Experience Peru's mountain views on the mini Huayhuash trek
Get a taste of the majesty of the Cordillera Huayhuash mountain chain in the Peruvian Andes on the Cordillera Huayhuash Short Trek. Locally known as Ichik Huayhuash, “Ichik” means short, and this short trek is the perfect introduction to experiencing the Huayhuash Trail.
This is the perfect trek for people who want to spend about a week trekking in the Cordillera Huayhuash, and we recommend guests pair this trek with a 3-day hiking tour based in Huaraz to see more of the stunning Peruvian Andes while also allowing them to acclimatize to the elevation.
This mini Huayhuash Trek takes you to breathtaking mountain passes and along the shores of crystal clear mountain lakes. You are sure to love the Cordillera Huayhuash region when you get this close to its majestic peaks.
Along this guided Cordillera Huayhuash Short Trek, you will have the opportunity to camp in beautiful settings and enjoy delicious meals. The tour starts and end in Huaraz, with 4 days of this tour in the Cordillera Huayhuash.
Since most of the Huayhuash Trail is above 4,000m in elevation, it is important to spend a few days prior to the Huayhuash short trek getting acclimated to the altitude. A 3-4 day acclimatization hike in the vicinity of Huaraz is strongly recommended, making an incredible 8d / 7n tour of the Cordillera Huayhuash. You can add the acclimatization hikes onto your existing tour during the booking process.
If you want to do the classic Huayhuash tour, check out the Cordillera Huayhuash Trek.
If you want to experience the complete Huayhuash tour, check out the Huayhuash Circuit trek.
Highlights of the Cordillera Huayhuash Short Trek
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Itinerary of the Cordillera Huayhuash Short Trek
Day 1 Arrival day in Huaraz
Arrive in Huaraz and check into your guesthouse. Enjoy exploring Huaraz on foot as you get used to the altitude. If you are coming from a lower elevation, it is strongly recommended to spend 2-3 days acclimatizing to the altitude, and you can book a 3-day acclimatization tour during the booking process, or you can plan your acclimatization before the trip on your own. The option acclimatization tour you can book takes you out to some of the most beautiful hikes around Huaraz. You can also arrange a bus travel from Lima to Huaraz in the booking process.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Huaraz
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Drive to Llámac and hike to Pampa Llámac
Meet the van at your hotel at the designated time for transport to the village of Llamac (3,300 m / 10,824 ft). Along this drive through the north side of the “Alley of Huaylas” you will pass through the towns of Recuay, Catac, Conococha, and Chiquian. It will take about 5 hours to reach Llamac, where you will have lunch and meet up with the donkey driver (“arriero”). After lunch, carry your gear to the pack animals and begin your hike! After the long car ride, you’ll enjoy stretching your legs for about 3 hours as you climb up to Pampa Llamac (4,050 m / 13,287 ft) where you’ll camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping at Pampa Llamac (4,050 m)
Distance: 5 hours driving, 3 hours hiking, 750 m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Trek to Jahuacocha Lake via Pampa Llámac Pass
After breakfast, hike for about 1.5 hours up to the Pampa Llamac Pass (4,300 m / 14,108 ft). From this overlook, you will see an amazing view of the western side of the Cordillera Huayhuash. Rest and take pictures of the spectacular view before continuing your hike along a rocky, tree-lined path down to the Achin River. Continue trekking until you reach the beautiful Jahuacocha Lake (4,070 m / 13,353 ft). The 4-hour walk will reward you with a campsite for the night beside the lake against the stunning backdrop of the Rondoy, Hirisahanca and Toro mountains.
Overnight Location: Camping at Jahuacocha Lake (4,070 m)
Distance: 5.5 hours, 250 m ascent, 230 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Jahuacocha, visit Yahucha Viewpoint and Solteracocha Lake
Stay camped at beautiful Jahuacocha Lake and spend today exploring the area. After breakfast, hike up to the Yahucha Viewpoint (4,600 m / 15,092 ft) for impressive views of the western peaks in the Cordillera Huayhuash. The hike up takes about 3 hours, and after enjoying the view you will return to the campsite by the same trail. After lunch, trek to Solteracocha Lake at the base of Hirishanca Mountain. This area is near the glacier, and you can see the wreckage of a plane that crashed in 1954. If there is time when you return to camp, you can fish in Jahuacocha Lake before settling in for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping at Jahuacocha Lake (4,070 m)
Distance: 6 hours, 530 m ascent, 530 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Trek to Rondoy via Zambunya Pass. Then transfer back to Huaraz
On your last day of trekking in the Huayhuash. Today you will trek for about 3.5 hours up to the Zambunya Pass (4,750 m / 15,580). This is the highest point on this tour, and from this overlook you will have a breathtaking view of the massive Yerupaja Mountain, as well as nearby Rondoy, Ninashanca, and Hirishanca mountains. Take time to rest and take pictures before completing the hike. It will take about 3 hours to hike down to Rondoy Valley (4,100 m / 13,451 ft). From Rondoy, a van will be waiting to take you back to Huaraz. Stop along the way at the Cuncush Pass for a final view of the Cordillera Huayhuash. You will also have the chance to visit the town of Huallanca along the 4.5 hour drive back to Huaraz, where you will return to your hotel.
Overnight Location: Morales Guesthouse, Huaraz
Distance: 6.5 hours, 230 m ascent, 650 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 Departure
Today you’ll depart Huaraz. Many guests take a bus back to Lima, though some stay on to complete another trek in the Huayhuash.
Overnight location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
The Dates and Price of the Cordillera Huayhuash Short Trek
This guided trekking tour to Huayhuash is always run as a private tour for your group only and the pricing based on the number of guests on your trip. Please contact us with your preferred starting date and group size so we can help you make incredible memories on this private group tour.
The prices below are per person, sharing a double or a triple room:
- Guided groups of 4: $940 USD per person
Please note that the pricing might change depending on the size of your group
Important: Please note that this tour is subject to non-standard cancellation terms:
- Cancelling 46 or more days out: Your deposit of 30% of the total trip cost will be forfeited.
- Cancelling 31 to 45 days out: Your deposit and any monies paid up to 50% of the total trip cost will be forfeited.
- Cancelling less than 30 days out: No Refund
Cordillera Huayhuash Short Trek Accommodation
You will be staying in a hotel in Huaraz at the start and end of this tour. In between, you will be pitching camp at various scenic spots along the Ichik Huayhuash trek. These camp sites are owned by the rural communities in the region and provide revenue for these local communities. Camping allows you to enjoy the natural surroundings around you, as well as enjoy staying on the trail itself along the way. In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a single supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Morales Guest House ★★★
This pleasant hotel is located is a popular base pre and post-trekking. Located a 5-10 minute walk to the central plaza, this hotel has wonderful views of the Cordillera Blanca.
Camping in Cordillera Huayhuash ★
You will be pitching camp at scenic spots along the Alpamayo Trek. Your campsites are owned by the rural communities in the Cordillera Blanca, and your staying there provides valuable revenue.
Morales Guest House ★★★
This pleasant hotel is located is a popular base pre and post-trekking. Located a 5-10 minute walk to the central plaza, this hotel has wonderful views of the Cordillera Blanca.
What’s included in the mini Huayhuash Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Accommodations
Accommodations along the tour are included, as are accommodations in Huaraz before and after the trekking tour.
Transportation during the tour
Transfers from Huaraz to the trailhead at the start of the trekking tour and back to Huaraz at the end of the tour are included.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide throughout the trip
- Hotel taxes and service charges in Huaraz
- Camp cook
- Horseman, pack animals, and emergency horse
- Camping equipment for collective use (sleeping tents, kitchen tent, dinning tent, bathroom tent, mattress, table and chairs)
- Kitchen Service (all the crockery)
- Celebration Meal
- Park fee entrances
- First Aid Kit
- Luggage porterage using donkeys and/or horses
- All logistics
Not included
- Anything not listed as included
- Flights to Peru
- Personal trekking gear
- Any food or beverages not listed
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Incidental personal expenditures, including any travel insurance, emergency evacuations and medical expenditures
- Travel, personal, and medical insurance
- All transportation not included in tour:
- Transfer to Huaraz from Lima
- Transfer from the airport to the bus station in Lima
Optional Extras
- Additional night in Huaraz
- 3 day, 2 Night Pre-trip Acclimatization hikes in Huaraz
Frequently Asked Questions about Cordillera Huayhuash Short Trek
Go2Andes is a family-operated tour operator whose owners were raised in a small Peruvian village called Llamac, located in the iconic Cordillera Huayhuash in the Andes.
Nearly all of Go2Andes’ guides are from the villages of the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Huayhuash, and they use this deep familiarity to their advantage.
Go2Andes has led clients from over 30 different countries and they aim to become friends with each client before returning them home.
Learn MoreCordillera Huayhuash Short Trek Map
Click map for a larger version
Is this tour for me?
This mini Huayhuash trek is rated as a 4 out of 5 for difficulty, due to the altitude of this circuit. Acclimatization to the altitude prior to the start of the tour is highly recommended. There is a 3-day, 2-night hiking tour based out of Huaraz you can book and add to this trip.
Local Guide
Ask a Question
Christian is incredibly familiar with the intricacies of creating an unforgettable adventure tour and never gets tired of leading new groups on their adventures. He’s particularly fond of the mountains and loves trekking tours.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to do and why?
- A: I consider the Cordillera Huayhuash to be my favourite, because it is the place where I was born. When I accompany groups there I love to show off its beauty, and it is considered by some guides to be among the 10 best hikes in the world.
- Q: What is an experience that anyone visiting Peru should have?
- A: Visit an archeological site (Machu Picchu, Caral, or Chavin de Huantar), take a trekking circuit in the Cordillera Blanca or Huayhuash, and eat traditional dishes (pachamanca, ceviche, or picante de cuy).
- Q: What has been the most challenging adventure you’ve had?
- A: Climbing a snow-covered peak of 6000m.