Expedition Pisco & Chopicalqui

from
$ 2'900

An exciting expedition in the Cordillera Blanca with two peaks that are climbed from the Llanganuco valley. After three day hikes for acclimatization, your mountain guide will take you first to climb Pisco (5’752m) and then to the technically more challenging Chopicalqui (6’354m).

Tour Duration   15 Days

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    0/5
  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    • Camping
    • Mountain
    • Snow & Ice
    Guided Tours, Travel Packages
  • Activity Level Hard
    6/8
  • Group Size Small Group
    2-4
All about the Expedition Pisco & Chopicalqui.

Highlights:

  • Optimal acclimatization with dayhikes to Laguna Wilcacocha, Laguna Churup and Laguna 69
  • Two challenging climbs in the Cordillera Blanca
  • Unforgettable views from the top of Pisco mountain (5’752m)
  • The most spectacular summit ridge of Chopicalqui (6’354m)

 

Character
For acclimatization we start with three day trips to the lagoons Wilcacocha, Churup and 69. In the Llanganuco valley we first conquer the non-technical Pisco mountain (5750m), where we have spectacular views to gigantic snow-capped mountains all around us. From the same valley we try to climb the 6’354m high and technically more demanding Chopicalqui.

Requirements
Very good physical condition, team spirit and willingness to leave your comfort zone are essential. At Chopicalqui most of the climb takes place over 40° to 50° steep ice and snow surfaces. An approximately 200m long section is about 65° steep and in this passage climbing on ice and snow is required. In order to be able to participate in this expedition, previous experience in dealing with crampons and ice axes, as well as walking and climbing in rope teams on snow is a requirement.

Best Season
The best time for mountain climbing in the Andes is from May to September. In between is rainy season. It is usually sunny and warm during this time. Due to the altitude, the nights can be quite cold (to minus 5 ° C). At Pisco base camp temperatures of up to -10 ° C must be expected. At the Chopicalqui high camp, temperatures can reach -20 ° C.

Extra Days
Individual connection programs with Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon and much more are possible. Contact us!

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • Transports according to itinerary
  • Bus tickets Lima – Huaraz – Lima
  • Accommodation in Lima and Huaraz
  • Acclimatization hikes according to itinerary
  • Entrance fees to Huascaran National Park
  • Entrance fees to Cordillera Huayhuash
  • Qualified and experienced mountain guide (Spanish/English)
  • Cook and assistant at basecamps
  • Donkeys and donkey driver to basecamps
  • All meals during the expedition
  • Good quality high mountain tent (2 or 3 person)
  • Cooking utensils
  • First aid kit and oxygen
  • Ropes and group equipment
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Meals in Lima and Huaraz
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Personal equipment
  • Medical care or insurance
  • Emergency rescue or evacuation
  • Additional expenses as a result of leaving the trek early
  • Travel insurance
  • Flights
  • Extra porters
  • Tips (optional)
  1. Day 1 Arrival to Peru

    Individual arrival to Lima. You will be picked up at the airport and taken to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure and you can explore the city on your own.

    Accommodation: Hotel

  2. Day 2 Bus ride to Huaraz

    The bus ride over 400 km into the Cordillera Blanca is varied and promising. First we drive along the Panamericana north through the impressive desert on the Pacific coast, then up into the highlands and over the 4020m high Conococha pass in the Cordillera Negra and descend to Huaraz (3060 m). When we cross the pass, the view to the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca is clear – one of the most impressive mountain landscapes in the world. Arrival in Huaraz and check-in at the hotel. On request, dinner together in the group and first briefing.

    Driving time: 8 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel

  3. Day 3 Acclimatization hike to Laguna Wilcacocha

    We pick you up at the hotel and drive south to the Santa Cruz bridge. Here begins our hike through the picturesque highlands and small Andean villages. We slowly ascend to the Laguna Wilcacocha (3’700m), where we enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the whole Cordillera Blanca. We walk the same way back to the bridge, where our transport waits and brings us back to Huaraz.

    Driving time: 20 minutes
    Hiking time: 4 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel

  4. Day 4 Acclimatization hike to Laguna Churup

    We drive from Huaraz to Pitec (3’850m) passing through the traditional villages of Unchus and Llupa. After entering the national park we start ascending by following the path over a long ridge. The final 100m to the lake scrambling up a steep rock gully which some people may find difficult. Return to Huaraz.

    Driving time: 2 hours
    Hiking time: 6 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel

  5. Day 5 Acclimatization hike to Laguna 69

    A long day: We pick you up at 5 am and drive for about 3 hours north to the Huascaran National Park. Past the famous Llanganuco lakes, we soon reach the starting point of today’s hike to Laguna 69 (4’650m), one of the most famous and popular lakes in the Cordillera Blanca. The Laguna is located directly under the huge ice walls of Chacraraju mountain, one of the most beautiful but also difficult 6000m peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Our trail goes through rustic mountain forests, when we turn around, the gigantic Huascaran rises behind us. Some steep serpentines later the edge of the lake is suddenly reached. After lunch by the lake we hike down to Yuraccoral, where we meet the rest of the team, set up tents and have dinner.

    Driving time: 3 hours
    Hiking time: 5-6 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
    Accommodation: Tent

  6. Day 6 Yuraccoral - Pisco Basecamp

    After breakfast, the donkeys are loaded and we leave the idyllic plain of Yuraccoral in the direction of Pisco Basecamp. After lunch at Basecamp we will discuss the upcoming summit ascent with the guide and prepare our equipment. If you like, you can do a short hike above the base camp. After dinner, we crawl early into our sleeping bags.

    Hiking time: 2-3 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
    Accommodation: Refugio (mountain hut)

  7. Day 7 Summit Pisco

    Shortly after midnight we leave the hut, climb up crossing the long moraine to reach the glacier. A steep ascent leads us to the saddle of Pisco. Now the long final climb over the glacier to the 5’752m high summit. Then descent back to base camp.

    Hiking time: 10-14 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
    Accommodation: Refugio (mountain hut)

  8. Day 8 Pisco Basecamp - Chopicalqui Basecamp

    We hike from Pisco Basecamp to Cebollapampa, where we take a vehicle to the beginning of the trail. Here are also more porters and equipment added. From here we made the last altitude difference after another 2 hours and reach the Chopicalqui Basecamp (4800m).

    Hiking time: 4-5 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
    Accommodation: Tent

     

  9. Day 9 Basecamp - Moraine Camp

    After breakfast we will walk along the moraine over rocks and scree to the beginning of the glacier at almost 5000m altitude. The crampons are put on and the rope teams are divided. The ascent becomes more strenuous with each altitude difference. Continue on up to 50° steep snow slope up to the Moraine camp at 5’380m altitude.

    Hiking time: 5-6 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
    Accommodation: Tent

  10. Day 10 Morain Camp - High Camp

    We climb from the Moraine camp up to the high camp at 5’600m. In the afternoon, we discuss the summit ascent with our mountain guide and check again our equipment.

    Hiking time: 4-6 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
    Accommodation: Tent

  11. Day 11 Summit Chopicalqui

    Around midnight we leave our tents and start at about 1 o’clock in the morning with the summit climb. After about 7-8 hours we reach the summit and enjoy the breathtaking mountain panorama. After a short break we return to Moraine camp.

    Hiking time: 10-14 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
    Accommodation: Tent

  12. Day 12 Extra Day

    Today serves as extra day. If the weather has been too bad for a climb the day before, we start the summit attempt again today.

  13. Day 13 Moraine Camp - Huaraz

    We leave the Moraine camp and descend via the basecamp to the starting point of the Chopicalqui ascent. From here, the private vehicle returns us to Huaraz, where we celebrate the summit success with a joint dinner with the team.

    Hiking time: 4-6 hours
    Driving time: 4 hours
    Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel

  14. Day 14 Bus ride Huaraz - Lima

    Bus drive back to Lima. Overnight in the hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel

  15. Day 15 Lima - Return flight

    Free day depending on departure times – return flight. 

    Meals included: Breakfast

Everything you need to know about this trip

Camping
During the expedition, you spend the nights in two or three person tents.

Refugio (Mountain hut)
We sleep in the Refugio (mountain hut) at basecamp of Pisco.

Hotels
In Lima and Huaraz, you are accommodated in a double room in good middle class hotels. A single room is possible for a surcharge.

Meals
During the expedition we pay attention to a healthy and high-calorie diet. Breakfast and dinner are cooked warm. For lunch, a box lunch is served. We can prepare vegetarian dishes on request.

Luggage
Donkeys carry our equipment during the Pisco and Chopical climbs to basecamp. From basecamp up you need to carry your own personal gear and lunch box. Porters carry the group equipment.

Extra Day
In general, the extra day is used where it is necessary during the expedition. Mostly it is needed at the summit ascent of the Chopicalqui. Depending on the weather conditions and physical condition of the participants, the extra day will be used at the point where it is needed by the group.

Transport
For the route Lima-Huaraz-Lima we work together with the bus company Oltursa, which is a public bus of the highest category. The rest of the transports take place in minivans or comfortable 4×4 off-road vehicles, depending on the group size. On request and not included in the price, we can also organize a private transport for the route Lima-Huaraz-Lima or a flight (only in the morning).

Packing listOur recommendation
  • Backpack
  • Head torch (with spare batteries)
  • Sandals
  • Well-worn in hiking boots
  • Down jacket
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Fleece or warm pullover
  • Comfortable clothes (quick dry, merino)
  • Trekking trousers
  • Long thermal underwear (merino)
  • Warm socks
  • Cap, gloves
  • Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen (min factor 40)
  • Hiking poles
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers (Gore-Tex)
  • Very warm and waterproof gloves (Gore-Tex)
  • Mountain goggles
  • Mountain boots
  • Crampons
  • 2 technical ice axes
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Carabiners
  • Sleeping bag -10° comfort
  • Toilet paper and wet wipes
  • Personal medication travel kit
  • Water bottle and water purification pills
  • Extra Snacks (your favorite chocolate)
  • Extra money

Suitable for high tours, ice climbing and expeditions. Shoes of this type have a special sole, which makes bending of the shoe almost impossible. In combination with the extremely stable workmanship and absolutely resistant to crampons. For use at higher altitudes, they are often still specially insulated.

If you already have your own equipment, it makes sense that you bring it with you. If something is missing, it can be booked with us.

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