Huayhuash Trek & Diablo Mudo Climb

The bus ride over 400 km into the Cordillera Blanca is varied and promising. First we drive along the Panamericana north through the impressive desert on the Pacific coast, then up into the highlands and over the 4020m high Conococha pass in the Cordillera Negra and descend to Huaraz (3060 m). When we cross the pass, the view to the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca is clear – one of the most impressive mountain landscapes in the world. Arrival in Huaraz and check-in at the hotel. On request, dinner together in the group and first briefing.

Driving time: 8 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

We pick you up at the hotel and drive south to the Santa Cruz bridge. Here begins our hike through the picturesque highlands and small Andean villages. We slowly ascend to the Laguna Wilcacocha (3’700m), where we enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the whole Cordillera Blanca. We walk the same way back to the bridge, where our transport waits and brings us back to Huaraz.

Driving time: 20 minutes
Hiking time: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

A long day: We pick you up at 5 am and drive for about 3 hours north to the Huascaran National Park. Past the famous Llanganuco lakes, we soon reach the starting point of today’s hike to Laguna 69 (4’650m), one of the most famous and popular lakes in the Cordillera Blanca. The Laguna is located directly under the huge ice walls of Chacraraju mountain, one of the most beautiful but also difficult 6000m peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Our trail goes through rustic mountain forests, when we turn around, the gigantic Huascaran rises behind us. Some steep serpentines later the edge of the lake is suddenly reached. We enjoy the unique view and have enough time for lunch and some rest before we head back to Huaraz.

Driving time: 6 hours
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Our trekking adventure begins. You are picked up from your hotel and we head south of Huaraz crossing the villages of Chiquian and Llamac. During our drive we pass traditional Andean towns with typical Quechua homes and rich farm land. After 6.5 hours of driving we arrive to our first campsite Matacancha (4150m). Before dinner you have some time to explore the area around the campsite and get ready for the next day.

Driving time: 6.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

Today we start hiking early and we reach Cacananpunta Pass (4700m) after 2.5 hours. We hike down to the beautiful campsite at Laguna Mitucocha (4’300m).

Hiking time: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

Leisurely ascent to the 4’650 m high pass Punta Carhuac and descent to Laguna Carhuacocha (4200 m), one of the most beautiful campsites of the trek. When the wind is calm, the peaks of Jirishanca and Yerupajá Grande and Chico are reflected in the calm waters. Indigenous people live by the lake and with their permission we may have the opportunity to catch fresh trout for dinner.

Hiking time: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

This route takes you close to the most bizarre peaks and glaciers of the Cordillera Huayhuash and is the most scenic stage of the trek. From the western shore of the Carhuacocha lake, a gentle ascent to Lake Siula (4290 m), past the ice break of the glacier that descends from the Nevado Sarapo (6143 m) to the next lake (4650 m) and finally Siula pass (4950 m), a fantastic outlook with overwhelming summit panorama. We descent to the next campsite called Huayhuash.

Hiking time: 8 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

The ascent to Portachuelo Pass (4750 m) is again dominated by magnificent mountain panoramas, this time on the ice-covered peaks of the southern Cordillera Huayhuash. Descent to the largest lake and the southernmost point of the trek, Laguna Viconga (4400 m). Here we have the opportunity to relax and swim in the hot springs right at the campsite.

Hiking time: 7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

Today we cross the highest pass of the tour, the 5020 m high Punta Cuyoc. The view is terrific – east to the Cordillera Raura with the huge plateau glacier, to the Nevados Puscanturpa just above the pass and – now from the south – to the highest peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash, Sarapo, Siula and Yerupajá. Partly steep descent to Quebrada Huanacpatay to the camp (4350 m). Optional: Sidetrip to the famous San Antonio Viewpoint at 4990m, probably one of the most beautiful views in the Huayhuash range.

Hiking time: 6-9 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

Today we descend along a beautiful waterfall into a green picturesque valley and hike to the village of Huayllapa (3600m), where they grow potatoes, wheat and lupines. Then we hike up 4 hours to reach our next campsite Huatiac (4’290m) with beautiful views of the mountains around us.

Hiking time: 9 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

Partly steep and difficult ascent, the last bit under the rocks of the glaciated, 5427 m high Raju Collota massif to Punta Tapush (4800 m). Again magnificent views, even on the slightly recessed Nevado Diablo Mudo (5223 m), tomorrow’s destination for ambitious and fit climbers. Short descent from the pass north to the Laguna Susococha (4600 m) and a little further to the camp at Cashpapampa (4500 m).

Hiking time: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

The climbers with destination Diablo Mudo (5223 m) have a very long day ahead. We leave at 4am and walk steady uphill on a path for 1.5 hours. Then we have a steep ascent for about 2 hours until we reach the ridge of Diablo Mudo. We follow the ridge for about 40 minutes and then access the glacier via some loose scree. We put on crampons and rope up, then climb steadily up the glacier. Sometimes the guides will cut steps, but the going is not difficult and we should reach the summit after 3 hours on the ice. The descent is via a different route; we descend to the Huacrish Valley. The first section is on ice, followed by 40 minutes of descent on rock then scree. Then it gets significantly easier as we join a path through the meadows of the Quebrada Huacrish valley. We join the main path and proceed to hike down the entire valley to its confluence with the Quebrada Jahuacocha valley and descend on zig-zags to our picturesque camp at the head of the beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha (4050m).

Trekking without Diablo Mudo ascent: short descent from Cashpapampa to Quebrada Angocancha (4350 m) and ascent to Punta Llaucha (4850 m), from which you can still enjoy an impressive view. Steep descent in a northeasterly direction to Quebrada Huacrish, which leads directly to Laguna Jahuacocha (4050 m). Tent camp on the lakeshore, overlooked by the Nevados Rondoy, Jirishanca and Yerupajá.

Hiking time: 11 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

We stay at Jahuacocha for some rest and relaxation and maybe a touch of trout fishing. You may take an optional day hike to Laguna Solteracocha, a moraine-enclosed glacial lake beyond Jahuacocha, and then further towards Punta Sambuya pass (4750m) at the base of Nevado Rondoy for some truly awesome close-up views of Yerupaja, Jirishinka and Rondoy. Or if you want a more demanding hike, we can climb up Cerro Berlin peak (5’094m) for views over the whole Huayhuash range.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

Last trekking day: After descending for an hour, we start our gradual climb to the final pass Llamac (4300m), from where we have our final views of the Huayhuash range. Then it is a long descent back to the Llamac valley and the village of Llamac. From there we drive back to Huaraz.

Hiking time: 5 hours
Driving time: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Extra day for delays in trekking or as a day off in Huaraz. On request farewell dinner with the group.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

Bus drive back to Lima. Overnight in the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

Free day depending on departure times – return flight. 

Meals included: Breakfast