It’s been nearly a week since I returned from my hiking adventure in Peru, South America, and I finally feel like I’m regaining my normal rhythm. Those whirlwind three weeks felt surreal—like a vivid dream that was both exhausting and breathtakingly beautiful.
To start with, I’ve already tackled the Poon Hill + ABC + Machhapuchhre Circuit in Nepal, conquered Torres del Paine in Chile, summited Fitz Roy in Argentina, and even climbed Half Dome in Yosemite National Park *twice* within a single month. Each of those hikes covered almost 30 kilometers in a single day.
I naively thought that apart from the higher altitude, the Huayhuash Trek would be somewhat similar to my previous experiences. Boy, was I wrong! Sure, I didn’t experience any altitude sickness, but those eight days spent above 4,000 meters, with daily ascents to passes ranging between 4,700 and 5,000 meters, demanded ten times the energy of anything I’d done before.
Many times, I felt like a zombie trudging forward, teeth gritted, sheer willpower keeping me moving. The temperature swings were extreme—soaring to 20-30 degrees Celsius in the afternoon and plummeting below freezing as soon as the sun set. But every bit of hardship was worth it. When I reached the summit and gazed at the stunning vistas hidden behind the mountains, all the struggles faded into insignificance.
The Huayhuash Trek truly ranks among the world’s premier hiking routes, offering jaw-dropping landscapes at every turn. As you hike, snow-capped peaks rise majestically around you, and glacial lakes shimmer with an otherworldly beauty. There are no lodges along the trail, so camping is essential. On the fifth day, however, you arrive at a small village where you can opt to stay in a lodge equipped with electricity, hot water, and even Wi-Fi—a luxurious interlude amidst the wilderness.
The trek itself is relatively light, as mules carry your luggage and supplies, setting up camp for you before you arrive.
The Huayhuash offers various durations—4, 5, 6, 8, 10, or 12 days—with the 8-day circuit being the most popular choice. In Huaraz, numerous travel agencies offer all-inclusive packages, complete with food and tents, ranging from $400 to $2000 per person. My tour cost $560 per person, which I found reasonable given that our guide took us on some longer, higher-altitude, and more scenic routes.
You may encounter only one or two resupply points along the way. In Nepal, I often saw hikers carrying heavy packs, but during my entire eight days on the Huayhuash trail, I encountered just two people burdened with such weight.
Proper acclimatization to the high altitude is absolutely critical before embarking on this trek. Huaraz sits at about 3,000 meters, and I spent four days there preparing. First, I ventured to Laguna Paron for a one-day glacier hike, then rested and explored Huaraz on the third day, and finally capped off my preparation with a sunrise tour to Laguna 69.
For now, I’ll share some photos to give you a taste of the journey. Next time, I’ll delve into each day of the trek in detail.
