14-day mountain bike Cordillera Blanca: Huascarán Circuit

Seven days on the Huascarán Circuit, two high passes, and a descent past Llanganuco's snowcapped peaks

A 14-day mountain bike tour based in Huaraz, Peru, combining acclimatization rides in the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra with a seven-day circuit around Huascarán that crosses two passes above 4,600 meters. You ride through glacial valleys, past alpine lakes, and down switchback descents, camping in mountain meadows and staying in hotels in Lima and Huaraz. A local guide leads in English or Spanish, and the operator provides tents, meals, and two support vehicles.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and rest in Lima

• Arrive in Lima
• Rest at hotel
• Optional city exploration

Day 2: Travel to Huaraz by bus

• Bus from Lima to Huaraz
• Enjoy scenic drive through desert and mountains
• Arrive and stay in Huaraz hotel

Day 3: Bike acclimatization ride near Huaraz

• Bike Huaraz to Marian and Huanchac
• Visit Wilcahuain ruins
• Picnic lunch at Wilcahuain
• Relax at Monterrey hot springs
• Return to Huaraz

Day 4: Bike to Wilcacocha viewpoint

• Bike to Wilcacocha in Cordillera Negra
• View Cordillera Blanca peaks
• Return to Huaraz

Day 5: Bike and hike to Laguna Churup

• Bike downhill from Wilcacocha to Huaraz
• Drive to Pitec with bikes
• Hike to Laguna Churup
• Descend to Pitec
• Bike or drive back to Huaraz

Day 6: Start Huascarán Circuit from Carhuaz

• Travel by minibus to Carhuaz
• Bike Carhuaz to Shilla and Quebrada Ulta
• Camp near Punta Olimpica Pass

Day 7: Cross Punta Olímpica Pass

• Bike climb to Punta Olimpica Pass
• Enjoy panoramic mountain views
• Descend past Cancaracá Lakes
• Camp near Pompeyo village

Day 8: Excursion to Azulcocha Lake

• Bike to Azulcocha Lake
• Visit old mine
• Bike downhill back to Pompeyo camp

Day 9: Cycle to San Luis village

• Bike through Chacas and Acochaca
• Cross Río Chucpin
• Climb to San Luis
• Camp at San Luis

Day 10: Cycle to Huamas village

• Bike downhill to Llacma
• Climb to Huamas village
• Camp at Huamas

Day 11: Cycle to Pampamachay camp

• Bike uphill through Yanama village
• Climb to Quebrada Morococha
• Camp at Pampamachay meadow

Day 12: Pass Portachuelo Llanganuco

• Bike to Portachuelo Llanganuco Pass
• Enjoy panoramic mountain views
• Descend to Llanganuco Valley
• Bike to Yungay
• Bus to Huaraz
• Stay overnight in hotel

Day 13: Bike to Catac and hike Laguna Jarpococha

• Bus to Catac village
• Bike through Quebrada Gueshgue
• See Puya raimondi plants
• Hike to Laguna Jarpococha
• Bike downhill to bus
• Bus back to Huaraz
• Stay overnight in hotel

Day 14: Transfer to airport or bus terminal

• Transfer to Anta Airport
• Flight to Lima or bus transfer
• Arrive in Lima

The experience

You arrive in Lima and spend two nights acclimatizing to the city before traveling by bus or short flight to Huaraz (3,100 m), where you'll base yourself for five nights. The first three days on the bike are acclimatization rides: a 20 km loop through eucalyptus forests and villages to the hot springs at Monterrey; a ride into the Cordillera Negra to Wilcacocha (3,725 m), where you can identify the major peaks of the Cordillera Blanca across the valley; and a combination bike-and-hike day to Laguna Churup (4,450 m) at the foot of Nevado Churup's glacier. These rides let your body adjust to the altitude while you learn the terrain and your bike's handling.

The seven-day Huascarán Circuit begins when you travel by minibus from Huaraz to Carhuaz and start riding toward Punta Olimpica Pass (4,890 m). This first pass is the hardest climb of the tour (20 km and 29 switchbacks over 3–4 hours), but the reward is a panorama of Huascarán's massive east wall and Chopicalqui's ice face. You descend past the Cancaracá Lakes to camp at Pompeyo (3,500 m). The next day is a technical excursion to Azulcocha Lake (4,316 m) and an abandoned mine, with a long single-track descent back to camp. From there the route follows dirt roads and bike trails through villages (Chacas, San Luis, Llacma, Yanama) climbing steadily toward Pampamachay (4,350 m) under the north face of Nevado Chopicalqui. The final stage is only 10 km to Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass (4,650 m), but the 50 km descent with switchbacks down to the Llanganuco lakes and toward Yungay is the celebration: you ride into views of Huandoy's snowcapped peaks to the east and Chacraraju to the south before a bus carries you back to Huaraz.

On your last mountain day, you travel south to Catac (3,536 m) and ride 16 km through Quebrada Gueshgue inside Huascarán National Park to see the Puya raimondi flowers: giant plants that grow up to 12 meters tall and flourish only in the south Cordillera Blanca and a few places in Bolivia. A downhill ride and bus ride return you to Huaraz. The operator provides camping tents, all meals during the riding days, a local mountain bike guide, two escort vehicles for groups of eight, and hotel stays in Lima and Huaraz. You'll need a moderate level of fitness and your own bike gear (helmet, shoes, jacket, sleeping bag, mattress). The operator supplies the bikes and support.

What’s included

• Camping tents for two people.
• all meals during the tour.
• pickup at Lima airport and transfer to hotel and bus station.
• entrance fees to Huascarán National Park.
• bus tickets between Huaraz and Lima on an executive service.
• transportation as scheduled during the tour in Huaraz.
• kitchen equipment.
• two escort vehicles for groups of eight participants.
• transfer from hotel to airport.
• local mountain bike guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel accommodation for two nights in Lima and five nights in Huaraz.
• acclimatization tour.

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 16

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 today

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?Groups stay at eight riders maximum, so you're never in a large crowd. The 14-day span lets you spend three days acclimatizing in Huaraz before the seven-day circuit, which means you arrive at the high passes with your body already adjusted to the altitude. A real advantage when you're climbing Punta Olimpica at 4,890 meters.

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's the highest pass on the Huascarán Circuit?

Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass reaches 4,650 meters and is the second major climb of the circuit. Punta Olimpica Pass (4,890 m) is the first and most difficult, with 29 switchbacks and a 3–4 hour climb from Carhuaz.

What happens on the acclimatization days in Huaraz?

The first three days include a 20 km loop through eucalyptus forests and villages to hot springs at Monterrey; a ride to Wilcacocha (3,725 m) in the Cordillera Negra for views across to the Cordillera Blanca; and a bike-and-hike combination to Laguna Churup (4,450 m) at the foot of Nevado Churup's glacier. These rides let you adjust to altitude before the seven-day circuit begins.

Where do you camp during the Huascarán Circuit?

You camp in mountain meadows at Pompeyo (3,500 m), Pampamachay (4,350 m), and other high-altitude sites along the route. The operator provides two-person camping tents and all meals during the riding days.

What is Puya raimondi and where do you see it?

Puya raimondi is a giant plant that grows up to 12 meters tall and looks like a candle. It flourishes only in the south Cordillera Blanca and a few places in Bolivia. You see it on the final day, riding through Quebrada Gueshgue inside Huascarán National Park near Catac.