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For those who do not have time to make a complete Huayhuash circuit trek of 15 days. A carefully crafted shorter version of the classic Huayhuash, this challenging hike focuses on the heart of the Range. We will cross no fewer than eight passes (no mean feat!) while enjoying jaw-dropping views of some of the highest mountains in Huayhuash Range.
Day 1: Huaraz – Chiquian – Cuartelhuain
Quillcayhuanca - Tullpacocha 2Today an approximate five hours drive takes us up to Chiquian and Cuartelhuain, with spectacular views of the White and Huayhuash Mountain Range. Then we continue our travel by bus passing nice landscapes to after arrive to Cuartelhuain, where we spend the night at 4 170masl. On the way we are passing small villages such as: Llamac and Pocpa.
Day 02: Cuartelhuain – Cacanampunta – Mitucocha Lake
Today we start the day ascending to our first pass, Cacanampunta (4 650masl), at the northern end of the range, is the Continental Divide, after which the waters now flow to the Amazon and the Atlantic. . In this area the condors are often seen on thermals near the tops of these cliffs. From there a rough descent through a multicolored landscape leads us to a beautiful flat and grassy campsite at Janca (4 250masl) not far from Mitucocha Lake, below Ninashanca, Rondoy, and Jirishanca.
Day 03: Mitucocha Lake – Alcaycocha Pass – Carhuacocha Lake
Today’s pass, the Alcaycocha (4 750masl) is short but steep, with splendid views of Jirishanca and Mitucocha Lake. Descending, we finally arrive at the rim of the hanging valley, from which we look down on a lake of deep turquoise. Our campsite below Lake Carhuacocha (4 138masl) faces an incredible vista of peaks and hanging glaciers: a view that proves you do not need 8000m peaks to have the most inspiring mountain scenery. It must be the most beautiful place in the Cordillera Huayhuash.
Day 04: Carhuacocha Lake – Siula Pass – Huayhuash
Photographers are advised to wake up before dawn this morning, to watch the sun rise over the Lake and peaks from our campsite. The sun’s first rays catching the peak of Mt Yerupaja (6 634masl) certainly make the effort more than worthwhile. Today is a long gradual climb up a beautiful valley surrounded by the splendor of Yerupaja, Yerupaja Chico, Siula Grande, Jirishanca, Santa Rosa, and Carnicero and past the Lakes Gangrajanca, Siula and Quesillacocha. Then we climb steeply to the top of the rocky Siula Pass (4 800masl). Descend to Huayhuash Camp Site (4 345masl) surrounded by other mountains such as: Trapecio and the three Jurau’s peaks.
Day 05: Huayhuash – Portachuelo de Huayhuash –Viconga
We climb to the pass Portachuelo de Huayhuash (4 750masl) from where we look across to the Cordillera Raura and the snow topped peak Leon Huacanan. We skirt around the large lake Viconga before walking up the valley ½ hour to set up camp (4 480masl).
Day 06: Viconga – Cuyoc Pass – Huanacpatay
We cross our highest pass Punta Cuyoc (5 010masl) then descend to the Huanacpatay valley, where we have an easy walk in the afternoon to our camp site (4 330masl).
Day 07: Huanacpatay – Huayllapa village – Huatiac
We start the day going down easily along the green Huanacpatay valley toward to Huayllapa village (3 500masl), from where we catch the trail which goes steeply and in zigzag upward in a series of tight switchbacks into the grassy camp site of Huatiac (4 300masl).
Day 08: Huatiac – Punta Tapush Pass – Angoshcancha valley
This is a short and easy day. We start the day climbing gradually to Punta Tapush Pass (4 750masl), from where we will have a magnificent view of Diablo Mudo Mountain. Then we descend to our camp site passing Susucocha Lake. Our camp site is in Angoshcancha valley at 4 400masl.
Day 09: Angoshcancha – Punta Yaucha Pass – Jahuacocha Lake
On to the steep and scree-covered Yaucha pass, at 4 847masl. A short optional extra climb to the summit here reveals a viewpoint from which, on a clear day, there are magnificent views of the highest peaks of the Huayhuash range and long-distance panoramas to the peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Here is another good spot for sighting condors. A long descent brings us eventually to Laguna Jahuacocha, widely held to be the scenic gem of the whole range. Camp site at 4 050masl.
Day 10: Rest day (Short hike) – Optional
Jahuacocha lies at 4 100masl beneath the glacier-covered west faces of Yerupaja, Jirishanca, Rasac and Rondoy. By day and by moonlight it is an indescribably beautiful place; there is abundant bird life (Puna ibis, Andean geese and more) around its shore, and many fine walks around and above it. The lake and rivers hold plenty of trout and we hope to catch enough for dinner. We spend a rest day here, although this extra day is partly to allow for delays en route.
Day 11: Jahuacocha – Pampa Llamac Pass – Llamac – Huaraz
Take in the last views of the Cordillera Huayhuash before we leave the snow-capped mountains behind as we head down the Jahuacocha valley. The trail heads over the Llamac pass (4 300masl), into the village of Llamac (4 400masl), where the vehicle will be waiting for us to back to Huaraz.
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