Arduous hike?

Question

Arduous hike?

Answer 1

If you're looking for an arduous hike through breathtaking scenery, try the "Huayhuash Trek" in the "Cordillera Blanca", Huaraz, Peru.

I did it this July and it was amazing.

Answer 2

MSDC above is spot on.  The circuit around the Cordillera Huayhuash can indeed be considered arduous.  Most people will take between 7-11 days to complete the 100-mile circuit, which reaches over 5000 meters.  I've done the trek or variations of it 4 times now.  This year I went cross-country and stayed off the trails, crossing glaciers when necessary.  To do the trek, travel from Lima to Huaraz via bus.  I prefer Cruz del Sur, leaving from Javier Prado station.  

In Huaraz, many trekking agencies can help you arrange for transportation to the Huayhuash (about 5 hours from town), porters, guide, mules, etcetera.  My favorite agency is Solandino.  (http://www.solandino.com).

Also from Huaraz, there are several very arduous and incredibly scenic options within the Cordillera Blanca, which is right outside of town.  The most popular route is the Llanganunco to Santa Cruz trek, done over 3-5 days on average, and the Quebrada Alpamayo trek, done over 5-7 days.  

There are trails leading to the popular ruins of Machu Picchu, near Cuzco also.  Besides the famous Inca Trail (3 days, 30 miles), which fills its permit quota a year in advance, there is the Salcantay trek (which I found more scenic), and other options.  

But for sheer mountain beauty and trekking options, you can't beat what's around Huaraz, and the Huayhuash may very well be the best of the bunch.