Huayhuash Circuit

The Huayhuash Circuit is widely considered one of the most spectacular and challenging trekking circuits in the Andes, if not the world. This is a trek on a grand scale, a high-altitude loop around the compact and fiercely beautiful Cordillera Huayhuash. Unlike many other world-class treks, the trail here remains consistently above 4,000 meters, crossing multiple passes that nudge the 5,000-meter mark. This sustained high altitude is the trek's defining feature and its primary challenge, demanding excellent physical conditioning and careful acclimatization.  

The reward for this effort is an unparalleled immersion in a landscape of raw, glaciated beauty. The trail offers intimate, ever-changing views of fluted ice faces, knife-edge ridges, and towering peaks that are among the most formidable in the Americas. The experience is fundamentally different from a European alpine trek; it is a true expedition into a remote wilderness. The reliance on pack animals and a support crew, the rustic campsites beside pristine glacial lakes, and the interaction with local Andean communities create a sense of journey and adventure that is profound and unforgettable. It is a trek for those who have graduated from the Alps and are seeking the next level of high-altitude challenge and scenic grandeur.

The Huayhuash Circuit is a remote, high-altitude trek in Peru. The gateway city is Huaraz, an 8-hour bus ride north of Lima. Huaraz serves as the essential hub for acclimatization, organizing treks, and renting gear. From Huaraz, it is a 5-hour private transfer to the typical trailhead at Cuartelwain (4,170 m). The trek finishes in the village of Llámac, from where a vehicle returns hikers to Huaraz. Due to the remoteness and lack of infrastructure, most trekkers hire a local agency, which provides guides, cooks, and pack animals (donkeys or mules) to carry equipment, making the trek a supported expedition rather than a self-sufficient one.

Accommodation on the Huayhuash Circuit is exclusively camping. There are designated campsites in valleys and beside lakes, often with basic toilet facilities. Guided treks provide all camping equipment, including dining and toilet tents.  

• Laguna Carhuacocha Campsite: Considered one of the most beautiful campsites in the world, with direct, stunning views of the peaks of Yerupajá and Siula Grande across the turquoise lake.  

• Laguna Jahuacocha Campsite: Another spectacular lakeside campsite, offering a final, breathtaking panorama of the western face of the range before the trek concludes.  

• Viconga Hot Springs Campsite: Located next to natural hot springs, this campsite offers a welcome opportunity to soak and recover tired muscles midway through the trek.