Domos Cordillera Blanca, Trekking Huayhuash

Lima: Transfer from the airport (or hotel) to take you to the bus terminal.

You will take a comfortable night bus to Huaraz at around 10pm.

Arrival in Huaraz early in the morning and transfer to the domes (3600 meters above sea level) where you will receive a breakfast.

You will be able to use your own dome at no extra charge as long as it is free in the early hours. Otherwise you can take advantage of the large dome which is very comfortable to rest a little.

Free day in the Quilcayhuanca valley. This acclimatization walk on relatively flat ground, at an altitude of about 4000 meters, is ideal as a first acclimatization walk. The valley is wild and bucolic, the cliffs are impressive.

After the walk, the driver will take you back to the site of the domes where you will spend the night.

Walking time: about 4 hours

Elevation gain: D+ 100m, D- 100m

Driving time there and back: 1h30

The Llaca lake is located at 4400 meters above sea level, in the valley of the same name, just behind the site of the domes.

A vehicle will take you up to the entrance of the Quebrada from where you will walk up to the lake. You will gradually immerse yourself in this beautiful valley of the National Park. You will then arrive at the green Llaca Lake, located at the foot of the Ranrapalca and Ochsapalca peaks, both of which are very impressive. Return to the vehicle and then to the domes.

Free afternoon at the domes.

Walking time: about 4 hours

Elevation gain: D+ 400m.

Departure from Huaraz after breakfast. It's a 4.5 hour drive to Quartelhuain. By vehicle you will have pass the Conococha pass and will have the first views of the Cordillera Huayhuash with the famous Yerupaja in the distance, the second highest peak in Peru.

This first day of the expedition will also be your last day of acclimatization and adaptation to the altitude. That's why the camp will be set up in Quartelhuain itself, at 4170 meters of altitude.

No long walk that day, just an optional walk on the mountain sides to stretch the legs. The aim was to keep our strength up for the next day's pass and above all to have a good night's sleep, the first at an altitude of over 4000 metres.

(Driving time: 4,5h, walking time: approx 1h, D+ 150m, D- 150m)

We will start walking just after breakfast and start our trek directly over the Cacananpunta pass at 4690m. Then we will descend to the village of Janca in the Quebrada Caliente where we will set up camp. Then you can walk freely to the Mitococha lake before returning to the camp. This is a little less than 10 km for this first day of gentle walking.

(Walking time: approx 6h, D+ 540m, D- 490m)

9 km are on the program for this day. After a good full breakfast prepared by our cook, we will attack the Punta Jirishanca pass (4750 m). At this point we will pass between the peaks Jirishanca Chico and Co Yanayana. On the way down we will pass near Lake Alcaycocha before continuing our walk to Lake Carhuacocha where we will set up camp for the night.

(Walking time: 6-7h, D+ 500m, D- 600m)

For this third day of walking we will have the right to a breakthrough in the Huayhuash mountain range. Indeed, we will take a path as close as possible to the side of the major summits and particularly to the Yerupaja (6617 m). There are no less than 4 high altitude lakes during this day which is certainly one of the most beautiful that this trekking in the Huayhuash range offers.

(Walking time: approx 7h, D+ 600m, D- 650m)

A step of about 8 kilometres and your first pass at more than 5000 meters, the spectacular Trapecio pass from where you will discover the southern faces of the range.

On the way down you will pass by the Hunacpataycocha lakes. The camp will be set up shortly before Huanacpatay.

(Walking time: about 7 hours, D+ 600m, D- 650m)

More than 18 km, another pass with a 5000 m altitude. This is the little that awaits you on this 6th day of trekking in the Huayhuash mountain range. This is clearly the longest day and it starts off strong with the Mirador San Antonio pass at almost 5000m. Fortunately the reward is beautiful, the pass offers you an exceptional view on the southwestern part of the majestic Huayhuash mountain range. Then, the rest of the day, we will progressively descend along the Rio Calinca to the village of Huayllapa.

(Walking time: about 8-9h, D+ 650, D- 1500)

On the 7th day of our trek in the Huayhuash mountain range we are at the western end of the range. We will hike up to the Tapush Punta pass at 4750m and stop just after it. We will then be in the Quebrada Gashapampa where we will settle for the night.

(Walking time: approx 7-8h, D+ 1250m, D- 350m)

Today we will cross our last major pass, the Yaucha Punta (4847m), before descending to the Laguna Jahuacocha. On the way we will be able to appreciate once again the beauty of the landscapes that we will see on our trek through the Huayhuash mountain range.

(Walking time: approx. 6-7h, D+ 400m, D- 800m)

On this last day of the trek you will pass a last pass, the Mancan pass at 4580 meters. You will enjoy the last views of the lakes and peaks of the Huayhuash mountain range. As you pass the pass, you will already see the Cordillera Blanca and the small Cordillera de Huallanca in the distance. You will also see the village of Pocpa at the bottom of the valley, more than 1000 meters below. 

It is in Pocpa that the vehicle will be waiting for you to take you back to Huaraz.

The return to Huaraz is planned for the end of the day, after about 3 hours of driving.

(Walking time: approx 6h, D+ 580m, D- 1250m)

At the end of the morning you will take a comfortable bus from Huaraz to Lima where you will arrive around 8pm. Transfer to the Miraflores district where you will spend the night.

Free morning in Lima, then transfer to the international airport according to your flight time back home.