Ditch the tropical vacation; join our Epic adventure to K2 Base Camp this summer!
Ditch the tropical vacation; join our Epic adventure to K2 Base Camp this summer!
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
TOTAL TREK DISTANCE: 115 km
MAX ALTITUDE: 5020 meters
TOUR DURATION: 12 days
LODGING: Mix of hotels + camping
GROUP SIZE: 8-12 people
Tucked away in the remote highlands of central Peru, the Cordillera Huayhuash is South America’s best-kept secret for high-alpine adventure. Less traveled than the famed Inca trails and more rugged than the tourist circuits of Patagonia, Huayhuash is wild, dramatic, and exactly the kind of place that calls out to those seeking true off-the-grid exploration.
This two-week expedition will carry you deep into the heart of the Andes — from the lively town of Huaraz to windswept passes above 5,000 meters, past surreal glacial lagoons, and beneath the shadow of Peru’s most iconic mountain profiles. You’ll camp at the foot of towering peaks like Yerupajá, Siula Grande, and Jirishanca, waking up each day surrounded by big peaks and even bigger smiles.
If you’re looking to ditch the crowds, push yourself physically, and uncover a different side of Peru, trekking in the Cordillera Huayhuash delivers.
Come to disconnect. Come to challenge your limits. Come to take in scenery that looks like it’s been ripped straight from the Himalaya. Come hike in the Cordillera Huayhuash — the crown jewel of the Peruvian Andes.
The Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit is for you if you want to experience…
Dates | Places | Deposit | Full |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1st - 12th, 2026 | $600 | $3550 |
Whether you’re just curious about this trip or are ready to make a deposit, we’re here for you.
To submit an inquiry or make a trip deposit, please fill out and submit the form below. Or send us an email to arrange a call with our adventure staff to join and learn more about how we prepare and execute such adventures as the Cordillera Huayhuash Trek.
Since 2018, Chris has been traveling to remote corners of the world leading Epic Expeditions. Every year he leads group trips to K2 Base Camp, the Everest region in Nepal, the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and other destinations in Central/East Asia, and South America. He is the director and founder of Epic Expeditions.
Chris wanted to take the concept of an adventure holiday a step further by combining his passion for photography, trekking, and alpine environments into one-of-a-kind curated adventures for people who are as stoked on challenging adventures and discovering new cultures as he is – thus this trip was born!
Today is the day we all meet as a group for formal introductions, the expedition briefing, and gear checks.
The afternoon is spent doing any last-minute gear shopping, exploring the town, and getting things organized.
The city of Huaraz is the center for all adventurous travelers and hikers who want to hike and climb in the area of the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash mountain range. There will be plenty of buzz around town.
Today is acclimatization day prior to entering the Huayhuash region. We will hike to Lake Churup: an awesome emerald-sapphire lake in the Cordillera Blanca that is easy to get to from Huaraz (without driving for many hours).
Located at 4450 meters, the hike to Laguna Churup is short, 3 kilometers one way, but it is a consistently steady climb uphill. We will start at 3840 meters above sea level, so we have about 600 meters to gain.
Today is an early start, with a departure at 4 am. We’ll drive 5 hours to Cuartelwain (4150 m) before beginning our trek in the Cordillera Huayhuash. Along the way, we will have breakfast in a town two hours from Huaraz.
In Cuartelwain, we’ll meet the arrieros and the pack animals. From here, we take our first challenging pass: the Cacananpunta Pass (4700 m). We’ll have views of Ninashanca (5607 m) and Rondoy (5870 m). From the pass, we’ll descend to our campsite on the shores of Lake Mitucocha (4300 m).
We climb over a second pass called Carhuac Pass (4650 m) before dropping into another beautiful valley. Our camp for the night lies on the shores of Laguna Carhuacocha (4150m). The lake is popular with photographers as the mountains mirrored in its waters make for a beautiful composition.
We leave Laguna Carhuacocha and hit our third pass before ending our day in the beautiful village of Huayhuash (4300 m). The Carnicero Pass will be challenging at 4840 m, and will once again provide impressive views of the mountains surrounding it.
The community of Huayhuash is tiny, being composed of little more than stone huts, some outcroppings, and minor crops. Still, local Quecha people make due and live here for a significant part of the year.
We leave Huayhuash and walk for around 5 hours to Laguna Viconga (4390 m). Our fourth pass of the trek is Portachuelco Pass (4790 m), and for the first time, we have views of remote peaks in the Cordillera Raura.
At Laguna Viconga, there are beautiful natural hot springs where we will bathe for the first time since leaving Huaraz. The thermal waters are great for relieving tension and aches that trekkers might have acquired over the last few days.
This is a very well-deserved rest day to let our bodies recover from the strenuous hiking so far. We have the hot springs to relax and enjoy – feel free to use them as much as you like!
Today, we cross one of the highest passes in the Cordillera Huayhuash as we move towards camp in Elefante. The Cuyoc Pass (5020 m) will be long, but rewarding.
We continue our trek by descending from the pass towards Elefante, where we set up camp for the night.
For those who still have energy, there is an optional hike up to San Antonio Pass (5,020m) from Elefante that features breathtaking views of the Huayhuash and the infamous Siula Grande. Total hiking time is around 3 hours, and the trail is quite steep.
Today, we first walk down through the valley towards the village of Huayllapa. Huayllapa is a larger settlement than Huayhuash and actually has some basic amenities, like shops. We won’t be sticking around too long.
From there, we ascend a steep slope up a narrow valley to reach the campground of Huatiaqm.
From Huatiaq, we move towards our last camp in Jahuacocha and climb one of our last passes of the trip, Yahucha Pass (4750 m). From this pass, we will have spectacular views of high peaks, including
Yerupaja (the second-highest peak in Peru).
This is our last day of hiking. We will descend from Jaguacocha to the small village of Llamac Corral at 3,400 m. We will enjoy the last views of the Cordillera Huayhuash and will see the change in vegetation as we descend.
From Llamac, we will travel by vehicle back to Huaraz. We will arrive at approximately 5 pm to enjoy a great dinner and have a celebration afterwards.
Today marks the final of the trip, which is dedicated just for onward travel. Clients can leave for Lima by plane first thing in the morning, at night by bus, or stay one more day to rest and recover, hang out with friends, and eat delicious food in Huaraz before departing.
If you’re traveling from Lima, which is where most international flights arrive, there are a couple of ways of transferring to Huarez:
By plane: LATAM is the only airline that flies to Huaraz, and it offers only one flight per day:
By bus: We recommend using Cruz del Sur. The ride takes around 8 hours, and there are options available in the morning and at night. We recommend the ride at night (the 9 pm or 10 pm option) so you can arrive in Huaraz first thing in the morning
The Huayhuash trek is definitely one of the best mountain hikes in the world. This remote part of the Andes feels very similar to other superlative alpine areas, in particular, the Himalaya. There will be moments where you might feel like you’re trekking to Annapurna Base Camp.
Over the course of eight days and 115 kilometers, we will traverse the base of large snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, and breathtaking Andean landscapes. Crossing the passes and seeing the surrounding peaks will be major highlights of the trip.
For this trip, we stay in a mix of 3-star hotels and established campgrounds. One of the campgrounds also features natural thermal pools, so bring a swimsuit!
The tents we use are robust, 4-season tents built to battle the high-altitude elements.
Prices are based on same gender room sharing (two people to a room and tent).
Yes you can! The single supplement charge for both a single hotel room and tent during the trek is + $500 USD.
We will be undertaking the Huayhuash Circuit during the Andean dry season, which runs from April to September. During this time, the weather is typically stable, with clear skies, minimal rainfall, and sunny days. Daytime temperatures at high altitudes can range from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), though it can feel much warmer under direct sun due to the thinner atmosphere.
Nights, however, can get quite cold, often dropping below freezing, especially at higher campsites above 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). Snow is unlikely but always possible, especially at high passes.
Wind can also pick up in exposed areas. Be prepared with proper layers for warmth, sun protection, and sudden shifts in weather. Like most mountainous areas, afternoon thunderstorms are quite common and start developing in the late afternoon.
This hike is not technical, therefore, it does not require any special alpine gear or skills.
Trekking in the Cordillera Huayhuash does require good physical condition, though, as well as the ability to recover from accumulated physical exertion, especially at higher altitudes.
Additionally, a willingness to camp for over a week staright and willpower to endure cold temperatures are required
Please consult our aclimatization resource for tips and tricks on avoiding altitude sickness in the Cordillera Huayhuash (or anywhere for that matter).
Trip participants need to be in good shape and capable of trekking over mixed terrain for long distances (maximum 8 hours). We will be trekking between six and seven hours per day at an altitude of 4000 meters, with passes of up to 5000 meters.
Local porters will be present in some cases to help us carry the supplies that will make trekking in the Cordillera Huayhuash a comfortable and rewarding experience.
For more information, please refer to our trekking fitness guide.
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The Cordillera Huayhuash is one of the most remote and mesmerizing mountain ranges in all of South America. Once a secluded stronghold tucked deep in the Central Andes, it has long captured the imaginations of climbers, trekkers, and explorers in search of raw, untouched beauty. Though overshadowed for decades by the more accessible Cordillera Blanca to the north, Huayhuash has slowly risen from obscurity to become a pilgrimage site for those seeking true alpine adventure.
For much of its history, the Huayhuash range was rarely seen by outsiders. The high valleys and glacial basins were home to Quechua-speaking communities who lived traditional pastoral lives, largely disconnected from the rest of Peru. In the late 20th century, however, the region became even more isolated due to the presence of Shining Path guerrillas, whose violent insurgency deterred climbers and trekkers for years. Only after the group’s decline in the 1990s did Huayhuash begin to open up again, allowing adventurers to rediscover its wild beauty.
That resurgence was fueled in part by growing interest in mountaineering. Foreign climbers had already begun arriving in the mid-20th century, lured by the razor-edged ridgelines and the promise of first ascents. The legendary 1985 expedition of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates on Siula Grande — later immortalized in Touching the Void — brought global attention to the range, not only for its technical climbing but also for the raw, unforgiving nature of the terrain.
Unlike many alpine regions that have been tamed by tourism, the Cordillera Huayhuash has retained its wild spirit. Our high-altitude Huayhuash Circuit is often considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It leads travelers over mountain passes above 5,000 meters, through herder camps, and past some of the most dramatic mountain scenery anywhere on the planet.
Even today, Huayhuash remains a place apart — largely free from the crowds of the Sacred Valley or the infrastructure of Cusco. There is no easy way through the range, and only the hardiest make the journey. But for those who do, the reward is not just the scenery, but the sense of stepping into a landscape where myth and mountain still rule.
Chat with us now!
Chat with us now!
Trip Leader
Pema is a woman of many talents. The things she has achieved by the age of 30, most people can’t even imagine doing in a lifetime.
Born in Kathmandu, Nepal to Tibetan Parents, Pema moved to the USA at a young age.
A keen interest in mountains, photography, and free diving launched a career of full-time world travel and big-time adventures.
Pema is one of the most experienced members of our trip leader staff. She has summited multiple 8000-meter peaks and completed countless multi-day treks in the Himalayas and Karakoram.
Throw on top of all of that a bright personality who brings out the best in people, and you have the recipe for an excellent trip leader. That’s Pema.
General Manager for Pakistan Operations
“Our man in Pakistan” is one way to describe the legend and our dear friend, Nisar Hussein.
Nisar grew up on the outskirts of Karakoram National Park in the Gilgit Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan. His village, Kanday, is literally at the foot of some of the world’s highest mountain ranges.
He has a deep passion and love for the Pakistani mountains and truly believes in the potential for tourism in Pakistan to be a force for good in local communities.
These days he helps run our Pakistani field operations from his dual bases in Islamabad and Skardu.
Nisar possesses a work ethic beyond compare and is likely behind all of the little details that make our trips in Pakistan so special.
Trip Leader
Hailing from the Toronto region of Eastern Canada, with a background as a former standout athlete (hockey of course) and a love of mountain adventure, Clark is a welcomed addition to the Epic team.
In addition to being a keen photographer and adventurer, Clark brings his brilliant sense of humor, leadership skills, and positive attitude to everything he puts his mind to.
When he is not leading trips, he is working on taking over the hard apple cider game in Canada as a skilled craft brewer.
Meet him during : K2 Base Camp Trek
Trip Leader
Noemi grew up in the mountains of German-Speaking Switzerland where she naturally developed a deep love and respect for mountain environments.
She is a talented photographer, aspiring climber, and speaks at least 5 languages fluently including Arabic (and probably a few more that we don’t know about), which she taught herself in a matter of months by watching YouTube videos.
Noemi has spent the last several years traveling, hiking, and photographing her way around many different countries in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Europe, and we could not be more stoked to welcome her to the Epic team!
Meet her during : Discover the Celestial Mountains | Island Peak Climbing Expedition
Adventure Guide
As our man on the ground in Mongolia, there is not much this legend can’t do. As a native the Bayan-Ölgii province of the Western Mongolia Altai, Syerik has been working as a guide and tourism entrepreneur…
for the past several years and is one of the rising stars in Mongolia adventure travel industry.
He is currently building a beautiful Ger (Yurt) camp near his hometown where he will host Epic Mongolia team members on our trip as well as other travelers from around the world!
“
He is the perfect guide for your trip to Mongolia. Serik did an amazing job giving us a well rounded experience in the Altai NP region and down in the Gobi…
The food was fantastic and Serik gave us many opportunities to learn about the Kazakh culture in that region including traditional meals. (I can’t recommend enjoying the milk tea enough!)
– Coastal
Head of canine operations
Choriza started off life as a care-free vagabond on the streets of Madeira Island without any place to call home. From the moment we met her, we knew this dog was just different, and it was pretty much love at first sight.
She gave up the dog street life in favor of joining her new dad Chris to become a full-time member of the Epic family towards the end of 2022.
These days she can be found listening in on the fringes of important Epic business meetings while half-asleep on the couch. She is a keen hiker, lover of mud, rare steak, and might just be the sweetest little dog we have ever seen.
Trip Leader
An experienced trek leader and
IFMGA aspirant ski guide, avid alpine climber, devoted adventure photographer.
Organized and guided trekking expeditions, climbs and ski tours in Tajikistan’s Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Georgian and Russian Caucasus and Kamchatka.
A full member and meets the organiser of the British Alpine Club. Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.
“
We joined Andrew on a fantastic trip to the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, pure nature and magnificent scenery! Andrey was super prepared and led us safely up and down numerous passes and through some rough and icy cold rivers. Thank you for a very memorable trip, your planning and prep was excellent!
– Monika Steinlechner
Meet him during : Trekking in the Fann Mountains
Adventure Guide
Our man in Nepal, Sandip is what we like to call a “Swiss Army Knife”. There is not much Sandip can’t do when it comes to helping Epic to run our expeditions smoothly in Nepal.
His tireless work ethic, passion for all things trekking in the Himalayas, and smart decision-making mean that Sandip is a truly invaluable member of our team.
Sandip is passionate about showing visitors to his country an amazing time, and he goes above and beyond to make sure that happens.
His company Himalayan Masters is Epic’s trusted partner in Nepal and one of the country’s top new tour agencies.
“
We really enjoyed the entire journey, and I would like to say that Sandip is truly professional. He guided us and he is a hardworking person, providing us with the best service and taking care of each one of us. Plus, he is super funny! The kind of professionnal you always want to find on your path for your explorations!
– Alexandra Ruth
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Our flagship Pakistani adventure tour. Road trip with some hiking and cultural immersion.
A trekking-style tour that features some very remote locations, inlcuding a K2 viewpoint.
Trip Leader
João has born in the mountains of Madeira Islands in Portugal. Nature lover, writer, musician, guide, for him, a day without contact with outdoor vibes is a nightmare.
With a degree in Cultural Studies in Portugal and a Master of Arts in Global Cultures and Creativity in the U.K.
João found out what really matters in life can be found on the trails, and in the contact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Guiding, crazy trekking missions, and sharing observations about the natural world, – these are some of João’s passions.
After trekking to K2 Base Camp and exploring all over Northern Pakistan, he fell in love with the country and the local people. His experiences resulted in his desire to share these feelings with the world.
João is one of the most experienced guides at Epic and his skillset and positive mindset in the mountains is second to none
When not in Pakistan, João is guiding and exploring in the Madeira Islands trails – discovering some of the hidden treasures on his Portuguese Island.
“
João I can not thank you enough for the off the beaten paths and views you keep giving. Definitely one of the most challenging and amazing hikes we did 1200m meters all the way up to Fanal forest and circling back to the hidden village. Wow!
– Jeffery
Meet him during : Lost World of Europe | Discover the Hunza Valley | K2 Base Camp Trek
Adventure Guide
Sohail is the newest addition to the Epic team and we are beyond stoked to have him on board. As a veteran of the Karakoram and a native of Karimabad in Hunza, there is not much Sohail can’t do in the mountains.
Besides having the ability to speak more languages than we can count, Sohail has explored every corner of Gilgit Baltistan and logs more trekking miles
in a year than most people will do in a lifetime. As of the summer of 2022, Sohail has summited Gasherbrum 1, Gasherbrum 2, and K2 – three of Pakistan’s five 8000-meter peaks. Sohail guides several trips including our annual bespoke expeditions but specializes in Hunza Valley tours.
“
Chris and Sohail, and the team at Epic are FANTASTIC! Highly recommend anyone to do a tour with ‘Epic’. They have the perfect balance of fun, excitement and wild adventures, tied in with being super professional and ensuring your safety/health in a foreign environment. Don’t waste a moment and book a tour with these guys as the value for money is UNREAL!
– Borgan
Meet him during : Discover the Hunza Valley
Trip Leader
Pedro’s been traveling all around the globe since 2009. His keen interests in documentary photography, rural life, and local people from different ethnic groups have been the focus of many of his professional projects.
Since 2012, he has developed his passion for travel and awesome shared experiences into a full-time adventure photography tour leader position.
Pedro has found himself continuously going back to the Middle East, with his likely favorite destination being Iran. Pedro lead his 11th tour in Iran with Epic in spring 2020
When Pedro’s not traveling the world with Epic Expeditions, you’ll find him based in the western south of Portugal planning he’s next adventure missions, logistics and working out his photos in local exhibitions.
“
I loved the combination of hiking, camping around breathtaking scenery mixed with the cultural aspects. The guide (Pedro) is knowledgeable and work very hard to make the trip as memorable as possible. All in all an epic adventure with some extremely epic individuals! Go for it, you won’t regret it!
– Coastal
Adventure Admin / Marketing
After fleeing from the corporate fashion world in Paris towards the start of 2020, Diane has been working as a web developer and graphic designer remotely from various bases across the globe
She brings all of her incredible design and organizational power to Epic Expeditions and is responsible for many of the beautiful behind-the-scenes design elements.
Diane has been to Iran and to Pakistan twice including all over Gilgit Baltistan and KPK.
Head of Operations
A veteran of Pakistan travel, Ralph is an experienced guide, photographer and writer who specializes in documenting remote locations.
Not one to simply go where everyone else does, he insists on exploring new and lesser-known areas.
Together with Epic Expeditions, he shows people parts of Pakistan that most other operators don’t even know about. He is particularly fond of the village of Barah, which he believes will become just as famous as Hunza one day.
“
Just got back from EBT’s Trekking Amongst Giants 15 day tour. The experience was first class. Ralph, our head guide, ensured that the entire trip ran smoothly and relatively on time (a bonus for anyone travelling in Pakistan). We had so many unforgettable days on the tour and the trekking was well-planned, safe but also a rewarding challenge.
– Calvin
“
Traveling to a non-tourist destination can be a little intimidating but EBT takes all of the worry and trepidation away. From the pre-trip call to meeting the wonderful staff in person you can tell that you are dealing with a company that has a passion for what they do each and every day. Ralph, Zahid, and Khan were supportive, kind, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure that everyone on the trip was getting what they wanted out of the experience.
– Katrina
Meet him during : Trekking Amongst Giants | Discover the Celestial Mountains | K2 Base Camp Trek
Founder | Trip Leader | Director
Since he started exploring the world, Chris has been seeking out every shade of adventure in various parts of the globe and had visited more than 70 countries along the way.
Over the last 10 years, Chris has logged more than 7000 trail miles across five continents and climbed multiple 6000 + 7000 meter peaks in South America, Pakistan, and Nepal.
A few years back, a distant dream and a deep passion for the mountains and the people of Pakistan led Chris to found Epic Expeditions at a time when foreign adventure tourism in Pakistan was almost nonexistent. Since then, Chris has guided more than 65 expeditions to various corners of the earth (and counting).
Chris believes in using community and powerful adventure experiences to dismantle negative stereotypes regarding what mainstream media considers “dangerous” countries while facilitating unique and meaningful memories in the mountains for countless people from around the globe.
For him, an ideal start to the day begins with a steaming cup of good coffee, the beam of a headlamp, alpine boots, and a camera in hand.
Although he is originally a native of Southern California, he now lives in Madeira Island, Portugal, when he is not leading expeditions in far-flung lands.
Chris also works as a writer and photographer on his blog Off the Atlas – an adventure travel blog all about Pakistan.
Read this interview our staff did with Chris to learn more about him!
“
Chris believes in Pakistan and its people, and he believes in the value of journeys shared with others and family cultivated on the road. Honesty and integrity are at the heart of what he does, and this really shines through in his work as a guide. He also makes great coffee – whether at 5am in an empty guesthouse or half way up a Himalayan peak.”
– Will De Villers
“
Pakistan is a magical country! Had 3 of the best weeks of my life thanks to Epic Backpacking Tours with owner, and one of our awesome guides, Chris. From detailed itinerary, preparation with an equipment list, and visa assistance. To amazing food, great porters, helpful guides, and great accommodations. Epic really hit home run after home run. […]
Their desire for adventure and amazing trip is just as high as yours. Bring a good pound of coffee for the trip. French press coffee every morning and no average tin coffee, plus you’ll be in your guides good books.
– Clark Tyler
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