I spent three weeks in the charming city of Huaraz, nestled beneath the majestic Andes mountain range. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, this city serves as the gateway to numerous hiking trails, with the most renowned being the Huayhuash trek. This 130km loop encircles the Cordillera Huayhuash, and it’s widely regarded by outdoor enthusiasts as one of the most physically demanding routes in South America. It is, without a doubt, the most breathtaking route I have ever walked! The photos simply don’t do it justice; only by experiencing it firsthand can one truly feel the awe of seeing endless snow-capped mountains after each pass.
– [Difficulty] The most challenging aspect of the Huayhuash trek is its altitude. Over eight days and seven nights, the lowest campsite sits at 3500 meters, the highest reaches 4400 meters, and the peak elevation of the entire journey is 5200 meters. Standing on the glacier, breathing in the thin, crisp air, I truly felt the sense of “all the mountains look small.”
– [Weather] May to October marks Peru’s winter, which is also the dry season, making it the ideal time for hiking. During my eight-day trek, the sky was crystal clear during the day, and I could hike in just a T-shirt, sweating profusely. However, once the sun set, the temperature plummeted to around -10 degrees Celsius. Despite wearing all the clothes I brought and burrowing into a thick sleeping bag, the biting cold wind of the Andes at night made it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
– [Finding a guide vs. DIY] In Huaraz, there are many organizations that provide guides and porters, which was my choice. If you’re an experienced hiker, you’ll see many people carrying all their supplies and completing the journey independently. On the fifth day, you pass through a small village where you can buy snacks and other essentials. I recommend finding a local guide, with costs ranging from about $400 to over $1000.
I personally recommend finding a guide. Being part of a team, you meet hikers from all over the world, share stories, and play games at the campsite, which provided me with a lot of motivation to keep going! The seven nights when I could step out of my tent and gaze at the Milky Way were definitely some of the highlights of my life ✨
#Hiking #Peru #SouthAmerica #OutdoorHiking #Outdoors #HikingRouteRecommendations
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