Where is the Huayhuash Circuit?
In perhaps the best hiking region in South America, close to the Cordillera Blanca (White Mountains) of Peru.
The jumping off point for most hikers is Huaraz, about 8 hours by bus from Lima.
Check our maps page.
Where is the trailhead?
From Huaraz, bus (3 hours) to Chiquian 3400m (3 hours), stop for coffee, then bus to the tiny village of Llamac 3300m.
In the past hikers started at Chiquian but most now start in Llamac as the roads have improved, saving a day’s hiking.
Other options? You could start from Pacllon or Cajatambo, but these towns are more often used as exit points.
Start in Llamac is our advice.
Check our recommended hiking route.
How do I get there?
In 2004 the cheapest flights we found to South America were into Lima, Peru.
From there, most travellers bus 8 hours to Huaraz. Bizarre desert & fantastic mountain scenery — it is a memorable trip. Note: with a 4000+m pass, you may feel the altitude.
There is no commercial airport in Huaraz.
Recommendation? If you are flying in to Lima we suggest you connect directly to Huaraz (3090m). Start acclimatizing as soon as possible in preparation for the many high Huayhuash passes to come.
There are more transportation options in our Details section.
What does it cost to hike the Huayhuash Circuit?
Note: Big fluctuations with US currency make this section inaccurate. Use it only as a general guideline.
We recommend doing Huayhuash with minimal support:
- 1 pack animal / hiker
- 1 arriero (mule driver) for the group
We paid less than US$300 each for 12 days all inclusive to and from Huaraz. An amazing bargain, we thought.
The bigger consideration for foreign hikers is travel to Peru. The cost of the hike itself is negligible in comparison. Peru is an inexpensive country.
We recommend small groups hire, at minimum, an arriero and pack animals. Larger groups are advised to hire a (recommended) guide, as well.
Budget (minimum) for these items:
+ transport both ways Huaraz <> Llamac = US$15 / person
+ tenting = US$12 / person for the Circuit (approx.)
Often free, some sites charge you a small fee for camping / grazing (US$1-2 / person / night) of animals. Small price to pay for fabulous views, but ask for a receipt.
+ food = about US$100 for 11 days, buying your own plus food for your employees
Alternately you can hire a cook (US$5 / day) and pay them to buy & prepare food for everyone.
+ cook tent = US$5-10 rental / day / group
First time we had ever used one, this is a tent with no floor. Cook indoors out of the wind. It was the best item our animals carried!
+ arriero (mule driver) US$10 / day / group
Plus a big tip if you are happy with service.
+ pack horse US$10 / each / day / group
Most hikers hire mules but we recommend you get at least 2 horses. In an emergency you can ride out.
+ mules US$5 / each / day / group
We recommend you first hire 2 horses, then mules if more pack animals are needed. For the Circuit; a group should take take at least one pack animal / person. Often more. Negotiate this with your arriero. Note that it is not uncommon for pack mules to die en route.
+ Huayllapa village charges a US$5 transit fee / person
This is clearly posted. Pay with a smile, but ask for a receipt.
+ guide (English speaking Peruvian) US$30-60 / day / group
Plus a big tip if you are happy with service.
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You may be shocked at how little your employees are paid for the work they do. Our arriero Pablo, from Llamac, worked 24-hours-day for us, selflessly. He was awesome, going far beyond the requirements of a mule driver.
Yet some hikers & Huaraz tour companies try to drive down the fixed prices listed above. Do not fall prey to this low urge.
We advise you to pay the rate fixed at the time you get to Huaraz. (Check at Cafe Andino for the latest rates.)
We strongly recommend you not carry much cash with you on the Circuit. We paid half in advance, half at the end of the trip, plus tip. Consider hiring your arriero for an extra day at the end of the Circuit & have him bus back to Huaraz with you. Pay him there. This way you need not stash cash in Llamac — you can get it from a bank machine in town.
One agency in Huaraz insisted we pay them for everything in advance. We were not comfortable with that — and booked through Cafe Andino instead.
It is best to hand over cash directly to your employees rather than pay an agency. This is common practice in Huaraz.
Many agencies profit only by renting gear to hikers.
You could hire pack animals & guides in Llamac, but it is better to arrange everything in Huaraz. If you hire a guide, meet with him in Huaraz, not Llamac.
Does this all sound like too much trouble?
If you would rather simply enjoy the hike, book everything through a reputable guiding company. Not sure who to contact? Get a recommendation from:
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