Overview
Far away from the tourist trails of Peru, hidden deep in the Andes, lies a place where adventure meets purity — the Cordillera Huayhuash.
This remote mountain range is often described as the most beautiful trek in South America, where each day reveals new peaks, turquoise lakes, and a silence so vast it feels sacred.
For those who seek true adventure, Huayhuash is not just a destination — it’s a revelation.
Where Is the Cordillera Huayhuash?
The Huayhuash Mountain Range lies about 50 km south of the Cordillera Blanca, spanning three regions — Áncash, Huánuco, and Lima.
It stretches roughly 30 km, forming a dramatic circle of snow-capped peaks and glacial valleys that have remained untouched for centuries.
Here, nature reigns supreme, and every step is a reminder of how powerful — and peaceful — the Earth can be.
The Huayhuash Circuit: One of the World’s Greatest Treks
The Huayhuash Circuit Trek is often ranked among the top 10 treks in the world.
It loops around the entire range, crossing high mountain passes, isolated valleys, and pristine alpine lakes.
- Duration: 8–12 days
- Distance: 120–130 km (75–80 miles)
- Maximum altitude: 5,000 m / 16,404 ft (Cuyoc Pass)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Best season: May to September
This route demands endurance — but rewards with beauty beyond imagination.
Every campsite reveals a postcard view: Laguna Carhuacocha, reflecting Siula Grande and Yerupajá, or the quiet waters of Jahuacocha, glowing at sunset beneath peaks of snow and fire.
Highlights of Huayhuash
- Yerupajá (6,634 m): Peru’s second-highest mountain — majestic and untamed.
- Siula Grande (6,344 m): Legendary from the story Touching the Void.
- Lagunas Carhuacocha, Mitucocha & Jahuacocha: Dreamlike lagoons surrounded by giant peaks.
- Andean Communities: Experience authentic Quechua culture and hospitality.
Each element of Huayhuash tells a story — of mountains older than time, and people who still live in harmony with them.
The Spirit of Huayhuash
A world where every horizon tells a story written in snow and stone.
Here, towering peaks touch the clouds, their glaciers feeding turquoise lakes that mirror the sky.
The silence of the valleys carries the whispers of the wind, the songs of past travelers, and the heartbeat of the mountains themselves.
In Huayhuash, adventure goes beyond distance or altitude — it becomes connection.
Connection with nature in its purest form, with the Andean people whose lives flow in harmony with the land, and with that deeper part of yourself that only awakens in solitude and vastness.
Each step along these trails reminds you that greatness isn’t found in reaching the summit, but in embracing the journey — in the quiet moments by the fire, the laughter shared under a blanket of stars, and the calm after the storm.
“Huayhuash. The Call of the Andes.”
Video by: Ronnie Forslund
Director and expedition filmmaker who travels the world bringing joy and awe to the Glory of God’s name.
