Cordillera Blanca & Huayhuash - Peru Trekking Holiday

Stunning scenery in Peru's most beautiful mountain ranges

The Cordillera Blanca, or 'White Range', is the world's highest tropical mountain range and includes Peru's highest mountain, Huascaran (6798m).

The spectacular snowy peaks provide a magnificent backdrop to the placid glacial lakes which dot the area. A little further south, the Cordillera Huayhuash is smaller but equally dramatic and was made famous by Joe Simpson in 'Touching the Void'.

In both ranges we trek through sub-tropical valleys up to the snow line below the richly glaciated mountains, enjoying unparalleled views of the towering peaks.

What makes this trip responsible?

The Rainbow Centre, Kiya Survivors
Kiya Survivors is a registered Peruvian charity providing safe and loving educational and rehabilitation centres for children with special needs. It is the first school dedicated to special-needs children in the Sacred Valley and now 40 children attend regularly. Since the centre opened, Kiya has provided support to over 200 children as well as providing help on many social issues to other members of the local communities in which it works. Kiya Survivors at the Rainbow Centre is available to visit on almost all our trips that pass through Cuzco.

For more information, please visit our Project page.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Countries visited: Peru

Day 1

Fly to Lima.

Day 2

Follow Panamerican Highway north to Chavin.

Day 3

Explore pre-Inca site of Chavin de Huantar; drive to Huaraz.

Day 4

Drive to trailhead, crossing Llanganuco Pass, and start Cordillera Blanca Trek.

Day 5

Ascend towards Punta Union Pass at 4700m, with amazing views down Santa Cruz Valley.

Day 6

Walk down Santa Cruz Valley, with optional side trek to view Mt Alpamayo.

Day 7

Descend to Cashapampa and end of Cordillera Blanca section; drive to Huaraz.

Day 8

Drive to Huanuco Pampa and explore ruins.

Day 9

Hike to Carhuacocha, a beautifully located lake below mountains of Jirishanca, Siula and Yerupaja.

Day 10

Cross Mitucocha Pass (4750m) and drop into another cirque of the Huayhuash with impressive views of Ninashanca and Rondoy.

Day 11

Over Cacanampunta Pass to Rondoy.

Day 12

Over Rondoy Pass; on to Lake Jahuacocha.

Day 13

Over Pocpa Pass to end trek in Pocpa Village.

Day 14

Full day drive to Lima via Chiquian.

Day 15

Free day to relax; depart Lima.

Day 16

Arrive London.

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Images from CORDILLERA BLANCA & HUAYHUASH

Note: Click on a thumbnail to enlarge.

Huascaran Sur (6,768m, on the left) and Norte (on the right).

Trekkers on Yaucha Pass, Cordillera Huayhuash, Yerupaja behind

Chacraraju - the hardest 6000m+ mountain to climb in the Andes.

Siula Grande and Laguna Carhuacocha, Cordillera Huayhuash

Hairy trekker in front of Huascaran, Cordillera Blanca

Huascaran Sur (6,768m, on the left) and Norte (on the right).