HUAYHUASH MAGIC (HY)
(strenuous with trekking peak)
20 days from Lima

Cordillera Huayhuash

Peru’s Cordillera Huayhuash is an incredibly dramatic area to trek in.

This is one of the most rewarding of all our trekking itineraries taking you into the wilderness of the Andes.

The massif features a dozen sharp, ice-clad summits that rise dramtically from rolling grassland.

You may also spot herds of alpaca, condors and the elusive vicuna on this trip.

Acclimatise in Huaraz

You get used to the altitude at the highland town of Huaraz with a walk in the Cordillera Blanca.

Also, before or after the Huayhuash, you can raft on the white water of the River Santa. Or visit Chavin de Huantar, the 3000-year-old centre of a feline-worship cult.

The trek

The Huayhuash is a sparsely populated area of awesome ice-flanked peaks and glacial lakes.

Having acclimatised, we head south across wild puna (high altitude grasslands).

Llamac is the start and finish point of our circuit. Leaving civilization far behind, we soon have the first of many close-up views of huge fissured glaciers feeding opaque lakes.

High passes

The clockwise circuit takes us over eight high passes (between 4300 and 5000 metres).

We are offered stunning views of towering ice-covered mountain walls. There are also opportunities for rewarding side-trips into remote, pristine glacial valleys.

Climb Suerococha

There is the option of a non-technical day climb of the Suerococha (5350m) trekking peak.

Once back in Huaraz, we have one last night before our return to Lima.

Check our Books and Maps section where you will find a range of literature to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.

Extensions

Choose to trek the Inca Trail or take a trip into the Amazon rainforest.

You can also complement this tour with one of our excellent extensions.