Itinerary

1. Day 1. June 8th: Depart from Europe to Lima. Overnight in the hotel

   • Arrival in Lima - a large city with a population of approximately 11 million - the largest city in South America. 
   • Rest. 
   • If you wish, explore the city on your own. 
   • Overnight Hotel (-/-/-)

2. Day 2. June 9th: Travel by bus to Huaraz (3100m). The trip is 400km and takes 8 hours

   • This ride follows the Pan American highway north across the impressive Pacific coastal desert. 
   • Continuing toward higher terrain, we pass through the Cordillera Negra (Black Range) at Conococha Pass (4020 m) into the Santa Valley and Huaraz (3100m.) 
   • Once across the pass, you’ll see a charming view of the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca, without a doubt some of the most impressive scenery in the world. 
   • You can also fly via LCPERU - flight duration 50 minutes. 
   • Overnight Hotel (B/-/-) = There is already the option of taking a flight from Lima-Huaraz-Lima, estimated cost approximately 200 to 300 USD per person round trip.

3. Day 3. June 10th: Huaraz - Trekking to Laguna Wilcacoha (3725 m) - Cordillera Negra back to Huaraz

   • 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 (B/L/-)

4. Day 4. June 11th: Huaraz (3100 m) - Privat transport to Pitec (3850 m) - Trekking Hike to Laguna Churup (4450 m)

   • The trail to Laguna Churup is one of the classic hikes of the Cordillera Blanca, challenging but a great acclimatization route. We drive to the village of Llupa, and from there begin our hike on an ancient Inca trail to Laguna (Lake) Churup. 
   • The trail gets narrow and steep, including a small section with fixed ropes. It‘s one of the most beautiful places in this varied mountain region. 
   • Churup Peak rises above the lake, a wild rocky mountain with glaciers and cliffs 5,400 meters above sea level. 
   • Here we can continue climbing and do a loop to the Churup summit trail before returning to the trailhead and back to Huaraz for the night. 
   • Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

5. Day 5. June 12th: Acclimatization days

   • Huaraz - Tranfer to Paso Punta Olimpica (4736 m) - Nevado Mateo (5150 m), one-day guided ascent 

6. Day 6. June 13th: Huaraz - Transfer to Yuracoral (3850 m) - Cebollapampa - Transfer via Portachuelo Pass (4650 m) – Amapampa Camp (4250 m)

   • After a good breakfast, we’ll take our minibus to the Santa Valley, north of the small village of Yungay via Santa river, we continue our private car 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 take a short hike to our camp at Huaripampa (3,550 m). 
   • And continue our route takes us farther up the Huaripampa valley, past Paria (3,800 m). 
   • Continue to trekking to Amapampa our camp (4250 m) Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

7. Day 7. June 14th: Camp Amapampa - Trekking to Punta Union Pass (4750 m) - Taullipampa Camp (4250 m) - Alpamayo Base Camp (4300 m)

   • Today we cross Punta Union Pass. 
   • From the pass we can see all of the Santa Cruz valley and the trail that we will follow. 
   • After stopping for a while on the pass for photos, we descend to Taullipampa camp (4,250 m) and then continue to Alpamayo Base Camp. 
   • From this point we can already see Alpamayo, the goal of our expedition. 
   • Camp at Quebrada Arhuecocha (4,300 m). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

8. Day 8. June 15th: Alpamayo Base Camp - Ascend to Alpamayo Moraine Camp (4900 m)

   • Today we have a good breakfast and prepare the expedition equipment for Alpamayo, from here we begin using 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 the steep moraine at the tongue of the glacier to Moraine Camp (4,900 m). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

9. Day 9. June 16th: Moraine Camp - Ascend to Alpamayo High Camp (5300 m)

   • 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 Camp (B/L/D)

10. Day 10. June 17th: High Camp - Ascend to Alpamayo Summit (5947 m) - High Camp (5300 m) or Descend to Base Camp (4300 m)

    • 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 Camp (B/L/D)

11. Day 11. June 18th: Reserve or Rest day in Alpamayo Base Camp (4300 m)

    • Extra day scheduled in case of bad weather or to return to Base Camp if staying the previous night in High Camp. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

12. Day 12. June 19th: Base Camp - Descent through via Quebrada Santa Cruz - Cashapampa - Transfer to Huaraz

    • Today we rise early in order to begin our hike, descending through the Santa Cruz valley to Cashapampa (about 6 hours).
    • In this village our minibus awaits to take us and the local expedition team back to Huaraz. Lodging at the hotel. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

13. Day 13. June 20th: Rest Day in Huaraz

    • Rest day in Huaraz. 
    • Optional: Rock climbing at the walls of Chancas. A classic location for many rock climbing enthusiasts. This area is 40 minutes north of Huaraz. It was developed thanks to the guides of Don Bosco in the Andes (a non-profit organization dedicated to developing tourism) in 1997. It has 8 developed routes of different difficulties. It is a good place to spend a quiet day in nature and then visit the local hot springs to relax aching muscles. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)

14. Day 14. June 21th: Huaraz (3100 m) - Transfer via Quebrada Llanganuco - Ascend to Chopicalqui Moraine Camp (4900 m)

    • After breakfast we begin to prepare our mountaineering equipment; Huaraz (3100 m)  
    • Transfer via Quebrada Llanganuco 
    • Trekking to Chopicalqui Base Camp (4350 m)  
    • Continuing Ascend to Chopicalqui Moraine Camp (4900 m), with our private transport which will take 3-3.5 hours and the climb to Moraine Camp of Chopicalqui trekking up which will take 5 hours. Overnight Camp (-/L/D)

15. Day 15. June 22th: Moraine Camp - Ascend to Chopicalqui High Camp (5350 m)

    • First we climb over the rocky moraine to the glacier. 
    • Then over the different slopes of the glacier, crossing various crevasses to camp on the glacier at High Camp. 5-6 hours. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

16. Day 16. June 23th: High Camp - Ascend to Chopicalqui Summit (6345 m) - Base Camp (4350m)

    • Chopicalqui is a demanding mountain, and the culmination of our expedition. Climb to the summit. There are seracs and crevasses to cross and sections of technical walls to climb. 
    • On the final section we have some 8-10 meters of 75º -80º slope. 
    • Descend to High Camp or Moraine Camp and continue to Base Camp (10-13 hours today). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

17. Day 17. June 24th: Base Camp Chopicalqui - Transfer via Quebrada Llanganuco - Huaraz

    • Today we prepare to leave early, from Moraine Camp or Basecamp to the highway, where we find our private bus. 
    • Now is the time to say goodbye to the Llanganuo Valley. Lodging at the hotel in Huaraz. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

18. Day 18. June 25th: Transfer to the Anta Airport and 50 minute flight to Lima

    • Transfer to the Anta Airport and 50 minute flight to Lima, or transfer to the bus terminal for the 8 hour ride to Lima. 
    • Transfer to the hotel

    Options: Flight or bus. Flights are via LATAM and last 50 minutes. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)

19. Day 19. June 26th: Stay in Lima - Transfer to the Airport

    • In the late afternoon taxi transfer to airport.
    • Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc. Overnight flight (B/-/-)

20. Day 20. June 27th: Arrival in Europe or the country of origin

    • Arrival in USA or Austria, Switzerland,Germany, etc. Overnight Home (-/-/-)

    Note: It is very important to know, if for some reason the Nevado Alpamayo or Chopicalqui is closed or cannot be climbed, the second alternative is the Nevado Tocllaraju (6034 m).