HUAYHUASH CIRCUIT

Day 1
Fly to Lima.

Day 2
To Huaraz. We drive to Huaraz, the main town of the Cordillera Blanca region; the drive is quite long and tiring (420km in about 9 hours), but increasingly scenic as we enter the mountains; the journey includes the crossing of the 4100m Conococha Pass and we should arrive in the early evening. Huaraz, at 3028m, is dominated by Peru's highest peak, Huascaran (6768m).

Day 3
Lake Churup. A gentle warm up today as we take a half day hike and lunch at Lake Churup, before returning to Huaraz for a final night in civilization! This beautiful turquoise glacial lake sits in the middle of the Cordillera Blanca and is surrounded by snow clad peaks. At approximately 4,500m, this gentle hike provides good acclimatisation.

Day 4
Chiquian. Today an approximate 3-hour drive takes us up to Chiquian in the morning and after lunch we visit an alpaca textile factory. This small town (approx 3,500m) is much quieter than Huaraz and we overnight in a hostel.

Day 5 - 6
Cacanampunta Pass. Today we start the trek with a pass, the Cacanampunta (4650m), at the northern end of the range, is the Continental Divide, after which the waters now flow to the Amazon and the Atlantic. This is a favourite spot for the Andean condor, and we may well spot the huge birds soaring over our heads. From here a rough descent through a multicoloured landscape leads us to a beautiful flat and grassy campsite at Janca (4250m) not far from lake Mitacocha, below Ninashanca, Rondoy, Jirishanca and el Toro.

Day 7
Carhuac Pass. Today's pass, the Carhuac (4600m) is longer but not too steep, with splendid views of Yerupaja, at 6634m the highest mountain in the Huayhuash. Descending, we finally arrive at the rim of the hanging valley, from which we look down on a lake of deep turquoise. Our campsite below Lake Carhuacocha (4100m) faces an incredible vista of peaks and hanging glaciers: a view that proves you do not need 8000m peaks to have the most inspiring mountain scenery.

Day 8 - 12
Sarapococha Valley. Descend and then turn up the Sarapococha valley to reach lakes Jurau and Sarapococha. We camp at 4350 in Calinca valley, not far from Joe Simpson's base camp at about 4400m, before his climb of Siula Grande. Splendid views of Sarapo, Carnicero and Trapecio.

Day 13
Rest day. A rest day to explore this dramatic area of glaciers and lakes. We are surrounded by the splendour of Yerupaja, Siula, Sarapo, Rasac, Trapecio and Carnicero.

Day 14 - 16
To Laguna Jahuacocha. On to the steep and scree-covered Yaucha pass, at 4800m. A short optional extra climb to the summit here reveals a viewpoint from which, on a clear day, there are magnificent views of the highest peaks of the Huayhuash range and long-distance panoramas to the peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Here is another good spot for sighting condors. A long descent brings us eventually to Laguna Jahuacocha, widely held to be the scenic gem of the whole range.

Day 17
Rest day. Jahuacocha lies at 4100m beneath the glacier-covered west faces of Jerupaja, Jirishanca, Rasac, Rondoy and el Toro. By day and by moonlight it is an indescribably beautiful place; there is abundant bird life (Puna ibis, Andean geese and more) around its shore, and many fine walks around and above it. The lake and rivers hold plenty of trout and we hope to catch enough for dinner. We spend a rest day here, although this extra day is partly to allow for delays en route.

Day 18
Sambunya Pass. We ascend steeply to the final pass of Sambunya (4750m), with stunning views back towards Lake Solteracocha. We descend to camp in Matacancha, enjoying our last views of the range (4100m).

Day 19
To Huaraz. We return by road to Huaraz. This is a full days drive through some stunning scenery north of the Huayhuash range and to the south of the Cordillera Blanca. Arrive Huaraz early evening for a hot shower and dinner out.

Day 20
To Lima. We return by road to Lima, arriving in the early evening. The final night in Peru is best spent in one of Lima's excellent restaurants (optional).

Day 21
End Lima. Those on the group flight departs in the evening and arrives in London the following day.

Day 22
Arrive London.