SUMMARY
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7 days
Technical
2,900m to 5,947m
Approximately 60km
OVERVIEW
Mount Alpamayo, which is known to be the “most beautiful” mountain in the world, is undoubted the most famous peak in the Cordillera Blanca. With its magnificently shaped pyramidal structure and cone, Mount Alpamayo continues to attract hundreds of climbers from all over the world, drawn to its undeniable beauty.
The 7D6N climb is suitable only for climbers in excellent physical shape, who have previous climbing experience and are confident of their climbing skills. Due to the demanding nature of the climb, it is essential that all climbers are well-acclimatized, having completed at least four days of acclimatization treks and/or an acclimatization-climb of easy to moderate difficulty (e.g. Mount Vallunaraju, Mount Urus, Mount Ishinca or Mount Pisco) as warm-up in preparation for the climb.
The climb is technically challenging as certain sections consist of scaling very steep slopes at gradients greater than 60 degrees. This involves use of important climbing techniques like anchoring and rappelling, as well as equipment such as ice axes, crampons and fixed ropes over long and sustained periods of climbing.
The climb has been structured with a rest day (on day 3) to allow climbers to recharge, soak in the surrounding sights and practise some essential climbing techniques. You may also opt to explore the beautiful Lake Arhuaycocha.
SERVICES
Include
- Professional, certified guide (English spoken guide)
- Emergency horse (one only, where suitable)
- Freshly prepared, cooked meals (treks/climbs only)
- Clean drinking water and other refreshments
- Sleeping tent
- Kitchen and dining tent (with dining table(s), chairs and utensils)
- Cooking equipment
- Private toilet tent
- Daily snack pack
- Storage crates for luggage, including duffel bags (for treks/climbs only)
- Washing bowls, towels, soap (for treks/climbs only)
- Hot water bottle (for treks/climbs only)
- Night lamp (for treks/climbs only)
- Pillow and blanket (for treks/climbs only)
- Basic first-aid kit
- Privately-arranged transport to/from trip
- Admission fees for communities within the trip
- Portable oxygen canisters
Not Include
- Accommodation in Huaraz
- Food and drinks in Huaraz, outside of the trip
- Transport into, out of and within Huaraz, outside of the trip
- Personal sleeping bag*
- Sleeping mattress*
- Hiking poles*
- Client’s personal equipment (as provided in the client equipment list)
- Discretionary tips for the crew
- Additional sight-seeing trips and/or acclimatization day hikes
- Personal expenditures
- Any emergency evacuation fees, medical expenses and additional accommodation expenses
- Insurance policy (travel, personal, medical, etc.)
* We are happy to assist to rent these items for you.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Huaraz (3,090m/10,138ft) – Cashapampa (2,900m/9,514ft) – Llamacorral (3,760m/12,336ft)
- Our day begins with an approximately three hour drive from Huaraz to Cashapampa, the starting point of the trek. We will pass the towns of Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz during the drive
- We hike for approximately four to five hours through Santa Cruz valley to Llamacorral, our first campsite
Day 2: Llamacorral (3,760m/12,336ft) – Alpamayo Base Camp (4,300m/14,108ft)
- We continue walking through Santa Cruz valley, passing by the twin lakes of Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha with spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks of Mount Quitaraju (6,040m/19,816ft), Mount Rinrihirka (5,810m/19,062ft), Mount Taullirahu (5,830m/19,127ft) and Mount Alpamayo (5,947m/19,511ft) in the distance
- After approximately three hours, we deviate left from Santa Cruz valley to arrive at Alpamayo base camp, where we spend the next two nights
- Total hiking time is approximately four to five hours
Day 3: Alpamayo Base Camp (4,300m/14,108ft)
- Rest day: Take the opportunity to recharge, relax and enjoy the surrounding sights, while practising some fundamental climbing techniques. You can also choose to do a short walk to visit Lake Arhuaycocha
Day 4: Alpamayo Base Camp (4,300m/14,108ft) – Alpamayo High Camp (5,450m/17,881ft)
- After breakfast in the early morning, we begin climbing up a steep and rocky path for approximately three hours to reach the glacier. Enjoy views of towering peaks such as Mount Artesonraju (6,025m/19,767ft) and Mount Pucajirca (6,050m/19,849ft) along the way
- After getting geared up, we proceed to navigate our way up through steep sections of ice slopes. We arrive at Alpamayo high camp after three to four hours of ice climbing
Day 5: Alpamayo High Camp (5,450m/17,881ft) – Alpamayo Summit (5,947m/19,511ft) – Alpamayo High Camp (5,450m/17,881ft)
- We start early today at about 1am. The climb to the summit is steep and requires technical maneuvering through several pitches along the way. Proper use of crampons, ice axes and ropes is required. You will be aided at all times by our experienced mountain guides
- We should arrive at the summit after approximately five to six hours. Celebrate scaling the summit and marvel at panoramic views of the magical landscape!
- Descend via a series of rappels along the same route for approximately two hours, before hiking down a steep path for another two hours to arrive back at Alpamayo high camp
- Total climb time is approximately 10 to 11 hours
Day 6: Alpamayo High Camp (5,450m/17,881ft) – Alpamayo Base Camp (4,300m/14,108ft)
- We continue making our way down for approximately five to six hours back to Alpamayo base camp for our last night
Day 7: Alpamayo Base Camp (4,300m/14,108ft) – Cashapampa (2,900m/9,514ft) – Huaraz (3,090m/10,138ft)
- After breakfast, we leave camp and descend gradually through Santa Cruz valley for approximately six hours to the village of Cashapampa, where our private transport awaits for our return to Huaraz, thus concluding your unforgettable journey to the summit of Mount Alpamayo
MAPS
GALLERY
