During our two-week trip, we will experience one of the...
Read MorePeru's Hiking Adventure: Huayhuash 2025
04.05 – 17.05.2025
A multi-day hike in Peru takes us to an altitude of 5,000 meters
A two-week hiking trip in Peru takes us to the most scenic hiking trails in the Andes. The main goal of the trip is to complete a multi-day hiking trail across the Huayhuash mountain range. We cross mountain passes at an altitude of 4600-5000 meters and camp among snowy peaks by mountain lakes.
Due to its extreme heights and breathtaking (sometimes literally) views, completing the entire Huayhuash hiking trail is considered one of the most physically and mentally challenging trails in Peru. But at the same time, it is also the most satisfying.
From Lima, the capital of Peru, we drive to the city of Huaraz, located at an altitude of 3,000 meters, where we take a few days to acclimatize. We take a few easy walks to beautiful mountain lakes and immerse ourselves in Peruvian culture. After that, we hike for the next 5-6 days with just our group on trails far from civilization. Therefore, we carry all the necessary camping and cooking equipment with us, along with the food we consume.
Are you craving an adventure that offers physical challenges and world-class views? This hike on the Andean mountain trails is exactly what you need!
NB! This tour is organized in collaboration with adventure travel organizer Elamus Pluss. Event page in Estonian can be found in here.
Overview
Objective: To traverse the Huayhuash mountain range hiking trail in Peru
Dates: 04.05 – 17.05.2025 (flight time will be added)
Guide: Tanel Tilk
Technical difficulty level: 1/5 (hikes take place on prepared trails)
Physical difficulty level: 3/5 (heavy backpack, large elevation angles, altitude 4000-5000 m)
Group size: min 4, max 6 (including guide)
Early registration (until 04.02.2025) — 1450 €
Registration from 05.02.2025 — 1595 €
cost of the tour
Price includes
- All trip arrangements and on-site guidance
- Group leader with a close acquaintance with Peru and South America
- Overnight stays in hotels (2-3 person rooms) before and after the trip in Lima, Huaraz
- Local transport in Peru and all transfers from accommodation in Lima to the mountains and back.
- Nature park entrance fees and camping fees
- Breakfast in Lima and Huaraz
- Breakfast and dinner during hiking days (high-quality Tactical Foodpack/MEKI hiking meals)
- Stylish Elamus+ sports shirt for each participant
- Group pharmacy (including high-altitude medications) and health assessment
- Gas canisters for the torch for hiking days
Price does not include
- Flight tickets to Lima, Peru and back
- Transportation upon arrival and departure to the Lima hotel
- Insurance (travel insurance and mandatory sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking)
- Personal hiking equipment (can also be rented if necessary)
- Tents and cooking equipment
- Drinks and lunch snacks during the hike
- Meals outside the mountains (in Lima, Huaraz and on the road)
- Extra activities and transportation for them
- Personal hygiene products and medicines
- Internet and data packages
Registration for the tour
Before registering, please read the travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, you must pay an advance payment of €290 within 3 working days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions and package tour information sheet.
PS! The tour is organised in collaboration with an adventure tour organizer Elamus Pluss, registered in Estonia.
Please register for the tour by sending us an email to tanel@elamuspluss.ee. Don’t forget to state your full name and previous hiking experience regarding altitude and multi-day hikes.
Schedule and activities
Day 1: Arrival
The starting point of the trip is in the capital of Peru, Lima. You must be there no later than the evening of May 4th, 2025 or, in extreme cases, the following morning. Lima is located at sea level.
Day 2: Exploring Lima
On the first full day of the trip, we take it easy, rest from the flight, and explore the Peruvian capital. We walk through the historic center of Lima, visit the main square (Plaza de Armas), and taste local food (like ceviche and lomo saltado).
DAY 3: We drive towards the mountains. Lima -> Huaraz
We start our journey from the ocean towards the Andes. The journey in a comfortable bus takes about 8 hours.
Days 4-5: Acclimatization in Huaraz
Huaraz (3000 m) in the Ancash region is a popular destination for hiking and mountaineering, as it is located near the highest peaks in Peru (the Cordillera Blanca mountain range). The city is the gateway to Huascarán National Park, known for its magnificent glaciers, lakes and diverse wildlife.
Over the course of two days, we will rest and acclimatize by taking scenic hiking routes such as Lake Willcacocha (3730 m), Lake Rajucolta (4271 m) or Laguna 69 (4600 m).
Days 6-10: Huayhuash mountain range
Transport takes us from Huaraz to the Huayhuash mountain range where we are dropped off and for the next 5-6 days we are on our own amidst mighty mountains and stunning nature.
Day 1: Huaraz – Cuartelhuain (4180 m) – Cacanan Punta gorge (4700 m) – Mitucocha (4230 m)
Transfer by transport to the starting point of the hike in Cuartelhuain and then we head towards Mitucocha, where we set up our first camp.
» Driving time: 5 hours
» Hiking time: approx. 6 hours.
» Camping: Mitucocha (4230 m)
Day 2: Mitucocha (4230 m) – Carhuac Pass “Yanapunta” (4650 m) – Laguna Carhuacocha (4140 m)
Today we climb to the Carhuac Pass, from where we have magnificent views of the snow-capped mountains of Siula and Yerupaja. Finally we reach Carhuacocha.
» Hiking time: approx. 7 hours.
» Camping: Carhuacocha Lake (4100 m)
Day 3: Laguna Carhuacocha (4140 m) – Paso Siula (4830 m) – Huayhuash (4350 m)
On this day we visit the famous Siula viewpoint, famous for its opportunity to take pictures of the Huayhuash mountain range. You can also see 3 lagoons; “Quesillococha, Siula and Gangrajanca”.
» Hiking time: approx. 8 hours.
» Camping: Huayhuash (4350 m)
Day 4: Huayhuash – Trapecio Pass (5000 m) – Cuyocpampa (4560 m)
On this day, the hike takes us to the southern end of the Huayhuash mountain range, after which we climb to the Trapecio Pass. Finally, we reach the Cuyocpampa camp at 4560m.
Optional: Mirador San Antonio
» Hiking time: approx. 8 hours.
» Camping: Cuyocpampa (4560 m)
Day 5: Cuyocpampa (4560 m) – Paso Santa Rosa (5070 m) – Huayllapa (3600 m) – Cajatambo
On the last day, our goal is to cross the Santa Rosa Pass, the highest point of the hike. There is a magnificent view of the snow-capped mountains: Cuyoc, Puscanturpa, Trapecio, Siula, Yerupaja, Sarapo and Jurao. Then we head to the town of Huayllapa, where transport awaits us to take us to the town of Cajatambo.
» Hiking time: approx. 9 hours.
» Driving time: 2 hours
Day 11-12: Transport back to Lima
We leave ourselves one spare day in case we want to stay in the mountains longer or if the weather plays tricks on us. The following day, we have organized transport back to Lima. The end point of the hike, Huayllapa/Cajatambo, is a little closer to Lima and the bus ride only takes 6 hours.
Day 13: Free day in Lima
We relax from the long hike. We enjoy the culture and flavors of Peru.
Day 14: Departure from Lima
The end of the itinerary is planned for the morning of May 17. From here, everyone can decide for themselves whether they will fly back home or want to continue their Peruvian adventure on their own. There is plenty to discover here.
NB! The schedule and planned activities may be subject to minor changes depending on the traveler’s wishes or the weather.
Peru
Capital: Lima
Currency: sol (PEN) (1 € = 4.04 sol)
Traffic: right-hand drive
National language: Spanish
Population: 33.73 million
Area: 1,285,216 km2
Neighbors: Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile
Peru is generally relatively safe, but petty theft can occur. It is best to avoid walking alone at night in larger cities. Protests may occur. The tour operator is constantly updated on local conditions and changes to the itinerary are made as necessary.
Prices are rather affordable. Depending on the restaurant, you can expect to pay around €5-15 for a meal.
Not everywhere you can make card payments, so it is important to have cash. There are ATMs in the cities, with commissions of €4 to €10 per transaction.
Tipping in restaurants is recommended, but not mandatory, and is generally 10%. In smaller and local eateries, tipping is generally not necessary.
Traveling to Peru
For most European citizens, travel to Peru is visa-free for 90 days (every 6 months).
We recommend getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and yellow fever. Additional information is available from travel medicine offices.
You can consult with the travel guide regarding flight tickets, but it is important to be in Lima no later than the evening of May 4 (or the next morning, if possible).
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. This trip requires:
- passport
- sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participating in the mountain hiking;
- travel insurance
- Important health information. The Huayhuash mountain hike takes place in the high mountains. We will hike and sleep at altitudes of 4000+ m for 4-5 consecutive days. At such altitudes, there is less air and it is harder anyway, but it is possible that milder symptoms of altitude sickness such as headache, fatigue, dizziness may occur during the hike.
- We will take the necessary measures to reduce the risks. 2-3 days of acclimatization are planned at the beginning of the trip. The group leader will carry high-altitude medications. We will keep an eye on everyone and if more serious complications arise, we will implement the necessary measures (including descending to lower altitudes).
Also, read the travel conditions or feel free to ask the group leader.
FAQ
I’ve never been this high before. Can I still do it?
People’s bodies behave very differently at altitude. It’s important to be aware of the dangers, but don’t worry too much about it. The group leader is always there and if problems arise, we can easily find a solution.
What clothes and equipment should I pack?
The climate of the Huayhuash mountain range is predominantly cold and dry due to the influence of glaciers. At an altitude of over 4,000 meters, temperatures drop to minus degrees at night. When choosing a sleeping bag, you should consider a night temperature of up to -10 °C. During the day, we expect temperatures of 5 – 20 °C. The rainy season is from September to April, so our hike will be in the dry season. However, the climate in the mountains is unpredictable and we must be prepared for unexpected precipitation.
The climate in the cities is more moderate, with daytime temperatures of 20 °C in Lima and 10 °C in Huaraz.
What happens after registration?
After filling out the registration form, we will send you a prepayment invoice. After paying this, you are registered for the trip. 30 days before the trip, we will send you an invoice for the total cost of the trip. We will create a common chat between the trip participants, where you can discuss everything you need with each other.
Also read the frequently asked questions.
Contact
See our other upcoming trips
Greenland Hiking Adventure: Arctic Circle Trail 2025
Our trek begins at the edge of Greenland’s massive ice...
Read More