RECENT REVIEW IN 2025

Here is a recent review from a highly satisfied guest in the 2025 climbing season!

An Unforgettable Experience in the Cordillera Blanca with IFMGA Guide Peter Alvarado Henostroza

I recently had the chance to climb for two weeks in Peru’s stunning Cordillera Blanca with IFMGA guide Peter Alvarado Henostroza - and it was truly a life-changing experience. Originally, a more experienced friend of mine had booked the trip for two climbers. At the last minute, both of them had to cancel, and I, much less experienced, stepped in. Peter didn’t flinch. He completely reworked the itinerary in a matter of hours to accommodate me and turn it into a custom trip suited to my abilities. Everything from permits and logistics to meals and gear was handled flawlessly. I honestly felt like I was cheating, every detail was taken care of, and I could just focus on enjoying the experience. Peter is the complete package: professional, deeply knowledgeable, calm under pressure, and yet so warm and personable that it felt like I was climbing with a close friend I’d known for years. He quickly assessed my skills and adjusted the pace and challenge accordingly—always pushing just enough, never too much.

The food on this trip deserves its own paragraph. His father cooked for us, and the meals were absolutely next level. I ate better in the mountains than I did in town—fresh, hearty, and delicious food that made long days on the trail feel even more rewarding. Peter is also a fantastic teacher and storyteller. He shared climbing techniques, local knowledge, flora and fauna identifications, and insights into the region’s culture and environmental changes. He wears every hat a great guide should: coach, motivator, medic, cultural interpreter, logistics coordinator, and above all, a genuinely kind human being.

Because of Peter’s planning and his fantastic support team (including porters and burros), I acclimatized properly and we managed to summit five peaks in one week. I never once felt unsafe, unprepared, or out of my depth. His reputation in the region is clearly strong—nearly every guide we passed along the way stopped to greet him and mentioned how lucky I was to be climbing with the best in the area.

Towards the end of the trip, as we looked out over a breathtaking section of the range, I asked Peter how many of the peaks he had summited. He casually answered: all of them. He’s been climbing here since he was 15. He’s seen the glaciers change and knows the mountains like the back of his hand.

If you are considering climbing in Peru—stop considering. Book with Peter. I don’t know how many stars I’m allowed to give, but he deserves all of them. I used to debate between going back to a place I’ve been or exploring somewhere new—after this experience, the debate is over. I’ll be returning to Peru, and I’ll be climbing again with Peter.

--- Keith Markland, USA