Route: Chiquian - Llamac - Jahuacocha - Queropalca - Huayhuash - Sarapo -Calamarca - Jahuacocha - Llamac - Chiquian.
Level of Difficulty : Difficult
Suggested trekking season: The best time for this trek is from the second week in May to the second week in November.
Duration: 10-day expedition.
Description:
The Cordillera Huayhuash circuit in this specific program leads us through three natural regions, Quechua, Suni or Janca and Puna from 3,090 m .(10,135 ft.) to 4,750 m .(15,580 ft.) , in the eastern mountain range in Peru . In order to arrive to it, we will first go to a province named Chiquian, to later head to Llamac, a rural community with picturesque streets and adobe constructions with shingle roofs. It is surrounded by green mountains, where people work the land preserving customs and traditions inherited from their indigenous ancestors. The locals are approachable and friendly. From this location, the muleteers and their donkeys will transport all the loads along the circuit. The road to cross this village provides us with a view of abundant vegetation. If we look behind us, we can make out the town that welcomed us when we arrived as well as a wide prairie covered with highland vegetation ahead of us. It invites us to continue on our way to the highest point called Pampa Llamac at 4,300 m .(14,104 ft.) which amazes us with our first glimpse of the Cordillera. Its beauty and verticality takes us by surprise filling us with sudden emotion. Even the air one breathes here is truly magical. The mountains generally associated with the Cordillera, such as Rondoy, Jirishanca, Toro, Yerupaja Chico, Yerupaja Grande, Rasac, and Sacra appear before us, as well as other equally beautiful, smaller peaks we can see to the right.
We continue on our journey across a long traverse displaying landscapes worthy of a picture. We arrive to a valley with open fields and plains that lead us to magnificent Lake Jahuacocha . Its beautiful blue-turquoise waters outline the silhouettes of vertical walls incredibly close to us. We enjoy the pleasant feeling of seeing them under our feet as we gaze upon waters that becomes silent before this scene. A charming sunset enthralls our eyes. Mountains seem to come to life and are lit up with flaming colors which extinguish once night falls. We walk along the bank and are taken aback by elegant leaps of fish as well as families of ducks that swim playfully. After this gift from nature, we continue on our way trying to reach the summits that rise in the depths of the valleys. Yearning to be closer to them, we continue ascending on a slope that appears quiet and deserted. However, as we continue rising, we encounter strong gusts of wind that disturb its pastures causing weaving movements that join us as we approach the pass on its final area on Punta Sambunya at 4,740 m .(15,550 ft.). It looks completely arid and lifeless, but it is undoubtedly magical. Nature blesses us by putting an unimagined scene before our eyes, truly worthy of dreams. In this setting, the beauty of mountains blends with the delicate yet majestic flight of Andean condors. Our hearts beat and our faces are filled with joy as we look at the sentinels that guard these sacred valleys, Yerupaja Grande, mountain protected by its faithful companions' terrifying outlines and walls, Rondoy, Jirishanca, Toro, Yerupaja Chico, Rasac, Sacra and others.
We are rewarded by nature and leave its beauty behind. We begin our descent down a seemingly endless valley, dominated by the beauty of Rondoy's north face and Ninashanca's snowy peak. As we look at them, we think about how difficult it must be reach their bases and even more to attempt some of its evidently unexplored and unreachable couloirs. The nearness of the plain encourages us on our way. Shortly, we will start to walk up steep slopes that take us on a long traverse, which gradually gains altitude until we arrive to a small community named Paria. From here, we can see our next step flanked by two large rock towers resembling a large Inca doorway facing east. The first slopes, covered with grass and abundant vegetation, lead us to a great platform covered in stone-quarries and sandy inclines which complicate our walk somewhat. With effort we are able to overcome certain obstacles that bring us very close to Punta Gasha at 4,800 m . It provides an amazing view of both valleys and their silent watery mirrors. Crossing these two large rock pillars give us a feeling of satisfaction. The slope on the other side of the pass is rather pronounced and sandy. It finally gives in to the large rock pillar bases which divide both valleys. The rocky chain guides us to follow its plains leading to the picturesque Lake Mitucocha and the challenging Jirishanca Grande North Face, which rises vigorously over this wonderful lake. Its turquoise water reflects its faithful companions' grandeur; Jirishanca, Rondoy and Ninashanca.
As we head southeast, we begin our ascent on the delicate plain on a mountain's western side. We follow a diagonal path and gain altitude among grasslands and some rocks. We leave behind Lake Mitucocha 's beauty and find ourselves before a spectacular view of Jirishanca's North Face as well as that of Rondoy and Ninashanca. A few meters away, we can make out Punta Yanayana, at 4,620 m ., which presents a large rock slope and grasslands that bring us to a plain covered with abundant vegetation. At the end of it, we can make out the mysterious Jirishanca Chico Northeast Face. This small valley has a cracked rock wall as its only exit. We will have to climb it and overcome certain vertical stretches. Once this is accomplished, we will find a long plain leading us to the highest part called Punta Ciricasha at 4,800 m . which will fascinate us with a vertical view of Jirishanca Chico. On the other side of the pass we can see two beautiful, deep-blue lakes. From here, we can appreciate the marked slopes and long diagonal paths that will bring us to a hill around which we will have to make a detour. Mother Nature will offer us an unexpected reward, a spectacular view of the gigantic Jirishanca Grande East Face, showing itself proudly in the midst of a col that serves as a frame for this living canvas. Continuing towards the same col, the scene will begin to motivate us, as beautiful Lake Chaclan invites us to take in the magic of this peaceful place, filled with contrast and color. We are rendered speechless when attempting to describe our emotions as the imposing walls of Jirishanca Grande, Jirishanca Chico, Yerupaja Chico, Yerupaja Grande, Siula and Carnicero emerge from an instable icy chaos before us. It is difficult to imagine a view that could surpass Punta Aki's magnificence ( 4,700 m .). As we approach the lake, we see neighboring mountains reflected in its emerald waters. On the other side of the valley we find three consecutive bodies of water, Lake Quesillococha , Lake Siula and Lake Cangrajanca adorning the bases of Carnicero and Siula. Continuing our descent down the slopes of this high valley, we spot the enormous majestic Lake Carhuacocha and its blue-turquoise waters arising from waterfalls and large streams formed by the melting of these white diamonds.
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