Huayhuash Trek

Hey there! 

Welcome to Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe. 

Today, we’re heading to Peru to tackle the Huayhuash trek.

High up in the Andes, this route circumnavigates the entire Huayhuash mountain range, giving trekkers a diverse range of landscapes, from high-altitude barren passes to lush valleys.

Unlike its more famous neighbor, the Inca Trail, the Huayhuash trek is less crowded, providing a more serene and remote experience for trekkers.

Huayhuash Trek

Some of the iconic highlights of the Huayhuash trek include the stunning views of peaks like Yerupajá, the second-highest mountain in Peru, and Siula Grande, made famous by Joe Simpson's harrowing tale in the book and film "Touching the Void."

Trekkers may also come across turquoise glacial lakes such as Laguna Mitucocha and Laguna Carhuacocha, providing opportunities for reflection and awe amidst the pristine Andean wilderness

The trek is a true high-altitude challenge.

Everything is more difficult up there, walking, breathing, sleeping, and even going to “the bathroom”.

Being well acclimatized is crucial for only to complete the trek but also for your safety.

So, how high are we talking?

There are several grueling mountain passes you’ll need to climb that are higher than 16,400 feet (5,000 meters).

The trek typically covers a distance of around 75 mi (120 km) and takes approximately 10 to 14 days to complete, depending on the route chosen and how fit and acclimatized your group is.

The reward for all this effort is an unforgettable journey through one of the most stunning and untouched mountain landscapes in the world.

If you are seeking a true wilderness experience in the Peruvian Andes, this trek might be for you.

Explore More

If you would like to learn more, here are some links you can check out to get more information about the Huayhuash Trek.

• Trekking Peru’s Cordillera Huayhuash (article)

• Hiking 80 miles on the Cordillera Huayhuash (video)

How to Hike the Huayhuash Trek

There are tour operators offering guides who will arrange guides, cooks, food, and portage mules for this hike. Many of these tours leave from the nearby city of Huaraz.

If you have trekking experience and all of your gear, you can also complete this trek independently.

If that’s your style, you’ll need to get to Matacancha (aka Quartelhuain), the starting point of the trek. You can hire a taxi from Huaraz to take you directly there or do a combination of bus rides and hiking.