Variant Huayhuash Trek Pass Cuyoc & Cutatambo
- Home
- Individual Tours
- Variant Huayhuash Trek Pass Cuyoc…
Huayhuash Circuit Trek: The Huayhuash trek route involves a circular route of 120 km around the mighty Huayhuash mountain range with several peaks above 6,000 m. The highest point in the trek, Yerupajá (6,617 m), is the second highest mountain in Peru, while another peak, Siula Grande (6,344 m), achieved notoriety as the setting for Joe Simson’s gruelling ordeal in his book Touching the Void. The Huayhuash Circuit trekking trails are less visited than the popular trekking trails of Cordillera Blanca, but the Huayhuash mountain range offers a challenging trek in a remote and sparsely inhabited part of the Andes where few trekkers venture.
Overview: Huayhuash Circuit trek around the Cordillera Huayhuash takes around 10 or 11 days to complete. There are several possible routes and the circuit can be tackled in either direction, but all Huayhuash Circuit treks include the same major features. As the trek progresses, participants need to dig deep into their reserves of endurance to conquer numerous high passes but are rewarded by the sight of magnificent, remote mountain vistas, including views of Yerupajá and Siula Grande, along the way. This is one of the toughest treks out of Huaraz that requires no technical mountaineering skills but the exquisite scenery along the way sets it apart from other challenging treks in Peru. The knowledge of having conquered such a demanding trek is ample recompense for the exertion required to reach the end.
Many guiding books: They say that Huayhuash trekking is the most beautiful in all of America (and the second best trekking in the world).
- 13 Days/12 Nights
- May to November
- Moderate


Travel Program
Day 1: Huaraz - Chiquián - Llamac
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet your group at 7:00am and you will head south of Huaraz toward the Huayhuash Mountain Range. During the drive, you will pass through the rural towns of Recuay, Ticapampa and Catac before reaching Lake Conococha (4,100 masl), the headwaters of the Santa River. You will then head east to the town of Chiquián (3,400 masl) before heading further into the mountains to the remote community of Llamac. During the drive you will have great views of several peaks of the Huayhuash, such as Ninashanca, Jirishanca and Yerupaja. You will arrive at Llamac (3,300 masl) around 12:00pm where we will eat lunch and campout for the night.
Driving
4 hours approx
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
Only camping
Meals
-/L/D
Day 2: Llamac (3,600 masl) - Pocpa - Cuartelwayin (4,300 masl)
After breakfast in Llamac, we will begin our trek at 9:00am, passing through the rural village of Pocpa before we reach our second campsite at Cuartelwayin around 2:00pm. From here, we’ll have a spectacular, up-close view of Ninashanca Mountain to the south.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
5 Hours approx
Meals
-/L/D
Day 3: Cuartelwayin - Cacanan Pass (4,700 masl) - Mitucocha
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
5 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 4: Mitucocha - Carhuac Pass (4,500 masl) - Carhuacocha
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
8 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 5: Carhuacocha - Siula Pass (4,850 masl) - Huayhuash
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
8 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 6: Huayhuash - Portachuelo Pass - Viconga
We will start hiking at 8:00am, beginning with a 1-hour ascent to Puertacuelo Pass (4,750 masl). Once at the pass, we’ll take in views of Trapecio, Cuyoc and a hand-full of other snow-capped peaks before we begin our 4-hour descent into Viconga, finally making camp at Lake Jatuncocha (4,100 masl). In the evening we’ll have a chance to soak in the hot water of natural thermal springs near our campsite!
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
4 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 7: Viconga - Punta Cuyoc Pass (4,900 masl) - Elefantepampa (4,250 masl)
After breakfast we’ll begin our ascent to Cuyoc Pass (4,900 masl) the highest pass of the circuit. From Punta Cuyoc we’ll have the chance to observe the peaks Puscanturpa, Cuyoc and the Pumarinri glacier. Later, we’ll make a 2.5-hour decent to Elefantepampa (4,250 masl) where we’ll make camp and watch the sunset behind Mount Cuyoc.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 8: Elefantepampa - San Antonio Pass - Cutatambo (4,400 masl)
Our day begins with a 2-hour climb to San Antonio Pass (4,900 masl). From the pass we will have great views of the glacial lakes of Siula, Sarapo and Jurau. We will then descend into the Sarapo Valley, the site of British Climber Joe Simpson’s historic mountaineering accident that inspired the novel and film, “Touching the Void”. We will set up camp at Cutatambo (4,400 masl) in the Sarapo Valley, break for lunch and then take a hike to the three glacial lakes we saw from the pass.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 9: Rest day in Cutatambo - Day hikes to surrounding glacial lakes
Enjoy a slow morning and relaxing breakfast! Today we rest in Cutatambo, so feel free to sleep-in and take it easy. Alternatively, you may opt to come along for a day hike to explore one of the many nearby glacial lakes such as Sarapo, Jurau and Santa Rosa. Lunch will be served in camp.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
5 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 10: Cutatambo - Huayllapa - Huatiac (4,400 masl)
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
8 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 11: Huatiac - Yaucha Pass (4,800 masl) - Casgapampa (4,625 masl)
Our day will begin with a 3-hour ascent towards Tapush Pass (4,800 masl) where we will have an excellent view of the snow-capped peak, Diablo Mudo. We will make a steady descent until reaching our campsite at Cascapampa (4,625 masl).
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
4 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 12: Casgapampa (4,625 masl) - Yaucha Pass (4,800 masl) - Jahuacocha (4,100 masl)
After breakfast we will hike towards Yaucha Pass (4,800 masl) where we’ll see the peaks of Jirishanca, Ninashanca and Yerupaja. We will continue hiking for 2 hours until we reach our campsite at Lake Jahuacocha (4,100 masl).
ALTERNATIVE OPTION: Climb Diablo Mudo (5,350 masl). Breakfast will be served at 2:00am and we will depart camp no later than 3:00am to make our way to the summit. After summiting, we will descend to our campsite in Jahuacocha. Total hike/climb time: ~12 hours
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 13: Jahuacocha - Llamac - Huaraz
Overnight
Hotel
Hiking
8 Hours approx
Driving
4 hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
What's Included
Services included in the prices:
- Peruvian trekking-guide
- Cooks and helpers
- All meals during the tour
- Donkey driver and donkeys
- Camping tents (2 persons)
- Kitchen equipment
- Transportation as tour schedule / Huaraz
Not included:
- International flights to Lima / Peru round trip
- Transfer from the airport for bookings of individual flights with different times of arrival / departure
- Exit tax at the airport in Lima
- Travel accident and health insurance
- Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
- Meals in restaurants in Lima and Huaraz
- Pick up at the airport in Lima to the Hotel
- Transfer from the Hotel to the airport and bus station
- Transport public bus or Domestic flight Airline LC-Peru
- Hotel Casa Andina 2 nights in Lima or other hotel
- Hotel San Sebastián 4 nights in Huaraz or other hotel
- Entrance fees to the Huascaran National Park
- Personal expenses
- Personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc.)
- Tips
What to Bring
What to Bring or take fo Day Hiking and Technical Equipment for Climbing Expedition
This equipment list is compiled to provide you with adequate help when choosing your equipment for a climb. Most items are required. Please consider each of them and make sure you understand the function and exclusive use for mountaineering, before substituting or removing items from this list. Please note that this list has been carefully annotated by the organizer. Remember that mountaineering, mountaineering or mountaineering is an extreme, risky sport, therefore everything related to it is of great attention.
These items should be on your hiking checklist:
Hiking backpack for hiking 30 to 40 liters
Light gloves for hiking or (Optional Mittens waterproof)
Medium weight socks
Sleeping bag (-10º to 15ºC)
Small daypack for one day hiking 20 liters
Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
Hiking boots or shoes
Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down
Rain poncho (or rain gear)
Long-sleeved shirts
Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
Lightweight pants
Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
Water bottle for hiking or trekking
Strong waterproof duffel bag
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
Towel for personal hygiene each participantFirst-aid kit
Regular and long underwear
Knife or multi-tool
Light cap and wool hat
Sunglasses with UV certification, Sun block, lips
The rest of the list Essentials as appropriate for your hike
Grooming and personal hygiene kit
One Hiking Buff per person
Technical Equipment for High Altitude Expedition Mountains
3 Locking carabiners, we recommended per person
We recommend 2 ice screws for each client
1 Daisy Chain (Life Line) per each person
2 Ice axes (per person) technical, we recommended GRIVEL company
1 ATC descender (Rappel), this is very necessary for technical mountains
2 Cords for prusik, very important (Size Cord 6 mm x 10 m. long)
Gloves(Good gloves) for expeditions over 6000meters
Harness, we recommended GRIVEL company
Sleeping pad / Mattress, we recommend with air or inflatable mattress
Crampons, we recommended GRIVEL company
Walking sticks (optional), a pair per person, we recommended GRIVEL company
Down Jacket for expedition
Very important to have personal clothing such as pants and jacket with GOROTEX certification
First aid kit, for high mountains, because we as guides cannot medicate clients
Backpack Capacity 60 liters, it is better to have a bigger backpack to go comfortably to the high camps, because here you have to carry all your personal things
Gaiters or Leggings, now modern boots already have built-in (Incorporated), but better to have an extra pair
Dressing appropriately for the mountains can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a really uncomfortable one. Clothing must provide the right degree of temperature, perspiration and be well ventilated. Preferably cotton clothing should be avoided, as in humid conditions they absorb body heat.
In general, the weather conditions in in the Andes of South America can vary from day to day and even throughout the day. Therefore, clothing must be versatile.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the necessary equipment.
Prices & Dates
FROM/TO
PRICE (USD)
TRAVEL STATUS
–
FROM/TO
PRICE (USD)
TRAVEL STATUS
–
FROM/TO
PRICE (USD)
TRAVEL STATUS
–
FROM/TO
PRICE (USD)
TRAVEL STATUS
–
» Additional dates available upon request
» Rates may vary from July 26th to 31th for the national holidays
Prices (per person):
1 PAX | 2 PAX | 4 PAX | 6 PAX | 8 PAX | 10 PAX | 12 PAX | 14 PAX |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD |
Deposit for reservations: — USD (– EUR) ✓ Full payment 40 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!
Places: *Available
Trip-code: Number ►PER-
Duration: 13 days
Participants: Minimal: 4 Maximal: 12
Members: We don’t have an open group to join – We can open a new group – Contact us!
Country / Location: Peru
Mountain Guide: Edwin Albino Lliuya
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!
3% early bird discount when booking 6 months prior to departure 2023
Legend Booking-information:
EZZ Single room supplement
🟢 On this trip, places are still available.
🟡 On this trip, only a few places left.
🔴 This trip is sold out / closed.

Edwin Albino Lliuya
Expert trekkin guide certified
Trekking-guide of Peru Expeditions
- WhatsApp: +51 943 081 066
- E-Mail: [email protected]
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
What our travelers or clients always ask questions before joining our trips, tours & expeditions, read all the information provided here.
Suggested FAQs
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
Every day we have active walks around approximately 4, to 5 sometimes 6 hours of walking, everything is according to your pace and physical condition of each person, in each of our travel programs you will find more detailed information, and if If you need more information about each day of the travel program, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts or questions, for this please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
For our mountain climbing trips: If they are easily accessible mountains: For easy-climb mountains, well, you don’t need much experience, but if you already want to climb mountains above 6,000 meters and the conditions become more difficult, we recommend if you already want to go through mountains above 6,000 meters, have a basic or intermediate course for a good preparation. It is very important to be physically, technically and psychologically prepared.
Regarding the preparation of children: Everything will depend on which mountain you want to climb with your children, once you are clear on which of our tours or mountains you want to go with your children, we can give you some advice or see how to prepare them before going with they.
Regarding older people: It all depends on the condition of experience and how well the person is in health, on many occasions older people are the best to walk in the mountains because they have more experience, so it is always good to ask and find out about their experience of older participant. If you have any other questions, please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
To do long-distance hiking you need to at least train or do some tours such as visiting lagoons to get the experience and feel comfortable with what you do, it is always good before doing a long-distance hiking tour to test yourself so as not to be with the problems of altitude sickness during the trekking, and if you travel with children it is good to first train them before taking them, if they are accompanied by an adult of legal age, they must do a good acclimatization before going on the long-distance tour or with high altitude camps If you want to know or learn more advice, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
The preparation is according to what type and what technical level you want to go and climb a trek or mountain, the preparation will always gain experience little by little.
For this type of demanding or technical climbing sports, it is recommended to do some summits above 5 thousand meters beforehand and have good knowledge of high mountain technical equipment such as the use of technical ice axes, ice screws, correct use of crampons, and of course all the technical material. For more information, we can schedule an appointment to be able to explain in more detail everything about the mountain equipment and the preparations prior to joining our outings. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?
For the pick-ups of each trip, depending on the place or the trip that you are going to make with us, the meeting point is always at our office, in one of our trips we pick you up where you are staying or staying, or in some cases a A representative of our company will pick you up and then ship you to your transport to continue with your destination of the tour or trip you have booked with us. If you wish to request more information, do not hesitate to contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
In all our trekking or mountaineering trips we do not include personal equipment in our prices, so you have to have your own equipment: Personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc. ) and also within each page of the trips that we sell is a small list so you can see it on our website.
Our company can also rent the materials that you would need for your trip, see the list here on our website: https://peru-expeditions.org/equipment-rental/ . For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
In our trips, either hiking or mountaineering: Depending on the type or destination of the trip that you are going to book, in some parts of the treks you go with mules or donkeys or sometimes with horses, and within the mountain trips, the approach camps are also They go with mules or donkeys, but there are some stretches where pack animals can no longer reach. In this part, our logistics is fully supported by the porters.
Who are the porters? They are people from the area who were born and live in the heights of the towns, they are very strong and are very acclimatized, the reason is that after the tourist season ends they dedicate themselves to agriculture and livestock for that reason they are people They are used to the altitude and have lived in nature all their lives and they are happy to be in the mountains together with our expeditions. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
About accommodation or meals during the tour: Well, depending on the type of tour, when the tour is a classic cultural tour or a city tour, we eat during the route in tourist restaurants and sleep in category hotels that the client has requested.
If the tour is with camps and trekking: During the activity, logistics we include the service of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with traditional and typical meals of the region where you are going to travel with us, during the night we stay in tents, and we have a special tent for the kitchen and another for the dining room.
If the trip is at altitude or in the mountains: We bring special high mountain food, It are quicker meals to cook and we provide complete logistics such as Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and we sleep in special 4-season high mountain tents, with the best tents. If you have any questions or concerns, we can schedule an appointment via Whatsapp to clarify all your doubts and give you better information so that your trip is an unforgettable tour.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that I need to consider before the tour?
Safe and effective vaccines are available that provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Billions of people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against COVID-19, help end the pandemic and stop new variants emerging.
We also recommend having accident insurance, we always recommend. We are Partners –Global Rescue. If you have any other questions about the trip we can schedule a date for a calling via WhatsApp. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
In mountains above 5000 meters: A local guide takes a maximum of 3 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide
In technical mountains: In large-big mountains we manage the travel policy, a guide and a maximum of 2 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Can I join a group?
We as a local company and connoisseurs of tours have departures on different dates. The best thing to do is to join a travel group to take care of your budget, and of course you can join our groups, but on trips like mountaineering we recommend going in small groups. To join a group, ask us for the dates and we will send you the necessary information to be able to join any of our trips.
Why go in a private trip: For trips whether trekking or high mountains, going privately is the most recommended option, but the costs are more expensive. So, if one joins a group, the prices will be more reasonable. In the mountains, the only disadvantage is if you are in a wall with another partner and if one of the participants gets tired or gets sick. In this case, you have to abort or cancel the summit and return together. For more information, contact us. We can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify all your questions.
In a mountain, for example, if 3 people go and one of the participants falls ill on the route, for security reasons they have to cancel or abort the summit or return all together. The same in a technical mountain if the climbing partner gets sick they all have to return, for these reasons sometimes it is better to go private only because for a single person the costs are more expensive for the same reason that the trip would already be private .
For more information please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What happens in the event of bad weather?
About the meteorological conditions of the climate, we try to organize the trips of each tour in the best season to have the best views and enjoy the selected trip but sometimes even is good season we can have bad weather, in this case on hiking or treks trips The complications are minimal, but when this happens during high-altitude climbing expeditions, the complications can become very difficult, that is why the bosses or leaders of the local guides must always make the most correct decision for the safety of our passengers, so we always recommend listening to the best advice from the local guide assigned for each tour. If you have any other questions please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
- Recommended Tours