Cordillera Huayhuash - Another Great Peru Trek

For Peru trekking and Peru vacations in the great outdoors, you can't do much better than the Cordillera Huayhuash ("Waywash"). Situated in Peru's Central Andes region, it goes without saying that if you want an outdoor vacation in Peru, you have to visit Huayhuash. Here are 5 reasons why.

1) It's relatively unknown
Visitors wanting looking for an adventure trek in Peru generally opt for the Inca Trail or one of the alternative Inca Trails near Machu Picchu. But some of Peru's best hikes are far away from the crowds; and Huayhuash is one of them. It is known, though, amongst serious hikers as one of the best treks in the world.

2) Test your physical abilities
Huayhuash is high. Trekkers won't drop below 4000m for the vast majority of the circuit, which on average requires eight days to complete. With over ten mountain passes to conquer, some of which are over 5000m, you're going to get a chance to see what you're made of.

3) Great rewards for your hard work
It may be tough going, but you will get some very special rewards for your efforts on the trail. A few days into your trip you'll get to relax in the thermal baths of Viconga - there's no road access and only hardened trekkers get the opportunity to ease into these steaming waters. Panoramic vistas of glaciated mountains are guaranteed as the entire trek is above the tree line.

4) Touching the void
In 1985 two mountaineers made the first successful attempt on the 6344m Siula Grande peak in the Huayhuash. The climb almost cost them both their lives. In a dramatic self rescue, mountaineer Joe Simpson dragged himself out of a crevasse with a shattered leg and spent 3 days crawling to base camp.

The events have become such a legend that locals now refer to Siula Grande as Simpson Mountain. You can find out more in the book and film 'Touching the Void'.

5) Get away from civilization
Huayhuash is remote. Small mountain villages, campsites and winding animal trails are just about the only evidence of the existence of humanity. When you combine the remoteness with incredible views and towering glaciers that seem so close you could reach out and touch them, you'll realize why the Cordillera Huashuash is unmissable.

Have you visited the Cordillera Huayhuash? What were your experiences?


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