25-day Alpamayo trek and Machu Picchu tour from Huaraz

Climb to Alpamayo High Camp and walk the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in one expedition

A 25-day tour from Huaraz combining an 8-day trek around Nevado Alpamayo with visits to Machu Picchu and the Inti Raymi festival in Cusco. You hike through the Cordillera Blanca, camp at high altitude, ascend to Alpamayo High Camp at 5,300 meters to see the mountain's north face, then travel to Cusco for the festival and Machu Picchu before returning to Huaraz. A qualified local guide leads the trek. All meals, camping tents, domestic flights and hotels are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lima, Peru

• Arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport
• Private transfer to hotel in Lima
• Relax at Hotel Kamana

Day 2: Flight to Cusco and City Tour

• Early flight from Lima to Cusco
• Pick up from Cusco airport
• Check in at hotel in Cusco
• Visit Cathedral and Qorikancha
• Tour Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay

Day 3: Sacred Valley and Train to Aguas Calientes

• Pick up from hotel in Cusco
• Visit Pisac town and archaeological center
• Lunch in Urubamba
• Visit Ollantaytambo
• Train to Aguas Calientes
• Short walk around Aguas Calientes

Day 4: Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco

• Bus to Machu Picchu entrance
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu
• Train return to Cusco
• Transfer to hotel in Cusco

Day 5: Inti Raymi Festival in Cusco

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Qorikancha temple
• Attend Inti Raymi ceremony at Plaza Mayor
• Visit Sacsayhuaman fortress for festival
• Return to hotel in Cusco

Day 6: Flight to Lima and Night Bus to Huaraz

• Breakfast at hotel in Cusco
• Private transfer to Cusco airport
• Flight to Lima
• Option to stay in Lima or take night bus
• Night bus departs to Huaraz at 10:00 PM

Day 7: Hike to Laguna Churup

• Drive to Llupa village
• Hike ancient Inca trail to Laguna Churup
• Optional climb to Churup summit
• Return to Huaraz

Day 8: Hike to Laguna 69 and Return

• Hike through montane forests to Laguna 69
• Rest and take photos at Laguna 69
• Return hike to Huaraz

Day 9: Laguna Paron Tour and Transfer to Hualcayan

• Early departure from Huaraz to Laguna Paron
• Visit Laguna Paron
• Continue to village of Hualcayan
• Meet support team and pack animals
• Overnight camp at Pueblo de Hualcayan

Day 10: Trek to Wishcash Camp

• Climb steep trail to Wishcash Camp
• Watch sunset over Cordillera Negra
• Overnight in tents at Wishcash Camp

Day 11: Trek Cullicocha to Ruinapampa Camp

• Pass Cullicocha lake with views
• Cross Osoruri and Vientunan passes
• Descend to Ruinapampa Camp
• Overnight in tents at Ruinapampa

Day 12: Trek to Cruze Alpamayo Jancarurish

• Trek to Cruze Alpamayo Jancarurish
• Visit Alpamayo view and lagoon
• Optional climb to Alpamayo Base Camp North
• Overnight in tents at Cruze Alpamayo Camp

Day 13: Trek Caracara Pass and Tayapama Valley

• Hike over Caracara and Mesapata passes
• Camp in Tayapampa Valley
• Visit Laguna Safuna
• Overnight in tents

Day 14: Trek Pucajircas Pass to Jancapampa

• Climb Pucahirca Pass
• Descend to Yanajanca Valley lake
• Camp at Jancapampa below peaks
• Overnight in tents

Day 15: Trek Tupatupa Pass to Laguna Huecrucocha

• Hike to Tupatupa Pass
• Descend to Tuctubamba Valley
• Camp near Laguna Huecrucocha
• Overnight in tents

Day 16: Trek Pucaraju Pass to Tuntupampa or Amapampa

• Trek to Paso Pucaraju
• Camp at Tuctupampa or Amamapampa
• View Nevado Taulliraju
• Overnight in tents

Day 17: Trek Punta Union and Alpamayo Base Camp

• Hike to Punta Unión Pass
• Pass Taullipampa camp
• Reach Alpamayo Base Camp
• Optional hike to Carhuacocha Lagoon
• Overnight in tents

Day 18: Ascent to Moraine and High Camp

• Prepare expedition gear
• Ascend to Moraine Camp
• Continue to High Camp
• View Alpamayo north face
• Descend to Base Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 19: Descent to Cashapampa and Transfer to Huaraz

• Hike down Santa Cruz valley
• Reach Cashapampa village
• Minibus transfer to Huaraz
• Overnight in hotel in Huaraz

Day 20: Transfer from Huaraz to Lima

• Transfer to Anta Airport or bus terminal
• Flight or bus to Lima
• Transfer to hotel in Lima

Day 21: Departure from Lima

• Breakfast at hotel
• Free time in Lima
• Private transfer to airport
• Assistance with check-in and boarding
• International departure

The experience

The trek starts in Huaraz after you've spent days in Cusco visiting Sacsayhuaman, Qorikancha and the other Inca sites, then watched the Inti Raymi festival unfold at the Plaza Mayor and Sacsayhuaman fortress with its dances, music and sacred rituals. From Huaraz you'll hike to Laguna Churup and Laguna 69 to acclimatize, then depart from the village of Hualcayan for eight days of trekking through the Cordillera Blanca. The route crosses eight passes (Cullicocha, Vientunan, Caracara, Pucahirca, Tupatupa, Pucaraju and Punta Union) each one climbing higher into the range. You'll camp in tents each night, with cooks and helpers managing meals and the kitchen at each site.

The trek's centerpiece is the approach to Nevado Alpamayo itself. On day 11 you reach Cruze Alpamayo at 4,250 meters with views of the mountain's pyramidal shape. Those with energy can climb to Alpamayo Base Camp North at 4,500 meters and hike Jatunjirca Peak above 5,000 meters. On day 13 you arrive at Alpamayo Base Camp, and on day 14 you wake at 1:00 AM for the ascent to Moraine Camp at 4,900 meters, then continue to High Camp at 5,300 meters. From there you see the famous north face of Alpamayo (the visual spectacle the operator describes as etched in memory) before descending back to Base Camp by afternoon. The next morning you hike down through the Santa Cruz valley to Cashapampa, where a minibus returns you to Huaraz.

Before the trek, you'll fly from Lima to Cusco, tour the city's Inca structures, take the train through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, spend a morning at Machu Picchu with a 2-hour guided walk, and return by train to Cusco for the Inti Raymi festival. After Huaraz, you'll fly or bus back to Lima and depart internationally. The guide speaks English or Spanish. The minimum age is 18. Donkeys and a donkey driver carry gear during the trek, and the operator provides all meals, camping tents for two people, hotels in Lima, Cusco and Huaraz, domestic flights, bus transport between Lima and Huaraz, entrance fees to Machu Picchu and Huascaran National Park, and kitchen equipment.

What’s included

• Entrance fees for Inti Raymi, Huascaran National Park and Machu Picchu.
• a qualified local guide in English or Spanish.
• all transportation by private vehicle and scheduled routes in Huaraz.
• camping tents for two people.
• domestic flights between Lima and Cusco.
• an exclusive bus seat from Lima to Huaraz and back.
• cooks, helpers and kitchen equipment.
• hotels in Lima, Cusco and Huaraz.
• acclimatization tours.
• all meals throughout the tour.
• donkeys and a donkey driver for the trek.
• transfers from hotels to airports and bus stations.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Peru Expeditions Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to combine high-altitude trekking in the Cordillera Blanca with Inti Raymi festival in Cusco and Machu Picchu in one trip, and you're prepared for tent camping and full-day mountain hiking with a daypack.

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 is Nevado Alpamayo and why is it part of this trek?

Nevado Alpamayo is a 5,947-meter peak in the Cordillera Blanca, internationally recognized for its perfect pyramidal shape and considered the most beautiful mountain in the world. The trek circles the mountain over eight days, reaching Alpamayo High Camp at 5,300 meters on day 14 to view its famous north face and glaciers up close before descending through the Santa Cruz valley.

How many days do I actually spend trekking versus traveling and sightseeing?

Eight days are dedicated to trekking in the Cordillera Blanca with camping. The first five days include city tours in Cusco, the train to Machu Picchu, the Inti Raymi festival, and acclimatization hikes near Huaraz. The final two days cover the descent from Base Camp, return to Huaraz, and travel back to Lima before your international departure.

What happens on the day we reach Alpamayo High Camp?

On day 14, you'll wake at 1:00 AM at Base Camp and begin the ascent with ropes, crampons, ice axes and ice screws. The trail crosses moraine terrain to the glacier tongue, then climbs to Moraine Camp at 4,900 meters. You continue to High Camp at 5,300 meters, where you'll see the north face of Nevado Alpamayo and its surrounding glaciers, then descend back to Base Camp, arriving around 3:00 or 4:00 PM.

Do I need to bring my own climbing gear and sleeping bag?

Personal equipment such as boots, ice axes, crampons, harnesses, sleeping bags, mats and Goretex jackets are not included and must be brought by you. The operator provides camping tents for two people, all meals, cooks, kitchen equipment, and donkeys to carry gear during the trek.

What is the Inti Raymi festival and when do I see it?

Inti Raymi is the Festival of the Sun, celebrated annually in Cusco to honor the sun god with dances, music and ancestral rituals recreating the great ceremony of the Inca Empire. You'll witness it on day 5 of the tour at the Qorikancha temple, Plaza Mayor and Sacsayhuaman fortress, where thousands gather in traditional attire for the sacred celebration.