Accommodation and guides/trekking agencies in Huaraz

Dont worry about location. There are agencies all over town and its a tiny place so you can easily walk between them all. The problem you will have is finding a group that want to do the exact same trip at such short notice, which would allow you to share the costs. That said it shouldn't be hard to find someone willing to organise a mule with driver and transport for you, its just going to work out more expensive.

There are plenty of companies going out daily for the Huayhuash Circuit. A lot of tour companies that go daily will be doing an abbreviated 8 day trip. Cost should be about 550 soles or there abouts. That included all equipment (if needed) plus a mule to carry your things.

Problem is that most of the abbreviated trips don't go over San Antonio, and many don't even visit the three lakes via Siula Pass (taking the easier Carnicero Pass instead).

I'm looking at all the tours advertised online, but it seems that organising it on the ground is the way to go. The main thing is that they need to be able to leave the next morning after booking.

How much would it cost to hire a guide and equipment for 10 days, assuming I had to do it alone? I don't really need much - transport there and back, a guide, tent and food and either a mule to carry gear, or horses for myself and the guide (to go faster and reserve stamina for getting to photo spots).

I don't need much...
Proceeds to list everything you could possibly need ;-)

From what I remember a mule plus driver is about $10-15 per day. Note that the mule driver is not a guide, so you would either need to be comfortable navigating or pay extra for a guide.

If your more interested in getting photographs than the actual trekking element (assuming from your horse comment), there are plenty of other extremely scenic treks in the area where you can get great photos.

I have a whole lot of planned landscape shots from around the Huayhuash circuit, so I can hardly go anywhere else for it! No problems either hiking or riding - I'll do whatever's easiest and gets me to the right places at the right times to get the shot (done plenty of both hiking and riding in the Himalayas).

So, mule plus driver is $15 a day. A horse is about the same amount. Any idea how much for a guide? Will any agency be able to organise this at short notice, or only certain ones?

Not sure about a guide. Would guess at least $10 per day, English speaking guides cost more. Plus you will probably be expected to cover food for the guide and mule driver. Then you will need to rent your equipment, and possibly equipment for the guide/driver. Also need to get transport to and from the trail. Finally you have the "taxes"/camp site fees that are around $75. Its going to be a lot more than standard route with a group.

Most agencies will be able to organise it in a day.

Thanks.

So I should be safe to arrive in Huaraz, spend a morning or an afternoon looking for a group (or a guide) and expect to be able to head out the following morning?

Ideally, I'd like to go with others, and the itinerary I'd like to follow is a pretty common one (just not the most common). Only two requirements, really - going over Siula Pass (via the three lakes) and going over either San Antonio or Jurau pass. Everything else is optional. And, of course, the dates - leaving no earlier than May 16 and returning to Huaraz on May 27 or earlier. But I have no idea where to find a group going on the same day, or where to create one for others to join. So I may have to solo it with a guide.

My abbrievated trip went via both. And most of the treks I enquired about did both.

Whether or not you can get out the next day is debateable. You may. You may not. Unless you book a private guide before hand you can't really be assured of departing the next day.

There will be tours/trips going that way. Whether or not they'll go to the places you want - thats another story. Some will. Some wont. Again, it depends whats been booked.