Trekking Cordillera Huayhuash, Mini trek Churin, Huaraz, Peru

Overview

07 Days/06 Nigths
Max. Altitude: 4850 m / 15,912 ft
Route: Mini Trek Huayhuash Churin
vailability: March - November
Difficulty: Moderate
People per Guide: 5

Cordillera Huayhuash is a mountain range within the Andes in Peru, stretching from north to south. The main part consists of about 20 peaks in only 25 km of length, including the second highest Peruvian peak Yerupaja (6617 m / 21,709 ft; after Huascaran 6768 m / 22,204 ft) and Siula Grande (6344 m / 20,813 ft), which is famous due to Joe Simpson’s book Touching the Void in which he recounts his successful but disastrous and nearly fatal climb to this mountain.

The Huayhuash trekking is known as one of the most beautiful treks in the world. Due to high altitude passes, it is not an easy trek, but the spectacular views over the surrounding mountains, turquoise blue lakes and impressive landscapes totally pay off the effort.

TIP:

We recommend you to do at least a 1-Day hike in altitude to be acclimatized before doing this tour.
We can offer you different hikes.

Huaraz - Acclimatization Churup lake

This is a very good hike to acclimatize. From Huaraz we go by car to the village of Pitec. On the way we pass several picturesque villages, such as Unchus and Llupa. At 3850 m /12,631 ft we start our easy hike up to Lake Churup with its blue colors sitting at an altitude of 4440 m /14,566 ft ling over steep rocks. And then we come back to Huaraz by the same way.

Acclimatization Wilcacocha lake

Acclimatization Uruscocha lake

Acclimatization Ahuac lake

Acclimatization Rajucolta lake

Acclimatization Laguna 69

Travel Program

Itinerary

Day 01: Huaraz 3100 m / 10,170 ft – Matacancha / Cuartelhuain 4180 m / 13,713 ft
Starting from Huaraz, we drive through Huaylas alley to Conococha, which offers impressive panoramic views over Huayhuash mountain range. We observe many snow peaked mountains, such as Yerupaja, Jirishanca, Rondóy and others. We then drive through villages Llamac and Pocpa. Finally, we set up our camp at Matacancha. 5 hours of driving aprox.

Day 02: Matacancha 4180 m / 13,713 ft– Lake Mitucocha 4200 m / 13,779 ft
We start our trek with a zig-zag track that leads up to Cacananpunta pass at 4750 m. We descend through a large picturesque valley that opens to a beautiful lake Mitucocha (4200 m), where we set our camp right at the lake banks. We then do a lateral trek on the moraine. 5 hours aprox.

Day 03: Lake Mitucocha 4200 m / 13,779 ft – Lake Carhuacocha 4100 m / 13,451 ft
We start the third day walking through Mitucocha valley, ascending up to Carhuac pass (4650 m / 15,255 ft) which offers an excellent panoramic view of Siula and Yerupaja mountains. We descend down to a beautiful lake Carhuacocha to set up our camp on an idilic spot with a splendorous view over Siula mountain, complemented with Yerupaja and Jirishancas mountains. 5 hours aprox.

Day 04: Lake Carhuacocha 4100 m / 13,451 ft – Huayhuash 4350 m / 14,271 ft
This is a long day of walking, starting at the beginning of Queropalca valley. We ascend up to Siula pass (4800 m / 15,748 ft) with excellent views over the surrounding mountains. Yerupaja (6634 m / 21,765 ft) is the second highest peak in Peru and Siula (6356 m / 20,853 ft) is an impressive mountain that was made famous by Joe Simpson’s book Touching the Void in which he recounts his successful but disastrous and nearly fatal climb to this mountain. We also get excellent views over Carnicero and Trapecio. We descend to Huayhuash to set our camp. 7-8 hours aprox.

Day 05: Huayhuash 4350 m / 14,271 ft - Viconga 4500 m / 14,763 ft
This day we reach the most southern point of Huayhuash mountain range, ascending to Huayhuash pass at 4700 m / 15,419 ft. We get excellent views over Cordillera Raura mountain range at one side and southeastern face of Trapecio at the other. We descend south and walk along lake Viconga until we reach thermal baths. This is a great opportunity to rest and take a relaxing hot bath. 4-5 hours aprox.

Day 06: Lake Viconga - Lake Surasaca 4350 m / 14,271 ft - Churin
We start out hiking up to Portachuelo de Viconga pass (4800 m / 15,748 ft) where we get a spectacular views over Cordillera Raura mountain range and southern part of Cordillera Huayhuash. We then descend to lake Surasaca where our transport waits to take us to Churin valley. We pass many small villages on our way, such as Quiches, Oyon and Cashaucro. Arriving to Churin, we enjoy relaxing thermal baths. We sleep at hotel in the village. 6-7 hours aprox.

Day 07: Churin – Lima
Transfer to Lima. End of our service.

What’s included

Include:

Tour of Acclimatization
Local Guide
Specialised cook
Entrance fee to the Comunity (Huayhuash)
First-Aid kit
Private transport between Huaraz / start and end of trek.
Complete meals during the trekking program
Donkey driver
Donkeys
Kitchen / dining tent.
Collective technical equipment
Camping equipment
Tent for 2 Person
Toilet tent

Not Included:

Travel accident and health insurance
Pick-up from the station and transfer to the Hotel reserved for you in Huaraz.
Transfers from the airport / hotel / airport - Lima
Hotel accommodation in Lima.
Tour of the city
Transfer from the station to the hotel / station / hotel - Lima
Bus ticket Huaraz / Lima,
Hotel accommodation in accordance with tour program.
Porter
Food and drink in Lima and Huaraz
Travel luggage and Travel cancellation insurance
Not mentioned food and beverages
Personal Spending
Personal equipment (sleeping bag, backpack, harness, hiking pants, mountain jacket (goretex), hiking shoes, matraz, suitable clothing, personal medicine, crampons, ice axe, sunglasses, etc.)