Huaraz, Áncash, Peru

Huayhuash Treks: 4, 8 & 10 Days

Three ways around the same legendary cordillera. Compare the routes side by side and pick the one that fits your legs, your time and your budget.

Compare the routes ↓
Snow peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash lit at first light above Laguna Carhuacocha, their shapes reflected in the still water

The Three Huayhuash Tours

Every departure walks the same range with the same licensed local crews. What changes is how many days you give it — and how much of the loop that buys.

  • Five trekkers with raised poles at the Three Lakes viewpoint on the Cordillera Huayhuash Mini Trek, three turquoise lakes and the snow walls of the range below them
    Great first Andean trek

    Huayhuash Mini Trek 4 Days

    • 4 days / 3 nights
    • Max altitude: 4,830 m
    • ~35 km (22 mi)
    • Difficulty: Moderate
    • The only Huayhuash trek that starts and ends in Lima — no Huaraz logistics
    • Night one beside Laguna Carhuacocha, under Yerupajá and Siula Grande
    • Sleeping bag, pad and pillow included — mules carry the rest

    FromUS$560p/p

    incl. community fees · groups of 5 or more people

  • Two trekkers crossing a wooden footbridge at the outlet of a turquoise lake, snow walls rising behind, Cordillera Huayhuash
    Most popular

    Huayhuash Trek 8 Days Alpine Circuit

    • 8 days / 7 nights
    • Max altitude: 5,020 or 5,080 m
    • 101 km (63 mi)
    • Difficulty: Difficult
    • 8 passes in 8 days — Trapecio (5,000 m) and San Antonio or Santa Rosa
    • Siulá Grande up close: the Touching the Void amphitheatre
    • Mules carry the camp — you walk with a daypack

    FromUS$890p/p

    incl. community fees · groups of 5 or more people

  • A trekker with arms raised at the Three Lakes viewpoint, three turquoise lakes below the snow walls of the Cordillera Huayhuash
    The complete experience

    Huayhuash Full Trek 10 Days

    • 10 days / 9 nights
    • Passes up to ~5,000 m
    • 114 km (71 mi)
    • Difficulty: Challenging
    • The complete Cordillera Huayhuash trek at a kinder pace — more time to acclimatize
    • Extra viewpoints and rest built in: the way locals recommend it
    • The most margin for altitude: ideal if it's your trip of a lifetime

    FromUS$1,120p/p

    incl. community fees · groups of 5 or more people

Compare the Huayhuash Treks

The three cordillera Huayhuash tours, line by line: how far each one walks, how high it goes, what it passes and what it costs.

Swipe the table sideways to see all three treks.

The 4, 8 and 10-day Huayhuash treks compared: distance, altitude, difficulty, landmarks and price
FeatureMini TrekMost popularAlpine CircuitFull Circuit
Days4810
Distance~35 km (22 mi)101 km (63 mi)114 km (71 mi)
Max altitudeSiula Pass · 4,830 mSan Antonio Pass · 5,020 mCuyoc Pass · 5,000 m
DifficultyModerateDifficultChallenging
Starts fromLima (overnight bus)HuarazHuaraz
Nights camping379
Viconga hot springsYes (day 3)Not on this routeYes (day 5)
Three Lakes viewpointYesYesYes
San Antonio Pass / viewpointNot on this routeYesYes
Trapecio PassNot on this routeYesNot on this route
Sleeping bag includedYesRent in HuarazRent in Huaraz
PriceFromUS$560FromUS$890FromUS$1,120
Full detailsView Mini TrekView Alpine CircuitView Full Circuit

Which Huayhuash trek is right for you?

  • Short on time — or starting from Lima?

    The Mini Trek packs Carhuacocha, the Three Lakes viewpoint and the Viconga hot springs into 4 days, round trip from Lima with no Huaraz logistics. The gentlest door into the range.

    Mini Trek 4 Days →
  • Fit, acclimatized and chasing the high line?

    The 8-day Alpine Circuit takes the full loop over Trapecio and San Antonio passes — the closest you can stand to Siula Grande without climbing it. The most popular departure.

    Alpine Circuit 8 Days →
  • Want every corner, at a kinder pace?

    The 10-day Full Circuit walks the complete loop with built-in acclimatization, nine passes and an afternoon in the hot springs. The classic way, done right.

    Full Circuit 10 Days →
What trekkers say

Huayhuash Circuit Trek Reviews

Published on TripAdvisor by people who walked with the local lead guide in Huaraz — reviews of the crew that runs all three circuits.

Excellent5.08 reviews

ait u

Huayhuash con Joel

El trekking de Huayhuash ha sido espectacular y hacerlo con Joel la mejor elección que pudimos tomar. Se ha preocupado por todo y siempre pendiente de que estuviéramos lo mejor posible. Solo tenemos palabras de agradecimiento hacia él por los días buenos que hemos pasado en Perú.

Hazel U

Tours al lado de Joel

La mejor experiencia de mi vida la viví con Joel, todos se pueden hacer el favor de ir a la Huaraz con él y además visitar la Cordillera Huayhuash junto a él. Joel da una atención personalizada, la comida que brinda es súper completa, y el equipamiento es el mejor. Gracias Joel por cumplir un sueño que llevaba tiempo esperando.

scoobyscoobydoo

5d

Mini Huayhuash trek

My wife and I just finished a private 5 day Huayhuash trek with Joel. He was a great guide, friendly to deal with, and professional. The quantities of food and snacks were more than enough. We'd definitely recommend Joel for anyone who'd want to trek in the Huayhuash range.

sparklingnight100

Huayhuash Trek

We just completed a 5-night mini trek in the Huayhuash range with Joel. He was friendly to deal with, organized, professional, and doubled up as a good cook. The trek itself was definitely tough with the altitude and we totally appreciated all the support from Joel.

Philip B

Joel helps you go further than you thought possible

Outstanding adventure with Joel and his team. He helped us achieve the circuit with humour and patience. It was only after we got home we realized how much he had done to make our trek enjoyable, safe and at the same time spectacular. Many thanks.

A S

Guide sympathique et expert du Hyauhuash

Joel a été un guide incroyable. Nous avons fait ensemble le circuit du Hyauhuash et il connaissait tous les autres guides et les habitants tout au long de la marche. Il a été très agréable et sympathique. En plus, c'est un excellent cuisinier. La prochaine fois que je serai à Huaraz, je ne prendrai que Joel.

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j m w

8d

Super compagnie, nourriture incroyable !!!

Nous avons fait une traversée alpine de 8 jours dans le Huayhuash et Joël a veillé à ce qu'on ait le ventre plein et le moral au beau fixe ! Et juste avant le coucher, il préparait une potion magique qui faisait disparaître les maux de tête et assurait une bonne nuit de sommeil ;) J'aimerais tellement que mon espagnol soit meilleur, comme ça la prochaine fois on pourra blaguer davantage : ) ) )

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Mary Childress

O Joel é o melhor!!

O Joel é o melhor! Ele ajudou a organizar as minhas duas últimas expedições de pesquisa científica no Parque Nacional Huascarán e eu não teria conseguido sem ele! Não há nada melhor do que voltar ao acampamento-base depois de um longo dia de caminhada e encontrar uma comida peruana quentinha e deliciosa à sua espera. O Joel faz com que acampar e caminhar nos Andes seja uma experiência luxuosa e fácil — mal posso esperar para trabalhar com ele mais vezes!

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Still deciding? Every departure includes camps, meals and community fees.

Weekly departures May–September · installment payments available.