HUAYHUASH TREK PERU ITINERARY This circuit trek takes us to the Peruvian Andes and the Sierra Huayhuash – a range of mountains 30 km long, where six peaks tower above 6000 metres and 29 reach 5000 metres. This includes Yerupaja, the second highest peak in Peru (6634 meters). We trek to the base camp of Siula Grande (6344 meters) made famous through the Joe Simpson and Simon Yates near fatal expedition and subsequent movie “Touching the Void”. This is a challenging trek with huge rewards and magnificent mountain views of Himalayan proportions, fabulous hospitality, culture - and expert, safety conscious guiding by our trusted local partners. The trek crosses 10 passes and covers about 150 kilometres over eleven days. A lot of time is spent at altitudes over 4000 metres, so we take our time to acclimatize, including two nights at the charming “Lazy Dog Inn”, an eco-lodge in the Cordillera Blanca. From here we take two stunning day hikes before heading to the big mountains of the Cordillera Huayhuash. Dan Murphy, co-owner and guide for Active Earth Adventures, will be joining this trek. LENGTH 20 days GRADE D: Average 6 hours trekking per day, up to 8-9 hours on longer days START Lima, Peru FINISH Lima, Peru DEPARTURES 4th of August 2018 PRICE US$ 2900 “I WILL NEVER FORGET IT!” “The Huayhuash was truly the trek of a lifetime. It was tough at times but the rewards were huge. Those huge mountains just made me feel so small as a human being and I will never forget it!” ~ Kresten from Denmark ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVE LIMA You will be met at the airport by our local partner and taken to our group hotel in Mira Flores. This plush and trendy suburb will seem a world away from some of the suburbs we pass through on the way. Chances are your flight will arrive in Lima in the late afternoon or evening, relaxing at the hotel is the only thing planned for today. DAY 2 LIMA (ALTERNATIVE ARRIVAL DAY) This is a free day to explore central Lima a bit further or rest up for the rigours of the days ahead. A stroll around the outdoor shopping mall of “Larcomar,” situated on the sea cliffs, is a surprisingly pleasant way to get a taste of life in this part of the city. The views of the ocean are stunning. For something a little more cultural a visit to the Presidential Palace and Plaza de Armas - old colonial center, is well worth the effort. The official ‘Changing of the Guard’ ceremony is performed every day at mid-day. In the evening meet with your fellow hikers and Dan Murphy (AEA tour leader). Head out to a local restaurant and get to know each other over a delicious Peruvian dinner. Includes breakfast. DAY 3 LIMA TO HUARAZ An incredible bus journey today, as we leave the capital of Lima behind, climbing high into the Andes before arriving in vibrant Huaraz. This city has a great atmosphere, friendly people and fantastic local markets. At 3052 metres above sea level, Huaraz is surrounded by giant ice sculpted peaks- you are living in the Andes! At this altitude you may feel a bit light headed and short of breath so we take our time over the next two days to get acclimatized on some amazing local hikes. This will help you get used to the thinner air. Stay in Huaraz hotel tonight before moving to the Lazy Dog Inn Eco Lodge in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca tomorrow. Includes breakfast. DAY 4 ACCLIMATISATION DAY HIKE TO LIACA 3-4 hours Now we have reached the Andes you will be ready to start hiking! We leave Huaraz today and drive out to The Lazy Dog Inn Eco Lodge, our home for the next two nights . There you will enjoy fabulous food and hospitality and have the opprtunity to relax whilst acclimatizing. Although a rough road at times, it’s a pleasant drive and on the way we will see the classic terraced farmland which supports a wide variety of crops including quinoa, wheat, corn and of course potatoes (Peru has over 1000 different varieties of potatoes). After leaving our luggage at the Inn, we continue by vehicle up the Llaca Valley and enter the the Huascaran National Park. It’s a short hike to the beautiful lake of Llaca which sits at 4,474 meters hiking in a little further, we get close up views of the glacier. There are also incredible views of the peak of Ranrapalca (6162m). Choose to head back to the Lazy Dog by car, or take a more direct line through rocky fields andenjoy the expansive mountain views. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. DAY 5 ACCLIMATISATION DAY HIKE TO LAKE CHURUP 3-4 hours A final day of acclimatisation before starting the trek. From Pitec we start hiking and enter Huascaran National Park. The path climbs steadily up a ridge, before a shorter steeper stretch on the final climb to the lake. The lake sits at an altitude of 4450 metres. Sit back ActiveEarthAdventures.com HikingNewZealand.com PO Box 331, Rangiora 7440, New Zealand Email: [email protected] NZ: 0800 697 232 - Australia: 1800 141 242 - USA: 1 844 681 4351 Rest of World: +64 3 310 8188 and admire the view of the mighty peak of Nevado Churup (5493 metres). Take time to explore the lakeshore before descending the same way. We return to our fine lodgings at the Lazy Dog Inn, enjoy another great meal and rest. Tomorrow we depart for the Huayhuash. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. DAY 6 HUARAZ - CHIQUIAN - LIAMAC - CUARTELHUAIN Today we are Huayhuash-bound and pass through the villages of Chiquian, Llamac and finally Cuartelhuain, our first camp at 4,100m. This is around a 6 hour drive with the option to trek (2 hours) the final section to camp. At Cuartelhuain we meet the the hard working crew of donkeys and the drovers (arrieros) who will trek with us and carry the gear! Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. DAY 7 CUARTELHUAIN - CACANAN PASS 4,700M - MITUCOCHA 6 hours Let’s get started! Today, our first official day on the circuit, is a ‘climb high’ and ‘sleep low’ day, which will help us to acclimatise further. Trek up to the first pass of Punta Cacanan (4700m) then descend to the campsite at the beautiful Lake Laguna Mitucocha (4150m). There will be plenty of time to relax at camp after the first day on the Huayhash circuit. The views of the huge peaks of Ronday, Jirishanca, and Ninashanca are absolutely jaw dropping! Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. DAY 8 MITUCOCHA - CARHUAC PASS 4,600M - CARHUACOCHA 4,250M 6 hours Trek up to the pass of Paso de Carhuac (4650m) then descend to camp at Laguna Carhuacocha (4250m) when we are spoilt once again with incredible campsite views. Gaze across the lake to the peaks and ice fields of Siula and the peaks of Yerupajá – the highest peak in the Huayhuash Range at 6,635 meters. We may take an alternative route via an unnamed 4800m pass which has stunning views of Jirishanca Chica and passes by Lake Aguascocha, a beautiful and very deep lake. This is an unmarked route with a short section of scrambling – the guide will decide on the day if this route is appropriate. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. DAY 9 CARHUACOCHA - SIULA PASS 4,800M - HUAYHUASH 4,250M 6-8 hours Once again there will be the choice of two routes today. The first and slightly easier climb is up to the Carnicero Pass (4600m), followed by an easy descent to camp either at isolated Laguna Carnicero 4300m (also called Juraucocha) or to another camp in the open valley of Huayhuash (4250m). Or take a more demanding route, climbing to a 4800m pass, before crossing above the glacier fed lakes of Siula and Quesillococha. This route puts you right in the heart of the surrounding peaks and glaciers with some of the best views in Peru. The lake often has ice floating on its surface debris from the glaciers high above. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. ActiveEarthAdventures.com HikingNewZealand.com PO Box 331, Rangiora 7440, New Zealand Email: [email protected] NZ: 0800 697 232 - Australia: 1800 141 242 - USA: 1 844 681 4351 Rest of World: +64 3 310 8188 DAY 10 HUAYHUASH - PORTACHUELO PASS 4,650M - VICONGA (HOT SPRING) 6-7 hours Pass through the now deserted Indian community of Huayhuash, before the long gradual climb up to Portachuelo Pass (4,650m). Enjoy the views of the remote Cordillera Raura and the snow topped peak Leon Huacanan. The trail follows the shore of the large lake of Viconga before heading up the valley a short distance to the campsite. Enjoy a sunset soak in the nearby hot spring at Viconga. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. DAY 11 VICONGA - CUYOC PASS 5,000M - SAN ANTONIO 5 hours Today you will cross the highest pass of the trek, Cuyoc (5000 m). Being this high is an incredible experience, the views of the nearby hanging Puscanturpa glacier are awe inspiring. The climb to the pass takes around 3 hours. After enjoying the views of these huge Himalayan-like mountains you will begin the easing descent, and eventually arriving at the San Antonio camp. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. DAY 12 SAN ANTONIO - SAN ANTONIO PASS 4,990M - CUTATAMBO 4 hours Another day and another pass to cross! We make our way up to the San Antonio Pass and at just below 5000 meters this is the second highest pass of the trek.