The ninth day of the Huayhuash Circuit takes you from Qashpapampa to the campsite of Jahuacocha. Along the way you will get to enjoy some beautiful views, and make your way up the Yaucha Pass, before descending down to camp.
Read on to learn more about the route between Qashpapampa to Jahuacocha and what to expect out on the trail.
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1) Hiking Overview: Huayhuash Day 9
Day 9 of the Huayhuash Circuit will take you from Qashpapampa to Jahuacocha. Below are some helpful stats about the day and what the trail is all about.
Starting Point: Qashpapampa
Qashpapampa Elevation: 4,500 meters / 14,765 feet
Ending Point: Jahuacocha
Jahuacocha Elevation: 4,070 meters / 13,350 feet
Mountain Pass: Yaucha Pass
Yaucha Pass Elevation: 4,850 meters / 15,910 feet
Distance: 6.0 miles / 9.7 km
Elevation Gain: 1,970 feet / 600 meters
Duration: 3-4 hours
Day 9 Highlights
• Gorgeous valley views
• Views from Yaucha Pass
• Elevated ridge hike
• Lake Jahuacocha viewpoint
While this article will simply talk through day 9 of the trek, you can learn much more of the overall experience in the Huayhuash Circuit overview up on the site.
Route Note: this daily trekking guide (as well as the other daily guides on the site) go over a standard 10 day Huayhuash Route. Trekking routes can be greater or fewer days depending on your preferences (learn more about these in the previously mentioned overview above!).
Learn More: Be sure to check out the Huayhuash Circuit resource page that includes many helpful travel guides to get you prepared for the trek.
2) Huayhuash Circuit Day 9: Qashpapampa to Jahuacocha Map
To better visualize the hiking route on day 9, below you can find a trail map for the ninth day of the circuit.
If you would like to see the full route, be sure to check out the guides I put together for the complete Huayhuash Circuit Map and Huayhuash GPX file (for navigation purposes).
3) Elevation Gain Profile
Below you can find the elevation gain profile for day 9 of the Huayhuash Circuit. The trail heads from Qashpapampa to Jahuacocha as it nearly peaks at the Yaucha Pass, which sits at 4,850 meters / 15,910 feet in elevation.
4) Huayhuash Circuit Packing List
A complete Huayhuash Circuit packing list will be essential for your time out on the trail (especially if hiking without a guided tour). Be sure to check out the comprehensive Huayhuash packing list I put together for more detail.
Below you can find just some of the most important camping items to consider for your trek:
• Hiking Backpack | Hyperlite Southwest 3400
• 3-Season Tent | Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL
• 0 F Degree Sleeping Bag | Thermarest Questar 0
• Sleeping Bag Liner | Sea to Summit Liner
• Sleeping Pad | Thermarest NeoAir Xlite
• Camping Pillow | Thermarest Camping Pillow
• Trekking Poles | Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles
• Water Bottle | Katadyn BeFree 1 Liter
• Headlamp | Petzl Actik Core
• Emergency Satellite Locater | Garmin inReach 2 Mini
• Solar Charger | GoalZero Nomad 10
• Portable Charger | Anker Portable Charger
• Cooking Stove | Jetboil Micromo
• Hiking Shoes | Keen (Targhee Series)
• Hiking Socks | Darn Tough Socks
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5) Huayhuash Circuit: Qashpapampa to Jahuacocha Hike
On the second to last day of the Huayhuash Circuit, you will make your way from Qashpapampa to Jahuacocha (note you may see this campsite named as Incahuain too).
Overall, this is going to be one of the easier days out on the trail. Since it is a shorter day, you should be able to enjoy some time by the lakeside camp at day’s end.
After packing up at Qashpapampa, you can continue along the trail from camp, which soon opens up to a beautiful valley out in front. The downhill route veers right, as you have the valley off to the side and the Huayhuash mountains out in front of you.
The trail will wrap around the hillside and will now begin to gain some elevation all the way through to the top of the Yaucha Pass. The remainder of the hike up to the pass will be on an incline but will be mild for the most part.
Throughout the hike up, you will continuously have views of the valley. As you get higher, the views just continue to get better.
The trail is an etched dirt path for the most part. But as you get closer to the pass, there will be some rocky, uneven sections as well. Soon enough you will get views of an alpine lake and make the final push to the Yaucha Pass.
While I had a bit of a cloudy day on top of the pass, you will be welcomed to views of the Cordillera Huayhuash peaks once more.
Take some time to admire the views after the climb up, before continuing on with the second part of the day.
You have two options to choose from to get down to camp – either head straight down the valley (not recommended) or follow the trail towards the left that is etched along the hillside.
This hillside trail gains a little bit more elevation as it soon reaches a ridge line on top of the mountainside. From here on out, the views just get more and more beautiful.
You will have mountain peaks in every which direction as you follow the path all along the ridge. Eventually, Lake Jahuacocha will come into views (alongside Lake Solteracocha).
Out back behind the lake will be the most famous Huayhuash mountains of Rondoy, Jirishanca, and Yerupaja.
After enjoying the view from up top, it will then be a demanding downhill climb. The path from the viewpoint down to the campsite is quite steep with some very quick switchbacks. Be sure to use your hiking poles as you make your way down.
During the descent you will still have those beautiful lake and mountain views out in front of you. Take some breaks as needed to fully enjoy that view.
The trail finally flattens out and wraps around down into camp. You can cross over the river and set up your tent in the large open area.
Note that this is one of the most popular camps on the circuit. This is mostly due to the fact that many people just do a “mini” Huayhuash trek and base themselves here. It is a popular fishing spot too so don’t be surprised if you see some rods out there.
Enjoy a nice afternoon by the lakeside and the river, before calling it a night and getting ready for the final day of the Huayhuash Circuit.
If you have any questions or comments about the day, or the circuit in general, feel free to add them in below. Have fun out there and safe travels!
