Santa Cruz Trek & 3 Peaks in Ishinca Valley

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

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. We enjoy the silence and peace at Laguna Churup at 4’450m and return back to Huaraz.

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

We drive down the Rio Santa until Caraz and then on a narrow path up towards Santa Cruz valley. We reach the small village of Cashapampa (2’900 m). Here starts our trekking adventure, there are about 900 hm in front of us, spread over 10 km. In about 4.5 hours we should reach our campsite in Llamacorral.

Driving time: 4 hours
Hiking time: 4.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

We ascend through the Santa Cruz valley and then arrive at the lagoons Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha. On the banks enchanted trees and lupins in all shades of blue, a paradise for the local ducks. Continue to the lagoon Arhueycocha (4’450 m), at the same time the starting point for climbing the famous Alpamayo mountain. We enjoy a fantastic view of the snowy Alpamayo, Quitaraju, Artesonraju and the peaks of Garcdilazo and Paria. Many people are convinced: the snow-white pyramid of the Alpamayo is the most beautiful mountain in the world!

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

Today we have a rather strenuous ascent of around 2 hours: First we hike across meadows, but then along a path that is always barren and rocky from the pre-Inca period to Punta Unión, an imposing pass crossing at 4’780m! Gigantic, the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca – the mountains Taulliraju as well as Huandoy, Huascaran and many more! The descent is steep and leads us through a beautiful landscape past the Morococha Lagoon and into the Huaripampa Valley.

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

After descending through the Huaripampa valley, through romantic highland forests and wildly bubbling streams, we come through typical villages of the high Andes. From the mountain village of Vaqueria, we head back up to the pass Portachuelo de Llanganuco at 4750m. Fantastic views of the snowy mountains Chopicalqui, Huascarán, Huandoy, Pisco, Chacraraju and Yanapaccha. And if we’re lucky, we’ll even spot vicunas! These very shy relatives of the lamas graze up to heights of 5500m. No wonder, they probably produce the finest wool in the entire animal kingdom. From here a vehicle brings us to Cebollapampa.

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

The Laguna 69 is one of the most famous lakes in the Cordillera Blanca. The Laguna is located directly under the huge ice walls of the Chacraraju, one of the most beautiful but also most difficult 6000 peaks of the Cordilliera Blanca. Our path leads through rustic mountain forests and a little marshy area, always on a huge steep flank. When we turn around, the gigantic ice fort of Huascaran rises behind us. Serpentines lead past several wildly bubbling waterfalls, a particularly imposing located right in front of our eyes. Some steep serpentines later the edge of the lake is then suddenly reached. Immediately above the deep blue water surface rise between mighty moraine ridges the steep ice walls of the Chacraraju. We hike back down to our campsite at Cebollapampa and return to Huaraz.

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

We rest and get ready for the expedition.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

We drive from Huaraz to the village of Pashpa. We then walk up the Ishinca Valley on a gently rising path to our camp at the head of the valley. This is a lovely walk, starting on a plateau with views of Huascaran, then passing through beautiful quenual forest. As we walk up the valley, it opens up, and we see Tocllaraju ahead. Base Camp is at 4’390m.

Driving time: 2 hours
Hiking time: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

Today we climb the East face of Urus. Leaving camp at 4am, we make a steep climb directly up a ridge and across large moraine rocks until we reach the ice after 3.5 hours. There is a steadier gradient on the ice for one hour, then the last half hour to the summit is an easier rock climb. However, in some months there can be deep snow all the way to the summit. We arrive at the summit to see the sun rise on Tocllaraju, Akilpo, Palcaraju and Ishinca. A steep and long descent back to Base Camp by the same route.

Climbing time: 7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

Today we climb Ishinca. We leave camp at 3am and undertake a steady climb, initially on a good path to Lake Ishinca. Then we continue hiking over more demanding, steep moraine rock until we reach the glacier. We put on crampons and rope up for the climb. Which route we climb will be decided by the guide according to the weather, experience and fitness of the clients. Some years, depending on the conditions of the glacier, there can be some hard ice, especially at the glacial face to climb up onto the start of the glacier. It is about 3-4 hours on the ice to the summit. Then we return back to Base Camp.

Climbing time: 9-12 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

Rest day at base camp.

Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

We leave Base Camp mid-morning, carrying all our equipment, and climb to Tocllaraju Moraine Camp. It is a steep climb on a moraine ridge and across large moraine rocks. Our camp is in a flat area in the rock moraine at 5’300m right below the glacier.

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

We leave early around 2 am to climb to the summit of Tocllaraju. From the Moraine Camp there is a steady and pleasant climbing which is not very steep for the first 3.5 hours. We come to the first large crevasse to cross. Then we negotiate a steep section of 60m. We then climb steadily and not too steeply along a ridge until we reach a second large crevasse at the start of the north ridge. We cross the crevasse by another snow bridge, then continue to a steep bergschrund of up to 70 degrees and about 65m in length. This marks the start of the summit climb. The guide may fix a rope for climbing this exposed section. After reaching the top of the bergschrund it is a relaxing snow hike to the summit. From the summit we descend with several rappels. We collect our things at Moraine Camp and descend to Base Camp.

Climbing time: 12-14 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, tea time, dinner
Accommodation: Tent

We walk down the Ishinca Valley to Pashpa and return to Huaraz in our private vehicle.

Hiking time: 4 hours
Driving time: 2 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Today serves as extra day. Free day in Huaraz. On request farewell dinner with the group.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

Bus drive back to Lima. Overnight in the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

Free day depending on departure times – return flight. 

Meals included: Breakfast