This 3 day trek is one of the easier routes, compared to others in Huascarán National Park. The trail is 32km (20 miles) and the altitude is between 3090-5050 m (10,138-16,568ft).

The lakes you’ll go by are Tullpacocha, Cuchillacocha and Palcacocha. The highest pass you go over is Huapi at 5050m (16,568ft). From the pass you can see five peaks over 6000m, including Palcaraju (pictured above) and two more over 5000m.

Practicalities

You can take a colectivo to Pitec, which only takes about half an hour. Colectivos depart from a red house on the corner of Avenida Agustín Gamarra and Avenida Las Americas, across from the Servicentro Huaraz gas station. In July, 2022 the price was s/20 for roundtrip to Pitec.

The first colectivo departs Huaraz at 7am and the last one leaves Pitec at 5pm. They give you a receipt when you pay in Huaraz and collect it when you get back in the van in Pitec. If you’re later than 5pm they might notice and wait for you, but don’t count on it.