Huayhuash mini trek – 6 days

FAQ

Good to Know / Practical Information

Huayhuash “Breathtaking Views” Trek – 10 Days | Small Group Expeditions, Peru

Planning to trek the Huayhuash Circuit?

Here’s everything you need to know before joining one of the most breathtaking trekking adventures in the Peruvian Andes 🏔🇵🇪 — from transport and acclimatization tips to hotels, water, duffel bags, briefings, travel insurance, and daily life on the trail.
This section includes key travel information, trek preparation tips, and logistics details, helping you get ready for an unforgettable high-Andean expedition.

Getting to Huaraz
The Huayhuash Trek starts and ends in Huaraz (3,050 m / 10,000 ft), the trekking capital of the Peruvian Andes.
You can reach Huaraz from Lima in two ways:
• 🚌 Bus: Comfortable overnight service with Cruz del Sur or Movil Bus (~8 h).
• ✈️ Flight: LATAM Lima → Anta Airport (~1 h) + 30 min transfer to Huaraz.
👉 Advance booking is essential during the high season (May–September).

Accommodation in Huaraz
Before and after the trek, most travelers spend several nights in Huaraz to acclimatize and relax.
The city offers a wide range of accommodation options — from budget guesthouses to charming mid-range hotels:

• Jacal Classic – A comfortable guesthouse with basic rooms, great location in the city center, perfect for budget travelers.
• Hotel San Sebastián – One of our top recommended hotels. Excellent comfort, spacious rooms, warm hospitality, and a good breakfast — ideal for couples and trekkers who value comfort and convenience.
• Hotel Churup – A popular and well-managed mid-range hotel known for its warm atmosphere, central location, and excellent service.
• Guests can make their reservations directly or we can assist with booking upon request.
  For our package options with hotel included, we usually work with Hotel San Sebastián 🛎✨.
• Spending 2–3 nights in Huaraz before the trek is highly recommended to allow for proper altitude acclimatization and to enjoy the local culture.

Pre-Trek Briefing in Huaraz
To ensure everything is clear and well-organized before the expedition, we offer a detailed pre-trek briefing in Huaraz 📝✨:

• When: Usually held the day before the trek (or upon arrival, depending on your schedule).
• Where: At your hotel or at our Inkaland Treks office in Huaraz.
• Who attends: You’ll meet your guide and coordination team.
• What’s covered:
  • Trek itinerary day by day
  • Review of gear and packing
  • Logistics, camp setup, meals & transport
  • Last questions, tips, and final preparations

👉 This briefing is essential to start the trek confidently and make sure you’re fully prepared for the adventure.

Altitude & Acclimatization
The Huayhuash Circuit reaches altitudes of up to 5,000 m / 16,400 ft, so proper acclimatization is key:

• Spend 2–3 days in Huaraz before the trek doing short acclimatization hikes (e.g., Wilcacocha, Churup, Llaca).
• Mild symptoms like shortness of breath or light headaches are common and usually temporary.
• Walk slowly, stay hydrated, and let your body adjust naturally.

👉 We can help organize acclimatization day hikes prior to your trek.

Travel Insurance – Mandatory
For your safety and peace of mind, travel insurance is mandatory for all participants joining our Huayhuash trekking programs. Your insurance should cover at minimum:

• High-altitude trekking (up to 5,000 m / 16,400 ft)
• Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
• Medical treatment & hospital costs
• Trip interruption or cancellation (recommended)
• Please bring a printed or digital copy of your insurance policy and emergency contact numbers to the pre-trek briefing in Huaraz.
• If you don’t have insurance yet, we can recommend reliable international providers that cover trekking expeditions in Peru.
• This is an essential requirement to ensure that you’re protected in case of illness, accident, or any unforeseen event during the trek.

Weather & Best Time to Trek
The dry season (May–September) is the ideal time to trek Huayhuash:

• Daytime: 15–20 °C (59–68 °F) — warm in the sun.
• Night: often below 0 °C (32 °F) — bring a warm sleeping bag.
• Afternoon winds are common — dress in layers.

👉 Expect crystal-clear skies, stunning mountain views, and chilly nights.

Packing Essentials
A detailed packing list is provided after booking, but here are the essentials:

• Sleeping bag rated to –10 °C / 14 °F
• Broken-in hiking boots (no new shoes!)
• Warm layers: thermal base layers, hat, gloves, insulated jacket
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, refillable water bottle
• Comfortable daypack (30–40 L)

👉 We also offer sleeping bag & trekking pole rentals in Huaraz if needed.

Duffel Bags & Luggage During the Trek
For the Huayhuash trek, we provide expedition-style PVC duffel bags to each participant:

• Capacity: up to 10 kg (22 lb) per person.
• These duffel bags are carried by our pack animals (donkeys) during the trek.
• You only need to pack your personal clothing and essentials inside.
• All food, camping gear, and group equipment are provided and transported by Inkaland Treks.
• During the day, you only carry a small daypack with water, snacks, layers, and personal items.

👉 This system allows you to trek light and comfortably, while our team takes care of all logistics.

Water on the Trek
Staying hydrated at altitude is essential.

• Every morning, our team boils water early at camp so it has time to cool before departure.
• Trekkers can refill their bottles or camelbacks (hydration packs) daily with freshly boiled and safe drinking water.
• We recommend carrying bottles (1.5–2 L total), as they’re more practical.
• Thermos bottles are welcome if you prefer hot drinks.
• We avoid single-use plastic bottles to reduce environmental impact.

👉 This system guarantees a safe, eco-friendly, and reliable source of drinking water throughout the trek.

Fitness, Preparation & Trekking Experience
The 10-day Huayhuash Trek is a high-altitude, multi-day expedition, and preparation is essential:

• Good acclimatization before starting the trek helps avoid altitude sickness.
• Strong physical condition and prior trekking experience are recommended — expect long days, mountain passes above 4,700–5,000 m (15,400–16,400 ft), and camping in remote areas.
• Pre-trip training (hiking, endurance, cardio) will greatly improve your comfort.

👉 Proper preparation ensures you can enjoy the scenery, adapt to altitude, and keep a steady pace during the expedition.

Camps & Accommodation
All nights are spent camping in scenic wilderness campsites:

• We use EUREKA 4-season tents, designed for cold Andean nights.
• 1 tent for 2 people is standard.
• Single tents are available upon request for USD $49 extra for the full trek.
• Bring a warm sleeping bag rated to –10 °C / 14 °F (rentals available).

👉 Campsites are located near lakes, streams, or mountain valleys with spectacular views every morning.

Typical Day on the Trek
A typical Huayhuash trekking day follows a comfortable and consistent rhythm:

• Early wake-up with a hot drink and light breakfast.
• Trekking starts around 8:00 a.m. at a relaxed pace with scenic stops.
• Picnic lunch on the trail or hot lunch at camp.
• Arrival at camp mid-afternoon — time to rest and enjoy the view.
• Dinner and briefing around 6:00–7:00 p.m. under the stars.

👉 All treks start and finish in Huaraz, with private transportation to and from the trailhead.

Meals & Dietary Requirements
All meals during the trek are freshly prepared by our cook:

• Hot breakfasts, energizing trail lunches, and hearty dinners.
• We cater to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs upon request (please inform us in advance).
• Hot drinks and snacks are provided daily.
• Community fees (~USD $90 for the 10-day circuit) are paid directly by our team during the trek and are already included in the price.

Electricity & Charging

• There is no electricity on the trail.
• Bring power banks or solar chargers for your devices.
• Charging is only possible at your hotel in Huaraz before and after the trek.

Connectivity

• There is no reliable phone signal or internet during the trek — embrace the digital detox.
• Our guides carry satellite communication devices for emergencies.

Payments & Cash

• Bring local currency (Peruvian soles) for tips, snacks, and personal expenses during the trek.
• There are no ATMs on the trail, so it’s best to withdraw cash in Lima or Huaraz before the expedition.
• The final trek balance is preferably paid in cash in Huaraz, which helps avoid additional processing fees.
• Other Payment Options

If you prefer to pay the remaining balance by bank transfer or credit/debit card, please take note of the following:

• International bank transfers to our Inkaland Treks account carry a bank fee of USD $50, which must be covered by the client.
• Credit or debit card payments have a 6% processing fee, which is also paid by the client.

Other Useful Tips

• Toilets at campsites are basic; showers are rare. Wet wipes and biodegradable soap are useful.
• Group size is usually 4–8 trekkers, making for a friendly and personal experience.
• An emergency horse is available on all treks.
• Book early for peak season (June–August) departures.