Just 50 kilometers (31 ml) southeast of Huascarán National Park lies the Cordillera Huayhuash. This is a magnificent opportunity to enter a rarely traveled area of the Andes. At almost every turn you come face to face with glistening vertical walls of ice, snow and rock. Although the range is 30 kilometers (19 ml) from north to south and is little more than one long ridge, it has many awe inspiring peaks with intimidating ice-draped walls on all sides, dominated by the colossal Nevado Yerupaja at 6,634 mts (21,765 ft), the second highest mountain in Peru, 2nd only to Huascarán. Cordillera Huayhuash, less well known and hence less frequented by trekkers and climbers than the Cordillera Blanca, is perhaps even more spectacular than the Blanca. The steep, ice draped peaks of this range are stunning, at the foot of which wind sparkling glaciers and beautiful deep blue and turquoise glacial lakes.
This trip is a circuit of the entire range, maybe one of the most spectacular treks in the entire world. A good trek typically has one or two amazing highlights which make it distinctive and notable. This does not happen at Huayhuash; it has no real highlights, just a long series of overpowering views. The entire 35 Km (115 ml) walk along the east side of the range is stunning. There is even a good view to the southeast of the Cordillera Raura, a more isolated range.
With more than 6,000 m (19,685 ft) and 160 km (100 ml) of walking, the circuit represents a serious of difficult attempt. The circuit has two long , strenous climbs, plus a sadistic little climb back to Chiquián at the end. The first , up the valley of the Lamac River climbs from 2,750 to 4,700 mts. (9,020 to 15,416 ft) in 30 Km (24 ml.) The second climb is unrelentingly steep, climbing 1,100m (3,608 ft) above Huayllapa in 7 Km (4.4 ml) before levelling off near the summit.
The route is fairly obvious most of the way, although a well-worn trail is not always oresent. The only potentially confusing spot is on the way down from Punta Tapush to Jahuacocha Lake. Because of the increasing popularity of this circuit, garbage is beginning to appear, specially at Quero river and Carhuacocha and Jahuacocha Lakes. Please carry out , burn or bury all your trash deeply and help clean up after the inconsiderate people who passed by earlier.
A 160-180 km (99-111 ml) trek which encircles the whole range rivals any of the classic treks in the world. The 10-15 day trip is rugged, but its many lakes and streams are jewels and the view of the mountains simply unforgettable.