20-day Alpamayo & Chopicalqui climb from Huaraz: Two peaks

Two high-altitude summits in the Cordillera Blanca, with a guide and a full expedition team.

A 20-day mountaineering expedition from Huaraz to climb Nevado Alpamayo and Chopicalqui in Peru's Cordillera Blanca, with a certified high-mountain guide, porters, meals, tents and all camp equipment included. The itinerary builds acclimatization over five days before the Alpamayo ascent, then adds a rest day and a second summit push on Chopicalqui. A minimum age of 30 and high physical fitness are required. Guides speak English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and rest in Lima

• Arrive in Lima
• Rest or explore city
• Overnight at Hotel Kamana

Day 2: Travel from Lima to Huaraz

• Travel by bus or flight to Huaraz
• Overnight at Hotel Valery

Day 3: Trek to Laguna Wilcacoha

• Trek to Laguna Wilcacoha
• 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: Acclimatization ascent to Nevado Mateo

• Transfer to Paso Punta Olimpica
• Guided ascent to Nevado Mateo summit
• Return to Huaraz
• Overnight at hotel

Day 6: Transfer and trek to Amapampa Camp

• Transfer to Santa Valley and Vaqueria
• Short hike to Huaripampa camp
• Trek to Amapampa camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 7: Cross Punta Union Pass to Alpamayo Base

• Cross Punta Union Pass
• Descend to Taullipampa camp
• Continue to Alpamayo Base Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 8: Ascend to Alpamayo Moraine Camp

• Prepare expedition equipment
• Hike to Moraine Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 9: Ascend to Alpamayo High Camp

• Climb glacier to High Camp
• Enjoy summit views
• Overnight in tents

Day 10: Summit Alpamayo and descend

• Early ascent to Alpamayo summit
• Rest and photos at summit
• Descend to High Camp or Base Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 11: Reserve or rest day at Base Camp

• Rest or recover at Base Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 12: Descend Santa Cruz valley to Huaraz

• Hike down via Quebrada Santa Cruz
• Transfer from Cashapampa to Huaraz
• Overnight at hotel

Day 13: Rest day in Huaraz

• Rest in Huaraz
• Optional rock climbing or hot springs visit
• Overnight at hotel

Day 14: Transfer and trek to Chopicalqui Moraine Camp

• Prepare mountaineering equipment
• Transfer via Quebrada Llanganuco
• Trek to Chopicalqui Moraine Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 15: Ascend to Chopicalqui High Camp

• Climb moraine and glacier slopes
• Camp at High Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 16: Summit Chopicalqui and descend

• Climb to Chopicalqui summit
• Descend to High or Moraine Camp
• Return to Base Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 17: Return to Huaraz from Base Camp

• Prepare early departure
• Transfer to highway and bus to Huaraz
• Overnight at hotel

Day 18: Travel from Huaraz to Lima

• Travel by bus or flight to Lima
• Overnight at Hotel Kamana

Day 19: Transfer to airport and depart

• Transfer from hotel to airport
• Overnight flight home

Day 20: Arrival at home country

• Arrive at home country

The experience

The expedition starts in Lima and moves to Huaraz over two days, with an option to fly the second leg. Once in Huaraz at 3,100 meters, you spend five days on acclimatization hikes (Laguna Wilcacocha, Laguna Churup with its fixed-rope sections, and Nevado Mateo at 5,150 meters), each one pushing higher into the Cordillera Blanca. These days matter: they prepare your body for what comes next and let you move at a pace that works, not a schedule that doesn't.

The trek to Alpamayo Base Camp takes two days through the Santa Cruz valley, crossing Punta Union Pass at 4,750 meters. From there you climb to the moraine camp at 4,900 meters, then to high camp at 5,300 meters on the glacier itself. Summit day runs 5–6 hours up the French route (a 60 to 80-degree ice wall that narrows toward the top), and 2–3 hours down via rappel. The descent can reach base camp before noon in good weather, or you stay another night if the team needs it. A reserve day follows in case of weather or fatigue.

After a rest day in Huaraz, you transfer to Chopicalqui via the Llanganuco valley and climb to its moraine camp in one push. The high camp sits at 5,350 meters on the glacier. Chopicalqui's summit day is longer and steeper, 10 to 13 hours total, with seracs, crevasses and an 8–10 meter section of 75–80 degree slope near the top. You descend to base camp the same day or split it across two nights depending on the team's condition. A certified UIAGM guide leads groups of no more than two climbers per guide. Porters carry the heavy loads, a cook prepares all meals at camp, and the expedition provides tents, sleeping mats, dining and kitchen tents, and all cooking gear. Satellite internet keeps you connected even on the glacier.

What’s included

• All transfers between airport, hotels and trailheads.
• accommodation in 3-star hotels in Lima and Huaraz.
• meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and snacks) during the trek.
• certified UIAGM high-mountain guide at a ratio of one guide per two climbers.
• experienced porters and expedition cook.
• personal tent, sleeping mat, dining tent with table and chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent.
• all cooking equipment and utensils.
• entry fees to Huascarán National Park.
• bus transport between Lima and Huaraz.
• donkeys and donkey drivers for carrying gear.
• satellite internet connectivity at base camp and high camp.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 20 May 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (30 to 70 years) · Under 30: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 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?Choose this if you have mountaineering experience and want a guide dedicated to every two climbers on technical terrain, with built-in rest days for acclimatization rather than a push-to-summit schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the acclimatization like before climbing Alpamayo?

Five days of guided hikes in the Cordillera Blanca build your fitness and altitude tolerance. Laguna Churup includes a steep trail with fixed ropes and reaches 4,450 meters. Nevado Mateo is a one-day ascent to 5,150 meters with views of Huascarán and Chopicalqui. These climbs happen before you leave Huaraz, so you can rest in a hotel each night.

How many people climb together on this expedition?

Groups stay small: one certified high-mountain guide leads no more than two climbers at a time. Porters and a cook support the expedition, but the climbing rope team itself is just you, your partner if you have one, and the guide.

What happens if weather stops the summit attempt?

A reserve day is built into the Alpamayo section in case of bad weather or if climbers need extra rest. If the French route is not safe, the team descends and waits. For Chopicalqui, the itinerary allows flexibility to split the descent across two nights if needed.

Are meals provided at base camp and high camp?

Yes. A cook travels with the expedition and prepares breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner at camp, plus snacks throughout the day. Meals in Lima and Huaraz are not included, but restaurants are available in both cities.

What personal gear do I need to bring?

Boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and Goretex jacket are not included and must be brought or rented separately. The expedition provides personal tents, dining and kitchen tents, and all cooking equipment.

What's included in the transfer from Lima?

Airport-to-hotel transfers in Lima, hotel-to-bus-station transfers in both directions, and the return transfer from Huaraz hotel to the airport are included. You can fly from Huaraz to Lima (50 minutes with LATAM) or take an 8-hour bus. Both options are available at checkout.