Stage 5 of the Huayhuash Circuit covers 7.6 km from Viconga to Huanacpatay, with 660 m of ascent and 536 m of descent. The highest point is 5,028 m. Allow about 4 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Alternative camp at about 4,250 m in the Calinca/Cutatambo valley, about 4 km off the main line, reached over the San Antonio Pass (about 5,000 m) from Huanacpatay; base for the Siula Grande base camp walk of Touching the Void. Huayllapa charges an extra S/10 for the Cutatambo valley.
Guanacpatay
Campsite at about 4,450 m on the Elefante pampa in the Huanacpatay valley, 1.5 hours below Punta Cuyoc (5,000 m), with a toilet but no other facilities. It is Huayllapa land, covered by the Huayllapa fee (S/50 in 2026, collected at Viconga or here).
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on OpenStreetMap or in guides but could not be checked on an official page. On the Huayhuash Circuit you camp at the community campsites; each community collects a cash fee in soles for its land and camps, so keep every ticket. Since February 2026 the communities say they no longer admit unguided trekkers: go with a registered guide or arriero.
Emergency: call 105 (police, Alta Montaña) or 106 (ambulance). No mountain rescue. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.