Trekking the Huayhuash Alpine Circuit in Peru
Trekking the Huayhuash Alpine Circuit is undoubtedly one of the best experiences anyone could ever be fortunate enough to have in the mountains. Earlier this month, I completed my second full alpine circuit of the Cordillera Huayhuash in a personal record time and with a new route variant. In September/October of 2025, my friend Trey and I carried everything on our backs for more than 70 kilometers, ascended over 4600 meters, and climbed up 7 passes in 6 days and 5 nights. We started the trek in Quartelhuain and ended in Llamac, following the majority of the original alpine circuit (we skipped the alpine route of the first day).
Terrain stats from my second time completing the Huayhuash Alpine Circuit.
This blog is not a detailed guide to the trek. There are already plenty of websites, blogs, and YouTube videos with all the practical information you need. If you are planning to do the Alpine Circuit unguided, I highly recommend Jeremy Frimer’s dedicated site: huayhuashalpinecircuit.com.
Instead of going through every day of the trek, I want to take you on a visual journey with photos from the two trips I have completed over the past two years. Think of this blog as an art gallery. Scroll through slowly and let the images take you there. It is meant to hold your attention, not just pass by in five seconds like a TikTok video. If you are short on time, I humbly request that you bookmark this page and return when you can fully immerse yourself within it. Thank you and enjoy the journey!
Quartelhuain to Mitucocha Camp
Trey Miller snapping photos after the first of seven passes
Standing above the outskirts of the northeastern Huayhuash in all its beauty
The imposing east face of Nevado Jirishanca seen from Mitucocha Camp
Mitucocha Camp to Carhuacocha Camp
Nevados Yerupajá, Yerupajá Chico, and Jirishanca seen from Laguna Carhuacocha
Hiking to Siula Pass in moody weather
Hiking to Siula Pass in not so moody weather
Carhuacocha to Paso Trapecio / Paso San Antonio + Juraucocha Camp
Nevados Sarapo, Siula Grande, and Jurau from the Paso Trapecio viewpoint
Incredible rock formations heading down from Trapecio Pass to Elephante camp
River running through Elephante camp with Nevado Cuyoc in the background
Paso San Antonio in the late afternoon with perfect weather conditions
Paso San Antonio + Juraucocha Camp to Laguna Sarapacocha + Laguna Caramarca
Aerial shots that show the diverse textures of the Huayhuash range
Camping at Laguna Sarapacocha and hiking the ridge above the laguna
Camping at Laguna Caramarca before going over the glaciated Rasac Pass
Laguna Caramarca + Laguna Jahuacoca to Llamac
Aerial shot of Nevado Coyoc at dawn
Aerial shot of Cerro Caramarca at dawn
Walking up the moraine ridge that leads to Paso Rasac with fresh snow on the ground
Looking down at Laguna Jahuacoca after completing the Paso Rasac
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this photographic adventure around the Huayhuash Alpine Circuit :). I’ve been fortunate to complete it twice now, and I plan to continue trekking the circuit and its variations as my work within the region continues. There are nooks and crannies to explore all over the range that every day passersby would never think to go to, let alone photograph. Please refrain from asking me logistical questions about the Huayhuash Circuit. A quick Google search with any questions you have will return a plethora of results from other people who have written step-by-step guides. If you are interested in going on guided photography-centric adventures in the Cordillera Huayhuash, my agency, Andes Adventure Visuals, offers expeditions where we take you to the best spots, giving you the best chance to get incredible photographs.
Thank you for taking the time to explore my blog. Drop and comment below - I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. And stay tuned into my adventures by signing up for my newsletter, following me on Instagram, or subscribing to my YouTube channel. I do not know where my adventure will take me, but I can’t wait to bring you along for the ride!
