Peru

EXPEDITION NEVADOS ALPAMAYO (5947 M) & HUASCARAN (6768 M)

Highlights of the Cordillera Blanca. The highest tropical mountain range in the world, the Cordillera Blanca is part of the spectacular Andes that form the spine of South America. A mecca for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, the region boasts over 50 peaks that exceed 15,000 feet, 700 glaciers and 300 lakes.

Trekking Santa Cruz: One of the most popular treks in the Cordillera Blanca, the hike around this subtropical mountain range passes through impressive landscapes of uncommonly beautiful mountains, frequent lakes and glaciers. The camps are some of the most spectacular in the world. This is a short and very popular hike with spectacular views of lakes and mountains.

For acclimatization, we begin with a day hike to Laguna (Lake) Churup, at 4,450m. The highest and most demanding pass on the Santa Cruz trek is Punta Union Pass (4750m).

About Alpamayo Peak: The pyramid shaped Alpamayo is considered one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. The ascent toward the peak is very steep and the majority of it is a technical climb. This mountain should only be attempted by those who are well acclimatized and who have summited of other high peaks. From one side Alpamayo is an almost perfect pyramid, covered with enormous ice shelves. The other face, the trapezoidal southwest wall, is even more beautiful. All of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range is protected by Huascarán National Park, a paradise of snowcapped peaks. The park also includes the peaks of Huandoy and Huascarán (the highest mountain in Peru), as well as 663 glaciers, 269 lakes, some 42 rivers, as well as 33 archaeological sites.

About Huascarán Peak: Huascarán is the highest peak in Peru. This mountain has two summits: Huascarán North (6655 m) and the main summit, Huascarán South (6768 m). Many climbers dream of reaching the high summit of 6768 meters. Huascarán offers multiple routes to arrive at the highest point in Peru. Technically, the climb is not difficult, nevertheless, due to its elevation and risk of avalanches, it is a serious endeavor.

Observation: Huascarán South Summit (6,768 m) The conditions on all mountains change every year; Huascarán is no exception. The glacier between the first and second camps is receding, and as such, some years it is a challenge to get from high camp 1 to high camp 2 due to the crevasses and the large avalanches that may fall in the primary chute. Nevertheless, an ascent of Huascarán is, without a doubt, one of the highlights of mountaineering in the Andes.

ITINERARY:
Day 1: Flight from Europe to Lima. Overnight in the hotel
Day 2: Travel by bus to Huaraz (3100m). The trip is 400km and takes 8 hours
Day 3: Huaraz – Trekking to Laguna Wilcacoha (3725 m) – Camping in Cordillera Negra
Day 4: Laguna Wilcacoha – Trekking down to Huaraz, hotel
Day 5: Huaraz (3100 m) – Privat transport to Pitec (3850 m) – Trekking Hike to Laguna Churup (4450 m)
Day 6: Huaraz – Transfer drive about 3 Hours to village Cashapampa; meeting team and burros, trekking up to Llamacoral (3850 m)
Day 7: Llamacoral – Trekking to Base Camp of Alpamayo (4350 m)
Day 8: Alpamayo Base Camp – Ascend to Alpamayo Moraine Camp (4900 m)
Day 9: Moraine Camp – Ascend to Alpamayo High Camp (5300 m)
Day 10: High Camp – Ascend to Alpamayo Summit (5947 m) – High Camp (5300 m) or Descend to Base Camp (4300 m)
Day 11: Base Camp – Descent through Quebrada Santa Cruz – Cashapampa – Transfer to Huaraz
Day 12: Rest Day in Huaraz
Day 13: Huaraz – Transfer to Musho (3000 m) – Trekking to Huascarán Base Camp (4250 m)
Day 14: Base Camp Huascarán – Ascend to High Camp I (5350 m)
Day 15: High Camp I – Ascend to High Camp II (Garganta, 6000 m)
Day 16: High Camp II (Garganta, 6000 m) – Ascend to Huascarán Summit (6768 m) – Trekking descent to Base Camp
Day 17: Base Camp – Trekking to Musho (3000 m) – Transfer to Huaraz
Day 18: 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
Day 19: Stay in Lima – Transfer to the Airport
Day 20: Arrival in Europe or the country of origin