Alpamayo Circuit Trek

Highlights

Daytours to Laguna Wilcacocha and Laguna Churup for optimal acclimatization
Circumnavigation of Alpamayo (5,957m)
Turquoise mountain lakes and magnificent panoramas
Dreamlike campsites in the most beautiful high mountains of the tropics

Character
The Cordillera Blanca is the largest mountain range of Peru with 31 peaks over 6,000 meter high. More than half of the Peruvian highest 6,000m peaks are here, including the highest mountain (Huascaran) and the most beautiful mountain (Alpamayo) of Peru. The circumnavigation of the Alpamayo is a demanding trekking tour, where high mountain passes must be overcome. The total length of the route is 126 km and leads along some steep paths that require sure-footedness. The daily walking times are between 6-8 hours depending on the stage.

Requirements
Sure-footedness, a head for heights, a good physical condition, team spirit and willingness to leave your comfort zone. You should have hiked in the mountains already. In preparation for this trip, we recommend conditioning and extensive walks.

Best Season
The best trekking season in the Andes is from April to October, with rainy season in between. It is usually sunny and warm during this time. Due to the altitude, the nights can be quite cold (to minus 5 ° C).

Extra Time
Individual connection programs with Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon and much more are possible. Contact us!

What is included in this tour?

Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Transports according to itinerary
Bus tickets Lima – Huaraz – Lima
Accommodation in Lima and Huaraz
Acclimatization hikes according to itinerary
Entrance fees to Huascaran National Park
Qualified and experienced guide (Spanish/English)
Cook and assistant
Donkeys and donkey driver
Emergency horse
All meals during the trek
Good quality high mountain tent (2 or 3 person)
Sleeping Mattress
Dining tent, table and chairs
Cooking utensils
First aid kit and oxygen

What is included in this tour?

Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

Meals in Lima and Huaraz
Alcoholic drinks
Personal equipment
Medical care or insurance
Emergency rescue or evacuation
Additional expenses as a result of leaving the trek early
Travel insurance
Flights
Tips (optional)

Day 1: Acclimatization hike to Laguna Wilcacocha

We pick you up at the hotel and drive south to the Santa Cruz bridge. Here begins our hike through the picturesque highlands and small Andean villages. We slowly ascend to the Laguna Wilcacocha (3’700m), where we enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the whole Cordillera Blanca. We walk the same way back to the bridge, where our transport waits and brings us back to Huaraz.

Day 2: Acclimatization hike to Laguna Churup

We drive from Huaraz to Pitec (3’850m) passing through the traditional villages of Unchus and Llupa. After entering the national park we start ascending by following the path over a long ridge. The final 100m to the lake scrambling up a steep rock gully which some people may find difficult. We enjoy the silence and peace at Laguna Churup at 4’450m and return back to Huaraz.

Day 3: Huaraz - Hualcayan (3150 m)

Drive over Carhuaz, Yungay and Caras and up to the ruins of Hualcayan, remnants of Inca time. We meet our team and stay overnight in the first campsite.

Day 4: Hualcayan - Camp Wishcash (4250m)

The first trekking day begins with the many hairpin bends of the steep climb to Camp Wishcash at 4250 m.

Day 5: Wishcash - Ruinas Pampa

Up to the magnificent Laguna Cullicocha with fantastic views and on to the Osoruri Pass (4860 m). A 400-meter descent is followed by the ascent to the Vientunan Pass (4770 m) and finally the steep descent into the Alpamayo Valley. After the long day (about 8 to 9 hours) the campsite is finally reached on a small river level (4000 m).

Day 6: Cruz Alpamayo (4150 m)

Short trekking day to Cruz Alpamayo. Breathtaking scenic stage to the later camp Cruz Alpamayo at 4150 m. If you want, you can ascend to the Campo Base Norte (4500 m) of the Alpamayo, from where you may even reach a small five-thousand-meter peak (Jatunjirca, 5030 m, only for ambitious ones!). Fantastic views to the Alpamayo (5947 m) and Quitaraju (6036 m). Easy alternative we can also spend half a rest day at Camp Cruze Alpamayo.

Day 7: Cruz Alpamayo - Caracara-Pass - Quebrada Tayapampa (4150m)

Crossing of the Caracara Pass (4830 m) and Mesapata (4460 m) with great views of the Alpamayo north side and the Nevados Pucahirca, the northernmost six thousand meter peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Camp (4150 m) in the wide plain of the Quebrada Tayapampa below the Laguna Safuna.

Day 8: Over the Pucahirca-Pass (4610 m) nach Jancapampa (3600 m)

A few kilometers down the valley to a wide pampa (Huillca, 3950 m), then a steep ascent to the Yanacon / Pucahirca pass (4610 m) and long descent past some Lagunas in the Yanajanca valley with denser vegetation. Camp (3600 m) on the huge grassy plains of Jancapampa in the wild valley just below the bizarre ice and rock walls of Nevados Pucahirca and Taulliraju.

Day 9: Jancapampa - Tupatupa-Pass - Laguna Huecrucocha (4050 m)

On the right edge of the Jancapampa valley outward, then up to the Tupatupa Pass (4360 m) and long descent into the vegetation and wooded Quebrada Tuctubamba to about 3900 m altitude. Meadow tent camp or another short ascent to Laguna Huecrucocha (4050 m).

Day 10: Yanagrahirca-Pass (4300 m), Colcabamba (3300 m)

Long, slightly more comfortable stage on the Yanagrahirca pass (4300 m, panoramic view from Taulliraju to Chopicalqui and Huascarán, with good visibility to Tocllaraju), then mostly downhill through increasingly populated regions and villages out to the village of Colcabamba (3300 m).

Day 11Colcabamba to Camp at Ichic Ulta valley (4250 m)

From Colcabamba on a dirt road up to Llanganuco road near the village of Machco. Turn southwest into the wild and romantic Quebrada Ichic Ulta and climb steeply to the higher of the two tiny lakes (4250 m) at the foot of the Yanayacu Pass.

Day 12: Punta Yanayacu (4850 m) - Ulta Valley - Huaraz

From Punta Yanayacu (4850 m) with breathtaking panoramic views from the Huascarán to the Nevados Contrahierbas, it’s just downhill, past the Laguna Yanayacu to the road in the Ulta Valley (4000 m). Return to Huaraz.

Camping
During the trek, you spend the nights in two or three person tents.

Hotels
In Lima and Huaraz, you are accommodated in a double room in good middle class hotels. A single room is possible for a surcharge.

Meals
During the expedition we pay attention to a healthy and high-calorie diet. Breakfast and dinner are cooked warm. For lunch, a box lunch is served. We can prepare vegetarian dishes on request.

Luggage
Donkeys carry our equipment during the trek.

Extra Day
In general, the extra day is used where it is necessary during the trek. It not needed during the trek or climb, you have an extra day to enjoy Huaraz.

Transport
For the route Lima-Huaraz-Lima we work together with the bus company Oltursa, which is a public bus of the highest category. The rest of the transports take place in minivans or comfortable 4×4 off-road vehicles, depending on the group size. On request and not included in the price, we can also organize a private transport for the route Lima-Huaraz-Lima or a flight (only in the morning).

Packing list

Our recommendation

Backpack
Bag to load on the donkeys
Head torch (with spare batteries)
Sandals
Well-worn in hiking boots
Down jacket
Rain jacket or poncho
Fleece or warm pullover
Comfortable clothes (quick dry, merino)
Trekking trousers
Long thermal underwear (merino)
Warm socks
Cap, gloves
Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen (min factor 40)
Hiking poles
Sleeping bag -10° comfort
Toilet paper and wet wipes
Personal medication travel kit
Water bottle and water purification pills
Extra Snacks (your favorite chocolate)
Extra money

Frequenly asked questions

How cold will it get during the trek?

Temperatures are not very different over the year. During the day in the sun a T-shirt is enough, after sunset it gets cool. We recommend a fleece jacket, wind / rain jacket, thin gloves and woolen hat. A light down jacket is also handy. In the tent you may sleep in thermal underwear.