16-day Nevado Pisco & Alpamayo climbing expedition from Huaraz

Climb two of the Cordillera Blanca's most rewarding peaks in 16 days

A 16-day mountaineering expedition in Peru's Cordillera Blanca, based in Huaraz, that takes you up Nevado Pisco (5,752m) for acclimatization, then Alpamayo (5,947m), the range's most technical climb. You trek through Llanganuco Valley, sleep in mountain camps and hotels, climb with a Peruvian guide and local porters, and eat all meals provided. No previous climbing experience is required, though you need to be in strong physical condition. The expedition includes airport pickup in Lima, bus transport to Huaraz, six nights in hotels there, two nights in Lima, all park fees, and equipment like tents and cooking gear.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and rest in Lima

• Arrive in Lima
• Rest at hotel
• Optional city exploration

Day 2: Travel to Huaraz by bus

• Bus ride to Huaraz
• Overnight at hotel

Day 3: Trek to Laguna Wilcacocha

• Trek to Laguna Wilcacocha
• View Cordillera Blanca peaks
• Return to Huaraz
• Overnight at hotel

Day 4: Hike to Laguna Churup

• Drive to Llupa village
• Hike to Laguna Churup
• Optional climb to Churup summit
• Return to Huaraz
• Overnight at hotel

Day 5: Transfer and trek to Refugio Pisco

• Transfer to Cebollapampa
• Trek to Refugio Pisco
• Enjoy mountain views
• Overnight at hut

Day 6: Climb Nevado Pisco and return

• Climb Nevado Pisco summit
• Enjoy summit views
• Descend to Base Camp
• Overnight at hut

Day 7: Descend to Huaraz

• Trek down to Cebollapampa
• Transfer to Huaraz
• Overnight at hotel

Day 8: Rest and preparation day

• Relax in Huaraz
• Optional thermal baths visit
• Prepare climbing equipment
• Meet local guide and briefing
• Overnight at hotel

Day 9: Transfer and trek to Llamacoral

• Transfer to Cashapampa village
• Meet team and burros
• Trek to Llamacoral camp
• Overnight at camp

Day 10: Trek to Alpamayo Base Camp

• Trek to Arhuaycocha
• Reach Alpamayo Base Camp
• Overnight at camp

Day 11: Ascend to Alpamayo Moraine Camp

• Prepare expedition equipment
• Trek to Moraine Camp
• Overnight at camp

Day 12: Ascend to Alpamayo High Camp

• Trek to High Camp
• Enjoy summit views
• Early dinner and rest
• Overnight at camp

Day 13: Summit Alpamayo and descend

• Climb Alpamayo summit
• Enjoy summit views
• Descend to High Camp or Base Camp
• Overnight at camp

Day 14: Descend and transfer to Huaraz

• Descend through Santa Cruz valley
• Transfer to Huaraz
• Overnight at hotel

Day 15: Return to Lima

• Transfer to Lima by flight or bus
• Overnight at hotel

Day 16: Departure from Lima

• Transfer to airport
• Overnight flight

The experience

The expedition runs 16 days because both peaks demand time: Nevado Pisco serves as your acclimatization climb, letting your body adjust to altitude before the steeper technical work on Alpamayo. You start in Lima, travel by bus or flight to Huaraz at 3,100 meters, then spend three days on day hikes around the city (Laguna Wilcacocha and Laguna Churup) to prepare. These aren't casual walks. Churup involves a steep trail with fixed ropes and reaches 4,450 meters, but they're short enough to return to the hotel each night.

Once acclimatized, you transfer to Llanganuco Valley and trek to Refugio Perú at 4,680 meters, your base camp for Nevado Pisco. The climb starts just after midnight, crossing moraine and glacier to the 5,752-meter summit, where you see Huascarán (Peru's highest peak at 6,768m), Huandoy, and Chopicalqui spread across the horizon. You descend the same day and return to Huaraz to rest. The next phase moves you three hours south to Cashapampa, where you meet your local team (porters, cook and guides), and trek up the Santa Cruz valley to Alpamayo Base Camp. From there, you climb to Moraine Camp at 4,900 meters, then High Camp at 5,300 meters on the glacier itself. Summit day tackles the French route, a 60- to 80-degree ice wall that narrows toward the top. The ascent takes five to six hours, the descent two to three. Weather permitting, you're back at High Camp by noon, though the team can arrange an extra night if anyone needs it.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish and is a qualified Peruvian mountaineer. Porters carry the heavy gear, and a cook prepares all meals in camp and at the hotels. You sleep in two-person camping tents at altitude and in Hotel Valery in Huaraz for six nights. The expedition includes Huascarán National Park entrance fees, all transport between towns, bus tickets to and from Lima (executive service), kitchen equipment, and meals throughout, though meals in Lima and Huaraz restaurants are your own cost. Personal climbing gear (boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, waterproof jacket) is not provided. Tips for the local team are optional.

What’s included

All accommodation in Huaraz and Lima, all meals during the trek and mountain camps, Huascarán National Park entrance fees, transport between towns and to the trailheads, a qualified Peruvian guide in English or Spanish, local porters and a cook, two-person camping tents and kitchen equipment, and bus tickets between Huaraz and Lima on executive service.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Peru Expeditions Tours

Is this one for you?The 16-day structure gives you three full days to acclimatize around Huaraz before committing to high altitude, then splits the two climbs across separate weeks so your body recovers between peaks. If you have less time, a shorter expedition won't include both mountains or the acclimatization days. If you have more, this one fills the window without padding. Choose this length if you want to climb two distinct peaks rather than one, and if you can commit to being away for more than two weeks.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between climbing Nevado Pisco and Alpamayo on this trip?

Nevado Pisco at 5,752 meters is your acclimatization peak: a sharp climb over glacier and moraine, but straightforward, with magnificent views of Huascarán and the surrounding range. Alpamayo at 5,947 meters comes later and is more technical. The French route is a steep ice wall that requires ice climbing skills and takes five to six hours to summit. Pisco teaches your body how to move at altitude. Alpamayo is the real mountaineering challenge.

Do I need climbing experience to join this expedition?

No previous mountaineering experience is required. You do need to be in strong physical condition, as the expedition involves high altitude, long days of trekking and climbing, and early morning starts. The three acclimatization days around Huaraz (including the steep hike to Laguna Churup) prepare you for what's ahead.

What's included in the 16 days, and what do I need to bring myself?

The expedition includes all accommodation (six nights in Hotel Valery in Huaraz, two nights in Hotel Kamana in Lima, and mountain camps), all meals during the trek and climbs, transport between Lima and Huaraz, park entrance fees, a qualified guide, porters, a cook, camping tents, and kitchen equipment. You must bring or rent personal climbing gear: boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat and waterproof jacket. Meals in Lima and Huaraz restaurants outside the scheduled itinerary are your own cost.

How much time do you actually spend climbing versus trekking and resting?

Three days are acclimatization hikes around Huaraz, returning to the hotel each night. Two days are spent trekking to and from Alpamayo Base Camp. Two days are summit attempts: Nevado Pisco is one long day starting after midnight. Alpamayo is one summit day (five to six hours up, two to three hours down) with a rest day at High Camp beforehand. The remaining days are travel, rest in Huaraz, and time in Lima before and after.

What happens if weather stops you from reaching the summit?

The itinerary is built around good-weather windows, but high-altitude climbing depends on conditions. If weather prevents a summit attempt, the team assesses safety and decides whether to wait, descend, or try again. The expedition is designed to give you the best chance, but the mountain decides. Your guide will communicate any changes as they happen.