5-day Huayhuash trek from Huaraz: Siula Grande & alpine lakes

Cross four mountain passes and camp beside turquoise lakes in the Andes

A 5-day trek through the Cordillera Huayhuash from Huaraz, camping in high-altitude valleys and crossing four passes up to 5,070 meters. You hike between towering ice walls and alpine lakes, with a certified English-speaking guide, all meals cooked on-site, and private transport to and from the trailhead. The trek reaches Siula Pass, where three lakes lie perfectly aligned below Siula Grande: the peak featured in the film "Touching the Void."

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Huaraz to Janca via Cacanan Punta Pass

• Depart Huaraz to Cuartelhuain
• Begin ascent to Cacanan Punta Pass
• Descend to Janca (Mitucocha)
• Set up camp by turquoise lake

Day 2: Janca to Carhuacocha Lake

• Hike up to Carhuac Pass
• View Siula and Yerupajá peaks
• Descend to Carhuacocha Lake

Day 3: Carhuacocha to Huayhuash Valley

• Climb to Siula viewpoint
• Cross Siula Pass
• Descend to Huayhuash camp

Day 4: Huayhuash to Cuyocpampa

• Trek to Trapecio Pass
• Enjoy panoramic views
• Descend to Cuyocpampa Valley
• Optional hike to San Antonio viewpoint

Day 5: Cuyocpampa to Cajatambo

• Cross Santa Rosa Pass
• Descend to Huayllapa village
• Private transport to Cajatambo

The experience

The Huayhuash range spans only 30 kilometers, but the compact area holds some of the Andes' most dramatic peaks. You start with an early morning drive from Huaraz to Cuartelhuain, then begin a gradual climb toward Cacanan Punta Pass at 4,700 meters. By the end of day one, you're camped beside Mitucocha, a turquoise lake in the Janca valley. The trek builds from there: each day brings a new pass and a new lake, with glistening vertical walls of ice and snow rising at almost every turn.

Day three is the centerpiece. You climb toward Siula Pass at 4,830 meters (one of the most photographed spots in the range), where you stand above three perfectly aligned lakes: Quesillococha, Siula, and Gangrajanca. Siula Grande itself rises to 6,344 meters. This is the mountain where the climbers in "Touching the Void" made their descent. The final two days push south toward Trapecio Pass at 5,000 meters and then Santa Rosa Pass at 5,070 meters, the trek's highest point, before a long descent to Huayllapa and a drive to Cajatambo. Throughout, a certified cook prepares five meals a day in the kitchen tent (breakfast, snack, lunch, tea time and dinner), and hot water arrives each morning so you can wash. Donkeys carry up to five kilos of your personal gear, and an emergency horse stands ready if needed.

Nights are cold, dropping to minus three degrees Celsius, so the four-season tent and sleeping mat matter. The entrance fee to the Huayhuash community is included, as are a cap, t-shirt and buffet as a welcome gift. Private transport picks you up in Huaraz on day one and returns you at the end. The route demands moderate fitness and acclimates you gradually. The maximum altitude is 5,200 meters at Santa Rosa Pass.

What’s included

• Five meals daily (breakfast, snack, lunch, tea time, dinner) prepared by a certified cook.
• four-season tent and sleeping mat.
• kitchen and dining tents with full utensils and hot water each morning.
• up to five kilos of personal luggage carried by donkeys.
• emergency horse.
• certified trekking guide speaking English and Spanish.
• private transport from and to Huaraz.
• entrance fee to the Huayhuash community.
• welcome gift (cap, t-shirt, buffet).
• boiled water to refill your bottle each day.
• first aid kit.

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 2 days ago

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?Choose this if you want a structured five-day mountain experience with set camping spots at altitude and a group following the same route. Pick a different trek if you need flexibility to adjust your pace or skip sections.

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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 Siula Grande and why is it famous?

Siula Grande is a 6,344-meter peak in the Huayhuash range where the climbers in the book and film "Touching the Void" made their dramatic descent. You see it from Siula Pass on day three of the trek, standing above three aligned lakes.

How many meals are included each day?

Five meals are included: breakfast (omelet, pancakes, fruit, coffee, tea), a mid-morning snack (fresh fruit, chocolates, crackers), lunch (salads, soups, rice, chicken, coca tea), afternoon tea time (hot drinks and crackers), and dinner (soups, salads, main courses, pasta, chicken, trout, beef, with vegetarian options). A certified cook prepares everything in the kitchen tent.

What's the highest point I'll reach on this trek?

Santa Rosa Pass at 5,070 meters is the highest point of the trek, crossed on day five. You also climb to Siula Pass at 4,830 meters on day three and Trapecio Pass at 5,000 meters on day four.

How do I get to the trailhead and back to Huaraz?

Private transport picks you up in Huaraz on the morning of day one and takes you to Cuartelhuain, the starting point. On day five, after descending to Huayllapa, the same transport meets you and drives you to Cajatambo, ending the trek.

What's included in the welcome gift?

You receive a cap, a t-shirt, and a buffet as a welcome gift from the operator when you join the trek.