Regional overview

The Cordillera Huayhuash is a compact, high, severe range south of the Cordillera Blanca, protected as the Zona Reservada Cordillera Huayhuash. SERNANP describes it as a high-mountain protected area of 67,589.76 ha, created to conserve the range’s ecosystems and exceptional landscape beauty, with trekking commonly taking place above 4,000 m. Its walking character is remote, high-altitude, pass-to-pass trekking among glaciated 6,000 m peaks, turquoise lakes, community-managed camps, and weather-exposed puna. The essential “day hikes” are best treated as one-day route sections or side hikes inside a supported circuit.

Selection rationale

Huayhuash is remote and trek-oriented. These five entries are essential one-day sections or side hikes within the range, not simple day trips from Huaraz. Together they cover the classic east-side pass and lake basin under Yerupaja, the Tres Lagunas viewpoint day, the high Punta Cuyoc crossing on the southern variant, the historically defining Siula Grande base-camp side hike, and the final Pampa Llamac panorama above Jahuacocha.

Summary table

# Hike Country Route type Distance Gain Max elevation Difficulty
1 Carhuac Pass to Laguna Carhuacocha Peru Point-to-point trek section Approx. 11-12 km Approx. 450-600 m Approx. 4,600-4,650 m at Carhuac Pass Moderate to strenuous
2 Laguna Carhuacocha to Huayhuash via Siula Pass and Mirador Tres Lagunas Peru Point-to-point trek section Approx. 14 km Approx. 560 m Approx. 4,830-4,850 m at Siula Pass Strenuous
3 Viconga to Huanacpatay via Punta Cuyoc Peru Point-to-point trek section Approx. 10.5-12 km Approx. 780 m Approx. 4,900-5,050 m Strenuous to very strenuous
4 Cutatambo to Siula Grande Base Camp / glacier-lake viewpoint Peru Out-and-back side hike Approx. 9-11 km Approx. 300-500 m (unresolved) Approx. 4,500-4,700 m (unresolved) Moderate to strenuous
5 Jahuacocha to Llamac via Pampa Llamac Pass Peru Point-to-point trek section Approx. 13-15 km Approx. 250-350 m in exit direction Approx. 4,300 m at Pampa Llamac Pass Moderate to strenuous

1. Carhuac Pass to Laguna Carhuacocha

Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru
Photo: Gato Expedicionario 1883, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Snapshot

CountryPeru
Sub-regionAncash / Huanuco side of Cordillera Huayhuash
StartLaguna Mitucocha or Janca camp area, approx. 4,200 m
FinishLaguna Carhuacocha camp, approx. 4,150 m
Route typePoint-to-point trek section
DistanceApprox. 11-12 km
Elevation gainApprox. 450-600 m
Elevation lossApprox. 500-700 m
Maximum elevationCarhuac Pass, commonly given as approx. 4,600-4,650 m
Estimated time4-5 hours
DifficultyModerate to strenuous because of altitude
Best seasonDry season, roughly May to September; snow, hail, and afternoon storms remain possible
Public transportUsually reached as part of a multi-day circuit from Huaraz via Chiquian / Llamac or Matacancha; not a practical same-day trip from Huaraz
Verification statusPartly verified

Itinerary

Cross high puna from the Mitucocha side to Carhuac Pass, then descend toward Laguna Carhuacocha, one of the signature east-side lake basins below Yerupaja, Jirishanca, and Siula Grande. This is a classic early Huayhuash circuit day.

Why it is essential

It is the first major pass-and-lake reveal of the classic circuit and introduces the big east wall of the range.

Equipment

  • Broken-in hiking boots
  • Trekking poles
  • Sun protection
  • Waterproof shell
  • Warm layers
  • Water treatment
  • Navigation backup

Hazards and notes

  • High altitude, cold wind, limited shelter, remote evacuation.
  • Community fee/checkpoint arrangements apply.
  • Non-technical in normal dry conditions.

GPX / KML links

Source URL Format / access Reuse status
AllTrails Huayhuash circuit route/list alltrails.com Source list; AllTrails terms apply Direct GPX reuse unresolved; attribution likely required
Huayhuash.com classic circuit huayhuash.com Official/local guide-style source; no GPX found Reuse of text/route data not assumed

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

Siula Grande, Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru
Photo: Waterloo1883, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Snapshot

CountryPeru
Sub-regionHuanuco / Lima side of Cordillera Huayhuash
StartLaguna Carhuacocha camp, approx. 4,150 m
FinishHuayhuash camp / village area, approx. 4,300-4,350 m
Route typePoint-to-point trek section
DistanceApprox. 14 km
Elevation gainApprox. 560 m
Elevation lossApprox. 770 m
Maximum elevationSiula Pass / Siula Punta, approx. 4,830-4,850 m
Estimated time6-7 hours
DifficultyStrenuous
Best seasonDry-season route; snow or ice on the pass can increase difficulty
Public transportRequires circuit logistics or remote camp access; not a normal roadhead day hike
Verification statusStrong for route identity and key stats; exact line depends on variant

Itinerary

Follow the shore of Laguna Carhuacocha, pass the glacial-lake basin of Gangrajanca, Siulacocha, and Quesillococha, climb to the famous Tres Lagunas viewpoint and continue toward Siula / Siula Punta Pass before descending to Huayhuash.

Why it is essential

This is the iconic Huayhuash lake-view day, with the classic alignment of turquoise lakes under Yerupaja, Siula Grande, and Carnicero.

Equipment

  • Full mountain day kit
  • Trekking poles
  • Warm/rain layers
  • Navigation
  • Water treatment

Hazards and notes

  • Very high altitude, exposed pass, possible snow/hail, steep loose sections.
  • Avalanche/icefall views near glaciers but no glacier travel on the standard walking line.

GPX / KML links

Source URL Format / access Reuse status
Wikiloc: Trekking Huayhuash etapa 3, Laguna Carhuacocha - Paso de Siula - Huayhuash wikiloc.com Source map / GPX through Wikiloc interface; Wikiloc terms apply GPX download/use terms unresolved; attribution required if using user route metadata
Huayhuash.com classic circuit huayhuash.com Guide-style source; no GPX found Reuse not assumed
Geographica Huayhuash PDF geographica.es Secondary stat source for 14 km / +560 m / -770 m Reuse unresolved

3. Viconga to Huanacpatay via Punta Cuyoc

Snapshot

CountryPeru
Sub-regionSouthern Cordillera Huayhuash
StartViconga camp / thermal baths area, approx. 4,350-4,500 m
FinishQuebrada Huanacpatay / Elefantepampa camp area, approx. 4,250-4,300 m
Route typePoint-to-point trek section
DistanceApprox. 10.5-12 km
Elevation gainApprox. 780 m
Elevation lossApprox. 700-800 m
Maximum elevationApprox. 4,900-5,050 m depending on source and exact pass line
Estimated time5-7 hours
DifficultyStrenuous to very strenuous because of 5,000 m altitude
Best seasonDry season preferred; snow and wind can make the pass more serious
Public transportRequires multi-day Huayhuash logistics; Viconga may involve community fees and camp/thermal-bath fees
Verification statusVerified as an essential route section; elevation/distance vary by exact variant

Itinerary

Leave Viconga, climb steadily to Punta Cuyoc / Cuyoc Pass, then descend into the Huanacpatay valley with views toward Cuyoc, Puscanturpa, and the southern Huayhuash peaks.

Why it is essential

It is one of the highest standard walking passes of the classic/southern Huayhuash variants and gives a very different, more open view of the range.

Equipment

  • Full cold-weather mountain day kit
  • Trekking poles
  • Gloves/hat
  • Waterproofs
  • Emergency headlamp
  • Navigation

Hazards and notes

  • Extreme altitude for walkers.
  • Possible snow/ice, loose descent, remoteness.

GPX / KML links

Source URL Format / access Reuse status
Wikiloc: Laguna Viconga - Paso de Cuyoc - Guanacpatay wikiloc.com Source map / GPX through Wikiloc interface; Wikiloc terms apply GPX reuse unresolved; attribution required if using user route metadata
AllTrails: Huayhuash Trek, Huayhuash - Huanacpatay alltrails.com Source map; AllTrails terms apply GPX reuse unresolved
Peruvian Andes Adventures: Viconga and Cuyoc Pass itinerary peruvianandes.com Itinerary source; no GPX found Reuse not assumed

4. Cutatambo to Siula Grande Base Camp / glacier-lake viewpoint

Siula Grande west face, Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru
Photo: Jeremyfrimer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Snapshot

CountryPeru
Sub-regionCutatambo / Calinca valley, Cordillera Huayhuash
StartCutatambo camp, approx. 4,250 m
FinishSiula Grande base-camp / glacier-lake viewpoint area, return to Cutatambo
Route typeOut-and-back side hike
DistanceApprox. 9-11 km out-and-back; exact sourced GPS stat unresolved
Elevation gainApprox. 300-500 m; unresolved
Elevation lossApprox. 300-500 m; unresolved
Maximum elevationApprox. 4,500-4,700 m; unresolved
Estimated time4-6 hours
DifficultyModerate to strenuous, depending on altitude acclimatization and how far up-valley hikers continue
Best seasonDry season preferred; moraine/glacier-lake terrain may change
Public transportSide hike from an overnight camp inside a Huayhuash circuit; not road-accessible as a normal day trip
Verification statusRoute identity verified; exact stats unresolved

Itinerary

From Cutatambo, walk up-valley toward the Siula Grande west-face base-camp area and nearby glacier lakes. This is the Huayhuash side hike associated with Joe Simpson and Simon Yates’s 1985 Siula Grande story.

Why it is essential

It is the historically defining Huayhuash side trip and gives close views into the landscape of “Touching the Void”.

Equipment

  • Mountain day kit
  • Trekking poles
  • Waterproofs
  • Warm layers
  • Navigation
  • Do not enter glacier terrain without alpine equipment and experience

Hazards and notes

  • Moraine terrain, unstable slopes.
  • Glacier/icefall hazard if leaving the walking route.
  • Remoteness and altitude.

GPX / KML links

Source URL Format / access Reuse status
AllTrails: Huayhuash Trek, Cutatambo - Siula Grande Glacier alltrails.com Source map; AllTrails terms apply GPX reuse unresolved
Huayhuash.com classic circuit, Day 8 side visit huayhuash.com Guide-style source; no GPX found Confirms side hike and historical context
Peruvian Andes Adventures: Siula Base Camp trek peruvianandes.com Itinerary source; no GPX found Confirms route objective

5. Jahuacocha to Llamac via Pampa Llamac Pass

Laguna Jahuacocha, Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru
Photo: Rafael Roque Chirinos, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Snapshot

CountryPeru
Sub-regionAncash side of Cordillera Huayhuash
StartLaguna Jahuacocha camp, approx. 4,050-4,100 m
FinishLlamac, approx. 3,300 m
Route typePoint-to-point trek section; can be reversed as a hard approach day
DistanceApprox. 13-15 km
Elevation gainApprox. 250-350 m from Jahuacocha to the pass; reverse from Llamac involves about 1,000 m ascent
Elevation lossApprox. 1,000 m to Llamac
Maximum elevationPampa Llamac Pass, approx. 4,300 m
Estimated time5 hours downhill/exit direction; 6-8 hours if reversed by fit walkers
DifficultyModerate to strenuous, depending on direction
Best seasonDry season preferred; wet-season mud and poor visibility can affect the pass
Public transportLlamac has road access via Chiquian / Huaraz with public or private transport, but schedules should be checked locally
Verification statusStrong for route identity, pass height, and timing; distance/elevation approximate

Itinerary

Climb from Jahuacocha to Pampa Llamac Pass / viewpoint, then descend by the classic Llamac access path to the village.

Why it is essential

It is the classic north-western exit/entry and one of the famous final panoramic views of the Huayhuash wall above Jahuacocha.

Equipment

  • Mountain walking kit
  • Trekking poles for the descent
  • Sun/rain protection
  • Water

Hazards and notes

  • Long descent, altitude, remoteness until Llamac.
  • Community access rules apply.

GPX / KML links

Source URL Format / access Reuse status
Wikiloc: Jahuacocha - Llamac wikiloc.com Source map / GPX through Wikiloc interface; Wikiloc terms apply GPX reuse unresolved
Huayhuash.com classic circuit, final day huayhuash.com Guide-style source; no GPX found Gives Pampa Llamac pass height and stage timing
Source URL
SERNANP / gob.pe — Zona Reservada Cordillera Huayhuash gob.pe
AllTrails — Circuito Huayhuash alltrails.com
AllTrails — Huayhuash Trek, Huayhuash - Huanacpatay alltrails.com
AllTrails — Cutatambo - Siula Grande Glacier alltrails.com
Wikiloc — Trekking Huayhuash etapa 3, Carhuacocha - Siula - Huayhuash wikiloc.com
Wikiloc — Laguna Viconga - Paso de Cuyoc - Guanacpatay wikiloc.com
Wikiloc — Jahuacocha - Llamac wikiloc.com
Huayhuash.com — classic circuit huayhuash.com
Geographica — Huayhuash trekking PDF geographica.es
Peruvian Andes Adventures — Viconga and Cuyoc Pass itinerary peruvianandes.com
Peruvian Andes Adventures — Siula Base Camp trek peruvianandes.com