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Hello fellow climbers,
I will be visiting Peru in June with intentions of climbing Alpamayo and a few other peaks. We are trying to organize the trip by ourselves to save on costs.
Please Can anyone point us on the right direction in terms of:
1) other than Laguna Churup, what other day hikes can we do to acclimatize ?
2) Is it easy and where do we rent donkeys and porters for the trip?
3) In order to climb Alpamayo/Quitaraju, you have to go from Base camp to the col for both mountains and back down to the other side to the glacier camp. Can you get porters to help you carry gear/supplies OVER the col/ glacier? or once you get to the glacier you are on your own?
4) can anyone recommend local people who can help us organizing logistics (e.g.: travel back and forth from Huaraz to climb/hike areas, etc)
5)For Alpamayo is it better to start from Huaraz or go to Caraz and start from there?
Thanks and safe climb!!!
Luis

4) can anyone recommend local people who can help us organizing logistics (e.g.: travel back and forth from Huaraz to climb/hike areas, etc)

Try Peruvian Mountains:

https://www.peruvianmountains.com/

I know they do just logistical support as well.

1. Laguna 69 and Laguna Aguak are both great, and buses go to both trailheads.

2. We were able to find donkeys and driver at cashapampa, however their prices have risen dramatically recently. Don't expect much negociation in price, however Spanish knowledge is almost essential. The driver can also be a cook or porter but only to moraine camp, not over the col to high camp. They will charge an additional fee for this.

3. Yes, but they are porters, not the donkey drivers. You have to arrange this as one of the agencies near the casa de guias in Huaraz.

4. Can't say much

5. Don't go to Caraz. Just organize transport in Huaraz it's much easier.

Btw, The climb over the col to high camp is vertical as of recent years. Be prepared for ice climbing with your packs to get over.
Good luck!

Thanks Scott and Matt for your help!! Cheers