Cordillera Huayhuash 15-day mountain bike extreme circuit

You carry your bike over passes higher than most peaks in North America.

A 15-day mountain bike tour of the Cordillera Huayhuash from Huaraz, Peru, combining extreme single-track riding with trekking sections through one of the world's most remote alpine circuits. You cross eight mountain passes, the highest at Cuyoc Point (5,020 m), ride past glaciers and Yerupajá Grande (6,634 m), Peru's second-highest peak, and camp beside alpine lakes where indigenous farmers live. Burros carry your gear. A local guide, cook and helpers manage camp and meals.

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 mountain views
• Arrive and stay at hotel

Day 3: Acclimatization bike ride near Huaraz

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

Day 4: Acclimatization ride and camping at Wilcacocha

• Bike to Cordillera Negra
• Camp at Wilcacocha Lake
• View Cordillera Blanca peaks

Day 5: Acclimatization hike and bike ride

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

Day 6: Start Cordillera Huayhuash circuit

• Van transfer to Yanashallash Pass
• Bike to Huallanca market
• Discover dinosaur tracks
• Bike to Cuncush Pass
• Camp at Matacancha

Day 7: Trek and bike to Laguna Carhuacocha

• Climb to Cacanampunta Pass carrying bikes
• Descend to Laguna Mitococha
• Climb Punta Carhuac Pass
• Descend to Laguna Carhuacocha campsite

Day 8: Cross Siula Pass to Huayhuash Camp

• Carry bikes over Siula Pass
• Descend to Laguna Quesillococha
• Camp at Huayhuash

Day 9: Trek to Portachuelo de Huayhuash village

• Follow route to Portachuelo de Huayhuash
• Visit Suirococha Lakes
• Descend to Laguna Viconga
• Camp at Viconga Hot Springs

Day 10: Cross Cuyoc Point to Huayllapa village

• Climb Cuyoc Point pass
• Descend to Huanacpatay Gorge
• Continue to Huayllapa village
• Camp in Huayllapa

Day 11: Climb to Tapush Point and camp

• Climb from Huayllapa to Huatiac
• Climb Punta Tapush Pass
• Camp at Gashgapampa

Day 12: Bike to Laguna Jahuacocha

• Climb to Llaucha Pass
• Descend to Jahuacocha Lake
• Camp at Jahuacocha

Day 13: Final trek and transfer to Huaraz

• Carry bikes to Jahuapunta Pass
• Descend to Pocpa village
• Private transport to Huaraz
• Dinner and photo exchange
• Stay at hotel

Day 14: Transfer to Lima by flight or bus

• Transfer to Anta Airport or bus terminal
• Fly or bus to Lima
• Transfer to hotel

Day 15: Departure from Lima

• Stay in Lima
• Transfer to airport
• Fly home

The experience

You arrive in Lima and spend two nights there before traveling 400 km by bus to Huaraz (3,100 m), the staging point for the Cordillera Huayhuash. The first three days are acclimatization rides around Huaraz and the Cordillera Negra (rolling through eucalyptus forests, past pre-Incan ruins at Wilcahuain, and to hot springs at Monterrey) covering short distances (20 km on day three) to let your body adjust to the altitude. On day five, the extreme riding begins: a van drops you at Yanashallash Pass (4,680 m), and from there you ride and carry your bike across the Cordillera Huayhuash's most demanding terrain.

The route is not a marked trail. Most sections require you to shoulder or push your bike on rocky, steep single-track where wheels won't grip. Some days you carry for 3–4 hours straight. You'll cross Siula Pass (4,950 m) with views of Sarapo Peak's retreating glacier, ride past Laguna Carhuacocha where you can catch fresh trout for dinner, and summit Cuyoc Point (5,020 m), the highest pass, with the ice-covered peaks of Sarapo, Siula and Yerupajá looming close. The descent from Cuyoc drops sharply into Huanacpatay Gorge, then follows river valleys through dense vegetation and yellow huishllac flowers (sacred to the Incas) down to the village of Huayllapa at 3,600 m. On the final riding day, you cross Jahuapunta Pass (4,650 m) and descend to Pocpa, where transport waits to return you to Huaraz.

Two escort vehicles follow the group for safety. A cook prepares meals at camp, and donkeys carry tents, sleeping gear and kitchen equipment so you ride with only what you can manage. You stay in a 2-star hotel in Huaraz for four nights (before and after the circuit), camp in tents for nine nights on the trail, and spend two nights in Lima before flying or busing back to the airport. A local mountain bike guide leads in English or Spanish, and park entrance fees for Huascaran National Park and the Cordillera Huayhuash community are included.

What’s included

• Camping tents for two.
• all meals during the 15 days.
• a local mountain bike guide in English or Spanish.
• two escort vehicles for groups of eight.
• donkeys and a donkey driver to carry gear.
• a cook and helpers.
• park entrance fees for Huascaran National Park and the Cordillera Huayhuash community.
• hotel stays (four nights in Huaraz, two nights in Lima).
• bus tickets between Huaraz and Lima.
• pickup from Lima airport and transfer to the bus station.
• transfer from your hotel to the airport at the end.
• kitchen equipment and an acclimatization tour before the circuit begins.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 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 3 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Peru Expeditions Tours

Is this one for you?This tour suits experienced mountain bikers with high cardiovascular fitness who are comfortable carrying a bike over rocky terrain for hours at a time and sleeping in tents at altitude. The 15-day length and extreme single-track riding (with eight passes and sections where you push rather than ride) make it a full commitment. Groups stay small (eight riders maximum) so the two escort vehicles can support everyone on the most demanding days.

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 Grande and why does it matter on this ride?

Yerupajá Grande (6,634 m) is Peru's second-highest mountain and visible throughout the circuit, especially from the high passes like Siula and Cuyoc Point. It anchors the landscape you ride through and is one of the defining features of the Cordillera Huayhuash.

How much of the 15 days is actually on the bike versus trekking or traveling?

Five days are spent in Lima and Huaraz (arrival, acclimatization, and return). Nine days are on the trail in the Cordillera Huayhuash, mixing riding and carrying your bike over passes. The acclimatization days near Huaraz include shorter rides (20 km) and a hike to Laguna Churup, while the circuit itself alternates between rideable descents and sections where you carry or push on steep, rocky terrain.

What are the campsites like on the trail?

Camps are at alpine lakes and high valleys: Matacancha (4,150 m), Laguna Carhuacocha (4,200 m) (described as one of the best campsites with reflections of peaks in calm water) Quesillococha Lake (4,450 m), Laguna Viconga (4,400 m) near hot springs, and Jahuacocha Lake (4,066 m), noted as one of the most beautiful places on the route. Tents sleep two people. A cook and helpers manage meals at each site.