ALPAMAYO TREK
The Alpamayo is a magical trek with views of the most "beautiful mountain in the world, Alpamayo as well as stunningly beautiful landscapes, glacial lakes and snow-covered peaks. It crosses several passes at high altitude and is thus rated a more difficult trek than the Inca Trail or Santa Cruz trek. It is also more remote and much less travelled but offers spectacular views of the Cordillera Blanca.
Peru is best known as the heart of the Inca Empire, albeit that it was home to many diverse indigenous cultures long before the Incas arrived. Located on the central part of western South America Peru is hemmed in by the Pacific Ocean. With a population of over 27 million people, it covers an area of 1,285,215 km2 (about the combined size of Spain, France and Italy ) making it one of the 20 largest countries on Earth. Also because of their geographical location, Peru's coasts have traditionally served as a vital point in maritime and trade routes on the subcontinent.
Overview
Day-1: Arrive Lima Day-2. Lima - Huaraz Day-3. Huaraz (B) Day-4. Huaraz - Chavin (B) Day-5. Huaraz - Churup-Pastoruri (B) Day-6. Huaraz - Hualcayan (3140m) Day-7. Hualcayan - Huishcash Day-8. Huishcash - Osoruri (4750m) Day-9. Osoruri - Jancarurish Day-10. Jancarurish - Huillca (4830m) Day-11. Huillca - Jancapampa Day-12. Jancapampa - Pomabamba Day-13. LimaFast Facts
Yes you do. We (Nomadic Adventures) do not allow anyone to climb with us unless they have adequate travel insurance. This area is very remote and evacuation is almost impossible. Adequate, means you must be covered for
1) trekking or hiking - this may sound strange, but many insurance list that as an exclusion.
2) altitude up to 4,500 meters. Most travel insurance providers do not include this under their standard option and often limit it to 3500m or less.
3) Sprains strains and physiotherapy - yes, many insurers exclude this, though ironically, this is what you will most likely need cover for.
4) personal accident - this is the horrible part of insurance. Yes, you need to be covered in the case of death. We are often told by clients - "if anything happens to me, just leave me there." It is not that simple. Bodies need to be brought home or laid to rest overseas, and this can run into thousands of dollars, creating a huge burden on family members.
We will assist in helping you provide good cover. If you need cover or simply a quote, follow the details herewith:. Once you have done your initial quote, you will need to upgrade your cover to include altitudes
up to 6000m. Towards the bottom of the page you will see a section called, Options: Upgrade your cover. Click the link called 'View Adventure Sports Benefits'. A blue pop up screen will open.
Look for the level of cover required for 'trekking to 4,500 meters' or 'hiking to 4,500 meters'. Depending on your country it is usually a level 1 or 2. Note: we are not insurance experts and
it's your responsibility
to ensure you have correct and adequate cover. If you live in South Africa, we have other cover options
Many people like to hike with trekking poles so it is a matter of choice. However, if you bring them they must have a spike cover on them, i.e. protected by rubber tips. We also recommend that you bring some bringing some spare rubber tips with you.
Detailed Itinerary
Day-1: Arrive Lima
Day-2. Lima - Huaraz
After breakfast, transfer by bus to Huaraz. Eight hour journey heading first north along the Pan-American highway before turning east and heading towards the Andes. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.Day-3. Huaraz (B)
Free at leisure for acclimatisation in Huaraz.Day-4. Huaraz - Chavin (B)
Private trip to Chavin de Huantar, site of the oldest pan-Andean civilisation dating back to 2000BC. Located on the outskirts of the village of the same name. It is the oldest known pre-Columbian culture discovered and is known as Chavin-Kotosh. Return to Huaraz where the journey takes you over the continental divide at the high Kawish pass.Day-5. Huaraz - Churup-Pastoruri (B)
Trip to either Lake Churup or Pastoruri glacier. Churup is quite a tough 1 day trek which allows you to ascend to 4600m Pastoruri is easier to access due to the usage of a 4X4 vehicle and allows for some time at the wonderful glacier. Return to Huaraz and briefing on the Alpamayo trek.Day-6. Huaraz - Hualcayan (3140m)
Early transfer from Huaraz to Cashapampa where you will start the 50Km tough trek around Alpamayo. The first day's hike will take you past Conay and the Huancarhuas. Reach the first camp at Hualcayan at 3140m.Day-7. Hualcayan - Huishcash
Today is a steady day with approximately 6 hours of hiking onto Huishcash.Day-8. Huishcash - Osoruri (4750m)
A tough day heading up until you are rewarded with views of the Cullicocha Lake at 4600m. There is a spectacular backdrop of Santa Cruz 6259m with its impressive ice wall rising above the Lake From here you will cross the Paso dos Cedros at 4850m following with a steep descent to Osoruri. Then a short climb to a second pass at 4,750 m. After lunch on the pass, you will descend to the camp in Ruina Pampa totaling about 7 hours of hiking today.Day-9. Osoruri - Jancarurish
An easier day today as you will trek along the valley floor to Jancarurish 4300m. This beautiful turquoise glacial lake nestles beneath Alpamayo and the adjacent peaks of Jancarurish 5780, Tayapampa 5860 and Quitaraju 6254m. Camp by the lake shore.Day-10. Jancarurish - Huillca (4830m)
Today, the expedition travels to Safuna lagoon, which should be reached after a 4 hour hike. You will then climb up to a rocky pass to 4830m which is known as Cara Cara before descending to a rocky ground and arrive at a grassy valley called Mesa Pampa.Day-11. Huillca - Jancapampa
After breakfast you will follow the pass to Salctaycocha at 4600m. You then continue more easily into a rocky valley with a scattering of quenual trees. Follow the valley down to the still waters of Salctaycocha Lagoon and continue along into the broad Jancapampa valley.Day-12. Jancapampa - Pomabamba
Today is the last day and you will pass several small villages before reaching Pomabamba. From here you will be met and picked up by private bus for the transfer back. Night bus back to LimaDay-13. Lima
Arrival in the early morning and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.End of services
What's Included
Price includes
Airport transfers by private vehicleThree four or five star hotels with breakfast
All sightseeing tours, entrance fees, guide, transportation
Guide, their wages, insurance and expenses
Entrance permit
Camping on the Trail
All meals on the trail
Internal bus tickets
Price Excludes
International flights, departure taxes and any excess baggage charges.Mandatory travel and medical insurance
Tips, baggage and porterage
Expenses of a personal nature such as bottled drinks, mineral water, morning and afternoon teas etc laundry etc.
Extra expenses and/of additional days caused due to unexpected events (such a flight delays, porterage because of land slides and other natural events.)
Entry Visa if applicable
Tips and gratuities
Single supplements if applicable
Route Profile Map
Book your Alpamayo Trek
Easy add on to any tour
54km trek over 4 days
Shorter Inca trail or do the longer Salkantay
Ends at the ruins of Machu Picchu
Sacred valley and Ollyantaytambo
See the Inca Bridge
Inca Trail Itinerary
Start point Lima then Huaraz
Several passes at high altitude
Spectacular views of the Cordillera Blanca
Magellanic Penguin colony
More difficult trek than the Inca Trail or Santa Cruz trek
4830m or 15, 846 ft above sea level
Alpamayo Trek Itinerary
Start point is Lima and HUaraz
Most popular treks in the Cordillera Blanca
Highest pass on the trail at 4750m
Views of snow capped Huarascaran
Overnight on the trail in tents
Santa Cruz Itinerary
Start point is Lima and Cuzco
Known as the alternative Inca Trail
Less crowded than the Inca Trail
Longer and steeper than the Inca Trail
Ends at the ruins of Macchu Picchu
Mollepata Salkantay Itinerary
Easy add on to any tour
Visit the Lost City of the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu
Sacred valley and Ollyantaytambo
Optional climb up Huayna Picchu
See the Inca Bridge
Visit the Puma shaped town of Cuzco
Machu Picchu Ruins
Extra tours can be added on
Includes enigmatic Nazca Lines
Penguins of the Ballestas Islands
Islands of Taquile on Lake Titicaca
Includes the Inca Trail
Visit the Puma shaped town of Cuzco
Gems of Peru Itinerary
Extra tours can be added on
Sacred valley and the Inca Trail
Islands of Taquile on Lake Titicaca
Optional climb up Huayna Picchu
Puerto Maldonado to see the Amazon Jungle
Visit Llanganuco Lake
Exploration of ancient sites
Visit the Lost City of the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu
Tour Chavin and Llanganuco
Lord of Sipan and Brunning Museum
See the Inca Bridge
Optional climb up Huayna Picchu
Ancient Peru Itinerary
Highlights of the Sacred Valley
Visit the Lost City of the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu
Sacred valley and Ollyantaytambo
Enigmatic Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands
See the Inca Bridge
Lush regions of the Amazon Jungle
Classic Peru Tour