Trekking in Cordillera Huayhuash

The Huayhuash is, by wide agreement, one of the greatest alpine treks on earth, and far less walked than the Inca Trail to its north. In eight to ten days the circuit loops a compact, ferociously steep range of 6,000-metre peaks, crossing pass after pass above 4,600 metres, each one opening onto turquoise lakes beneath hanging glaciers with condors turning overhead.

This is remote, high, committing country — no roads, wild and community campsites, and air thin enough that proper acclimatisation is essential. It is also the range where Joe Simpson crawled out after breaking his leg on Siula Grande in Touching the Void, which tells you something about the scale of the walls around you.

Communities along the route charge their own transit fees, collected in cash on the trail, so carry small notes. Acclimatise in Huaraz first, hire donkeys if you'd rather walk light, and go in the dry season, roughly May to September, when the passes are clear.

Communities along the route charge their own transit fees, collected in cash on the trail. Acclimatise in Huaraz first.