This summer will be my third time to the Cordillera Blanca and Huaraz (it's either here or Bolivia, leaning toward the Blanca), but I'd like to help acclimatize by backpacking in the Cordillera Huayhuash. I can't believe I haven't visited yet. I am trying to accumulate some information, so has anybody out there trekked in the range?
I am willing to hire some people locally once I arrive in Huaraz, but just trying to get an idea of a guide is a good idea or it's possible to do it solo. I'd like to weight both options. Is public transportation pretty straightforward from Huaraz?
Any information would be great. Thanks.

jbetoo wrote:This summer will be my third time to the Cordillera Blanca and Huaraz (it's either here or Bolivia, leaning toward the Blanca), but I'd like to help acclimatize by backpacking in the Cordillera Huayhuash. I can't believe I haven't visited yet. I am trying to accumulate some information, so has anybody out there trekked in the range?
I am willing to hire some people locally once I arrive in Huaraz, but just trying to get an idea of a guide is a good idea or it's possible to do it solo. I'd like to weight both options. Is public transportation pretty straightforward from Huaraz?
Any information would be great. Thanks.

My girlfriend and I were there this past June. We planned a 10-day trek by ourselves. Both of us got sick and ended the trek early. I'd say 90% of trekkers went with a large group. I'm talking a dozen or more with just as many burros. We did run into a few solo trekkers. There's plenty of commercial trekking companies in Huaraz to make arrangements. Transportation is cheap, reliable and on time. If I was down there again I'd do the trek again solo. You can good maps and guidebooks from Cafe Aldino in Huaraz. If you go solo, you'll probably stick with the basic circuit (non alpine and glacier travel). There are small villages (a few houses... stone shacks) along the circuit that charges for passage. Make sure you bring enough soles. I believe there are about 10 total. This is in addition to the Huscaran National Park pass that you'll need to buy.

Huyahuash is not part of the Huascaran national park. You will be paying fee at every camping site to the local community, the cost varies, mostly 15soles.
We are not fans of big groups, so we were able to organize the 2 donkeys and donkey driver from Llamac, He was excellent, knew the area quite well, made suggestions to the trek variations, at first we were nervous as we always trek solo and were afraid that this arrangement will disturb the peacefulness of such experience. It did not turn to be true at all as he was friendly, quiet person. We did not regret to hire his services as it would have been quite hard work to haul all the equipment and supplies for 13 days on our backs.

The cost for this arrangement was 10USD/day for the donkey driver 5USD per donkey/day plus you feed him and provide him with a tent (can be rented easily in Huaraz).
If you want to I can provide you with a contact of our "arriero" (donkey driver).

Send Howie (http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=7447) a message. He also has a great trip report on his trek there.