Trekking the Cordillera Huayhuash Private Journey

The trail conditions in the Cordillera Huayhuash are rugged and physically demanding. Most of the route follows dirt paths that wind through remote valleys and over high/steep mountain passes. You can expect a mix of terrains, including rocky sections, loose scree slopes, and soft, grassy alpine meadows.

Begin training at least five or six months before departure. Start gradually by doing hikes, running, using a stairmaster, or riding bikes. The objective is to improve your overall level of fitness and aerobic capacity and get your legs and lungs in shape for the nearly 75 miles of trails you will be hiking. As the time for departure approaches, try to climb a high peak near you. If you do not have high mountains nearby, then try to increase the length and intensity of your training regime (i.e., strenuous weekend hikes that involve 6-7 hours of uphill and downhill walking). Your feet should be fully prepared and accustomed to long days in sturdy, well broken-in hiking boots. A backpacking trip can give you an excellent idea of what this trip is like and is great for conditioning and aerobic capacity. Backpacking also gives you experience in organizing and testing your equipment and in proper walking technique. Most importantly, take care of yourself and exercise regularly to improve your aerobic capacity, but do not overexert yourself before departure.

Weather on the Cordillera Huayhuash trek is highly variable and often extreme, with conditions changing rapidly due to the high altitude. During the dry season (April-October), days are generally clear and sunny, with daytime temperatures ranging from 50°-70°F, while nights are cold and often drop to 30°-40°F (or lower), with some high camps seeing lows near 10°F. The sun is intense at high elevations, making sun protection essential, even when the air feels cool. Mornings are typically calm and bright, but afternoon clouds and wind are common, and brief snow flurries or hail can occur at higher passes. Strong winds and exposed terrain increase the chill factor, and temperatures can drop sharply with elevation gain. With big temperature swings and the potential for rapid weather changes, you need to be well-prepared with warm layered clothing and gear suited for both sun and cold, wet, or windy conditions.

Accommodations on the trail are in sturdy mountain-style tents. Camp amenities include a dining tent with a table and chairs (with backs) and meals prepared by our trained staff. (Note: there are no toilet tents; guests must used established bathrooms on the trail that are maintain by the local communities.) Our camp crew takes care of all camp chores, including bringing a basin of warm washing water, and tea or coffee to your tent each morning. Most members bring their own sleeping bag, but we can arrange for you to rent one if you prefer.

On trekking days, breakfast is normally a light meal of pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, or something similar, along with tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. Lunch is served picnic-style in a scenic spot along the trail, perhaps chicken salad, potato salad, guacamole salad, or macaroni salad, along with fruit, cheese, bread, and chocolate bars for extra energy. At camp, we have late afternoon tea (or coffee or cocoa) and snacks such as popcorn, cookies, or crackers, which hit the spot after a long day on the trail. Dinner, served to us in a dining tent with a table and chairs, is delicious hot soup followed by a substantial main course and a dessert. Please let us know of any dietary needs and we will accommodate as best as possible.

On a typical trekking day, wake-up is around 7:00 am, when a cup of hot tea or coffee and a basin of warm washing water are brought to your tent by one of the camp crew. After packing up our duffels and having breakfast, we set off on the trail while the crew strikes camp and the porters shoulder their loads. The crew passes us by midmorning to get ahead and prepare our lunch. We typically walk for three or four hours in the morning, then stop for a leisurely lunch of an hour or more at a scenic spot on the trail. After lunch, we walk for another three hours or so until we reach our next night's camp. The porters and crew pass us in mid-afternoon and usually have camp set up by the time we arrive. At camp, we have late afternoon tea (or coffee or cocoa) and snacks. Before dinner in the dining tent, there's free time to read or relax. Temperatures drop quickly as the sun drops behind the peaks, and it can get very cold at night, so have a few extra layers of clothing ready. It gets dark fairly early (around 6:30 pm). After dinner, we can chat away the evening in the dining tent or read by flashlight until bedtime.

We will be going to high elevation on this trip. It is not uncommon to experience headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, shortness of breath, and fatigue at altitude. These can occur when you first arrive at higher elevations and usually decrease in severity with time. We have designed this itinerary to allow for appropriate rest and acclimatization, but for your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. While on trip, be sure to drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, and avoid pushing yourself too hard, however physically fit you may be or feel. You may want to consult with your physician about bringing medication to prevent altitude sickness, such as Diamox. You can learn more about altitude and how to prepare for it in our video linked here.