Machu Picchu Trekkers Hit The Trail!

August 22, 2026

IMG team standing next to the official Ministry of Culture sign for the Ñaupa Iglesia archaeological site in the Sacred Valley near Ollantaytambo, Peru (Michel Henostroza)

IMG guide Michel Henostroza reports the team enjoyed visiting the archeological sites of the Sacred Valley yesterday, and continuing their acclimatization. Today it was finally time to begin the trek via a slightly different route, due to recent landsides which were caused by unseasonally heavy rain last week. Now the weather has improved and the team enjoyed their trek from Ollantaytambo (2792m / 9160 ft) to Rayan (3650m / 11975 ft).

: All smiles as the team prepares to embark on their journey (Michel Henostroza)

: A quick group selfie on the trail!

: The stunning Perolniyoc Waterfall located in the Sacred Valley near Ollantaytambo (Michel Henostroza)

Along the way they visited the town of Socma and the nearby petroglyphs. The local Quechuan people plant a variety of crops along the way, making for an interesting hike past waterwalls to the ancient Inca site of Perolniyoc. After visiting Perolniyoc they continued on to their camp at Rayan, which the cook team went ahead to get set up. Everyone is doing well!

Machu Picchu Trekkers in Arrive in Cusco!

August 21, 2026

Our Machu Picchu trek team has now reached Cusco, Peru, at 10,000 feet and has met their guide Michel (who just finished the IMG Huayhuash Trek last week). They’re enjoying their acclimatization, taking it slow and easy as they become accustomed to the high altitude. Cusco is a fun town to explore, and there are many excellent cultural sights in what was the capital of the Inca Empire. The team visited the Coricancha Temple and Inca ruins at Saqsaywaman and also the alpacas at the woolen mill. Check back in soon for more updates from Peru!

Looking out over the city of Cusco from the Coricancha Temple (Michel Henostroza)

Feeding the alpacas at the woolen mill where the wool is made into wonderful knitted items (Michel Henostroza)

Visiting the ruins at Sacsaywaman (Michel Henostroza)

Huayhuash trekkers finish the circle

August 16, 2026

Descending to the Jahaucocha camp (Tyler Nachand)

Last day on the trail descending to Llamac (Tyler Nachand)

Near the summit of Diablo Mundo (Tyler Nachand)

On the summit of 17500 foot Diablo Mundo (Tyler Nachand)

IMG guide Tyler Nachand reports that yesterday the team successfully crossed the Yauche Pass (15,825”) before dropping down to Jahuacocha. Some of the team choose to climb even higher, tagging the summit of Diablo Mundo Peak (17,548’) for some even better views of the icy peaks of the Huayhuash,

Today the team finished the trek to Llamac, where they said goodbye to their cooks and mule drivers. After a final lunch it was time to get in the minibus and head back to Huaraz, thus completing the circumnavigation of the Huayhuash range in Northern Peru. Tomorrow, after a good night sleep in the thick air (10,000 ft) of Huaraz the team will go to the airport and fly back to Lima.

Well done team, you accomplished a bucket list trek, with lots of rugged trekking and eight high pass crossings along the way!

Huayhuash Peru…The Toughest Trek?

August 13, 2026

IMG guide Tyler Nachand reports the team is doing well on their circumnavigation of the Huayhuash Range in northern Peru. This is a very challenging trek, with fantastic mountain scenery and lots of high passes. Perfect for strong and healthy trekkers who want to experience a hard mountain trek that will push their limits a bit!

Over the eight days the team will spend on the trail, they will cross eight high passes over 15,000 feet, with several over 16,000 feet. Then, each night they drop down into a lush valley with gorgeous lakes and fantastic mountain views. It’s the classic up down up down hike, with complete support from our guides and cook team, mules to carry the loads, and a horse (just in case someone needs a ride).

So far the team has crossed CCaccananpunta Pass (15,400′), Carhuac Pass (15,252′), Siula Pass (15,740′), and Trapecio Pass (16,400′). The typical day starts early, climbing up and over the pass of the day, then dropping down to the next camp by a lake for a late lunch with time for napping or photography in the afternoon, before another wonderful dinner prepared by the cook team.

Today the team is heading over San Antonio Pass (16,400′) with up close views of the famous Cordilleran peaks Siula Grande, Jurao, Rasac, and Yerupaja. If you like challenging hiking, this is the best!

The Huayhuash Range above the Laguna Carhuacocha (John Hodder)

Huayhuash map

Evening alpenglow over Huayhuash Camp (Tyler Nachand)

The Team at Tres Lagunas View Point (Tyler Nachand)

First Day on the Trail in Peru!

August 10, 2026

IMG guide Tyler reports the team had a good first day on the trail and everyone is doing well. Yesterday afternoon they visited Lake Mitucocha. Today they are crossing the famous Carhuac Pass at 15,252 feet. So far so good, with some beautiful views!

First day on the trail, headed to Paso Caccananpunta (Tyler Nachand)

Huayhuash Trekkers ready to hit the trail

August 8, 2026

View of Huayhuash range on the way to trailhead (Tyler Nachand)

Tyler reported by sat phone that the team arrived to the trailhead, Cuartelwayin, at 13,600 ft for their first night of camping. At the trailhead they met up with their local cook team and mule drivers, who had the camp all set up and ready for a tasty meal. The team is ready to begin their 8-day circumnavigation of the Cordillera Huayhuash. All’s well in Peru!

Last Day of Acclimatization Before the Trek!

August 7, 2026

We just received today’s update from IMG guide Tyler Nachand. He says, “Heading down to town for our final dinner before leaving for the Huayhuash. Group had a great day hiking up to Laguna Churup. We spent over an hour at the lake eating snacks and it was a high point for [all our climbers at] 14,800ft.”

We’ll check in again soon with another update!

On the move up the trail (Tyler Nachand)

The team takes a group photo on the trail (Tyler Nachand)

A gorgeous creek along the trail (Tyler Nachand)

Acclimitization Above Huaraz

August 6, 2026

The acclimatization process is going great down in Peru! The team took to the route around Laguna Wilcacocha today, which sits above Huaraz at about 12,300 feet. It’s an excellent chance to stretch their legs after so much travel, and start getting used to some elevation.

The team hikes along the shore (Tyler Nachand)

Posing for a group photo on their first day of hiking! (Tyler Nachand)

Sheep along the shore of Laguna Wilcacocha (Tyler Nachand)

Huayhuash Trekkers Acclimatizing in Huaraz

August 5, 2026

Our annual Huayhuash trek team arrived yesterday to Huaraz (about 10,000 ft) in northern Peru. Everyone was doing well and they were happy to meet IMG guide Tyler Nachand and our longtime Peruvian guides Maximo and Michel for a bit of sightseeing, but given the big jump in altitude, it was an easy day. Today they took a moderate acclimatization hike reaching about 11,000 feet, before returning to the hotel for a nice lunch. The team is looking forward to more acclimatization hiking tomorrow, in preparation for their circumnavigation of the Huayhuash range in the coming days. All’s well in Peru!

On the hike with some nice views of the Huayhuash range (Tyler Nachand)

Looking out at the city of Huaraz on the hike (Tyler Nachand)

And That’s A Wrap!

July 1, 2026

11000′ K Camp (Riley Gilson)

Well, that’s a wrap on the 2026 IMG Denali season! All guides are home, gear is put away, and we’ve tied a bow on it. We’re incredibly proud of our team putting 6/6 climbing teams on the summit this season. Our climbers showed courage, grit, and compassion when working through everything the mountain threw at them. Alaska is truly a special place and we can’t wait for 2027!