High-altitude mountaineering
PERU
CORDILLERA BLANCA
Südtirolalpin
State-certified mountain and ski guides IFMGA
South Tyrol Mountain and Ski Guides Association
Mail suedtirolalpin@gmail.com
Trip duration
23 days
Peru – Höhenbergsteigen am Alpamayo
Four great summits, a breathtaking mountain range and wildly crevassed glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca
23 days · Cordillera Blanca
Peru – high-altitude mountaineering – Alpamayo: an alpine expedition to the Cordillera Blanca, a high mountain range in Peru that boasts some of the most beautiful and spectacular peaks in the world. Among them is Alpamayo, which at just under 6,000 metres was voted the most beautiful mountain on Earth by Alpinmagazin.
On this trip we will climb Alpamayo as well as three other summits, the highest being Tocclaraju at 6,034 metres. A wonderful landscape awaits us, and even the acclimatisation tours take us to stunning lagoons.
The trip combines several days in the Ishinca Valley with a second major section in the Santa Cruz Valley. This way we gain altitude step by step and have time to adjust to conditions in the Peruvian Andes. That is exactly what makes this tour so special: not just a single summit, but a whole series of great mountain days in one of South America's best-known regions.
HIGHLIGHTS
✧ Cordillera Blanca: an impressive high mountain range in Peru with peaks of up to 6,768 metres
✧ Ascents of four summits over 5,000 metres in total
✧ Many consider Alpamayo one of the most beautifully shaped mountains in the world
✧ Stunning lagoons that we visit on our acclimatisation tours
✧ Two major mountain sections in the Ishinca Valley and the Santa Cruz Valley
INFO
Services
Included in the price
'- Complete organisation and planning, plus all bookings and reservations, handled in advance by the mountain guide
- Professional on-site guiding by a state-certified mountain guide
- Mountain guide's fee
- Hotel accommodation in Huaraz
*the final trip price depends on availability, individual client wishes and current market prices for accommodation
- Fees for local guides, porters and cooks
- Bus transfer Lima - Huaraz
- Costs of equipment for our camps
- Mountain guide's expenses (travel and overnight stays)
Additional costs for participants
'- Flight to Lima
- Personal expenses for food and drinks, as well as tips for our local guides and porters
- Tips for our Peruvian support team
- Expenses for additional Peruvian support staff (for example, if you would like an extra porter for your own luggage)
- Individual tips
* Rental equipment available on request for €30 per item for the entire trip
Facts
Location
Cordillera Blanca
Best time of year
June - mid-August
Duration
23 days
Meeting point
Lima - airport
Requirements
'- Sure-footedness
- Ice climbing experience (slopes up to 70°)
- Glacier experience and command of standard crevasse rescue techniques
- Experience in the Western Alps
- Good fitness for long daily stages, sometimes over 10 hours
Documents
'- Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip)
The mountain guide takes care of all other required documents (visas, permits, etc.) in advance
PRICE
Participants
5 - 8 people
smaller groups or private guiding gladly on request
4 or more people with a second mountain guide
Price
Tailor-made on request
Every trip is priced individually.
Among other things, the price depends on the destination, duration, programme, group size, date and scope of services.
You can find more information about our rates in our terms and conditions.
If you have any questions or need more information, just add them in the comments field of the enquiry form.
Before you send your request: please read the "important information" on the risks of mountaineering carefully.
Dates:
on request
PROGRAMME
Day 1: Travel to Lima
We each fly to Lima and meet there – or, if possible, travel together, depending on the departure airport. And so begins this great journey to Peru and the Cordillera Blanca.
Day 2: Transfer to Huaraz
We travel by bus from Lima over the Conococha Pass, more than 4,000 metres high, to the mountaineering town of Huaraz at 3,100 metres. Over the coming weeks, this is where we set off on our multi-day tours, and here we take care of everything that still needs doing before heading into the mountains.
Days 3-5: Acclimatisation and lagoons
Over the next few days we do several shorter acclimatisation tours to beautiful lagoons at the foot of the high peaks and take care of the final errands in town. Each night we stay at a hotel in Huaraz. These days are important so that we are well prepared to head up to the higher camps.
Days 6-14: Ishinca Valley
As soon as we feel well acclimatised, we set off into the Ishinca Valley together with our Peruvian support team. Over the following days we climb three summits there: Urus Peak, Ishinca and the 6,034-metre Tocclaraju. We set up our base camp at the head of the valley. For the ascents of Ishinca and Tocclaraju we also establish a high camp, from which we tackle the summits. This means several intense days in one of the best-known alpine touring areas around Huaraz.
Day 15: Rest day in Huaraz
Next comes a free day in Huaraz to relax and recharge for the highlight of the trip: the ascent of Alpamayo. After the first summits, a day off feels really good – and it is usually the perfect time for a coffee, a bit of town life and sorting out your gear.
Days 16-21: Santa Cruz Valley
After the rest day we head back into the mountains for several days, this time into the Santa Cruz Valley. After a two-day trek we reach our base camp at the foot of Alpamayo. We then set up a moraine camp and continue up to about 5,500 metres, where we pitch our high camp directly below the mountain. On summit day, the French Direct Route takes us up steep ice to the summit. We then abseil back down the ice gully and spend another night at high camp before striking it and returning to base camp. The next day we leave the Santa Cruz Valley and return to Huaraz.
Day 22: Return to Lima
Then it is already time to say goodbye to Peru, its great mountains and its hospitable people. The bus takes us from Huaraz back to Lima.
Day 23: Flight home
After a short stay in Lima, with the chance to get a brief glimpse of this chaotic metropolis of millions, we fly back home.
Sounds good, but not quite perfect?
No problem: this programme is just one idea of how the trip could look. The length of the trip can be extended or shortened as you wish. I will gladly put together an individual programme for you or your group, tailored entirely to your ideas and wishes.
Simply send a no-obligation enquiry using the form above.
Any changes to the itinerary that may become necessary for various reasons (weather, conditions, accommodation availability, etc.) are always made in consultation with the participants.
DESTINATION FACTS
Peru
Capital: Lima
Population: 32.5 million
Area: 1.3 million km²
Currency: Peruvian sol
Language: Spanish
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
How demanding is this trip to Alpamayo?
This is a serious high-alpine expedition with several summits at high altitude. For Alpamayo and Tocclaraju you need very good fitness, confident crampon technique and experience on demanding alpine tours.
How does acclimatisation work?
We acclimatise step by step around Huaraz, first with shorter tours to the lagoons and then with the first summits in the Ishinca Valley. This way we gain altitude sensibly before taking on Alpamayo.
What equipment do I need to bring?
You will receive the detailed packing list with your confirmation email. Important items include mountaineering boots and a suitable sleeping bag. Technical equipment can be rented from Südtirolalpin for a small wear-and-tear fee.
MOUNTAIN AND CLIMBING TRIPS
# PERU # ALPAMAYO # MOUNTAIN GUIDE # HIGH-ALTITUDE MOUNTAINEERING # CORDILLERA BLANCA