➡️ How to Decide If You’re Ready for a Lightweight Huayhuash Circuit Adventure
⭐ High-altitude experience combined with multiple day hikes exceeding 20km in non-high-altitude areas, each with over 1000m of elevation gain, forms the foundation.
⭐ Plan at least two single-day high-altitude acclimatization routes before Huayhuash. The first two days of Huayhuash are less challenging than Laguna 69. If you handle 69 without altitude sickness, chances are you’ll be fine on Huayhuash.
➡️ Meet My Expedition Team
⭐ Our group consisted of eight international members (one German, one French, one Brazilian, two Swedes, one Italian, one American, and myself), along with one guide, one chef, two mule drivers, two horses, and ten donkeys.
⭐ The guide hiked the entire route with us. The chef woke up early to prepare lunch, setting off later but catching up mid-route to hike alongside us. The mule drivers stayed with the pack animals; our paths aligned only on Days 1, 5, and 7, diverging otherwise.
➡️ Huayhuash Itinerary Overview
⭐ Completing the Huayhuash Circuit typically takes 8-12 days, though local agencies also offer a 5-day half-circuit option.
⭐ Here’s an outline of my 8-day Huayhuash adventure:
ONE ➡️ Day 1: Depart at 5am, arrive at the trailhead by 10am, and begin hiking.
TWO ➡️ Day 8: Exit the mountains at noon and return to town by 5pm.
THREE ➡️ Daily Routine (Days 2–7):
woke up at 6am by the guide who kindly delivered hot tea directly into our tents—a gesture so heartwarming it gave us the courage to leave our cozy sleeping bags! 😉
6:40am Breakfast was served.
7:15am We hit the trail while the mule drivers packed up camp.
Around noon, we enjoyed lunch prepared by the chef, who carried it all the way to meet us.
By 3pm, we arrived at the next campsite, where the mule drivers had already set up tents.
4:30pm Afternoon tea awaited us.
6:30pm Dinner featured soup, a main course, and dessert.
8:30pm Time to sleep under the stars—or rather, inside our tents.
Additionally, we received a daily snack bag filled with treats and fresh fruit.
➡️ A Day-by-Day Glimpse of Our Journey 😘😘
ONE ➡️ Day 1: 8.78km, +520m ascent, -470m descent, starting at 4180m, peaking at 4700m, camping at 4230m.
⭐ This was the most exhausting day of the 8-day trek for me. With only four hours of sleep the night before, followed by a grueling five-hour drive on winding mountain roads that offered no rest, I began the hike completely depleted.
Feeling overwhelmed, I nearly broke down. 😫 However, there was one bright spot—my own private tent! That is, until I froze awake in the middle of the night and realized I should’ve opted for a tent-mate to share body heat. Regret set in. 😭
TWO ➡️ Day 2: 11.33km, +523m ascent, -582m descent, starting at 4230m, peaking at 4753m, camping at 4171m.
⭐ Having slept early the previous night, I managed to catch up on some rest, but unexpectedly developed a headache. Worried about worsening altitude sickness forcing an evacuation, I kept a close eye on my symptoms.
Thankfully, the second day’s hike was relatively manageable, allowing me to reach camp well before lunch. I spent the afternoon basking in the sun, dozing off, and feeling relieved as the headache eased. But alas, another freezing wake-up call awaited me that night. 😭
Due to word limits, this Huayhuash guide will continue in parts 1, 2, and 3. Stay tuned for more details on my profile!
