| Day
1. Arrival in Lima. Transfer to Hotel. |
Elevations
Lima 90m (295f)
Timing
Driving: 40 Min
Meals
None |
Lima was the great capital
of the colonies when Spain dominated those lands. The great Conquistador
Pizarro decided to build it because of its great climate. It is said that
the Incas sent him a spell and since then, Lima stays most of the year under
a thick mist. Our hotel is located in one of the residential areas of the
city.
|
| Day
2. Bus to Huaraz. Hotel Andino |
Elevations
Huaraz 3,080m (10,072f)
Timing
Driving: 8 Hrs
Meals
B,L |
The bus takes about
8 hours, a bit long but quite worth as the road climbs from the desert beaches
of the Pacific towards the Andes, changing the landscapes often enough not
to be bored with the long ride. Huaraz is the “Chamonix” of
South America as it is strategically located in front of the Cordillera
Blanca. Thousands of trekkers and climbers start their expeditions there.
It is also our starting point for Huayhuash. |
| Day
3. Hike to Pastoruri. Hotel Andino |
Elevations
Pastoruri 4,900m (16,000f)
Timing
Driving: 3 Hrs
Walking: 3 Hrs
Meals
B,L |
Today we will head to
the heart of Cordillera Blanca. After 70 km we will get to the base of Pastoruri
Mountain. It used to be the place where the skiing activities took place.
Unfortunately the glacier is receding badly and every year there is lest
snow on it. We can hike very close to the 5,000 m. Later in the afternoon
we will get back to the Hotel in Huaraz. |
| Day
4. Transfer to Queropalca. Camp. |
Elevations
Queropalca 3,831m (12,527f)
Timing
Driving: 5-6 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
A minivan will transport
us inside the mountain valleys. We will leave Cordillera Blanca behind and
get to the eastern side of the Huayhuash. It takes 5 to 6 hours to get to
Queropalca. A village that used to be the center of operations of the guerrillas
(Shining Path) in the early 90s. In between the potato and corn fields and
the steep mountain sides, we certainly feel that we have been transported
to a different world. |
| Day
5. Trek to Carhuacocha. Camp |
Elevations
Carhuacocha 4,138m (13,531f)
Timing
Walking: 5 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
We finally are starting
our trek on what is probably the “hot spot” of the Andes. A
very well marked trail will lead us to the hearth of the giants. The valley
we will follow climbs slowly towards the shining, pointy summits. The mountain
grow in the horizon at every step we take and the thin cold air make us
feel a kind of elated. Our campsite is located close to the outlet of the
Carhuacocha lake. Tonight, we will have fresh trout for dinner. |
| Day
6. Trek to Huayhuash. Camp |
Elevations
Siula Punta 4,834m (15,807f)
Huayhuash 4,345m (14,208f)
Timing
Walking: 7-8 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Today’s hike is
a bit “technical”. The trail gets very close to the Mountains
and follows the shores of several lakes. One wonders what physical law permits
such huge hanging glaciers to stick to such vertical walls. Later it gets
very steep and narrow to overcome the rocky walls that have been polished
by ancient glaciers. Finally the pass (Siula Punta) reveals the magnificence
of nature: the snow shine, the colored lakes the menacing dark walls…
The descent will takes us to Huayhuash Village. There we will set up our
third campsite. |
| Day
7. Trek to Cuyoc Pampa. Camp |
Elevations
Trapecio Punta 5,020m (16,415f)
Cuyoc Pampa 4,731m (15,470f)
Timing
Walking: 5-6 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
We will leave the traditional
trekking route and will take a more rewarding route over the Trapecio Punta
pass. The terrain is a bit difficult and the trail faint but the views are
as astonishing as always. We will be so close to Trapecio Mountain that
it will seem that is leaning over us. The descent will take us to another
valleys with several lagoons. We will camp at the flat spot in the lower
valley. |
| Day
8. Climb Jurauraju. Camp |
Elevations
Juaruraju 5,335m (17,446f)
Timing
Walking: 7-8 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Our first summit in
the Huayhuash. An easy ascent along a glaciated gentle slope towards a wide
ridge. The last years the ridge has been exposing its rock and depending
on the season we will deal with snow cornices or a rock scramble. Later
we will return to the same last night’s campsite. |
| Day
9. Trek to Huatiaj. Camp |
Elevations
Huayllapa 3,580m (11,707f)
Huatiaq 4,253m (13,907f)
Timing
Walking: 8-10 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Today will be the longest
trekking day. We will follow down one valley till the village called Huayllapa.
There we will turn north and walk up a narrow gorge until it opens up in
a meadow surrounded by steep mountain sides. Huatiaj is an Indian ranch
open to trekkers to camp on the flat spots. |
| Day
10. Climb to Diablo Mudo. Camp |
Elevations
Diablo Mudo 5,350m (17,495f)
Huacrish 4,800m (15,696f)
Timing
Walking: 8-9 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Diablo Mudo is the most
popular climb in the Huayhuash. We will have to pack our bags as the mules
will take the campsite to another valley, in the other side of the mountain.
The climb is a bit more technical than Jurauraju and the glacier much more
interesting. We will descend on the eastern face where there is not very
much snow. We will camp at the Huacrish valley. |
| Day
11. Rest Day. Camp |
Elevations
Huacrish 4,800m (15,696f)
Timing
None
Meals
B,L,D |
A rest day is a must
before our final goal. There are many lakes in the area that are worth to
visit and relax at their shores |
| Day
12. Climb Ankocancha. Camp. |
Elevations
Ankocancha 5,450m (17,822f)
Huacrish
4,800m (15,696f)
Timing
Walking: 6-8 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
|
Ankocancha climb is
a classical one. A gentle glacier, a navigation through the crevasses; then
steeper snow and ice slopes to a summit ridge. To reach the very top, we
need to climb a short steep gully. The view over the Yerupaja and Siula
Grande is just beyond description. It is possible to point out the face
were Simon Yates lowered Joe Simpson with a broken leg and of course “The
crevasse”. It is difficult to decide when to start the down climb.
The view is so overwhelming and exhilarating that we want to stay a bit
more, every time. |
| Day
13. Trek to Jahuacocha. Camp |
Elevations
Jahuacocha 4,060m (13,276f)
Timing
Walking: 3 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
An easy downhill hike
will get us back to main trekking routes. Jahuacocha will be our last camping
night in Huayhuash. Nevertheless the view is as magnificent as has been
every single day on our long journey. |
| Day
14. Trek to Rondoy. Transport to Huaraz. Hotel Andino |
Elevations
Rondoy Punta 4,735m (15,483f)
Rondoy 3,950m (12,917f)
Huaraz 3,080m (10,072f)
Timing
Walking: 4 Hrs
Driving: 5 Hrs
Meals
B,L |
Most “last trekking
days” are boring downhill hikes, back to the roads. This one is a
true golden closure. The west faces of Yarupaja, Toro, Jirishinca and Rondoy
will guard us with its towering presence. After the last pass on our trek
we will descend to Rondoy. There will be the van to takes us back to the
hot shower, to Huaraz. |
| Day
15. Transport Back to Lima. Transfer Out |
Elevations
Lima 90m (295f)
Timing
Driving: 8 Hrs
Meals
B,L |
Most flights leave Lima
in the night. So we have enough time to take the bus back to the Capital.
There is also a daily plane at an extra cost. The ones who will stay in
Lima, please contact us to make hotel reservations. |
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One
can certainly say that if the Himalayas have a competitor in both splendor
and magnificence, then it is Huayhuash. We are not afraid to say that
there is no comparable beauty anywhere else in the Andes. Huayhuash Mountain
Range is so striking that marks ones lives forever.