Country: Peru
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Sunrise over the Carhuacocha basin
First light strikes the serrated summits of Siula Grande (6,344 m), Yerupajá (6,617 m), Yerupajá Chico (6,089 m) and Jirishanca (6,094 m), mirrored in the still lake at sunrise.
Read MoreCamp near Laguna Mitucocha
The camp sits near Laguna Mitucocha at 4,230 m / 13,875 ft, where Jirishanca's sheer face rises straight off the water and the lake gives a classic still-morning reflection when glassy. The afternoon leaves time to scout and set up for evening light.
Read MoreLaguna Carhuacocha and its wall of peaks
Laguna Carhuacocha at 4,180 m / 13,715 ft lies at the base of a wall of peaks—Jirishanca, Yerupajá, Siula Grande and Sarapo—rising between 5,446 and 6,634 m. Their glaciated east faces are streaked with avalanche chutes and waterfalls that plunge into the mirrored lake, framed by golden puna-grass hills.
Read MorePunta Cacanan Pass
Punta Cacanan at 4,700 m / 15,420 ft is the first true pass of the Huayhuash circuit. From the crest the first full view opens into the range, with Rondoy, Ninashanca and Jirishanca stacking along the skyline.
Read MoreAfternoon at Matacancha camp and foothill walk
Matacancha camp at 4,100 m sits on the edge of vast highland plateaus below the Cordillera Huayhuash. A mid-afternoon arrival leaves time to set up camp, settle in and photograph while walking in the foothills.
Read MoreOptional Maria Josefa Trail hike
A gentle downhill hike of about one hour through high Andean forest and past glacial waterfalls. It offers intimate nature scenes and rejoins the vehicle at the end of the route.
Read MoreAcclimatization day hike to Laguna Llaca or Laguna Churup
A high-elevation acclimatization hike at around 4,500 m / 14,760 ft to either Laguna Llaca or Laguna Churup, both set in glacial terrain. Churup is the more strenuous option, steep and rocky with technical sections, with a turquoise lake beneath Churup's craggy summit and glacier.
Read MoreLlanganuco Lakes and Portachuelo Pass photography excursion
A vehicle-supported photography excursion to the Llanganuco Lakes at 3,850 m / 12,630 ft, a pair of turquoise lakes in a narrow glacial valley between Huascarán and Huandoy. The route continues up to Portachuelo Pass at 4,767 m / 15,640 ft, a panoramic viewpoint over Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Pisco and Chacraraju.
Read MoreGuide briefing in the hotel lobby at 6 PM
An introduction and preparation talk with the guides, held at 6 PM in the hotel lobby in Huaraz. It covers the following day and the outline of the journey ahead.
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