Peru Huayhuash Circuit Trek - Combination of the classic and alpine routes from Queropalca to Llamac

Cordillera Huayhuash Trek: 7 days backpacking trip from Queropalca to Llamac through a combination of the classic and the alpine routes.

Cordillera Huayhuash Reserved Zone - Ancash, Lima and Huánuco regions, Peru

29 May - 4 June 2024



Itinerary:
Depending on the time and budget the Cordillera Huayhuash Trek can be done in many different ways. Itineraries vary from 3-4 days "mini Huayhuash" to full 10-12 days complete Huayhuash circuits. Also, the hiker can walk the "classic" Huayhuash route, or the alpine route which is a more challenging course with multiple sections at higher elevations than the classic route and more challenging mountain trails and passes. A combination of the two routes is also possible, which is what I did.
Because of the multiple possible itinerary options I felt that it did not make sense to track my route and mileage to be used as a reference.
I have found the following travel blog to be very helpful for planning purposes and to gain a good understanding of the many possible itinerary options:
https://triptins.com/category/huayhuash/

The following was my 7 days itinerary:

Day 1: Queropalca (trailhead) to Laguna Carhuacocha. The first day included a 8 hrs drive from Huaraz to Queropalca. The hike from Queropalca to Laguna Carhacocha is on an easy very gradual secondary road and trail and requires 3 to 4 hrs.

Day 2: Laguna Carhuacocha to Huayhuash Camp via Mirador Tres Lagunas and Siula Pass.

Day 3: Huayhuash Camp to Elefante Camp via Trapecio Pass.

Day 4: Elefante Camp, San Antonio Pass, Huayllapa

Day 5: Huayllapa to Gashpapampa Camp via Tapush Pass

Day 6: Gashpapampa Camp to Jahuacocha Camp via Yaucha Pass

Day 7: Jahuacocha camp to Llamac via Pampa Llamac Pass. The final day included the 6 hrs drive from Llamac to Huaraz.


Hike / Trek Notes:
The Cordillera Huayhuash trek has been dubbed "the best trek in the World"; I personally do not think it is, but there is merit to that definition. I certainly think it is a top "World class" trekking route which deserves a high ranking in every avid hiker bucket list; it is absolutely worth doing, in fact I hope I can do it again to explore trails and areas I could not explore this time.
With the proper acclimatization to high elevation I have found my first take of the Huayhash Circuit Trek to be very easy. Admittedly I was very lucky with the weather (no rain or snow at all in all 7 days and very little cloud cover). Overall I have found the trails to be very easy and well marked and maintained, including the alpine route sections that I did.
Undoubtedly, the Huayhuash is a popular trekking route - at least in the dry "high" season -; I have found the camp sites to be always busy with multiple groups of hikers supported by trekking agencies. This was in sharp contrast with my Alpamayo Los Cedros Trek that I did about a week later where I camped alone for multiple days.
In regards to the beauty of the circuit I clearly think the images of the video speak for themselves. The "landscape beauty" per mile (or per km) is very very high and it is an absolute hiker joy to be lucky to walk through those trails. The memories of those nevados and lagunas are something to remember for a lifetime.
In regards to the topic of doing the Huayhuash trek independently or with the support of an agency, after some investigation I decided for the "hybrid" version which is to contract the transportation to and from the trailheads with an agency and also to buy the donkey/burro service so my heavy backpack would travel with the donkeys of the agency, but for the rest I camped and cooked independently with my own gear as I always do for all others backpacking trips. As a post trip insight I have mixed feelings about this approach. It certainly makes the hiking easier as I did not have to carry a heavy pack, but it also limited the itinerary flexibility as your tent and food will be where the "donkey" will be at the end of every day. For a couple of days I would have preferred to change my route but at that point I could not as the combination of my full pack plus the day pack I also brought with me was too much to carry. Lesson learned: will travel lighter next time. I am already ready to do it again!


Music:
Cold Winds by Gavin Luke
Licensed by Epidemic Sound.

#huayhuash #hiking #backpacking #cordillerahuayhuash #huayhuashcircuit #huaraz #llamac

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:53 - Trip Highlights
04:19 - Day 1: Queropalca to Laguna Carhuacocha
06:13 - Day 2: Laguna Carhuacocha to Huayhuash Camp via Siula Pass
10:33 - Day 3: Huayhuash Camp to Elefante Camp via Trapecio Pass
16:15 - Day 4: Elefante Camp, San Antonio Pass, Huayllapa
19:51 - Day 5: Huayllapa to Gashpapampa Camp via Tapush Pass
23:19 - Day 6: Gashpapampa Camp to Jahuacocha Camp via Yaucha Pass
29:18 - Day 7: Jahuacocha Camp to Llamac via Pampa Llamac Pass