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Ke Classic
Ke Classic
Holidays

Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit

Peru
6 reviews
Available Departures: May, Jun, Jul, Aug

21 days from

US$4,885

without flights
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

A `Classic Walk of the World` in the remote Cordillera Huayhuash of Northern Peru

Trip Code: PHH
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit

Highlights
  • Superb high-level Andean trekking holiday in the Huayhuash of Peru
  • Views of Siula Grande the scene of Joe Simpson`s best-selling book, Touching the Void
  • Experience indigenous Quechua culture and spot Andean wildlife like the majestic condor
  • Expert-led off the beaten track trekking holiday in Peru

At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 15
  • 16 days trekking
  • Max altitude - 5200 metres
  • Join In Lima

Accommodation & Meals
  • 20 Breakfasts
  • 15 Lunches
  • 14 Dinners
  • 14 nights Camping
  • 6 nights Hotel
Overview

The compact massif of Peru's Cordillera Huayhuash is famed for its dramatic mountain scenery, typified by fluted ice faces and knife-edge ridges; together with its larger and better-known northern neighbour, the Cordillera Blanca, it provides arguably the best trekking and climbing in the whole of South America and is  the perfect setting for a classic high level trekking holiday. On this epic 16-day trek we follow a stunning high-level trail that makes an improbable circuit of this mountain group and provides trekking on a Himalayan scale! The area of the Huayhuash is also abundant in mineral wealth and every year new mining roads appear in the mountains. Our local knowledge and contacts in this area from more than 14 years of continuous operation, mean that we can adapt and maintain a flexible itinerary to avoid these roads.


Presenting a rewarding challenge to regular hillwalkers, KE’s unique variation of this classic trek crosses a succession of high passes and takes us into remote valleys for views of Peru’s highest peaks, including Yerupaja (6634m) and Huascaran (6768m). We also visit Siula Grande, scene of Joe Simpson’s 'Touching the Void'. Towards the end of the trek, there is the option to walk the ridge of Cerro Jyamy (5200m), which affords views of the entire range. With superb campsites beside green glacial lakes and the charming company of our Quechua crew, this trip offers a fantastic South American experience.


View our full range of walking and trekking holidays in Peru.

Is this holiday for you?

This trekking holiday in the remote high valleys of the Cordillera Huayhuash involves a variety of trekking conditions, ranging from good trails between villages in the sparsely inhabited high valleys on the perimeter of the Huayhuash, to steep paths across scree on the approach to the highest passes on our route. It is possible that the highest passes may have a light covering …

This trekking holiday in the remote high valleys of the Cordillera Huayhuash involves a variety of trekking conditions, ranging from good trails between villages in the sparsely inhabited high valleys on the perimeter of the Huayhuash, to steep paths across scree on the approach to the highest passes on our route. It is possible that the highest passes may have a light covering of snow.  This is a remote area, and the trekking is sustained and challenging on account of its overall length and the high alpine terrain, together with the many high passes on our route. There will be several long days, with walking times of 7 hours plus. As there are so few trekkers on the route, the trails are often rocky and ill-defined making for more challenging walking sections. Please note that a considerable amount of time is spent at altitudes in excess of 4500m. To help you acclimatise and enjoy your trekking holiday, we have allowed 3 nights at around 3000 metres before we start trekking and there is 1 rest / exploration day built into the itinerary. This is a fully supported trek and you will only be required to carry your day pack each day. Our friendly camp crew will take care of all the camp chores, so when in camp you can relax, rest and enjoy the views. This holiday is perfect for fit and experienced trekkers, accustomed to hiking for several consecutive days on difficult terrain. 

Why KE?

Our Huayhuash trips are organised by Val Pitkethly our long-time KE leader and Andean specialist. Val is widely acknowledged as the expert on the area, having worked alongside many of the remote rural communities this route takes in. Adequate acclimatisation is essential on high altitude treks like this one, and Val's carefully selected route is planned to allow for exactly that - just compare our itinerary with the rest!

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