10-day Huayhuash Trek with Diablo Mudo ascent from Huaraz

Multiple high passes, an optional summit, and the second-highest tropical range in the world

A 10-day trek through the Cordillera Huayhuash, the second-highest tropical mountain chain in the world, starting from Huaraz. You cross six major passes, camp beside glacial lakes, and optionally climb Diablo Mudo (5,350 m) on day nine. A Peruvian guide, cook, mule team and all meals are included. You sleep in tents and carry only a day pack.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Matacancha Camp

• Transfer in van via Santa Valley
• Continue to Huarapasca Pass
• See Pasto Ruri glacier
• Reach village of Matacancha
• Meet guides and mule team
• Set up camp and overnight

Day 2: Trek to Laguna Mitucocha

• Climb to Cacanampunta Pass
• Enjoy views of Rondoy and Jirishanca
• Descend to Laguna Mitucocha
• Camp overnight at Laguna Mitucocha

Day 3: Trek to Laguna Carhuacocha

• Climb to Punta Carhuac Pass
• Descend to Carhuacocha Lake
• Possibly catch fresh trout
• Camp overnight at Carhuacocha

Day 4: Cross Siula Pass to Quesillococha

• Pass through remote peaks and glaciers
• Cross Siula Pass
• Descend to Quesillococha Camp
• Alternative easier route option
• Camp overnight at Quesillococha

Day 5: Trek to Laguna Viconga and Hot Springs

• Hike to village Portachuelo de Huayhuash
• Climb past Portachuelo de Huayhuash
• Descend to Lake Viconga
• Camp at Viconga Hot Springs

Day 6: Cross Punta Cuyoc Pass to Huanacpatay

• Scramble to Punta Cuyoc Pass
• View Raura Range and Huayhuash peaks
• Descend to Huanacpatay Gorge
• Camp near Huanacpatay village

Day 7: Trek to Huayllapa and Huatiac

• Hike along Calinca Valley river
• Reach village of Huayllapa
• Climb steeply to Huatiac
• Camp overnight at Huatiac

Day 8: Trek to Punta Tapush and Cashgapampa

• Climb to Punta Tapush Pass
• View Nevado Diablo Mudo
• Descend to Susococha Lake
• Reach Cashgapampa Camp
• Camp overnight at Cashgapampa

Day 9: Optional Diablo Mudo climb or trek to Jahuacocha

• Early start for Diablo Mudo climb
• Use crampons, ice axe, harness
• Descend to Jahuacocha Lake camp
• Or trek via Angocancha Gorge and Yaucha Pass
• Camp at Jahuacocha Lake

Day 10: Final trek and transfer to Huaraz

• Climb Jahua Punta Pass
• Descend to village of Pocpa
• End trek and leave mule team
• Transfer to Huaraz
• Overnight at hotel

The experience

The trek begins with a van transfer from Huaraz through Puja Raimondi National Park to Matacancha (4,150 m), where you meet the guide, cook and mule drivers before your first camp. From there, the route traces a circuit through the Huayhuash Range, crossing Cacanampunta Pass (4,700 m) on day two and climbing to Punta Carhuac (4,650 m) on day three, where the peaks of Yerupajá and Jirishanca reflect in Carhuacocha Lake if the wind is calm. Day four is the most demanding stretch: a strenuous, unmarked route over Siula Pass (4,950 m) with views of the retreating glacier of Sarapo Peak, or an easier alternative along the eastern shore of the lake and over Carnicero Point (4,580 m).

Days five through eight take you south to Laguna Viconga (4,400 m), the southernmost point of the circuit, then back north over Punta Cuyoc (5,020 m), the highest pass of the trek, before dropping into the Calinca Valley to the village of Huayllapa (3,600 m), where the trail passes through dense vegetation and yellow huishllac flowers sacred to the Incas. On day nine, you climb to Cashgapampa (4,500 m) beneath the glaciated cliffs of Raju Collota. Here the trek splits: those attempting Diablo Mudo (5,350 m) start before dawn, using crampons, ice axe and harness on the steep northern slopes, while others take the easier route over Llaucha Pass (4,750 m) to Jahuacocha Lake. The final day crosses Jahuapunta Pass (4,650 m) and descends to Pocpa village (3,600 m), where transport returns you to Huaraz.

The Cordillera Huayhuash holds six peaks above 6,000 meters, including Yerupajá (6,617 m), Peru's second-highest mountain, and Siula Grande (6,344 m), famous from Joe Simpson's mountaineering account "Touching the Void." Meals, camping tents for two, all park entrance fees, and the services of a guide, cook and mule team are included. You bring personal climbing gear only if you attempt Diablo Mudo.

What’s included

• Peruvian trekking guide in English or Spanish.
• all meals during the trek.
• camping tents for two people.
• cook and kitchen helpers.
• donkey drivers and pack animals to carry gear.
• entrance fees to Puja Raimondi National Park and the Huayhuash community.
• transportation from Huaraz to the trailhead and back to the city at the end.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Peru Expeditions Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're committing to a full circuit trek with no rest days (or choose a shorter variant if you need breaks), and pick the optional Diablo Mudo summit on day nine only if you want technical climbing alongside trekking.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Yerupajá and why is it visible on this trek?

Yerupajá (6,617 m) is Peru's second-highest mountain, standing in the Cordillera Huayhuash. It appears in the panoramic views from multiple passes and lakes on the circuit, particularly from Carhuacocha Lake on day three and from the higher passes later in the trek.

Can I climb Diablo Mudo on this trek, or is it just a viewing mountain?

Diablo Mudo (5,350 m) is an optional climb on day nine for physically strong trekkers. Those who attempt it start before dawn from Cashgapampa, use crampons and ice axes on the steep northern slopes, and rejoin the main group at Jahuacocha Lake. Trekkers who skip the summit take an easier route over Llaucha Pass the same day.

What is the highest pass on this trek?

Punta Cuyoc (5,020 m) on day six is the highest pass of the Huayhuash circuit. From there you see the Raura Range to the east and the major peaks of Huayhuash (Sarapo, Siula and Yerupajá) very close overhead.

How does the trek handle meals and camping?

A cook and helpers prepare all meals at camp from the start. You eat in the field and sleep in two-person tents provided by the operator. Mules carry the kitchen equipment, tents and supplies, so you trek with only a day pack.

What happens on the last day of the trek?

Day ten is the final trekking day: you cross Jahuapunta Pass (4,650 m) and descend steeply to Pocpa village (3,600 m), where you say goodbye to the mule drivers and guides. Private transport then returns you to Huaraz for an overnight hotel stay.