Included in the price of the trip:

• Airport transportation to/from hotel in Lima
• 4-star hotel in Lima (B&B)
• 3-star hotel in Huaraz (B&B) – Club Andino Hotel
• Private transport by bus to and from Huaraz (meals on route).
• All private transportation in Huaraz
• Food during the trekking days
• Professional Local guides at a ratio of 4 clients per guide
• All payments to the communities for the use of the countryside and National Parks.
• All permits
• Tents
• Access to our first aid kit
• Portable hyperbaric chamber and oxygen tank
• Satellite telephone for emergencies only (not for personal use)
• Kitchen and dining tents
• mules and muleteers
• Cooks and helpers
• Portable radios
• Emergency horse, if necessary.
• 5 days a week’s office support before the trip.

Excluded in the price of the trip:

• Food in the cities (Lima and Huaraz)
• Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks
• Laundry
• Personal medication
• Personal gear and clothing
• Personal insurance
• Helicopter evacuation cover

The Huayhuash Circuit is one of those treks that genuinely stays with you. It’s remote, it’s beautiful and it’s challenging, but with the right preparation it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do in the mountains.

These are 5 things to note before you head out:

1. Take altitude seriously, even if you’re fit

Huayhuash is high and you feel it. Several passes sit above 4,500m, and even strong, experienced hikers can find the elevation harder than expected if they haven’t acclimatized properly. We’d always recommend arriving in Peru a few days early, giving your body time to adjust and not rushing the early stages of the trek. Slow and steady really does make a difference up here.

2. Train for consecutive days, not just one big effort

A circuit like this isn’t about surviving one tough day. It’s about showing up the next morning and doing it again. When you’re preparing, try to include some back-to-back days on your feet alongside your longer hikes. That’s what builds the kind of resilience you actually need out there. It doesn’t have to be extreme, it just has to be consistent.

3. Be ready for real mountain conditions

Once you’re on the circuit, you’re properly remote. Camps are high, mornings can be very cold and the weather can change quickly. Good layering, a warm sleeping setup and comfortable, well-worn gear make a big difference to how you feel each day. If you’re sleeping well and staying warm at night, everything is easier in the morning.

4. Stay on top of the small things

On a long trek, small issues have a way of growing if you ignore them. A blister, mild dehydration or a skipped meal can quietly catch up with you over the course of a week. Drink regularly, eat well and deal with any foot problems as soon as they come up. The people who finish the circuit feeling strong are usually the ones who were disciplined about the basics from day one.

5. Don’t rush it

Huayhuash is a physically demanding trek, but it’s also visually extraordinary. The peaks, the glacial lakes, the scale of the valleys around you. It’s worth taking it all in. Move at a steady pace, pause at the passes and enjoy where you are. This isn’t a race, and it’s the kind of place that rewards those who slow down enough to appreciate it.

1. Get comfortable being on your feet for hours

This trek isn’t about speed, it’s about moving steadily for five to eight hours a day and waking up ready to do it again. Regular hikes, long walks, cycling or steady cardio are all good ways to build that base. You don’t need to push yourself hard, you just need to get used to being active for longer stretches. Comfort over duration is what you’re aiming for.

2. Find some hills

Huayhuash is built around mountain passes, and some of them are long, steady climbs that keep going just when you think you’re nearly there. If you have hills nearby, use them. If not, stairs or an incline treadmill work well. Strong legs make the whole experience more enjoyable, especially later in the trek when the tiredness starts to accumulate.

3. Practice back-to-back days

One long hike is good preparation. Two days in a row is better. The real challenge of a circuit like this isn’t any single tough day, it’s getting up the next morning and going again. When you can, try training on consecutive days. It builds a kind of resilience that’s hard to replicate any other way, and it gives you a lot of confidence going in.

4. Add some simple strength work

You don’t need a complicated programme, but a bit of strength training goes a long way. Squats, lunges, step-ups and core work will help the climbs feel more manageable and take care of your knees on the descents. Two short sessions a week is plenty.

5. Train with your pack

You’ll be carrying a daypack on the trail even if your main gear is being transported, so it’s worth getting used to it beforehand. Load it up gradually and take it out on your hikes. It helps your body adjust and means day one feels familiar rather than like a surprise.

6. Arrive early and give yourself time to adjust

Altitude is a real factor on this trek. You’ll be spending a lot of time above 4,000m, with some passes going considerably higher. We’d always recommend arriving in Peru a few days before the circuit begins, taking it easy at first and letting your body adapt at its own pace. A patient start makes for a much better experience overall.

The Huayhuash Circuit is one of the most spectacular treks out there, but it’s not one to take lightly. Long days, high passes and sustained time at altitude make it a genuine challenge. With the right preparation and a steady approach though, it’s very much achievable and for most people it turns out to be one of the best things they’ve ever done.

When you trek with us, we take care of the structure and pacing so you can settle into the rhythm of the mountains without having to think too much about the logistics. We keep a close eye on how everyone is adjusting to the altitude, manage each day carefully and make sure you’re eating, drinking and recovering well. The idea is simple: you focus on the trek and enjoy the scenery.

If the Huayhuash Circuit is something you’ve been thinking about, we’d love to chat about what it actually involves and how to prepare for it well. Just get in touch and we can talk it through.

1. How difficult is the Huayhuash Circuit?

It’s a genuine challenge and there’s no point pretending otherwise. You’ll be trekking for multiple consecutive days, crossing high passes and spending a lot of time above 4,000m. That said, it’s very achievable with proper training and the right mindset. It’s less about speed and more about consistency and looking after yourself along the way.

2. How high does the trek go?

Several passes sit above 4,500m, with some reaching just over 5,000m. You’ll also be sleeping at altitude throughout, which is why acclimatisation matters so much. We structure the itinerary carefully to give your body the time it needs to adjust.

3. Do I need previous high-altitude experience?

It helps, but it’s not essential. What tends to matter more is your fitness, your preparation and your attitude on the trail. If this is your first time at high altitude, we’ll make sure you know exactly how to prepare and what to expect.

4. How many hours will we hike each day?

Most days involve five to eight hours of trekking depending on the stage and the pass you’re crossing. Some days feel longer simply because of the altitude, but we keep a steady and manageable pace throughout.

5. What is camping like on this trek?

This is a proper wilderness experience. Camps are remote, surrounded by mountains and lakes, and the facilities are basic. We make sure everything is well organised so you’re comfortable, well-fed and able to rest properly each evening. A good night’s sleep makes a real difference at altitude.

6. What’s the biggest challenge people face?

Altitude and cumulative fatigue. It’s rarely one single hard moment, it tends to build up over the days. That’s why pacing, hydration and recovery matter so much. Small habits done consistently each day keep you in good shape for the whole circuit.

7. What kind of training should I do?

Focus on endurance and elevation gain. Long hikes, hill training and some straightforward strength work for your legs and core will set you up well. We’d suggest giving yourself ten to twelve weeks of consistent preparation if you can.

8. When is the best time to go?

The main trekking season runs through the dry months, typically May to September. Conditions are generally more stable during this period, though nights at altitude can still be cold so it’s worth being prepared for that.

9. Is this trek suitable for beginners?

It can be, with the right preparation. If you’re new to multi-day trekking, we’ll have an open conversation with you about your experience and fitness to make sure this is the right challenge at the right time. We’ll always be straightforward with you about what’s involved.

10. What makes trekking Huayhuash with Ian Taylor Trekking different?

We bring the same careful, measured approach to the Huayhuash Circuit that we apply to high-altitude expeditions around the world. Good pacing, thorough preparation and close attention throughout the trek, so you can focus on the experience and finish feeling like you’ve genuinely earned it.