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Day 1 – BIENVENIDOS A PERU
Arrival day. You will be picked up at Lima Airport – Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez – and driven to a nice hotel in Lima, where you’ll be able to relax after the long journey so far.
Day 2 – WELCOME TO HUARAZ
After breakfast at the hotel we will take a very comfortable bus to Huaraz during the day time. After around 7,5-8,5 hours you’ll arrive to Huaraz at 10,013 ft. (3.052 m.) and an incredible view of the Cordillera Blanca in the horizon. Here we’ll check in to a nice hotel, have dinner and get some rest before our acclimatization process starts tomorrow.
Day 3 – ACCLIMATIZATION DAY WILCACOCHA LAKE
We will start our first day of acclimatization by hiking the Wilcacocha Lake, located in the Cordillera Negra. The lake is an excellent viewpoint of the Cordillera Blanca mountains. We will hike for around 3,4 km between 10,170 ft. (3.100 m.) and 12,290 ft. (3.745 m). After a beautiful day of hiking we will return to our hotel in Huaraz.
Day 4 – ACCLIMATIZATION DAY CHURUP LAKE Today we will do another beautiful acclimatization hike. During our second day of acclimatization we will visit this beautiful lake, popular in the Cordillera Blanca and easily accessible from the city of Huaraz. During the hike you will be able to see mountains on the south side of the Cordillera Blanca: Rurec, Cashan, Huamashraju, Shaqsha and Nevado Churup itself, which gives rise to the lake of the same name. We will hike for around 2 km between 10,170 ft. (3.100 m.) and 14,600 ft. (4.450 m). After a beautiful day at the lake, we will return to Huaraz to rest before our climbing adventure truly starts tomorrow!
Day 5 – YANAPACCHA MORRAINE CAMP 16,076 ft. (4.900 m We will be picked up at our hotel with private
transportation. After pick up we will head north through the Huaylas valley to Yungay, from where we will turn east towards the Quebrada Llanganuco. On the way we will stop for 30 minutes for breakfast. We will continue our journey
and after about 10 minutes we will make another stop to register at the Huascaran National Park entrance control. After another 20 minutes we will go around the beautiful lakes of Llanganuco (Chinancocha and Orconcocha). Finally, we will arrive at Km 42, the starting point of our hike to the
Yanapaccha moraine camp. Our porters will be responsible for the transfer of the logistic equipment to the campsite. The first 40 minutes passes through a plain of rock surrounded by Andean vegetation, we will hike a small uphill
until we reach the moraine area. The hike is around 4 km and along the path we will enjoy impressive views of the imposing Chacraraju and Huandoy peaks. Yanapaccha base camp offers fantastic views of the peaks: Chacraraju, Huandoy and Pisco.
Day 6 – ICE CLIMBING COURSE A short 20 minute hike will take us to the glacier, where we will spend the day practicing advanced glacier techniques and skills at an altitude of around 16,404 ft. (5.000 m.) After a fun day on the ice, we will return to morraine camp to rest before our summit attempt of Yanapaccha.
Day 7 – YANAPACCHA SUMMIT 17,913 ft. (5.460 m.) It’s summit day! The approach to the glacier is about 20
minutes, at this point we will equip ourselves, our guide will make an inspection of everything necessary for the climb and finally we will rope up to continue climbing. We will approach the base of the wall overcoming crevasses and short climbing sections around 55°. After climbing for around 7 hours along the 200 m mountain wall around 60° – 65° we will reach the summit and enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the Cordillera Blanca. From here you’ll be able to see the most emblematic mountains of Peru: Huandoys, Chacraraju, Huascaran South and North, Chopicalqui, Alpamayo, Hualcan, Pisco, Taulliraju and many more! We will stay at the summit to rest, hydrate and take pictures. Finally we will descend by rappeling of down by the same route as we climbed up. We will return to morraine camp to eat and dismantle our camp before hiking for about 2 hours back down to the road, where our private transportation will be waiting for us to take us to the Yuracorral Campsite close to the Llanganuco lakes at 2,795 ft. (3.900 m) Here we will set up camp, celebrate and rest.
Day 8 – REST DAY Rest day in Yuraccorral Camp 2,795 ft. (3.900 m.)
Day 9 – ALPAMAYO TREK IN After breakfast we will walk to Km 42, where the transport will be waiting to take us to Vaqueria. Then we will go up the road until we reach the beautiful viewpoint Portachuelo Pass, where we will stop to enjoy the stunning views of Huascaran, Chopicalqui, Huandoys, Pisco, and all the turquoise lakes that compose the Llanganuco valley. Finally, we will continue to Vaquería village, this is the place where we will begin the approach to the Alpamayo. Vaqueria village is where the porters and mules are waiting to assist us with the transfer of logistical equipment to the camp. After about 5 hours of walking, we will arrive at Tucto camp, which is nestled in a beautiful and lush canyon next to a big, flowing river with glaciated peaks in the horizon. It’s an 11 km hike through the canyon to get here and we will be sleeping in tents at an altitude of around 12,139 ft. (3.700 m.)
Day 10 – ALPAMAYO BASE CAMP 14,100 ft. (4.300 m.) On the second day of the approach hike to Alpamayo mountain, we will go up to Punta Union Pass (4750 m). From this pass we will have an awesome viewpoint of the snowy mountains: Taulliraju (known as the Cathedral of the World), Artesonraju (known as the mountain of the Paramount Picture), Rinrijirca, Paria and Quitaraju. We will go down to the Santa Cruz valley, passing by the Taullipampa camp. We will continue our hike to the Quebrada Arhuay to finally reach the Alpamayo Base Camp located at around 14,100 ft. (4.300 m.) It’s a 14 km hike through spectacular scenery and at the base camp we’ll be able to see Alpamayo right in front of us and our tents.
Day 11 – ALPAMAYO MORRAINE CAMP 16,200 ft. (4.950 m.) This day we will prepare our personal mountain equipment to be carried by the porters. Then, we will hike uphill for about 3 hours on a rocky trail until we reach the Alpamayo moraine camp right before the beginning of the glacier. Depending on weather conditions, we might go straight to High Camp this day and keep a spare day up our sleeves for unforeseen weather changes or mountain conditions.
Day 12 – ALPAMAYO HIGH CAMP 17,700 ft. (5.400 m.) Today we will travel the glacier towards the high camp of Alpamayo. The porters will take care of the transfer of the camping equipment. We will continue our ascent through a short, rocky morraine section before we reach the glacier. Once on the glacier, we will equip ourselves and after a traverse across the glacier, we will reach a technical ice-wall of around 50 ft. (15 meters), which we have to ice-climb in order to reach the high camp. Getting here is a total distance of around 2 km from the morraine camp and it will take us around 5-6 hours depending on the conditions. During the sunset we will be able to enjoy awesome views of the sunset and its reflection on the imposing wall of Alpamayo. After a nice, early dinner, we will rest as much as possible until our summit attempt around midnight.
Day 13 – ALPAMAYO SUMMIT 19,500 ft. (5.947 m.) The most awaited day has arrived, it’s time for our summit push! We will start the day around midnight, after breakfast we will gear and rope up and our guides will inspect all the necessary equipment for the climb. The start of the summit bid is a traverse to the base of the wall, where we will enter the climbing couloir that begins at an angle of around 60°. Depending on the conditions of the mountain, our guides will look for the best route. It’s a 1,476 ft. (450 m) wall, which we have to ice-climb in 8 long pitches. After approximately 8 hours of continuous climbing, we will reach the summit. From this point you will be able to appreciate in its maximum splendor the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, a 360° view of the most emblematic mountains of Peru: Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Huascaran, Quitaraju, Santa Cruz, Pucajirkas, Rinrijirca, Paron, Caraz, Aguja and Piramide. We will stay at the summit for a short while to hydrate and take pictures. Finally, we will descend back down by rapelling by the same route as we ascended. When back at high camp, we will eat and rest. Depending on the fitness of the group and previous coordination with our guide and support team, we could descend all the way down to Base Camp the same day.
Day 14 – BACK TO BASE CAMP 14,100 ft. (4.300 m.) After breakfast, we begin our descent back down to base camp. We will make a few rappels and continue with the journey until we reach the moraine from where we will continue our descent until we reach the base camp. Our chef will be waiting for us with a delicious lunch to replenish our energy and celebrate the big achievement! Day 15 – TREK OUT – HUARAZ
After breakfast we dismantle the camp and get ready for hiking all the way back to Cashapampa. The porters and the mules will be ready to transport all the logistic equipment to the village. We will head downhill through the Santa Cruz Canyon. Our private transport will be waiting for us in Cashapampa to take us back to Huaraz where we will celebrate and spend the night. Day 16 – ARRIVAL TO LIMA / REST DAY (IF WITH EXTENSION)We will take the bus back to Lima in the morning and say our goodbyes after an epic adventure. Optional Chopicalqui Extension (+1.740 USD pp. (at least 2 pax)) Extension itinerary:
Day 17 – CHOPICALQUI MORRAINE CAMP 15,419 ft. (4.700 m.)We will be picked up at our hotel with private transportation and head north through the Huaylas valley to the village of Yungay, from where we will turn east towards the Llanganuco Valley. On the way we will stop for 30 minutes to have breakfast. We will continue our journey and after about 10 minutes we will make another stop to register at the Huascaran National Park entrance control. Finally the transport will arrive at Km 36 called the Ancush curve, which is the starting point of our hike to the Chopicalqui moraine camp. Our porters are those responsible for the transfer of the logistic equipment to the campsite. The first 30 minutes passes through a plain surrounded by Andean vegetation, then we will go uphill until we will reach the moraine zone of the route. During the hike we will have stunning views of the majestic Huascaran behind us. After about 4 hours of walking through rocky sections we will arrive at the Morraine Camp. The hike is around 6 km in total and will take us around 5 hours. The views from the campsite are truly breathtaking and when the sun sets, just WOW! We will start the day early in the morning and hike through a rocky section until before reaching the glacier. At this point we will gear and rope up before starting our glacier travel towards high camp. After crossing the glacier and overcoming crevasses we will arrive at a flat section, where we will set up camp in the most pristine surroundings with Chopicalqui towering up right above us and the Huascaran massif right next to us. The total distance is around 2 km and will take us around 4 hours depending on conditions. Day 19 – CHOPICALQUI SUMMIT 20,846 ft. (6.354 m)Day 18 – CHOPICALQUI HIGH CAMP We will start our summit attempt at midnight. After breakfast we will gear and rope up and our guides will make an inspection of the team’s climbing equipment. We will make a traverse to the base of the ridge, this section of the glacier almost always has excellent snow conditions. The climb presents us shorter sections of climbing that we have to overcome. After about 8 hours we will reach the summit to enjoy an awesome panoramic view, we will be able to see almost the entire Cordillera Blanca with the most emblematic mountains of Peru: Huandoys, Chacraraju, Huascaran South and North, Alpamayo, Hualcan, Yanapaccha, Pisco, Taulliraju, Huantsan, Ranrapalca, Tocllaraju and more. We will stay at the summit for a short while to rest, hydrate and take pictures. Finally we will descend by rappelling back down by the same route as we ascended. When arriving at high camp we will have some food and rest for a short while before descending back down to morraine camp. Day 20 – BACK TO HUARAZAfter breakfast we will dismantle our camp and get ready to hike back down to the starting point. Our porters will be ready to transfer all the logistic equipment. We will go downhill until we reach the road 106, km 36 where our private transportation will be waiting for us and drive us back to Huaraz, where we will celebrate and spend the night. Day 21 – BACK TO LIMA After an epic adventure we take the bus back to Lima in the morning and say our final goodbyes.18,044 ft. (5.500 m.)
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