Day 1 - Arrive Lima- Team members meet in Lima, after the airport transfer to the Hotel in in the South district of the city , the team makes last minute arrangements and rests for the drive to Huaraz the following morning.
Day 2 - Travel Lima - Huaraz - After breakfast, we prepare for approximately 7-8 hours drive , heading East towards the impressive Cordillera Blanca , the famous Peruvian White Andean Range . The amazing contrasts as we leave the wealthy south district of Lima with the North Pacific coast is an interesting scenery, as the city fades and gives way to the desert . The 3000m/10000ft elevation gain from sea level to Huaraz the " Capital Heart of Mountaineering " is a remarkable journey . The high passes over the Andean Range welcomes us to the Cordillera Blanca , one of the world's major mountain ranges that offers some of the finest and most varied alpine climbing. Before dinner we have a briefing to discuss our climbing plans ,go through safety issues on the expedition , equipment check list, climbing plans and last minute arrangements according to the needs and interests of the expedition members. ( BL )
Day 3 - Huaraz Day Trip - The emphasis will be on a balanced acclimatization therefore our hydration will be one of the main keys .This hiking and biking journey takes us to Caraz and Santa Cruz and provide plenty of opportunities to interact with the local culture and photograph the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. Having passed from the South side of the massive Huascaran driving along its West flank, we reach one of the high road passes toward the Amazon Basin , from where mountain biking trip will delight us with stunning views of the glaciated peaks surrounding Huaraz. Back to the hotel for dinner and night rest. ( B ) ( BL )
DAY 4 - Urus-Ishinka Refuge /base camp- The 2 hour drive to our trailhead takes us to the village of Pashpa, where all our climbing gear , food and camping equipment will be carried by mules and donkeys, this moderate 4-5 hours hike to our 4200m/ 14000ft Mountain Refuge in the Ishinca Valley , goes through amazing landscape, from cultivated fields, through rivers , to endemic polylepis tree forests, and impressive rock formations, we will admire the magnificent views of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world . Night in the Refuge which is full equiped with beds , showers and dining areas to make our time in base camp as comfortable as possible. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
DAY 5 - Nevado Urus Este Climb 5420m/17880ft - This is a moderate and easy climb that goes directly up a morraine slope from base camp, we climb on a 30/35 degree glacier slope , and scramble small rocky sections up to the summit, continuing with our acclimatization for the next major goals. This climb is designed for learning and practicing fundamental alpine and glacier travel skills , here we review basic walking techniques with crampons, self rescue , rope travelling on glaciers to gain confidence on the equipment for the future climbs , and develop experience in high altitude mountaineering . The 4 hour ascent on this peak offers great views of the Cordillera Blanca, including Nevado Ishinca, Tocllaraju , Ranrapalca and Nevado de Copa . The descent is a couple of hours following the same way back to the refuge for a great dinner and a good night rest. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
DAY 6 - Ishinka Highcamp 4,850m/16000 ft - After breakfast we get all camping equipment and climbing gear ready to establish our high camp for Ishinka. Assisted by porters and a cook we start with a 3 hour hike to high camp located on the shores of a glacier lake . In the afternoon we will review some more skills; practice anchors for fixed and running belays, selections and use of ropes, knots and harnesses, design and selection of personal and technical equipment , rest and prepare all our gear for our first climb Ishinka . The impressive sunset again delight us with the panoramic view of the West and North faces of some the most challenging peaks in the Peruvian White Range. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
DAY 7 - Ishinka Climb 5530m/18200ft - Our climb begins with sunrise , this 3-4 hour ascent begins with a gentle glacier of a 30/35 degree slope, leading us to the col , before the final 100m/330ft pyramid headwall of 45 /50 degrees .This small peak offers an enjoyable varied glacier travel, with gradual steep sections, glacier travelling skills , rope teams , self-rescue techniques, belaying systems for steep and exposed terrrain , cramponing techniques on steep snow and ice and practicing the use of a second ice tool will be reviewed by each team member to gain experience and confidence for future mountaineering expeditions. The scenic summit ridge will welcome us with spectacular views of the Cordillera Blanca. We have a 2 hour descent using the same route back to camp, where after a short rest and refuel we hike back down assisted by porters to the Ishinka refuge , to enjoy the comforts of the Ishinka Refuge. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
DAY 8 - Hike back to Huaraz - After a recovering breakfast we load the animals with the climbing gear and we make an easy-pace descent meeting our private transport to take us back to Huaraz, time to relax, and enjoy some local food for dinner in town. Night at Hotel . ( B ) ( BL )
DAY 9 - Rest Day - Rest day in Huaraz sightseeing, souvenir shopping , resting and ensuring our equipment is perfect for the ascent for our next big challenge Pisco. Time to enjoy the impressive mountains with the traditional Peruvian culture .
DAY 10 - Pisco Refuge 4600m/15180ft - The journey today begins with a 2 hour drive heading North to Cebollapamba at 3900m/12800ft , located on the East side of the Cordillera Blanca , here we complete the support staff and load the donkeys to help us with all the camping and climbing gear . The trail takes us through some beautiful valley landscapes , and excellent views of many surrounding mountains like the imposing North face of Huascaran 6768m/22330ft , Huandoy group 6395m/21100ft, Chopicalqui 6354m/20960ft, and the impressive Chacraraju 6112m/20160ft. This 3 hour hike takes us to the Pisco Refuge , a very comfortable and well supplied lodge that will be our home before our main climb Pisco. We relax and enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the imposing icy summits of the surrounding peaks. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
DAY 11 - Pisco High camp 4850m/ 16000ft - After breakfast we prepare our personal climbing gear, camping equipment and assisted by porters we ascend to the Pisco Oeste high camp. The path will take us straight up the steep morraine. There are different trails that lead across the glacier morraine as we move efficiently and slow on this boulder covered glacier terrain towards the camp that is located 3-4 hours away from the refuge. We prepare all our personal gear and select the technical equipment for our climb. Rest and dinner in high camp. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
DAY 12 - Pisco Climb 5752m/18870ft - Our day begins with an early 2 am wake up, our 5-6 hour climb starts along a ridge dominated by a large morraine which bounds the right flank before the entrance of the glacier. On this ascent we enjoy quite varied glacier travel with gradual steep slopes up to 35 degrees approaching the col (saddle) located betweeen Huandoy and Pisco. This is an extremely scenic climb and one of the best in the Cordillera Blanca due to the location in the center of the range offering an incredible 360 degree view over the Amazon Basin where impressive pyramids like Artesonraju , the Garcilazo Pyramid , the famous Alpamayo, the imposing Huascarans, Chopicalqui , Chacraraju , and over one hundred amazing peaks over 5000m and 6000 m , from this view point we understand why the Peruvian Range is considered to have the best climbing around the world. We continue to the East of the base where we find the steepest part of the climb a 50m/165ft pitch snow or ice wall , front pointing techniques, a second ice tool and anchor belaying systems will make the 55 degrees wall an enjoyable ascent. Once we pass this obstacle the glacier widens and flattens out towards an amazing summit ridge. The excitement is great as we make our final steps to the top of one of the most classical ascents in the Cordillera Blanca giving us rewarding views of the Amazon basin and the Peruvian White Range which are absolutely outstanding. Descent to high camp following the same route where we pack our gear and assisted by our porters hike back to the refuge for a well deserved meal and night rest. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
DAY 13 - Huaraz- After breakfast we load our gear on the donkeys and descent to meet our private transportation which will takes us back to Huaraz to our hotel. Free afternoon for last minute souvenir shopping , sightseeing and finish packing ! The group will join again in the evening for a farewell dinner and Pisco celebration! ( B ) ( BL ) DAY 14 - Extra summit day or Huaraz - This extra day is highly recommended as local weather patterns could be affected by prevailing winds, or low pressure systems from the Amazon basin; alternatively the group stays in Huaraz or extra day at the Pisco refuge for physical recovery, due to the demanding conditions of climbing at high altitude. This day could be used before or after our summit attempt on Pisco according to the needs and interests of the group members.
DAY 15 - Huaraz/ Lima - AIRPORT OUT - END OF EXPEDITION - Our private transport takes us on a long drive back to Lima where we finish packing and meet for our final farewell dinner before heading to the International Airport.
PRICE INCLUDES :
- Airport Transfers
- Hotels based on double occupancy , mountain refuges and huts.
- Meals on the mountains , hikes and climbs. as described in the itinerary.
( B ) – breakfast ( BL ) - boxlunch ( D ) dinner
- Certified bilingual Mountain Guide ASEGUIM (Ecuadorean Association of Mountain
Guides) .
- Glacier climbing ratio : 2 climbers / 1 guide
- Climbing permits
- Entrance fees to all the mountains .
- Porters , mules and cooks.
- Group technical climbing equipment .
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE :
International flights and travel insurance
Personal climbing gear ( check climbing list)
Meals in hotels and rest days.
Money transfer fees if applicable.
15 DAY TRIP COSTS Price per Climber : US $ 2800 Extra price for private accomodations : US $ 100
Prices based on a minimum of 2 passengers
PAYMENTS
DEPOSIT US $ 300 with registration form .
includes a $ 200 non refundable registration fee .
BALANCE due 90 days before climbing trip departures .
Regular climbing departure dates, special group prices and customized expeditions available, please contact us for more information
To customize your private trip or join a climbing expedition please CONTACT US at
