Alpamaya Circuit Trek

The Cordillera Blanca must provide one of the most varied landscapes for trekking and climbing in the world. There are more than 50 peaks of 5700m of higher, including Huascarán at 6768m - the highest mountain in Peru and also the beautiful pyramid of Alpamaya. There are blue lakes, high passes, glaciers, awesome vertical walls and spectacular campsites.

Our circuit of Alpamaya weaves a route through the heart of the Cordillera Blanca, crossing several passes into different valleys with a huge variety of mountain scenery. The focal point of the trek is the opportunity to see the famous pyramid mountain - Alpamaya, once voted to be the most beautiful mountain in the world.

We finish the trek with a high camp in the amazing 'Avalanche Campsite' where we can look down on the many avalanches that crash down from the mountain range across the valley from our camp, then descend our final breath-taking pass at 4850m.

We grade the trek as Medium to Hard because although the hiking is not technical, you do cross several high passes and there are some longer 'hard days'. The effects of altitude make the trek demanding and harder than a similar trek at lower altitudes. You need to be well acclimatised to the altitude before starting this trek

You do need to have at least an average level of fitness and be comfortable with hiking a sustained uphill of two to three hours and be able to manage prolonged descents down from the passes, with some short sections of loose ground and also manage sleeping in a tent for several nights, sometimes in cold conditions.

Trip Information

Dates & Prices: View Prices
Price Rate: £2500
Charity Rate: £5000
Grading: D (more info)
No of People: 8

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Itinerary

• Day A – Depart UK
• Day B – Arrive Lima, Peru and transfer to City Centre Hotel.
• Day C – Coach transfer to Huaraz.

Acclimatisation walks 
We recommend 3 days of day hikes for acclimatization for this program. This trek has a tough start. Our second camp on trek is at a height of 4300m with an altitude gain of 1400m in one day; followed by a tough day where we cross 2 high passes. Three days of day hikes to altitudes of up to 4440m will help to ensure that you are well acclimatized and fit and will have maximum enjoyment from your trek.

• Day D – Huaraz. Acclimatisation hike (either Cordillera Negra or Wilkawain?)
• Day E – Huaraz. Acclimatisation hike (either Macashca Hills or Laguna Churup?)
• Day F – Huaraz. Acclimatisation hike (either Laguna Churup or Lagunas & Puyas for something different?)

• Day 1 – We drive West, first stopping to visit the memorial to 'Yungay', the town completely destroyed by a rock and mudslide from the slopes of 'Huascarán' in the 1970 earthquake. There is also time to stop for a visit to the busy market in the town of Caraz. We then take a road into the mountains to our first camp at Hualcayan where we will be greeted by the local village children. (2900m) 5 hours drive.
• Day 2 – A steady continuous climb up a zigzag track to our camp at Wishcash, perched high on the mountain, with views across to the 'Cordillera Negra' range. At night we can see the sparkling lights from the villages high up in the Cordillera Negra. (4300m) 5 hours.
• Day 3 – A tough day. We climb on a good path to the crystal blue high lake 'Laguna Cullicocha' (4650m) from where we have a great view of 'Santa Cruz' (6259m) at the top of the lake. We then continue upwards to our first pass 'Paso Cullicocha' (4850m) with fabulous views of lakes and peaks. We then descend and climb again to 'Paso Osoruri' (4750m). A long descent to the valley 'Quebrada los Cedros' and our camp at 'Ruinapampa' (3800m) 8 hours trekking.
• Day 4 – An easy day with almost flat walking up the valley. On the way, the beautiful pyramid shape of 'Alpamaya' comes into view. Camp at 'Cruze Alpamaya' (4150m) 3 to 4 hours
• Day 5 – We stay another night at 'Cruze Alpamaya' Camp to more appreciate the beauty of Alpamaya. We will climb up the moraine to the lake Laguna Jancarurish for close up views of Alpamaya and Jancarurish, 3-hour return trip to camp. Or continue upwards towards Alpamaya Base Camp (4500m). 5 to 6 hours return. Or rest in camp.
• Day 6 – Climb steadily to our next pass, the sometimes-windy 'Cara Cara' (4830m) from where there are great views back to the peaks of Alpamaya, Jancarurish, Quitaraju and lake Laguna Jancarurish below us. Then we make an easy traverse to a second low pass 'Mesapata' (4500m) before dropping down to camp at 'Safuna' in the 'Quebrada Tayapampa' (4200m). 7 hours
• Day 7 – From Safuna we climb a narrow valley to a rocky pass 'Paso Pucajirca' (4600m). For a short time the descent is steep, but then levels out and we continue down a forested valley past 'Laguna Sactaycocha' to camp at the top of a wide valley at 'Jancapampa' (3600m). Directly behind camp we have views of a huge hanging glacier. 7 to 8 hours. A lot of farming families live in the valley, and it is our first opportunity on the trek to meet some of the friendly local people and curious happy children.
• Day 8 – We pass by 'adobe' village houses and through fields, and then climb easily to the pass 'Tupatupa' (4400m), with views back to the big peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Descending into another valley before making a short ½ hour climb to our campsite beside the small lake 'Laguna Huecrococha' (3950m). 7 hours
• Day 9 – We walk beside Laguna Huecrococha then begin a long steady climb to a pass 'Alto de Pacaraju' (4650m). At certain times of the year the lupins that cover the hillsides are in flower, and the scent can be intoxicating. At the top there are magnificent views of many peaks, and at 5830m the mountain 'Taulliraju' towers over the pass. A rocky descent, then we camp in an open valley 'Quebrada Huaripampa' at 'Tuctubamba' camp (3950m). 7 hours
• Day 10 – We stay at the same camp another night to make the most of our incredible mountain surroundings. We can make a day trip to the pass 'Punta Union' (4750m) from where we look directly down the Santa Cruz valley and the route for the famous Santa Cruz Llanganuco trek and have close views of the surrounding peaks. 5 hours or take a rest day.
• Day 11 – We follow the main Santa Cruz trail down the valley passing through intensive farmland to the village of 'Colcabamba'. On the way we pass by many farmhouses and small settlements, and the children will come running out to see us. If you have space with your luggage, it can be nice to bring pens or other small things to give to the children. We then climb steadily for about 1 hour to another village of 'Chalhua' before traversing easily to our campsite at 'Molino Pampa' in the 'Quebrada Keshu' (3600m). 7 hours
• Day 12 – A steady continual climb on a good path up the Quebrada Keshu. First we pass through some amazing ancient 'Quenual' forests and then climb on a zigzag path to a high campsite called 'Avalanche Campsite' at 4650m. Across the valley from our spectacular campsite there are almost continual avalanches from the glaciers of 'Contrahierbas' (6037m) crashing into the lake below. We have a delicious lunch at the camp and spend an exciting afternoon avalanche watching! 4 hours hiking.
• Day 13 – Our last and most spectacular pass 'Punta Yanayacu' (4850m). We climb for one hour to 1½ hours to a high narrow ledge, 'which is the pass'. From here we have close views of 'Nevada Chopicalqui' & 'Contahierbas'. Then we have a short zigzag on an initially steep path down to into the valley below. We walk past lakes and again are surrounded by snowcapped peaks, the highest being 'Huascarán'. We finish the trek with a long descent down to the beautiful valley 'Quebrada Ulta', where our private bus will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz.
• Day 14 – Transfer to Lima and City Centre hotel.
• Day 15 – Flight to UK.
• Day 16 – Arrive UK.

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What's Included

• Professional leadership by an 'International Mountain Leader' throughout.
• International Flights
• Dedicated transport to and from Lima Airport and throughout the trek as required.
• A local trek guide (mandatory in the park).
• All accommodation throughout. (A mixture of tents and guesthouses)
• Breakfasts throughout and all meals when on the Trek.
• Mules and Porters for baggage carriage, medical evacuation, full logistical support.
• Presentation in UK prior to departure on expedition, clothing, equipment etc.
• Park entrance fees.

Not included

• Lunches and Dinners when not trekking.
• Insurance, drinks, gratuities.
• Clothing and Equipment (less tents and catering items)

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Other Information

Accommodation

Our Accommodation will be in a private guesthouse and when on the trek in shared tents. All catering will be provided whilst trekking and will be on a B & B basis whilst in the guesthouse. (Single room and single tent supplement optional)

Equipment

All camping equipment will be provided and any technical equipment that may be required. Participants will be required to supply their own sleeping bags and cold weather clothing. A full clothing and equipment list will be sent out on booking.

Transport

Transport from Lima Airport and throughout the trek will be by private coach, during the trekking phase mules will be utilised to carry all team and individual clothing and equipment. Participants will be required to carry a small rucksack during trekking.