Included:

• • An experienced, local trekking guide with extensive knowledge of the area, leading the full itinerary and giving daily briefings
  • 8-day trek in the Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru (8 days of hiking)
  • Accommodation for 7 nights at high-altitude campsites (tents pre-pitched by the crew before you arrive)
  • All meals during the trek: 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches (sometimes boxed), and 7 dinners, prepared by mountain chefs with fresh Andean ingredients, plus snacks on the trail and hot coca tea or coffee brought to your tent in the morning
  • Mules and arrieros to carry up to 10 kg of your personal gear in a duffel bag provided at the pre-trek briefing, so you hike with just a daypack
  • Mountain chefs and horsemen handling all cooking and camp logistics
  • Private pick-up from your hotel in Huaraz, the 5-hour drive to the trailhead at Cuartelhuain with a breakfast stop in Pocpa, and the 4.5-hour drive back to Huaraz from Pocpa at the end
  • Guided ascents of the high passes (Cacanan, Carhuac, Siula, Trapecio, Tapush, Yaucha, and Puca Puca), side hikes to the Mirador de Tres Lagunas and the optional San Antonio Pass, and cultural detours to Llamac village and the Huatiac community

Add-ons (can be arranged at an additional cost, leave a note at checkout):

• • Upgrade to a simple local guesthouse in Huayllapa on Day 5, with real beds, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and phone charging

Not included:

• • Transportation to Peru
  • Accommodation in Huaraz before and after the trek
  • Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
  • Insurance — mandatory, available at checkout
  • Guide gratuities — optional

In order to join this Huayhuash circuit trek, excellent fitness is required as well as previous multi-day trekking experience at altitude. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 16 km (10 mi), with up to 1,300 m (4,265 ft) of elevation gain.

This is a serious high-altitude circuit: you’ll cross a pass almost every day, camp between 3,820 m (12,532 ft) and 4,400 m (14,435 ft), and top out as high as 5,020 m (16,469 ft) at Trapecio Pass, with an optional push to San Antonio Pass at 5,100 m (16,732 ft) for strong, well-acclimatized trekkers. Walking days run roughly 4 to 8 hours, often on loose, rocky ground.

The good news is that mules carry up to 10 kg of your personal gear, so you only hike with a light daypack, and your tent is pitched and hot drinks are ready before you arrive. Spending a few days acclimatizing in Huaraz before the trek makes a big difference.

Huaraz sits at over 3,000 m (9,800 ft), and the trek crosses passes above 4,600 m (15,092 ft) almost every day, topping out at 5,020 m (16,470 ft) on Trapecio Pass. Acclimatizing properly is the most important thing you can do before this trek. Your guides recommend arriving in Huaraz at least two to three days before our Huayhuash circuit trek.

A few tips to help you acclimatize:

• • Use your days in Huaraz for acclimatization hikes, like Laguna 69 or Laguna Churup.
  • Drink plenty of water before and during the trek.
  • Take it slow, especially on your first days at altitude.
  • Let your guide know right away if you’re feeling unwell.

On the trail, your guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit. If altitude symptoms don’t ease, the safest option is to descend, and mules can be used to carry you down if needed.

We spend seven nights camping in the mountains while on our Huayhuash circuit trek, with a crew of guides, chefs, and arrieros taking care of the logistics. Here’s what to expect:

• • Camp — tents are pitched before you arrive, and each camp has a dining tent with tables and chairs
  • Toilets — a private toilet tent with a chemical toilet comes with the group, and most campsites also have community toilets
  • Water — boiled and filtered water is provided each morning, at lunch, and in the evening, so bring bottles to refill
  • Food — hot drinks are brought to your tent in the morning, and chefs prepare breakfast, multi-course lunches, and dinner every day
  • Weather — days are around 15–22°C (59–71°F), but nights drop to -5 to -10°C (14–23°F), especially at higher camps
  • Day 5 break — in Huayllapa, you can stay in a local guesthouse with beds, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging for a small extra fee

Not much. Mules carry up to 10 kg (22 lb) of your personal gear in a duffel bag, which you’ll get at the pre-trek briefing. Arrieros and mules also carry all the tents, cooking equipment, and food, so you’ll only hike with a daypack for water, snacks, layers, and a rain jacket. On Day 3, the mules take a separate route around a protected area and meet you at camp.

Mules carry up to 10 kg of your personal gear in the duffel bag handed out at the pre-trek briefing, so you only walk with a light daypack. Nights at camp are cold at these altitudes, so warm layers matter more than anything else.

Gear:

• • Daypack (25-40L)
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L)
  • Warm sleeping bag rated for below-freezing nights
  • Sleeping pad
  • Trekking poles (strongly recommended for the passes and long descents)
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
  • Camera (optional, but you’ll want it)

Clothing and footwear:

• • Broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support
  • Insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
  • Waterproof rain jacket and rain pants
  • Fleece or mid-layer, plus base layers (merino or synthetic)
  • Hiking trousers and shirts for layering
  • Warm hat, gloves, and a buff or neck gaiter
  • Sunhat and sunglasses with good UV protection
  • Hiking socks and warm socks for camp
  • Comfortable shoes or sandals for around camp

Other:

• • Toiletries (high-factor sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, hand sanitizer, biodegradable wipes)
  • Personal first-aid kit and any personal medication
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Snacks you particularly like
  • Dry bags or stuff sacks to keep gear organized in your duffel
  • Cash in soles for the optional guesthouse upgrade in Huayllapa and anything you buy in the villages

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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Group sizes and pricing:

• • This Huayhuash circuit trek runs with one professional, English-speaking guide. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
  • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. Solo travelers are welcome too: your guides will try to place you with other hikers so your trip can go ahead.
  • You can book a group departure, where other travelers may join to fill the group, or a private trek, where it’s just your crew. You’ll be able to select your preferred departure at checkout.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Huayhuash circuit trek on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
  • If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

The starting point of your Huayhuash circuit trek is Huaraz, Peru. To get there, most people fly into Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima. From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Huaraz.

You will meet your guide at 4 am on Day 1, when the team picks you up from your hotel in Huaraz. The private transfer to the trailhead at Cuartelhuain and the drive back to Huaraz from the Pocpa community at the end of the trek are both included.

Having insurance is mandatory for this adventure. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.