Huayhuash Trek

Get prepared for a ton of photos because I just did on of the most beautiful mountain treks in the world.

During the third week of July I hike the Huayhuash trek (pronounced why-wash). Most people do the trek between 8-10 days.

We were able to hike it in 8 days. The Huayhuash trek is a world famous trek and is known as one of the most beautiful mountain treks out there. People come from all over the world to hike Huayhuash and now I understand why! The trek starts from a town about two hours from Huallanca in a small town called “Chiquian” where a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer and my good friend Leland has been living and serving for the past two years.

 I hiked Huayhuash with 6 other Peace Corps lady friends-people that I have been with for the past two years in Peru! We have been stationed in all different parts of Peru for our service. It was so fun to come together and hike Huayhuash together. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable two years in Peru! 

We went with a guide who is a very sweet man and a friend of Leland’s that she has known for the past two years in Chiquian. He has taken many Peace Corps Volunteers as well as hundreds of other tourists from all over the world. He grew up in the Huayhuash mountain range and even met his wife there while they were both grazing their animals. He has many countless stories of being in the area and of all the tours that he has done. Paying a tour guide included all of our meals (he was a great cook!), and donkeys who carried all of our gear. All we had to carry was a day pack which was a big relief. All the other hikes and treks that I have done over the past two years, we have always carried our own gear and food and it’s MUCH more tiring to hike with all that gear on your back. So I was quite relieved and thankful to our cute little donkeys! 

The trek had some days that were easier and other days that were long and difficult. We went over at least 1-2 passes each day besides one. At night it got very cold and even snowed one night. We had two days of rain, which was not fun because it blocked out view of the mountains and lakes. And hiking in the rain and freezing cold weather is never fun. But we had an amazing time! How could you not with an awesome group of 7 ladies that you have known and shared adventures with in Peru for the past two years :-)

We got to see beautiful snowcapped mountains and blue/green lakes every day. The camp site on day 4 even had pools of natural hot springs which felt great after 4 long days of hiking and being in the cold.

My favorite part was all the stunning sites, seeing the adorable donkeys, enjoying the company and stories from our guides, and the chats that we would have every night around the dinner table. Every night after dinner we would sit in our “dining room” tent and sip tea together, play games, and chat about everything and anything having to do with Peruvian culture, our experiences over the past two years in Peru, what we love about Peru, and also things that were difficult or that we had a hard time with about the Peruvian culture. It was the perfect reflection time. It will difficult if not impossible to have conversations with people face to face in the US who know Peru very well and have had similar experiences as me. I love my Peace Corps friends but we all live in different parts all over the US so I won’t get to see them very often. I will keep in touch with many via the phone and internet and some of them will be my friend for life. I am thankful to have had such a great reflection time at the end of my service. Like I said, it was the perfect end to an amazing and unforgettable two years!



Our campsite on the first night

Our campsite on the second night

AMAZING

Unfortunately, we had this view on one of our rainy days, so it wasn't very clear. But regardless, it was so stunning!!

Taking a lunch break while on the trail

Hiking in the rain

Our campsite on the 3rd night



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Go little donkeys go! They are so cute and strong.

Our amazing guide, Yoder.

Our campsite on the 4th day. All our stuff got wet from the first two days of rain. We were so relieved to have sun on the 4th day and to be able to dry out our stuff!

Our "dining room" that they set up for each day for meals.

Taking a break on one of the hardest days.

At the pass on the 5th day. So beautiful!

Taking a much needed break.

The most beatiful I have seen in my life.

Vicuña spotting!



Our campsite on the second to last night

The donkeys enjoying their salty treat

One of my friends had a sick stomach and had to ride the horse for half a day

At another pass

Incredible

My best Peace Corps friend, Emily, and I.



Our campsite for the last night

The sunset on our last night. What a treat!

Enjoying the sunset and trying to stay warm

Finished! Yay!

This trip was so special and something that I will remember for the rest of my life. My heart was filled with joy, nature, and reflection of the past two years in Peru.