While many travellers to Peru head south towards Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, the northern Andes offer some of South America's finest high-altitude trekking. Here, two exceptional routes stand out: the Alpamayo Circuit in the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit.

Both are challenging, fully supported trekking adventures through spectacular mountain landscapes, with snow-covered peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, high passes and traditional Andean communities. However, the experiences they offer are different. The Alpamayo Circuit combines dramatic alpine scenery with greater landscape variety and opportunities to encounter local communities, while the Huayhuash Circuit is renowned for its extraordinary concentration of towering peaks, demanding high passes and sustained mountain trekking.

Neither should be chosen on the expectation of having the mountains entirely to yourself. Huayhuash has become increasingly popular in recent years, with improved access to Huaraz bringing more trekkers to the region. Instead, the choice comes down to the kind of mountain journey you're looking for.

So, which trek is right for you? Here's how the Alpamayo and Huayhuash circuits compare, and what makes each one special.

Starting from Huaraz, Peru's principal trekking centre in the northern Andes, the Alpamayo Circuit is a spectacular journey through Huascarán National Park, circling Alpamayo (5,947m), a striking pyramidal peak often described as one of the world's most beautiful mountains.

The route combines high mountain passes and glacial lakes with greener valleys, alpine meadows and traditional Quechua communities. Following ancient trails through the Cordillera Blanca, you'll experience a remarkable variety of landscapes, with changing views of peaks including Taulliraju, Huascarán and Rinrijirca.

Although the Cordillera Blanca is an established trekking destination, the Alpamayo Circuit generally sees fewer trekking groups than Huayhuash. If you want exceptional mountain scenery without following one of Peru's busiest high-altitude trekking routes, this is an appealing choice. The combination of challenging walking, varied scenery and cultural encounters makes Alpamayo a particularly rewarding option for trekkers who want more than a succession of high mountain passes.

South of the Cordillera Blanca lies the Cordillera Huayhuash, a compact but spectacular range of jagged peaks, hanging glaciers and vividly coloured lakes. Frequently celebrated as one of the world's great trekking circuits, the Huayhuash Circuit offers an extraordinary concentration of high mountain scenery over an extended journey.

Over 16 trekking days, you'll cross a succession of demanding passes and camp beneath peaks such as Yerupajá (6,634m) and Siula Grande, made famous by Joe Simpson's mountaineering account ‘Touching the Void’. Lakes such as Laguna Carhuacocha and Jahuacocha provide memorable viewpoints, while an optional ascent of Cerro Jyamy (5,200m) offers an additional challenge and panoramic views across the range.

Huayhuash has become increasingly popular as access to Huaraz has improved, and you should expect to encounter other trekking groups, particularly at popular viewpoints and campsites during the main season. Its appeal, however, goes far beyond remoteness. The sheer scale of the mountains, the succession of high passes and the sustained challenge of completing the circuit make this an outstanding high-altitude trekking experience.

KE's long-standing relationship with the same local family, built over more than 20 years, brings valuable regional knowledge to the itinerary. Careful route planning, a gradual acclimatisation programme and experienced local support help you make the most of this demanding mountain journey.

Both treks are challenging and require excellent fitness, previous trekking experience and preparation for sustained walking at altitude. Neither route is generally technical mountaineering, but the combination of long days, high passes and camping makes them serious undertakings.

• 6 high pass crossings
• Trekking days: 12
• Maximum altitude: 4,860m
• Grade: 7 – Challenging

The Alpamayo itinerary includes acclimatisation walks and time in Huaraz before the trek begins, helping you adjust to the altitude. Most trekking days involve around 6–8 hours of walking, crossing high passes and traversing mountain valleys with the support of an experienced guide, mule team and trek crew.

The route is demanding, but its varied landscapes and cultural encounters provide a changing experience throughout the journey.

• Trekking days: 16
• 11 high pass crossings
• Maximum altitude: 5,070m or 5,200m on the optional Cerro Jyamy ridge
• Grade: 9 – Very Challenging

Huayhuash is the more sustained high-altitude challenge. Several days are spent above 4,500m, with multiple high passes and long ascents and descents. The itinerary includes acclimatisation before the circuit and a rest day at Laguna Carhuacocha, helping you recover and enjoy the mountain scenery along the way.

Choose Huayhuash if you're an experienced trekker looking for a demanding, extended mountain journey. Alpamayo is also challenging but may appeal more if you value variety alongside the high-altitude trekking.

• Alpamayo Base Camp: Enjoy views of the mountain's striking pyramidal summit.
• Glacial lakes and mountain camps: Spend nights surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery.
• Iconic Cordillera Blanca peaks: Take in views of Taulliraju (5,830m), Huascarán (6,768m) and Rinrijirca (5,808m).
• Traditional Andean communities: Follow ancient trails through valleys inhabited by Quechua communities.
• Varied landscapes: Experience everything from greener valleys and meadows to icy passes and high mountain lakes.

Alpamayo's particular strength is the variety of its scenery. The route combines dramatic peaks and glacial landscapes with greener valleys and glimpses of traditional Andean life, creating a rewarding and varied trekking experience.

• Yerupajá and Siula Grande: Trek beneath two of the range's most iconic mountains.
• Turquoise glacial lakes: Enjoy memorable camps and viewpoints around Laguna Carhuacocha and Jahuacocha.
• High mountain passes: Cross demanding passes with far-reaching views across the Andes.
• Optional Cerro Jyamy ascent: Take on a 5,200m ridge for an additional challenge and panoramic views.

An extended mountain expedition: Spend 16 days trekking through a landscape of extraordinary scale and dramatic contrasts.

Huayhuash is all about sustained high-altitude mountain drama. Its succession of high passes, glacial lakes and towering peaks delivers an exceptionally immersive journey for experienced trekkers who want to take on one of the Andes' classic circuits.

Both routes take you well beyond Peru's main tourist centres, but it's worth understanding how their trekking environments differ.

The Alpamayo Circuit generally attracts fewer trekking groups than Huayhuash. Its combination of mountain passes, valleys, glacial lakes and traditional communities also provides greater variety from day to day. If you value a quieter trail experience and want to combine spectacular scenery with cultural encounters, Alpamayo is an excellent choice.

Huayhuash is now one of Peru's best-known high-altitude trekking routes. Other groups are likely to be encountered on the trail and around popular campsites, particularly during the main trekking season. However, its remarkable concentration of dramatic peaks, high passes and glacial lakes remains its defining attraction.

The distinction isn't simply between a remote trek and a busy one. It's about what you want from your time in the mountains: the variety and generally quieter trails of Alpamayo, or the sustained high-altitude challenge and exceptional mountain scenery of Huayhuash.

Both the Alpamayo and Huayhuash circuits offer exceptional trekking in the Peruvian Andes, but each has its own character.

Choose Alpamayo if you want spectacular mountain scenery, varied landscapes, encounters with traditional Andean communities and a generally quieter trekking experience. The circuit around one of the world's most recognisable mountain peaks is a rewarding choice for experienced walkers who value variety as much as altitude.

Choose Huayhuash if you're drawn to an extended high-altitude challenge, with demanding passes, turquoise lakes and an extraordinary concentration of towering Andean peaks. It's an outstanding choice for experienced trekkers who want to immerse themselves in one of South America's classic mountain journeys.

Whichever route you choose, good acclimatisation, experienced guides and well-organised local support are essential. KE Adventure's long-standing experience in the region helps deliver both treks with carefully planned itineraries and knowledgeable local teams.

Ready to explore Peru's northern Andes?