What We Learned on the Huayhuash Circuit

There's something about spending 8 days hiking through Peru's Cordillera Huayhuash that strips life down to the essentials. Every day revolves around putting one foot in front of the other, eating enough calories, staying warm, and making it over one more pass.

By the end of a trek like this, everyone comes home with more than just sore legs and incredible photos. They come home with stories, lessons, and usually a few things they wish they'd packed (or left behind).

On our final evening together, I asked everyone two simple questions:

1. What's something you learned on this trek?

2. What would you pack differently next time?

As always, their answers didn't disappoint.

Travelers from Authentica pose with a banner at a breathtaking lookout point on Day 2 of the Huayhuash Circuit, surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks.

Chris

Chris may not have learned much Spanish...but he certainly learned some Spanish.

Specifically, he learned several colorful derogatory terms from our Peruvian crew that had all of us laughing far more than we probably should have.

On a more practical note, Chris wished he'd packed more tissue paper and wet wipes—those become surprisingly valuable on a remote trek where showers are nonexistent. He also realized the Huayhuash was much colder than he expected and said he'd leave the sun hoodies at home next time.

His biggest regret?

"More Snickers bars!"

And after several memorable encounters with the local livestock...

"Someone should've brought goat repellent."

Honestly...he's not wrong.

Debbi

"This was the hardest thing I've ever done."

There wasn't any hesitation when Debbi said it.

"But somehow...I did it."

Those few words perfectly capture what makes the Huayhuash so special. It asks more of you than you think you have to give—and then proves you're capable of more than you imagined.

As for gear?

"My daughter told me to bring dry shampoo. I wouldn't bother next time."

Instead?

"I would've brought a space heater."

Given the frosty mornings at over 15,000 feet, I think everyone understood exactly what she meant.

Her trail MVP?

ProBar meal replacement bars.

Kim

For the first couple of days, altitude had Kim convinced she'd made a mistake by not taking Diamox.

"I kind of panicked."

But instead of quitting, she trusted the acclimatization process.

"And then...I acclimated."

Sometimes the hardest part isn't the altitude itself—it's believing your body is capable of adapting. With extensive high altitude and trekking experience under her belt, she wanted to test her abilities without medication. And her belief in herself paid off!

Her only packing regret?

A small mirror.

Putting contacts in without one turned out to be far more challenging than expected.

Daniel

Daniel kept his lesson simple.

"Hydrate. Hydrate or die!"

High altitude has a way of quietly dehydrating you long before you realize what's happening, and Daniel experienced firsthand how quickly that can catch up with you.

He also admitted he accidentally left his baselayers at home.

Oops. Big mistake!

Steph

Steph's lesson wasn't about her legs.

It was about her mind.

"I learned that you can be physically capable of doing something...but if you're not mentally prepared, it's a completely different story."

She explained that on previous adventures she'd reached the point where she was simply over it. Done. Mentally checked out.

This trek felt different.

She intentionally focused on staying present and maintaining a positive attitude, something she'd been practicing during workout classes back home.

"My body is already doing hard things. It's often my mind that's holding me back."

Whenever things got difficult, she'd remind herself:

"I prepared for this for six months. I want to enjoy this."

That mindset changed everything.

She also discovered something unexpected about herself.

"I realized I'm really observant."

Whether it was helping Kim find her trekking poles or spotting Yajaira's missing buff, Steph seemed to notice everything.

Next time?

She'd bring gaiters.

Not only to keep rocks out of her boots, but to keep her pants considerably cleaner.

Yajaira

"I already knew I was afraid of heights."

The Huayhuash made sure she couldn't ignore that fact.

The narrow ridges left her literally trembling at times.

"But when it's do or die...you just have to face your fear."

By the end of several intimidating descents, she found herself wishing there had been a drone filming overhead—not for social media, but simply so she could watch herself later and remember what she'd overcome.

Sometimes we need proof that we're stronger than we think.

Her packing lesson echoed several others:

Too many unnecessary warm weather shirts.

Wanted a pair of gaiters.

The Huayhuash is colder than most people expect.

Michal

Michal offered a very important safety lesson that he learned on this trip.

"If you're getting dehydrated or something's wrong...turn back."

High altitude has very little patience for stubbornness.

Trying to push through illness can quickly make a bad situation much worse.

"Being sick at altitude really sucks."

His advice?

Be proactive with medications if you know you need them.

As for gear...

"I would've brought a second stomach."

Once digestive issues begin, it can be very difficult to fix them at high altitudes. Having a replacement stomach seemed to be the only way to improve!

Kiyoka

Kiyoka felt surprisingly prepared.

"I think I had everything I needed..."

Then she laughed.

"...assuming my partner was with me."

Next time, she'd like to be a little more self-sufficient and carry everything she personally needs in her own bags.

She also learned that waterproof gloves could have really improved her experience.

Even during a light drizzle, her hands became painfully cold.

Waterproof gloves are officially on her packing list.

José

Our incredible Peruvian guide, José, spends his life in these mountains.

His lesson wasn't about gear.

It was about responsibility.

"You really can never know what will happen on a long hike at high elevation."

Every decision matters.

As a guide—and as a business owner—he feels the weight of making the best possible choices for his clients every single day.

The weather can change in minutes.

Conditions can shift without warning.

The mountains constantly ask you to adapt.

His advice?

Bring extra toilet paper.

Bring extra gloves.

And come prepared for everything.

Brooke (Authentica Founder)

This trip reminded me that almost everything we experience in the mountains is temporary.

Cold?

You'll be in your sleeping bag soon.

Hot from climbing a steep pass?

Stand on top for thirty seconds and you'll be reaching for another layer.

Hungry?

Snack time isn't far away.

Exhausted?

Camp eventually appears.

Before this trip, I learned a Norwegian phrase"Is i magen" which translates to "ice in your belly." It's a reminder to stay patient. To sit with discomfort instead of fighting it. To trust that difficult moments end exactly when they're meant to—not a minute sooner, and not a minute later.

The Huayhuash is full of temporary discomforts.

Cold fingers.

Thin air.

Long climbs.

Heavy legs.

But those moments pass.

And what remains are the memories, the friendships, and the confidence that comes from realizing you're capable of far more than you believed.

Maybe that's the greatest lesson the Huayhuash has to offer.

Is i magen.

Have ice in your belly.

We'll see you on the next trail!