Along the way......

This twelve-day trek is considered as one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, comparable to the great tour of the Annapurna in Nepal. In view of the different passes to climb, at altitudes of between 4,650 and 5,000 meters, this trek is considered difficult.

Day 1 : HUARAZ – QUARTELHUAIN / TREK

In the morning, transfer by vehicle to the Conococha Pass and crossing of the villages of Chiquian and Llamac. Nice view over the Cordillera Blanca and the Huayhuash Cordillera by clear sky. Camp at Quartelhuain (el. 4100 m.a.s.l. / 13,451 feet). All included.
Transfer: around 5 hours.

Day 2 : QUARTELHUAIN – CACANAN PUNTA - LAGOON MITUCOCHA / TREK

First stop, the Cacanan Punta Pass (el. 4 685 m.a.s.l. / 15,370 feet). Continuation of the hike towards Lake Mitucocha (el. 4230 m.a.s.l. / 13,877 feet), dominated by the Jirishanca (el. 6 094 m.a.s.l. / 19,993 feet).
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours; Distance: 7.1 miles; Elevation gain: + 585 m (1,919 feet) / - 455 m (1,492 feet).

Day 3 : LAGOON MITUCOCHA – ALCAY PASS - LAGOON CARHUACOCHA / TREK

Crossing of the Alcay Pass (el. 4 750 m.a.s.l. / 15,583 feet) and descent to the Lake Carhuacancha. Night in a camp, at 4 138 meters a.s.l. (el. 13,576 feet), right under the majestic Yerupaja (el. 6 643 m.a.s.l. / el. 21,795 feet); the second highest summit in Peru, , after the Huascaran. All included.
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours; Distance: 6.2 miles; Elevation gain: + 420 m (1,377 feet) / - 512 m (1,680 feet).

Day 4 : LAGOON CARHUACOCHA – HUAYHUASH / TREK

Time has come to get closer to the glaciers of this wonderful Cordillera and discover some lagoons exhibiting surprising colors… Crossing of a pass at 4800 meters a.s.l. (el. 15,748 feet). Camp in Huayhuash. All included.
Hiking time: 5½ to 6½ hours; Distance: 8.7 miles; Elevation gain: + 662 m (2,171 feet) / - 470 m (1,541 feet).

Day 5 : HUAYHUASH – VICONGA HOT SPRINGS / TREK

After having crossed Portachuelo de Huayhuash (el. 4750 m.a.s.l. / 15,583 feet), we follow on to Lake Viconga. Set up of the camp (el. 4450 m.a.s.l. /14,600 feet), and bathe in the neighboring hot springs. All included.
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours; Distance: 10.5 miles; Elevation gain: + 420 m (1,377 feet) / - 320 m (1,050 feet)

Day 6 : LAKE VICONGA - CERRO PUCACCACCA - LAKE VICONGA / TREK OR REST

Resting or hiking day to the Surasaca Pass, for the discovery of five nice lagoons. Bath in the hot springs. All included.
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours; Distance: 11.2 miles; Elevation gain: + 450 m (1,476 feet) / - 450 m (1,476 feet).

Day 7 : LAKE VICONGA – PUNTA CUYOC – QUEBRADA HUANACPATAY / TREK

This day’s hike takes us over the fifth pass of the trek: Punta Cuyoc, (el. 5000 m.a.s.l. / 16,404 feet). Impressive view over the Huayhuash Cordillera. Camp at Quebrada Huanacpatay (el. 4 500 m.a.s.l. / 14,763 feet). All included.
Hiking time: 4 to 5½-hour; Distance: 7.4 miles; Elevation gain: + 570 m (1,870 feet)/ - 500 m (1,640 feet).

Day 8: QUEBRADA HUANACPATAY - LAGOON JURAU / TREK

We cross an even more quiet area in the direction of the Dan Antoni Pass (el. 5050 m.a.s.l. / el. 16568 feet). Camp in the Jurau Lagoon (el. 4250 m.a.s.l. / 13,943 feet). For those who want to, hike to the Sarapococha Lagoon. All included.
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours; Distance: 5.5 miles; Height difference: + 850 m (2788 feet) / - 950 m (3116 feet).

Day 9: LAGOON JURAU - HUAYLLAPA / TREK

Hiking day with destination the village of Huayllapa (el. 3500 m.a.s.l. / 11,482 feet). Set up of the camp. All included.
Hiking time: 7 hours; Distance: 9.3 miles; Elevation gain: + 850 m (2,788 feet) / - 750 m (2,460 feet).

Day 10: HUAYLLAPA – PUNTA TAPUSH – PUNTA YAUCHA – LAKE JAHUACOCHA / TREK

During this hiking day we clear the Punta Tapush Pass (el. 4 750 m.a.s.l. / 15,583 feet) and Punta Yaucha Pass (el. 4 847 m.a.s.l. / el. 15,902 feet). Camp in the Jahuacocha Lagoon, with a view of Jirishanca (el. 6 094 m.a.s.l. / 19,993 feet). All included.
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours; Distance: 11.2 miles; Elevation gain: + 964 m (3,162 feet)/ - 1151 m (3,776 feet).

Day 11: LAKE JAHUACOCHA - HIKE - LAKE JAHUACOCHA / TREK OR REST

Resting or hiking day. Optional: hike to Lake Solterococha or to Lake Rasakcocha to observe the fauna and the local flora. All included.
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours; Distance: 4.9 miles; Elevation gain: + 350 meters (1,148 feet) - 350 meters (1,148 feet).

Day 12: LAKE JAHUACOCHA - RONDOY – HUARAZ / TREK

We go over the last pass, the Sambunya (el. 4 750 m.a.s.l. / 15,583 feet) and hike to Rondoy. Return by private vehicle to the hotel in Huaraz. Lunch included. Dinner open.
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours; Distance: 8.7 miles; Elevation gain: +684 m (2,244 feet) / - 670 m (2,198 feet).