Alpamayo Circuit Trek

Itinerary of Alpamayo Circuit Trek

Day 1 Arrival day in Huaraz

Arrive in Huaraz and check into your guesthouse. Enjoy exploring Huaraz on foot as you get used to the altitude. If you are coming from a lower elevation, it is strongly recommended to spend 2-3 days acclimatizing to the altitude, and you can book a 3-day acclimatization tour during the booking process, or you can plan your acclimatization before the trip on your own. The option acclimatization tour you can book takes you out to some of the most beautiful hikes around Huaraz. You can also arrange bus travel from Lima to Huaraz in the booking process.
Overnight Location: Morales Guesthouse, Huaraz
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Transfer to Vaqueria, Trek to Paria

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel in a van bound for Vaqueria (3,700m / 12,139 ft). As you pass through the Callejon de Huaylas, below the Cordillera Blanca, you will see many small towns, such as Tarica, Carhuaz, Mancos, and Yungay. From Yungay, you will head east on a dirt road for about 2.5 hours to the Llanganuco Lakes: Orgoncocha (“male lake”) and Chinancocha (“female lake”). Stop here to stretch your legs and take pictures of these beautiful lakes. The drive continues to the Portachuelo Llanganuco Pass (4,767 m / 15,640 ft) on an exciting road full of sharp turns and switchbacks, but also breathtaking panoramic views of some of the major peaks of the Cordillera Blanca: Chopicalqui, Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco, and Chacraraju. After 2 more hours of driving, the van ride ends in Vaqueria. Once in Vaqueria, transfer your luggage to the horseman and his pack animal, then hit the trail for the first leg of the hike. After hours in the car, the 4 hour hike through Huaripampa Valley will feel refreshing. End the day at Paria (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) and camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping at Paria (3,800 m)
Distance: 4 hours, 100 m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Trek to Tuctu

After breakfast, a short 2.5 hour walk brings you to your next campsite at Tuctu (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). Set-up camp and then from the campsite, hike up to the Punta Union overlook (4,750 m / 15,584 ft) for a spectacular view of the Santa Cruz Valley and several stunning peaks, including Taulliraju, Rinrijirka, and Paria. Return to the campsite by the same trail. Visiting the Punta Union overlook takes about 4 hours of hiking, round trip.
Overnight Location: Camping at Tuctu (4,200m)
Distance: 6.5 hours, 950 m ascent, 550 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Trek to Huecrococha Lake via Alto Pukahirka Pass

Today’s route on the Alpamayo Trek begins by with approximately 4 hours hiking up to the Alto Pukahirka Pass (4,725 m / 15,502 ft). Rest here and take pictures of the incredible mountainous view, including Puka Hirka, Taulliraju, Chacraraju, and Paria peaks. The trail continues down for about 3 hours to the shores of Huecrococha Lake (3,950 m / 12,959 ft) where you will camp for the night, savouring the views of the Cordillera Blanca.
Overnight Location: Camping at Huecrococha Lake (3,950 m)
Distance: 7 hours, 525 m ascent, 775 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Trek to Jancapampa via Tupa Tupa Pass

Get ready for another great day trekking the Cordillera Blanca. From Huecrococha Lake follow the trail for 3.5 hours to reach yet another beautiful mountain pass, the stunning Tupa Tupa Pass (4,400 m / 14,436 ft). Enjoy spectacular views from the pass, and then continue walking down into the Jancapampa Valley where you will camp at the valley header at the base of the Puca Hirka peaks (3,700 m / 12,139 ft).
Overnight Location: Camping at Jancapampa (3,700 m)
Distance: 5.5 hours, 450 m ascent, 700 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Trek to Huilca via Yanajanca Pass

Enjoy a day of varied scenery on the Alpamayo Circuit today, as you hike for about 3.5 hours from Jancapampa to the Yanajanca Pass (4,600 m / 15,088 ft). This pass offers amazing Cordillera Blanca views, and you’ll see Puca Hirka Mountain and the Jancapampa Valley. Rest here and take pictures before descending for about 3 hours to reach the campsite at near the village of Huilca (4,250 m / 13,943 ft).
Overnight Location: Camping at Huilca (4,250 m)
Distance: 6.5 hours, 900 m ascent, 350 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Trek to Jancarurish via Mesapata Pass and Kara Kara Pass

Today’s hike takes you to two different passes so keep your camera ready for more breathtaking views of the Cordillera Blanca. First, hike up to the Mesapata Pass (4,600 m / 15,092 ft), then descend from this pass only to climb again up to the Kara Kara Pass (4,830 m / 15,846 ft), which is one of the highest passes on this tour. The Kara Kara Pass gives you an incredible view of Alpamayo Mountain, as well as Santa Cruz and Quitaraju mountains. After hiking for 5.5 hours, you’ll want to rest and take plenty of pictures before descending for about 1.5 hours to the next campsite at Jancarurish (4,200 m / 13,780 ft).
Overnight Location: Camping at Jancarurish (4,200 m)
Distance: 7 hours, 580 m ascent, 630 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Day Off at Jancarurish or optional trek to Alpamayo Base Camp

Today is a day off to rest in the Jancarurish campsite. For those who wish to get closer to Alpamayo Mountain, there is an optional tour up to the ancient Alpamayo base camp. Alpamayo was rated the “Most Beautiful Mountain in the World” by the German magazine Alpinismus in 1966 based on a survey of climbers and photographers and it continues to be listed among the most beautiful mountains in the world. The climb to base camp is very steep and takes about 4 hours. Rest there and take pictures before returning to the campsite by the same steep trail.
Overnight Location: Camping at Jancarurish (4,200 m)
Distance: 4 hours one-way (optional)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Osoruri via Ventuna Pass

It’s another great day trekking the Alpamayo Circuit in the Cordillera Blanca. Hike up to the Ventuna Pass today (4,770 m / 15,640 ft) where you can see the Milhuacocha and Pilanco mountains as well as parts of two valleys, the Cedros and the Alpamayo. It takes about 4 hours to reach the pass, where you can stop and rest as you take in the spectacular views. From the pass, continue hiking down for about 2 hours until you reach the Osoruri campsite (4,500 m / 14,763 ft) where you will spend the night.
Overnight Location: Camping at Osoruri (4,500 m)
Distance: 6 hours, 570 m ascent, 270 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Trek to Wishkash via Llampapashillun Pass

From the Osoruri campsite, hike today up to the highest pass of this Alpamayo tour, the Llampapashillum Pass (4,850 m / 15,912 ft). It takes about 4 hours of hiking to reach this pass. Continue your trek down to the beautiful Cullicocha Lake, at the base of Santa Cruz Mountain where you will certainly want to take a break and take photos. Finish the day with a 2.5 hour hike down to your last campsite of the tour at Wishkash (4,350 m / 14,272 ft).
Overnight Location: Camping at Wishkash (4,350 m)
Distance: 6.5 hours, 350 m ascent, 500 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Trek to Huaylcayan then Transfer to Huaraz

Complete the Alpamayo Circuit tour today and return to civilization! Follow the trail from Wishkash as it zig-zags down to Hualcayan (3,250 m / 10,662 ft), which takes about 4.5 hours. In Hualcayan, a van will be waiting to take you back to Huaraz. The drive to Huaraz takes about 4 hours and you will eat lunch along the way. Once in Huaraz, you will transfer back to your hotel for a comfortable night’s rest.
Overnight Location: Morales Guesthouse, Huaraz
Distance: 4.5 hours, 900 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 Departure

Today you’ll depart Huaraz. Many guests take a bus back to Lima, though some stay on to complete another trek in the Huayhuash.
Overnight location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast