About us
100% private tour operator in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash since 2001.
Our story
Apu Aventura has operated in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash since 2001 — 25 years organizing trekking, day hikes and nature experiences based in Caraz.
Luis Gerardo Rojas Lara
Behind the operation is Luis Gerardo Rojas Lara. He is a Technical Professional in Official Hiking Guiding (I.S.T. “Centro de Estudios de Alta Montaña”, Huaraz), a Tourism Administrator (CENFOTUR) and a certified Wilderness First Responder.
He holds the Official Specialized Hiking Tourism Guide licence from the Regional Government of Áncash (DIRCETUR) and is a member of the Peruvian Association of Official Hiking Guides (AGOCP). He further specialized with a Postgraduate Degree in Senior Management in Rural Tourism from the University of Buenos Aires (2012) and a Netherlands Fellowship Programme scholarship at NHTV Breda University of Professional Education, the Netherlands, in tourism as a tool for environmental conservation (2005). His professional career in mountain tourism and natural areas began in 1996 as a volunteer park ranger at the Paracas National Reserve, and spans 30 years to date.
He has designed and led expeditions on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash, the Colca Canyon and the Peruvian altiplano, as well as providing logistical support to mountaineers on their ascents of the region’s snow-capped peaks. Today he runs Apu Aventura from Caraz, focused on trekking, day hikes, birdwatching and nature photography.
Career milestones
- 1996
Starts as a volunteer park ranger at the Paracas National Reserve
- 2001
Apu Aventura begins operating in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash
- 2005
Netherlands Fellowship Programme scholarship at NHTV Breda (Netherlands): tourism and environmental conservation
- 2012
Postgraduate Degree in Senior Management in Rural Tourism, University of Buenos Aires
- 2026
25 years operating and 30 of professional experience, running Apu Aventura from Caraz
Training and credentials
- Technical Professional in Official Hiking GuidingI.S.T. “Centro de Estudios de Alta Montaña”, Huaraz
- Official Specialized Hiking Tourism Guide licenceRegional Government of Áncash (DIRCETUR)
- Tourism AdministratorCENFOTUR
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR)Certified
- AGOCP memberPeruvian Association of Official Hiking Guides
How we work
Apu Aventura is a 100% private tour operator — we do not sell seats in groups assembled by third parties.
Every guide who works with us is a certified professional, called in per operation according to the group’s needs:
- Lead guideWith altitude first-aid training
- Assistant guideOn camping treks
- Field cook
- Muleteers (arrieros)
This scheme lets us maintain a high standard and always choose the most suitable professional for each route, instead of relying on a fixed staff.
We operate in compliance with SERNANP regulations in Huascarán National Park.
By the numbers
- Founded
- 2001 (25 years operating in 2026)
- Base
- Caraz, Áncash, Peru (2,256 m a.s.l.)
- Destinations
- Cordillera Blanca (Huascarán NP) and Cordillera Huayhuash
- Specialization
- Trekking · Day hikes · Birdwatching · Nature photography
- Regulatory compliance
- SERNANP
Responsible tourism
We are aware of the impacts that tourism can have on the regions we visit. On every operation we seek to minimize negative impacts and contribute to the conservation of an environment rich in natural and cultural biodiversity. That is why we offer every group a brief awareness session before each excursion, and we work in coordination with local and community authorities to monitor and reduce our impact, as well as collaborating in the training of the communities linked to our operations.
Every traveler who joins an Apu Aventura program becomes part of this same commitment for the length of the trip.
- Brief awareness sessionBefore every excursion
- Coordination with local and community authoritiesTo monitor and reduce our impact
- Training for local communitiesLinked to our operations
- Minimizing negative impactsConserving an environment rich in natural and cultural biodiversity
Let’s design your adventure in the Cordillera Blanca
Tell us your dates, group size and fitness level, and we will propose an itinerary made for you.