Expeditions Nevados Alpamayo (5947 m), Artesonraju(6025 m) & Huascaran (6768 m)

For acclimatization we visit the Cordillera Negra, where you can see a magnificent view of the Cordillera Blanca. We’ll have a chance to see wild ducks on the beautiful lake. Wilcacocha, because of its location, is an exceptional viewpoint for the Cordillera Blanca, allowing us to identify peaks (from north to south) Huandoy, Huascarán, Chopicalqui, Hualcan, Copa, Vallunaraju, Ocshapalca, Ranrapalca, Palcaraju, Churup, and many more.

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
By bus 8hours approx
Meals
B/L/-

We leave from our hotel in the Independence District of Huaraz, which faces San Cristobal Peak. We travel in our vehicle toward the town center of Wilcahuain and then walk for about 4 hours along natural trails covered with vegetation. Ahuac is a beautiful lake of clean and crystal clear water, like a mirror reflecting the blue ski and the mountains that surround it. It’s an auspicious place for adventure tourism with a bit of a mystic quality.

Overnight
Hotel 
Driving
1 Hour approx
Hiking
 7 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/-

After a good breakfast, we’ll take our minibus to the Santa Valley, to the northern small village of Yungay. As the first excursion for acclimatization, we hike to Lake 69 (4,650 m), about 6 hours round trip. Fantastic views of the highest peaks in the Cordillera Blanca, and the deep blue lake surrounded by glaciers make up for the difficulty of the hike. We return in the afternoon to the Llanganuco gorge, where we establish our first camp in Yuracoral (3850 m).

Overnight
Camping 
Driving
3 Hour approx
Hiking
 5 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D

From our camp in Yuracoral, we transfer in the minibus to Portachuelo Pass (4650 m) on the east side of the Cordillera Blanca. We arrive in the village of Vaqueria (3,750 m). In this small village our pack animals are waiting. We then have a short walk past the camp at Huaripampa (3,550 m ) beyond the village of Paria (3,800 m) and our camp at Tuctupampa (4,150 m.) From here you can see Punta Union Pass. Camp at Tuctupampa.

Overnight 
Camping
Driving
3 Hour approx
Hiking
 5 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D

Today we cross Punta Union Pass (4,750 m). From the pass we can see the entire Santa Cruz Valley, and the trail we’ll follow. After stopping for a time at the pass to take pictures, we descend to Taullipampa Camp (4,250 m) and continue to Alpamayo Base Camp. From this point we can see Alpamayo Peak; our goal for this expedition. Camp at Quebrada Arhuecocha (4,300 m).

Overnight
Camping 
Hiking
 7 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D

Today we have a good breakfast and prepare the expedition equipment for Alpamayo. From here we’ll use a local team (porters, cook and local guides), who will help us carry everything. We set out for the moraine after a small lunch in Base Camp. The trail takes us across a steep moraine at the tongue of the glacier to High Moraine Camp (4,900 m).

Overnight
Camping 
Hiking
 4 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D

Alpamayo High Camp is on the steep glacier at the base of Alpamayo and Quitaraju. Due to the constant shrinkage of the glacier, every year we find a different situation along this section. We find magnificent views from High Camp the summit looks close enough to touch! We have dinner a bit early because we must rise very early, for the long day that awaits us tomorrow. High Camp (5,300 m).

Overnight
Camping
Climbing 
 3 hours approx
Hiking
 2 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D

Summit day! One possible route is the French route, a 60 to 80 degree wall of ice which narrows toward the top. . Above the wall, you need to conquer a few meters to the highest point of the narrow ridge. At the summit, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Cordillera Blanca! The neighboring peak of Quitaraju (6,036 m) is almost within striking distance; and to the southwest you can see the remarkable summit of Huascarán (6,768 m.) After a brief rest and photos at the summit, we return quickly to High Camp via a rappel down the route we came up. In good weather, the climb to the summit and return to base camp can be done before noon. The ascent takes 5-6 hours, while the descent takes about 2-3 hours. If participants are tired, we can stay one more night in High Camp. If everyone feels fine, which is usual, we descend to Alpamayo Base Camp (4,300 m).

Overnight
Camping 
Climbing
 12 hours approx
Hiking donw
 3 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/D

Extra day scheduled in case of bad weather or to return to Base Camp if staying the previous night in High Camp.

Overnight
Camping
Hiking 
 Rest day
Meals
B/L/D

Today after breakfast we transfer to Artesonraju/Taulipampa Base Camp to prepare for our next summit: Artesonraju (6025 m). The burros will carry our luggage again. Here we establish our camp and organize our things.

Overnight
Camping 
Hiking
 3 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/D

From here we again use the help of our high altitude porters as we move to Artesonraju Moraine Camp. Trekkers need to help carry their personal expedition equipment because the hilly nature of the moraine makes the climb more demanding. We rise through the shrubs and trees for 4-5 hours along the moraine crest, which is sometimes slippery and steep. Artesonraju Moraine Camp.

Overnight
Camping 
Hiking donw
 3 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/D

Summit day! The route we are climbing today is the North Ridge via the northeast spur. We climb steep slopes to the left of the ridge, avoiding the crevasses and seracs. The slope of the wall is from 40-60 degrees; the conditions can vary a lot from one year to the next. The ascent is approximately 8-9 hours. At the summit you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Cordillera Blanca! The neighboring peaks of Huascaran North and South, Huandoys, Santa Cruz, Caraz, and many more. After a brief rest and picture-taking at the summit, we return to Moraine Camp with some sections done via rappel. The descent will take about 3-4 hours. If participants are tired, we can stay another night at Moraine Camp. If everyone feels fine, we usually drop down to Artesonraju Base Camp.

Overnight
Camping 
Climbing
 12 hours approx
Hiking donw
 4 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/D

Weather day. Options: Rest day in Base Camp, or return to Base Camp from High Moraine Camp.

Overnight
Camping
Hiking donw 
 4 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/D

Today we rise early to begin our hike down through the Santa Cruz Valley to Cashapampa (about 6 hours.) In Cashapampa our minibus awaits to take us and our local expedition team to Huaraz. Overnight in the hotel.

Overnight 
Hotel
Hiking donw
 5 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/-

A classic location for many who like to practice rock climbing. This area is 40 minutes north of Huaraz.
It was developed thanks to the guides of Don Bosco in the Andes in 1997. It has 8 developed routes of different difficulties. This is a good place to spend a quiet day in nature and then visit the hot springs to relax aching muscles.

Overnight
Hotel
Hiking
1 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/-

Now our last and best mountain; the highest mountain in Peru, Huascarán. Transfer from Huaraz through the Callejón de Huaylas, the central section of the valley formed by the Santa River, between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra. We arrive at the village of Musho, the baggage carried on burros._ From Musho it’s a 4-5 hour hike to Huascarán Base Camp (4,250 m) From the camp we have a beautiful view of the Cordillera Negra.

Overnight 
Camping
Driving
3 Hour approx
Hiking
 5 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/D

Today we are going to climb to High Camp 1. Porters will help us carry our camping equipment and food. From this point, the southern and northern peaks of Huascarán seem close enough to touch. Dinner and lodging in tents on the glacier. At this altitude, the temperature at night falls to as low as -13°C.

Overnight 
Camping
Climbing
 2 hours approx
Hiking
 2 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/D

Very early this morning we continue to climb over the steep section of the glacier, with crevasses, avalanches in the chutes, and an area of icefall with 50° faces requiring ice climbing. We expect to find changes to the rugged glacier because every year with the retreat of the glacier, the conditions change with regard to crevasses, bridges or new avalanches. Our porters accompany us to Camp 2 in La Garganta (“The Throat“), the saddle between the North Summit (6655 m) and the South Summit (6768 m.) We sleep in tents on the glacier.

Overnight
Camping  
Climbing
 5 hours approx
Meals
B/L/D

Summit day! Very early this morning we begin the ascent to the South Summit (6,768 m). The route leads abruptly up, continues through many crevasses and avalanche zones until we arrive at the flat summit ridge. From here you can see all of the Cordillera Blanca, including Alpamayo to the north. From this high point we see most of the most important mountains of the range. The unforgettable view from the summit makes us forget all our effort to get here. After enjoying the summit and taking pictures, we begin our descent back to High Camp II at the back of the gorge. If everyone still feels fine, we can descend to Base Camp (weather permitting) or stay in High Camp II. Rest one hour and begin the descent to Base Camp. Dinner and lodging in Base Camp. Time required: ascent: 6-7 hours; descent to High Camp II: 3-4 hours; Descent from High Camp II to Base Camp: 3-4 hours.

Overnight 
Camping
Climbing
 12 hours approx
Hiking down
 5 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/D

Our last day on the expedition. Early in the morning the mule/burro drivers arrive, and after the baggage is loaded, we descend to the village of Musho, a walk of 3-4 hours. From here our private transport will be waiting to take us to Huaraz, our final destination. Here we say goodbye to our local workers, and have a complementary dinner at the home of Juventino Albino Caldua – a special dish called Pachamanca. Lodging in the hotel.

Overnight 
Hotel
Hiking down
 4 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/D

Options: Flight or bus. Flights are via LC-Peru and last 50 minutes.

Overnight
Hotel 
Driving
8 Hours by bus approx
Meals
B/-/-

Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc.

Overnight
Hotel 
Driving
1 Hours approx
Meals
B/-/-

Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc.

Overnight Home (-/-/-)