Alpamayo Trek hiking, Peru - FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

Where can I buy / rent gear?

It is easy to rent gear in Huaraz.

Check around in the many outdoor shops & tour operators near the main plazas. Price varies with quality, but expect to pay US$3-6 / item / day. (i.e. tent, sleeping bag, stove, etc.)

You can purchase basic gear too. Quality, selection & price are, of course, not what you might hope for. Many items cost about double what we pay in Canada.

Best is to bring everything with you to Peru.

**Do I need a Permit to hike?**

Alpamayo is completely unregulated except to demand you buy a buy a trekking permit (Turismo Aventura) for Huascaran National Park = about US$19 / person for 7 days.

Hiking Alpamayo it can be difficult to find anyone to sell you this Permit. We were charged after we finished the hike when we stopped at the Llanganuco Parks Office.

You can also get it in Huaraz at the park office, (Sal y Rosas 555) and sometimes in Cashapampa.

No reservation is needed. Alpamayo is no hassle. Hike when you want. Camp where you want. Especially if you carry your own gear & not hire pack animals.

Where else can I get information?

For us the best advisor was Chris Benway <e-mail> at Cafe Andino in Huaraz. His restaurant was our hike headquarters for over a month. Post a note there if you want to find hiking partners.

Be sure to check with Casa de Guias in Huaraz when you get there, especially if you want to hire pack animals.

We got a good deal of help too from South American Explorers which has Peruvian clubhouses in Lima & Cuzco. Ask if anyone around has hiked Alpamayo recently.

The best guidebook is Lonely Planet Trekking in the Central Andes. Do not hike Alpamayo without it.

Who should attempt this hike?

It is recommended for very experienced alpine hikers looking for challenge, confident in route finding.

If this is not you, hike Santa Cruz instead. Same region (visiting Alpamayo South Base Camp) but only 1 high pass. Everyone loves this hike too.

Who should NOT hike Alpamayo?

Anyone not yet acclimatized for altitude. Most of the trek is 4000-5000m. You go straight up on the first day of our recommended route.

NOT those with chronic knee, ankle or back injuries.

A hike this high should not be your first big multi-day trek.

Footing is good for the most part. But this is not an adventure for the nervous. Evacuation on the first half of the hike would be very difficult.

What's the most difficult section?

For us the first pass, the highest on the trek — called Osoruri or Cullicocha (4860m) — was a struggle. We suffered symptoms of altitude sickness. When the weather turned bad we seriously considered turning back. Other groups did.

Once you cross this pass you would think it would get easier. Not really. After a short dip you cross a second high pass, Paso Los Cedros (4770m).

The only other challenging section was the long & high Caracara Pass (4830m). Also called Gara Gara Pass. Again we had bad weather — cold and wind.

Caracara Pass