning glaciers and turquoise lakes the range has to offer. This remarkably well-preserved and still little-visited ecosystem will delight you with its wild, untouched character.
Highlights of the Trip:
- Lima, the capital city
- Huaraz, a natural paradise
- The Cordillera Huayhuash and its wonders, by day and under the stars
Day-by-day program
DAY 1 – LIMA
Arrival in Lima, where you will be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Included: Airport/hotel transfer
DAY 2 – LIMA
The morning will be devoted to exploring the historic colonial centre: Plaza San Martín, Casa Aliaga, the churches of La Merced, San Pedro and San Francisco, the Banco Central de Reserva Museum, and finally Plaza de Armas with the Presidential Palace and City Hall. In the early afternoon we travel by private vehicle to the Miraflores district for lunch, where we will sample some of Peru’s famous seafood specialities. The day ends with a leisurely one-hour stroll along the Pacific coast, followed by free time to explore this attractive neighbourhood at your own pace.
Included: Private vehicle – half board – entrance fees – hotel
DAY 3 – LIMA → HUARAZ (1-hour flight; 60 km / 1 hour by road)
Early departure (around 5 a.m.) to the airport for the flight to Huaraz, arriving approximately 8 a.m. Transfer to the hotel to drop off luggage and enjoy breakfast. From 10 a.m. we take a relaxed walking tour of the city to experience daily Quechua life, visiting the popular market, Plaza de Armas and the city centre. In the afternoon we drive to the starting point of our first acclimatisation hike in the Cordillera Negra. After a gentle two-hour ascent we reach Wilcacocha Lake (3,700 m), which offers a magnificent panorama of the entire Cordillera Blanca. Return to Huaraz by the same trail.
(Elevation gain/loss: +410 m / –410 m; 7 km / 4 hours)
Included: Private vehicle – entrance fee – half board – hotel
DAY 4 – HUARAZ (30 km / 2 hours)
Departure around 8 a.m. by bus to the village of Pitec, high above Huaraz in the Cordillera Blanca, for our second, more demanding acclimatisation hike. The trail begins with a steady two-hour steep ascent, then continues along the mountainside to Churup Lake at 4,500 m. After a picnic lunch we retrace our steps and reach Huaraz around 4 p.m.
(Elevation gain/loss: +600 m / –600 m; 10 km / 5 hours)
Included: Private vehicle – picnic lunch – entrance fee – dinner – hotel
DAY 5 – HUARAZ (130 km / 3 hours)
Departure around 8 a.m. to the trailhead for our third acclimatisation hike in the Cordillera Blanca. A sustained four-hour climb through typical queñual forest brings us to the glacial Auquiscocha Lake (4,300 m) at the foot of the impressive Hualcán glacier. Picnic lunch, then return by the same route, arriving back in Huaraz around 6 p.m.
(Elevation gain/loss: +700 m / –700 m; 12 km / 7 hours)
Included: Private vehicle – picnic lunch – entrance fee – hotel
DAY 6 – HUARAZ (3,100 m) → CUARTELHUAIN (155 km / 6 hours) → MITUCOCHA LAKE
Early departure (5 a.m.) for a three-hour drive towards Chiquían, the gateway to the Cordillera Huayhuash. After a brief stop in the town we continue another three hours to Cuartelhuain (4,170 m). Here we meet our muleteers and begin the trek with an easy stage to our first pass, Cacanan Punta (4,690 m), a viewpoint where condors are often seen. We then descend into the inter-Andean valley – the watershed that feeds the Amazon River – and set up camp beside beautiful Mitucocha Lake (4,100 m), with fine views of the Jirishanca glacier (6,094 m).
(Elevation gain/loss: +450 m / –250 m; 10 km / 5 hours)
Included: Full board
DAY 7 – MITUCOCHA LAKE → CARHUACOCHA LAKE
Today we continue to Carhuacocha Lake (4,150 m). The trail first offers splendid views over Mitucocha Lake before climbing to Carhuac Pass (4,570 m), an outstanding viewpoint over the Jirishanca, Yerupajá and Siula glaciers and the lake below, where we will camp. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful campsite of the trek; sunrise and sunset here are truly spectacular.
(Elevation gain/loss: +450 m / –450 m; 14 km / 6 hours)
Included: Full board
DAY 8 – CARHUACOCHA LAKE → HUAYHUASH
A relatively challenging day to the small settlement of Huayhuash (4,330 m), but the effort is richly rewarded by the close-up views of the Huayhuash range. We cross our third pass at 4,800 m before reaching camp near the village.
(Elevation gain/loss: +650 m / –500 m; 14 km / 7 hours)
Included: Full board
DAY 9 – HUAYHUASH → HATUNCUYOC
Today we tackle the highest pass of the trek, just below 5,000 metrów, which rewards us with another breathtaking panorama. This demanding stage keeps us very close to the glaciers, crossing a col between Trapecio (5,644 m) and Puscanturpa (5,430 m) before descending through glacial moraine to camp at 4,500 m.
(Elevation gain/loss: +900 m / –800 m; 15 km / 8 hours)
Included: Full board
DAY 10 – HATUNCUYOC → HUAYLLAPA
A peaceful day almost entirely downhill to the remote village of Huayllapa (3,610 m). We re-enter civilisation among fields of quinoa, kiwicha and potatoes. The traditional houses are built of adobe with thatched ichu-grass roofs. We visit the village school and deliver school supplies that are greatly needed in these isolated communities. Camp on the outskirts of the village.
(Elevation gain/loss: +600 m / –1,600 m; 16 km / 8 hours)
Included: Full board
DAY 11 – HUAYLLAPA
Rest and relaxation day in the welcoming village of Huayllapa. Time to meet the locals, share activities, and again visit the school to deliver supplies. Camp on the outskirts of the village.
Included: Full board
DAY 12 – HUAYLLAPA → ANCOSHPAMPA
We take advantage of the cool morning to begin climbing a lush trail beside a small river. After three hours we reach the sacred pre-Hispanic site of Incahuain (4,500 m), then continue more gently to Tapush Pass (4,800 m). A final hour of descent brings us to camp at 4,430 m.
(Elevation gain/loss: +1,190 m / –370 m; 13 km / 7 hours)
Included: Full board
DAY 13 – ANCOSHPAMPA → JAHUACOCHA
The day begins gently with a short climb to Yaucha Pass (4,800 m), followed by another easy ascent to a viewpoint at 4,900 m. From here we enjoy magnificent views of Jahuacocha Lake surrounded by its peaks and, with luck, soaring condors. Steep descent to camp on the lakeshore at 4,050 m.
(Elevation gain/loss: +470 m / –750 m; 14 km / 8 hours)
Included: Full board
DAY 14 – JAHUACOCHA → HUARAZ (120 km / 5 hours)
The trek gently concludes with a final stage down to Llamac (3,300 m) along a rocky trail overlooking the Pacllón Valley. Farewell drinks with the entire team, then private transfer back to Huaraz. In the evening we gather for a celebratory dinner with all or part of the team to mark the end of our great adventure.
(Elevation gain/loss: –1,400 m; 16 km / 8 hours)
Included: Private vehicle – picnic lunch – dinner – hotel
DAY 15 – HUARAZ
Free day in Huaraz.
Included: Hotel
DAY 16 – HUARAZ → LIMA
Transfer to the airport (or bus station) for the return journey to Lima. End of services.
Price Details
The travel package includes:
- International flights
- Assistance from your arrival at the airport until the end of the programme
- A professional French-speaking guide throughout the entire stay
- Entrance fees in general
- Hotels based on double-occupancy rooms
- Private transportation vehicle
- Round-trip domestic flight Lima – Huaraz – Lima
- Complete camping equipment
- Muleteers and cook
- Mules and horses to carry your personal belongings
- First-aid kit
- Horses for emergencies and unforeseen situations
- Meals on a half-board basis
The travel package excludes:
- Travel insurance (accident, cancellation, and trip interruption)
- Personal trekking gear and sleeping bag
- Drinks, tips, and personal expenses
