Alpamayo Trek hiking, Peru - Details for Organizing the Hike

Details for Organizing the Hike

Accommodation in Huaraz

Huaraz, Peru (population 100,000) is one of the most important hiking destinations in South America:

Check a general travel guidebook for up-to-date accommodation recommendation & prices. E-mail a few days ahead to reserve a bed in one of the more popular hostels, especially during high season.

We stayed at the most popular gringo economy hostel for over a month, Albergue Churup (single room US$10, dorm bed US$5). Peruvian owned, very friendly.

Hikers like Churup for the very secure lock-up of luggage, passport & valuables while they are gone on the trail.

But there are many other good places to stay.

At 3070m, you may need a few days to acclimatize to altitude.

Accommodation in Caraz

If you follow our recommended hiking itinerary, you will travel Huaraz to Caraz mid day, then stay over one night while arranging transportation to Cholin (Hualcayan) for the next morning.

Do not rush getting to your campsite the first day of the hike — it is straight up & you may be hurting from altitude.

Caraz is a lovely small town 68km from Huaraz.

It has a small tourist office, internet, a good market & shops sufficient for outfitting you for Alpamayo.

The real reason we recommend you stop in Caraz, however, is to check in with Pony’s Expeditions just off the main plaza.

They are expert in all things Alpamayo. Up-to-date advice on where, what and when.

They were very helpful, in fact convincing one of our hikers that she had not been at altitude long enough to try Alpamayo. She decided to wait until she had been above 3000m longer.

Pony’s can organize guides, arriero, animals. Rent you any equipment you might need, last minute. (A cook tent, for example.)

It has a good restaurant too.

There are many good options for accommodation in Caraz. Check an up-to-date guide book for advice and costs.

Accommodation in Pomabamba

You need not stay over in Pomabamba at the end of the Alpamayo Base Camp trek as there are night buses which could whisk you back to Huaraz, 7 hours, US$7.

Our advice is that you stay over in Pomabamba, a quaint & interesting town which may not have hot showers — but does have internet.

No rush finishing the hike. The last day takes you through Quechua villages & farms.

When you get to Pomabamba, buy a ticket for the morning bus back to Huaraz, then enjoy the public hot springs.

We had some good food in Pomabama too.

The recommended hostel is Alojamiento Estrada — but there are many simple hotels where you can get your own room for a few dollars. No need to book in advance.

Choose a hotel when you get there. The main plaza is noisy, be advised.