Huayhuash Astrophotography Trek 8 Day Andean Stargazing & Landscape Adventure
Huayhuash Astrophotography Trek 8d/7n one of the most beautiful trekking circuits in the world. Our Huayhuash mini circuit takes us through the finest views and most beautiful campsites of the Cordillera Huayhuash circuit. The Cordillera Huayhuash in Central Peru (just south of the Cordillera Blanca) is one of those places that will leave you breathless, not only due to the altitude but because the scenery is so grand, so imposing, so…unbelieveable. Every day on the trek is another example of nature’s power to create beauty with a rugged exterior and alluring features. The peaks are tall, they are steep, they are covered with a layer of frosting made of hanging glaciers and the alpine lakes at their feet are a rainbow of complimentary puddles of color. Just amazing. This time of year, is perfect for hiking, as it coincides with the dry season, and ideal for astrophotography, as it’s the peak of Milky Way season in the Southern Hemisphere, with 10+ hours of Milky Way visibility at night. Join us to capture the most breathtaking landscapes and night skies in the Andes Mountains. From giant, glaciated peaks; turquoise lakes; and endless valleys and vistas, to colorful wildflowers and some of the darkest skies on the planet, this region in Peru is home to some of the best natural wonders in the world.
Itnerary day by day
Day 1.-Huaraz – Huallanca – La Union – Baños –
Queropalca DistrictYou are picked up at your accommodation and begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Callejon de Huaylas Valley and then through the Cordillera Huallanca Mountain Range passing some mining camps and towns to our camp at Queropalca District 3830m. There are opportunities for photo stops along the way. 7 to 8 hours drive. Day 2.-Queropalca – Laguna Carhuacocha Lake-
From Queropalca we start ascending gently to our camp at the beautiful Laguna Carhuacocha 4150m with magnificent views of Nevados Jirishanca, Yerupaja and Siula Mountains. 4 to 5 hours walk.
Day 3.-Extra Day at Laguna Carhuacocha Lake- We stay another night at Carhuacocha to enjoy the mountain views. We take a day hike up to the base of Yerupaja and Siula Grande where there are 3 mountain lakes. we will be just walking around
Day 4.-Carhuacocha – Carhuac Pass – Janca Valley- A steady ascent on a good trail to cross our first pass Paso Carhuac 4630m and then descend to our next camp at Janca Valley 4150m. 5 hours walk. From our camp we have close views of the big peaks Ronday, Jirishanca, Ninashanca. In the afternoon we have the option to hike up to Laguna Mitucocha Lake located at 4250m (1½ hours return walk).
Day 5.-Janca – Cacananpunta Pass – MatacanchaIn the morning we cross Cacananpunta 4690m and descend to Quebrada Cuncush valley with wide expanses of rolling grassy hills and camp at Matacancha 4100m. 6 to 7 hours.
Day 6.-Matacancha – Rondoy Punta Pass – Laguna Jahuacocha Lake We ascend towards Paso Rondoy Punta 4750m pass from here there are awesome panoramas of the big mountains of the Cordillera Huayhuash with Yerupaja dominating the skyline. We then descend to our camp at the beautiful Laguna Jahuacocha 4050m lake passing Laguna Solterococha. 7 – 8 hours walk. Day 7.-Jahuacocha Lake.Extra Day at this amazing place- Day 8 Jahuacocha – Pampa Llamac – Llamac – Huaraz.
Information
Group Size1 – 8 Guests Experience | Difficulty
Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
DSLR, mirrorless, compact or iPhone cameras
Moderate schedule
Travel by car or minibus
Moderate elevation changes and lots of walking and hiking (none of our adventures have difficult hikes)
(non-photographers also welcome)
Includes
8 Days
Travel, landscape, nature, wildlife, and people photography
Professional photographer | guide
Photo walks & discussions
Small group size (1-8 guests)
Camping
Breakfasts
All Meals
National Park Permits
Local transportation
Accommodations Camping
Difficulty Very difficult: Long hikes and camping at high altitude
Our Peru photo trek will mainly focus on hiking and capturing the most iconic landscapes in the Huayhuash trek, the world’s highest tropical mountain ranges. This time of year is perfect for hiking, as it coincides with the dry season, and ideal for astro, as it’s the peak of Milky Way season in the Southern Hemisphere, with 10+ hours of Milky Way visibility at night.