7-Day Alpamayo Base Camp Trek To Peru’s Most Beautiful Mountain

If you’re searching for a remote, wild, and less-touristy trek in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca then the Alpamayo Base Camp Trek is it.

This 7-day trekking journey winds through lush valleys, over high passes, and past alpine lakes before culminating in an up-close view of Nevado Alpamayo, which is widely regarded as the most beautiful mountain in the world.

Nevado Alpamayo (5,947 m) is a near-perfect pyramid of ice and rock, and the trek to its base is just as spectacular as the peak itself. You’ll hike through quiet trails, camp at stunning high-altitude sites, and traverse ancient shepherd paths with panoramic views of some of the Cordillera Blanca’s finest peaks: Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, and more.

This route is ideal for hikers who want a more off-the-beaten-path experience than the Santa Cruz Trek, with more altitude and fewer crowds. It’s physically demanding, but the rewards are massive! You’ll be surrounded by glacier-fed lakes, jagged ridgelines, and peaceful valleys full of grazing llamas and blankets of wildflowers.

7-Day Alpamayo Base Camp Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Huaraz → Cashapampa → Llamacorral (3,760 m)

Drive to Cashapampa from Huaraz, the same starting point as the Santa Cruz Trek. Hike along the Santa Cruz Valley, ascending past waterfalls and dense vegetation. Camp at Llamacorral.

Day 2: Llamacorral → Taullipampa (4,250 m)

Continue through the valley past turquoise lakes like Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha. Enjoy views of Alpamayo, Artesonraju, and Taulliraju. Camp at Taullipampa, one of the most scenic campsites in the Andes.

Day 3: Taullipampa → Punta Unión Pass (4,750 m) → Huaripampa Valley

Trek over Punta Unión, a spectacular high pass with 360-degree views. Descend into the lush Huaripampa Valley and camp near the river.

Day 4: Huaripampa → Paria → Cruze Alpamayo

Hike through remote Andean communities and climb gradually into Cruze Alpamayo, where you begin to leave the more traveled Santa Cruz route.

Day 5: Cruze Alpamayo → Alpamayo Base Camp (4,500 m)

Ascend to Laguna Jancarurish and the Alpamayo viewpoint, which offers panoramic views of Alpamayo. This is the best spot to see the majestic pyramid of ice, especially at sunset. Camp nearby.

Day 6: Alpamayo → Ruinapampa → Hualcayan

Descend past waterfalls and valleys, passing Ruinapampa, an ancient Inca site. Continue down to Hualcayan, your final backcountry camping site.

Day 7: Hualcayan → Return to Huaraz

The last day involves a short hike to meet your transport and return to Huaraz for hot showers and well-earned rest.

Who This Trek Is For

• Experienced hikers looking for a longer, quieter alternative to Santa Cruz
• Trekkers who want less foot traffic and more raw scenery
• Perfect for photographers, nature lovers, and altitude-ready adventurers
• Recommended as a warm-up for mountaineering objectives like Alpamayo or Pisco

Alpamayo Base Camp Trek Pricing (2025)

Group Trek (7 Days):

• $650–$850 USD per person
• Includes: guide, meals, donkeys, camping gear, cook, transport, permits

Private Trek:

• 2 people: $1,000 per person
• 4+ people: $750 per person
• Extras: sleeping bag rental ($15–20), satellite phone access, hot showers at Hualcayan

Highlights

• See the majestic Alpamayo, Peru’s most iconic peak from its base camp
• Cross high mountain passes like Punta Unión (4,750 m)
• Camp at Laguna Jancarurish, one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the Andes
• Less crowded than other Cordillera Blanca treks, with more solitude and wildlife

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