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Huayhuash Circuit, a group trip: a still from my film

Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru · August 2022

Huayhuash Circuit, a group trip

133.8 KM · 11 DAYS · 7,430 M

11 days around the Cordillera Huayhuash in Peru.

Watch the film 28:12 · 394K views

At a glance

Where
Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru
Distance
133.8 km (83.2 miles)
Days
11 days on foot
Climbing
About 24,360 ft (7,430 m) up and 24,900 ft (7,590 m) down
Season
The dry season, about May to September. I walked August 17 to 27, 2022
Difficulty
Long, high and remote. Short walking days, but every camp is above 13,000 ft except Huayllapa
Route
Cuartelhuain to Rondoy
When I went
August 2022
Relief map of the Huayhuash Circuit route: 11 days drawn in red with numbered day starts, labelled Cuartelhuain, Rondoy, Yerupajá, Viconga, Huayllapa and Cashpapampa.
1234567891011Highest 16,800 ft (5,121 m)

Elevation, start to finish: highest 16,800 ft (5,121 m), lowest 11,430 ft (3,484 m).

My GPS recording on a relief map. The numbers are where each day starts. The GPX files come with the guide.

Everything I made about it

The film

Photos

  • Chiquián, the last town before the trailhead, where we stopped for lunch on Day 1.
    Chiquián, the last town before the trailhead, where we stopped for lunch on Day 1.
  • The three lakes below Siula Grande on Day 4.
    The three lakes below Siula Grande on Day 4.
  • Huayllapa from above, early the morning after Day 8.
    Huayllapa from above, early the morning after Day 8.
  • Laguna Jahuacocha, where Day 11 starts, the evening before.
    Laguna Jahuacocha, where Day 11 starts, the evening before.
Me with Free Solo, the dog that hiked with us every step, at Carhuacocha on Day 3.
Me with Free Solo, the dog that hiked with us every step, at Carhuacocha on Day 3.

The guide · 69-page PDF + GPX files · 2027 season edition

Do it yourself

11 days around the Cordillera Huayhuash in Peru.

  • All eleven days
  • My GPX files
  • How this trek works
  • The community fees
  • Altitude, explained

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Look inside the guide

Free sample

Try Day 2 free

The whole Day 2, Cuartelhuain to Mitucocha page from the guide as a PDF, plus my camping packing list: the 42 things I carry, with a note on each. Both come by email. You'll also get my emails about new guides and trips, a few a year.

Gear on this trip

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What I carried in 2022

  • Daypacka daypackWater, snacks, layers, my phone and the drone.
  • Duffela duffelThe donkeys carried it, limited to 8 kg (18 lb).
  • Sleepmy sleeping bag and inflatable matNot included by the operator. Nights were cold enough that I wore everything I had.
  • Polesrented trekking polesI rented a pair in Huaraz for $30, and they helped so much on the climbs.

Filming kit

  • Dronemy DJI droneI shot this trip mainly with a drone and an iPhone. I charged three drone batteries at the hostel in Huayllapa.
  • Phonean iPhoneI'd sold a lot of my Sony gear and was testing how little I could get away with.
  • Tripoda tripodFor setting up the iPhone and walking past.

Music in this film

All music

What I'd take now

My current kit

Everything I use, in Tools

The Americas and New Zealand bundle

This guide is in The Americas and New Zealand Hiking Guide Pack: 36 guides for $39. Or all 62 guides for $59.

Short answers

How many days do you need for the Huayhuash circuit?
I did the full circuit in eleven days, from Cuartelhuain to Rondoy. Add at least two or three days in Huaraz first to acclimatize, and a day each way between Lima and Huaraz.
When is the best time to trek the Huayhuash?
The dry season, about May to September. I walked August 17 to 27, 2022, and had clear days for the big passes, frost on the tents by Day 5 and hot middays.
Where do you sleep on the Huayhuash trek?
In tents at community campsites, every one above 13,000 ft except Huayllapa. I slept 9 nights in a tent and 1 in a hostel in Huayllapa. My Huaraz operator supplied the tents, cook and donkeys.
How much are the Huayhuash community fees?
Each community collects its own fee at its campsite or checkpoint, in soles. In 2026 the nine fees add up to S/290 a person including Cutatambo. Carry cash in small notes and keep the receipts.
How do you get to the Huayhuash trailhead?
Fly to Lima and take the bus to Huaraz, about 8 hours. Our operator drove us from Huaraz to Cuartelhuain, about six hours via Chiquián. Without an agency, take a minibus to Chiquián and a local car to Llamac, Pocpa or Matacancha.

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