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High on the Huayhuash
Our guide, Pablo Morales
Skulls found at the pre-Inca ruins of Pueblo Viejo.
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This trek is sustained and demanding, though never as arduous as the eight passes we cross would suggest. It has a remote feel and with the altitude, our extra early acclimatisation days are essential. The trail skirts glaciers, moraines and icy green lakes, always dwarfed by the towering peaks above. We will be awe-struck at the sights of Yerupaja, Siula and the icy needle of Ninashanca and marvel at the panorama of white peaks spread out from the top of Punta Cuyoc, our highest pass at 5000m.
We camp in high meadows, fish for fresh trout and marvel at the abundant and varied bird life. All this in the good company of our local guide, cook and arrieros is an experience and an adventure to remember forever.
Itinerary
| DAY 1 Arrive Lima. Hotel. | | DAY 2 We leave Lima early for the eight hour bus journey to Huaraz. We have considered spending a ‘shakedown’ day in Lima but at this time of the year the weather is invariably gloomy grey and overcast and we think it better to head up into the mountains without delay.The first part of the journey follows an arid desert
coastline with disturbing evidence of Peru’s burgeoning urban population in several overflowing shanty settlements. As we head up into the mountains the landscape
quickly becomes less sombre and rural life looks to be far preferable. Once over the pass of Conococha we have a first glimpse of snow covered mountains and
after a long day we finally arrive in Huaraz, the heart of the Peruvian Andes. (B) | | DAY 3 Huaraz, at 3050m above sea level is the capital of Ancash province and the trekking centre of the Cordillera Blanca. There is time to relax, recover from the travelling and start getting used to the altitude. We suggest an afternoon acclimatisation walk beyond the town and up to a Pre Inca temple. A descent through fields finishes at the thermal pools at Monterey. (B) | | DAY 4 An acclimatisation day. We drive through villages up a nearby mountain valley to the road head (3850m). Laguna Churrup (4600m) is a sapphire blue lake set in a
beautiful amphitheatre, high above the main valley and is one of the jewels of the Cordillera Blanca. It is a tough but attainable target for the first outing but to climb high and then sleep lower is good for acclimatisation. We return to Huaraz. (B,L,) | | DAY 5 The Huayhuash beckons! We drive to
the village of Llamac, the gateway to the Cordillera Huayhuash. We have a brief stop in the small market town of Chiquian to stretch our legs in the Plaza, walk around the nearby market and perhaps buy a cup of coffee. A rough road continues to Llamac, and we stop en route for a pleasant picnic
lunch beside a bubbling river. When we arrive in Llamac, our crew will have already set up camp in the village football field. 3300m. 6 hours journey, including stops. (B,L,D) | | DAY 6 An important acclimatisation day. We remain in Llamac and climb on a good path to a wide saddle where we have our first high views across to the mighty peaks of the Huayhuash. We can return to Llamac (5-6 hours) or continue on to visit the pre-Inca ruins of Pueblo Viejo. (7-8 hours return) (B,L,D) | | DAY 7 An easier day today beginning with a lovely walk up the valley following the Rio Llamac to the village of Pocpa. The valley is beautiful, there is an abundance of
flowers, trees and birdlife and we are likely to meet local hill folk on the path coming down to Llamac with their produce and livestock. Beyond Pocpa the countryside opens out into rolling tussockland before reaching our pleasant
campsite is beside a stream. 4185m. 5-6 hours. (B,L,D) | | DAY 8 This morning we cross the Punta
Cacanan (4700m) pass which marks the crossing of the continental divide and the Andean watershed. From here the water drains to the Amazon basin and on into the Atlantic. Descending now along the eastern side of the range we reach a beautiful lakeside campsite at Mitacocha (4300m) where there are powerful views of the Huayhuash giants, Jirishanca, Rondoy and
Ninashanca. 6 hours. (B,L,D) | | DAY 9 Leaving Mitacocha we follow a high and sometimes steep route over an unnamed pass at 4800m to visit the surprisingly deep blue Lake Aguashcacha, then descend to join the trail around Lake Carhuacocha. The trail passes by a farm cottage above the lake – sometimes there are beers for sale! We spend the night at Carhuacocha, a very large turquoise green lake where we camp in a walled enclosure at its eastern end. From our campsite there are great views of Siula,
Yerupaja, and Yerupaja Chico. 4138m. 7 hours (B,L,D) | | DAY 10 Rest day! Two nights at Carhuacocha lake enables us to take a side trip to Laguna
Siula (4300m). This small blue lake sits beneath the tumbling glaciers of Siula Grande. There is plenty of wildlife here including andean geese, torrent ducks,
kara kara and waders. The round trip takes about 4 hours from the camp. Other options: have a rest or try fishing for trout! (B,L,D) | | DAY 11 We skirt Laguna Siula and climb sometimes steeply to a pass at 4800m with aweinspiring views of close by glaciers and lakes, followed by a easier descent to our
remote camp at Lake Carnicerococha, sometimes called Juraucocha. A fantastic high mountain day. 4450m. 7-8 hours. (B,L,D) | | DAY 12 Shortly after leaving camp we reach the now deserted and isolated settlement of Huayhuash. It was until recently a traditional highland Indian community almost totally cut off from the 20th century. From Huayhuash it is a long gradual climb to the pass of Portachuelo (4750m). Descending south, we enjoy our first views of the smaller and even more remote range of the Cordillera Raura. We skirt Lake Viconga and camp at about 4480m in the Pumarini valley. 6-7 hours. (B,L,D) | | DAY 13 A long day and the highest pass of the trek! We leave early and a steady ascent
reaches Punta Cuyoc (5000m). It is thrilling to be this high and seemingly able to
reach out and touch the hanging glacier of Puscanturpa! But we have to descend,
steeply at first past a tower sculpted by the wind and weather, then to the flatbottomed
Quebrada Huanacpatay, which is followed to our camp. 4330m. 5-6
hours. (B,L,D) | | DAY 14 We leave the Quebrada Huanacpatay and make a high traverse of the hillside
through highly scented lupins into the Quebrada Jurau. We camp at the top of the
valley, close to the base camp of Siula Grande, immortalised by Joe Simpson in
‘Touching the Void’.4250m. 4 hours (B,L,D) | | DAY 15 An attractive campsite has been really appreciated here. We climb further up
beyond Siula Grande base camp to visit the high twin lakes of Sarapococha and
Santa Rosa. From here we can view the route over the moraine that Joe Simpson
crawled down during his epic survival struggle. In 2002, Joe and Simon Yates and
a complete film and climbing crew came back to film a re-enactment of the epic, a
major project which ‘High Places’ and our local Peruvian team arranged and
supported. 3-4 hours (B,L,D) | | DAY 16 Early on we pass an impressive waterfall before
continuing down the valley and passing through stone
walled fields on our way to the village of Huayllapa
(3700m). Here we ascend a narrow valley to camp at
Huatiac (4300m) 6 hours. (B,L,D) | | DAY 17 A long and tough day where we cross two passes:Punta Tapush (4750m) and Punta Yaucha (4800m)
before descending to the spectacular Laguna Jahuacocha (4000m). On the way there is dramatic rock scenery and we should have magnificent views
of the surrounding peaks of Rondoy, Jirishanca and
Yerupaja, highest peak in the Huayhuash. In 2003 we had close up views of 3 condors hunting on the
hillside as we descended to Laguna Jahuacocha. 8 hours. (B,L,D) | | DAY 18 An adventurous day, we climb to the top of Cerro Amarillo- “The Yellow Mountain”
5060m. A steep, but never difficult climb and you are rewarded with fantastic views
of nearly all the high peaks in the Huayhuash.. From the top you feel as if you
were standing on top of the world! Added interest is an operating gold mine near
the summit, which must be one of the highest working mines anywhere in the
world. A long day, but one of the most rewarding on the trek. 7½ hours. (B,L,D) | | DAY 19 A well earned rest day at Laguna Jahuacocha, which is considered to be one of
the most inspiring settings in the Huayhuash. This large blue lake lies at the upper
end of a deep valley, with an imposing amphitheatre of peaks around it. If energy
levels permit take a walk to the lake, which provides a home for geese and a
whole host of other birds. The crew may prepare a traditional pachamanca feast
for lunch. Current information is that beers can be bought from a house behind the
camp! (B,L,D) | | DAY 20 Our final pass is the gradual climb to Punta Pampa (4300m). Here we enjoy a last
close up view of the Huayhuash peaks before making the steep and long descent
to Llamac. 5 hours. From Llamac, we drive back via Chiquian to the fleshpots of
Huaraz and enjoy a celebratory evening meal. (B,L) | | DAY 21 A free final day in Huaraz – sheer enjoyment after the deprivations of a long trek
(B) | | DAY 22 The long return bus ride to Lima, usually a lively ride with re-oxygenating blood, a
sense of achievement, relaxation and a welcome rest from activity. Our trip ends here, usually at the airport, and an evening flight home. For those going onto
Cusco and Machu Picchu, a hotel in Lima and an early departure next day. (B) MACHU PICCHU EXTENSION AVAILABLE. |
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Sixteen days of trekking, almost always above 4000m, crossing a breathtaking succession of passes around the spectacular Cordillera Huayhuash mountyains in the Peruvian Andes. This is simply one of the greatest walks in the world.
Price From
£1590
Reference
PEHU
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Holiday valid to
31 August 2010
Price Includes • Airport transfers (excluding land only clients)
• Domestic flights where appropriate
• All accommodation on a twin share basis.
• All transport integral to the itinerary.
• All meals except where stated in the trip itineraries.
• A High Places or locally appointed leader.
• All group trekking equipment and support.
• National park fees, local taxes and permits, except where stated in the trip itinerary.
Price Excludes • International flights
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Travel insurance
• Personal equipment, clothing etc
• Souvenirs etc
• Tips
• Certain meals (see trip itinerary)
• Any local airport departure taxes
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