Huayhuash Trek (10 days)

We had a special experience doing the Huayhuash Trek 8 days with Andean Raju Expeditions. We booked this trek one year in advance and Pablo was super helpful from the beginning. The trek is not easy at all, but we had all the help to succeed. JAVIER was the most prepared and helpful guide I have ever hiked with. If you have him on your hike, you are extremely lucky. He was always there if we needed something. I want to thank all the team members that were with us (Javier our guide, the guide's assisstant, the chef, the chef's assisstant, and the 4 donkey drivers). They all worked so much for us to have a great experience. An advice to anyone who is planning to make this hike, bring cash, because you will be impressed by the amount of work everyone does, and you will regret not having cash to tip the team properly. Each morning started at 5:30 with tea brought to your tent. Then until 6:00 all the bags for the donkeys were supposed to be ready. Then we had breakfast and started the hike. You go at your own healthy pace, but you should be fit for this type of altitude hiking. I like that we had a very helpful horse that would carry a person if they were not feeling well. There is also an army of donkeys carrying all the supplies and also being so cute! What was difficult for me was the last day and that one the way down we didn't take even a break. For about 1000m of elevation loss and a little ovef 2 hours. As an advice, 2 breaks of 5 min each would be really helpful for the legs :) As we leave, we keep the good memories, the friendships we made and the respect and total apreciation for all the hardwork we saw from our team. Muchas gracias!

An absolutely fabulous trip in the Huayhuash on the 10 day circuit. The crew all worked well together - such a great team of hard working pleasant people. They always helped each other out to ensure everything was completed. So much work goes into daily moving camp, cooking, and cleaning all the dishes. Our every need was met and beyond. Their exceptional work ethic did not go unnoticed A shoutout to our cook Juan for the delicious breakfast, dinners and packed lunches. How he was able to cook restaurant quality meals is beyond me. This was a strenuous hike and we appreciated the amount of protein, fruits and vegetables and carbs and snacks provided. Beyond that, we adore Juan always having a smile on his face and communicating with us despite our poor Spanish (for which I apologize). Adam our donkey driver was kind to his donkeys at all times. It was obvious they are well cared for on and off the trail. We love donkeys and have so much gratitude for his gentle way. Adam is also such a hard worker and we appreciate all he did to make this trip work seamlessly. Our guide Marco was always pleasant, had a good attitude and ensured we had the best time...and we did. Thank you to Pablo for setting up this trip of a lifetime. From the time we were picked up at our hotel to the time we were redelivered everything was perfect - including the authentic lunch provided at the restaurant in the village at the end of the trip. We had intended to climb Diablo Mundo on day 8 - however we were pretty tired by that point and opted to bypass this peak. If I had to do it again, we would have chose to stay in Huaraz an extra 2 days and climbed a local and less remote peak. I wish I'd have researched more to know this was an option.

We had the best time ever!!!! Our guides Marco and Pascal and our chef Juan were so much fun to hang out with. The views were breathtaking, the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Our campsites were all great and had toilets with running water!! The gear that was provided was high quality and kept us warm through the cold nights and weather. I couldn’t have asked for a better trip and would do it again and again 🙏 Thank you!

We did a 10-day trek with the company. Even when we booked and contacted them six months before the trek, we always received a detailed and friendly response. We also felt during the trek that we were in good hands, there was always professional care and response to everything we asked and every problem we had. The entire team during the trek was friendly and especially noteworthy was the guide Javier with his professional and pleasant approach, while showing patience and understanding for all our needs. We highly recommend going on a trek with this company. They were amazing

I just made the 8-day circuit of the Huayhuash Mountains and I can say it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. At the same time, it was one of the most difficult too. I booked the package months in advance and, from the beginning, Pablo, owner of the agency, responded quickly to all my emails and removed all my doubts. Before the trip, I received a guide with the detailed itinerary, explaining what to expect from each day, plus a complete list with everything that should take. The organization of the agency was impeccable from beginning to end. The night before the trekking we had a briefing with all the important information of the trip, and they also borrowed a duffel bag to place the belongings that would be carried by the mules. On the day of departure, I was picked up at the hotel and helped with all the luggage. During the eight days, the team was simply sensational. The main guide, Javi, helped in everything and was always willing to support whatever was needed. They really didn't stop for a minute. Every day I woke up with Javi bringing a hot coca tea to the tent, followed by a wonderful breakfast prepared by chef Misael. And it wasn't any breakfast: every day there was a different main dish, in addition to coffee, tea, hot chocolate, jelly, butter, milk candy and much more. During the walks, the staff was also always around to help on the hardest stretches. At some times, they even helped me with my backpack and gave me support in the most complicated descents. The lunch, served in the middle of the way, was always delicious and varied. When we arrived at the camps, the tents were already set up and ready. Just come in and arrange the sleeping bag. Javi still carried a bucket of hot water for us to clean up. In two days of the expedition, they heated water for those who wanted to take a bath in a tent reserved for it. Afternoon tea was a separate show. Had cake, guacamole, pizza, tequeños, pipoca and various other surprises. About an hour later, dinner was already served, and Misael was once again doing magic in the middle of nothing. Honestly, the food was one of the things that most impressed me on this trip. At the end of the day, we were going to sleep and the next morning, everything started over. While we were drinking coffee, the staff was already demolishing the tents. Our only concern was walking. I also need to point out that this trekking is wonderful, but extremely pulled. Not recommended for those who do not have a very good physical conditioning. My lack of altitude experience made it even more difficult. In the last few days, we were all exhausted and coughing a lot, but those with more experience seemed to handle the situation better. Last day, I had a bad time and had to use a horse for a few hours. The agency did absolutely everything to make the experience the best possible, but some things depend on the physical adaptation of each person. Despite all the difficulty, it was an unforgettable experience. I recommend this closed-eyed agency.

We completed the 10-day Huayhuash trek and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the very beginning, the organization was absolutely excellent and everything worked perfectly. Pablo was extremely helpful the entire time, communication was fast, and he always tried his best to accommodate us. During the trek we had Javier as our guide — a very kind and easygoing person. Since we were significantly faster than the rest of the group, he often arranged for someone to hike with us at a quicker pace, such as Alfonso or Emer, which we really appreciated. A huge thank you also goes to the cook, Alfonso. What he prepared for us every single day was incredible. Honestly, I still don’t understand how he managed to create such amazing meals in those conditions. I was especially shocked when he served us pizza at around 4,500 meters altitude. You really wonder how something like that is even possible in a kitchen tent in the middle of the mountains. Big thanks also to the donkey drivers. They were incredibly hardworking — every day they set up our tents, helped in the kitchen, and most importantly, they treated the animals very well and with great respect. At the end of the trek, they even invited us to their home, where they prepared traditional Peruvian food for us. It was such a beautiful and authentic experience and a perfect ending to the trek. We truly enjoyed the entire experience and can highly recommend this agency.

For years La Cordillera Huayhuash has been on my to do trek list. US operators want to steer you towards groups during the busier summer season. I found Andean Raju and Pablo, based in Huaraz, tracking local well reviewed companies. Immediately Pablo sent me a very detailed 10 day itinerary. Willing to pay a solo up charge, I sent the deposit and was confirmed for the dates I wanted early to mid May 2026. My guide Julio has 18 years experience in Huayhuash & is brilliant. Chef Misael’s meals were excellent, always with big portions and seconds available. Our burro and horse wrangler Hubert found excellent locations in the designated campsites. Camp always was set up and ready when we arrived. I’m almost 70. Some very steep, rocky, long downhills, left me a bit unenthusiastic for a 14 km day 10 with 1000 meter descent. Pablo and Julio organized our driver to meet us just 90 minutes, 2 hours down the valley from our last camp at Jahuacocha. The efforts of Julio, Pablo, and the driver reallly saved some wear and tear on my knees at the end of a tough trek.

We actually found the company on TripAdvisor, I didn’t really look much into it, but my friend did. Pablo the co-owner is awesome and answered all our questions beforehand on what’s app. I don’t think we were the easiest clients. And they accommodated our diet which was gluten-free and vegetarian. Our cook CIRO was amazing. Hard to believe we had fresh vegetables at over 4000 m for example a stuffed pepper with cheese.! I loved our guide Maite , she gave us many opportunities to practice Spanish and her English was just fine. A strong woman mountaineer who loved trekking as well, I was in my happy place the whole 10 days. Our first five days we had four seasons in one day. We had snow with the passes rain, hail, sun. And the last five the sun came out and it was its normal blue sky days. Our donkey Driver Solio , has been doing it for 30 years. Such a warm, friendly man, everyone was friendly and was like family on the trek . I really like the flexibility of this company and their suggestions. And how much they accommodated what we wanted. I also had a little fishing lesson from.Solio , on my first cast I really tangled up the line and he patiently untangled it. He’d already been out fishing at 5 AM , and caught a dozen trout, and I wasn’t going to get up that early, so I struck out. Still trout for lunch This was our rest day. Which we still ended up doing a 8K up to the gorgeous lagoon. Then Maite gave us a yoga Pilates class. To stretch day nine you probably should start stretching.🤣 I took notice of the other companies and talk to other people and I know that we chose the right one. We were given two bucket showers along the way. I can’t tell you how envious other travelers looked when I walked out wrapped in a towel.! we also had a banjo set up for us at nite , sometimes it’s a long walk to take a pee! Another nice thing they did well a few, a cup of hot coca tea brought to our tent every morning as we were stuffing our bags. And when we got to camp, we were brought a small tub of hot water to clean up. Their gear was good my friend rented a sleeping bag and mat . our tents were good. I had my own Thermo rest and sleeping bag. This company is very hands-on. Pablo came and met us our first day when we did an acclamation hike. We paid to do two hikes with them out of Haurez , one you could definitely do on your own, but the other I was certainly glad we had Maite . Laguna. Churup is a good warm-up.! Pablo set up our transport as well back to the airport! I saw solo travelers doing it themselves, and we’re certainly looked done in some of them with their big packs. I do a lot on my own as well, but this track was so nice to have the support of Maite , Ciro and Solio . It made it so I could just trek and enjoy. The trekking is hard, but not too hard, the weather was challenging a little bit, but not too bad. I’m looking forward to coming back and doing it again with them.❤️ I’d like to add in a second rest day to go explore. This is some of the most stunning trekking . I’ve done in my life and I’ve been Nepal, Argentina, Tanzania, New Zealand, etc. It asks a lot of you and gives a lot to you. You must be in decent shape to do this and definitely acclimate with a couple hikes. I highly recommend Andean Raju expeditions. If your mountaineering, I know you can count on them as well. Whatever you decide to do. They let us choose our own dates as it was just my friend and I and worked with our schedule. Period I also like that they support women in business. And I recommend that you stay in the lodge in Yalpa . I’m not spelling this right anyway way better than staying in the field. We stayed with a lovely woman who also teaches and we were there when the kids were practicing song and dance. We also went to a woman owned business in Solios village at the start and had lunch and at the end we had lunch again. It was delicious. We never had any stomach issues or anything on this trip. They put in a lot of loving and care in their adventures.

While I have done a lot of traveling, this was my first time hiking and camping at high altitude for over a week. Andean Raju Expeditions did a great job providing information, practica support and encouragement. I especially appreciated their understanding and accommodation of food restrictions including celiac’s (gluten free), vegetarian and low sugar. I also liked their support of local women-owned businesses along our route.

This was the most amazing hiking trek I have ever had! Huayhuash mountain range is an amazing place - if you love mountains, this place is a must visit. Andean Raju expedition team was awesome - we had the best guides and chefs, the food was delicious and enough, we had plenty of water, tea, coffee and treats. The tents are big enough and insulate quiet well, so you are not cold in the night. Donkey drivers were also very kind and we didn't have any problems with out luggage. In general if you consider going to Huayhuash trek - Andean Raju expedition is your choice!