OVERVIEW

MOUNT CHOPICALQUI at 6354m (20,841 feet) is the fourth highest mountain in the Cordillera Blanca, it is seen from Huaraz as well; Chopicalqui is located between the Huascaran Sur and Huascaran north it is known a beautiful and amazing snow shelf, as the “Mushroom”, not to mention the summit, which provides a spectacular 360 degree overwhelming view a dozens of ice – clad – peaks, which become one of the best summits view. The normal route to climbs is on via southwest ridge, on the crest between Chopicalqui and Huascarán. It is a (very) demanding in terms of physical condition and mountaineering technique to a wonderful peak with more than 6000 m / 19,000 ft. Good acclimatization is absolutely necessary in order to assure a successful ascent. Analogy is quite difficult, require certain skills. It is a beautiful and dramatic peak, and a fabulous first (or second, third…) 6000 meter climb for anyone.

Maximum Altitude 6354m (20,841) feet
Difficulty (AD)
Lengths 5 days climb

Brief Itinerary climb program Huaraz – chopicalqui – Huaraz

Day 1: Huaraz - Curve Chopicalqui –Base Camp 4300m
Day 2: Base Camp - Moraine Camp At 4900m
Day 3: Moraine Camp - High Camp (5300m)/17,384ft
Day 4: Attempt Summit (6354 M)/20,841ft - Moraine Camp/ Base Camp
Day 5: Moraine Camp/ Base Camp – Chopicalqui Curve – Huaraz

Normal route: On our web site we describe the normal route which is more commonly route to ascent, the normal route to climbs is on via southwest ridge, on the crest between Chopicalqui and Huascarán. This is a great route & feasible if you are in fit & well acclimatized with two ice axes.

Note: climbing chopicalqui is not advisable for beginners, because this lovely summit require plenty of technical mountaineering experience, with prior knowledge of roped up, travel on exposed places of steep slopes, crampon techniques, skills using a couple of technique ice axes; rappel techniques, belay and anchors on icefall, wide experience on glacier travel. It’s ideal summit for advanced level climbers, who are looking for having life time experience on mountain climbing.

SUGGESTION: please understand that before climbing chopicalqui you should complete a good acclimatization process to avoid altitude sickness, ask us for advice or visit our web page about acclimatization hikes or multi-day treks, easier summits with lesser difficult

Note: If you have more time you can extend this climb program by ascending more challenging summits such as:

• Climbing chopicalqui+ climbing alpamayo 5,947m
• Climbing chopicalqui + climbing artezonraju 6,030m
• Climbing chopicalqui + climbing Huascaran 6,768m
• Climbing chopicalqui + climbing ranrapalca 6,160m

Trip program Lima – Huaraz – mountains – Huaraz – Lima all included just available on request.

ITINERARY

CLIMB PROGRAM NORMAL ROUTE HUARAZ – CHOPICALQUI – HUARAZ

Included meals: B = Breakfast / snack = S / lunch = L / D = Dinner

Day 1: Huaraz - Curve Chopicalqui –Base Camp 4300m
After your breakfast we will pick up you at your hotel to drive to the north of callejon de huaylas Valley until reach Yungay, from where the road winds up toward east, into narrow llanganuco valley, the road pass close two beautiful glacial lakes with turquoise waters, then the route heads up until reach the big curve – well-known as curva de chopi; from this place we will have support of porters, who are going to load our collective climbing equipment until base camp and we will climb upon a good trail until reach the base camp at 4300m. We usually arrive in the mid-afternoon, and have free afternoon to relax or to click stunning photos, or simple joy the superb vista, or to check our climb mountain gear for next days. Overnight at base camp. Meal: S / L / D

Day 2: Base Camp - Moraine Camp At 4900m
This day after our hearty breakfast at base camp we will move from base camp toward large terminal moraine camp, the first hour is climb upon steep section then follow walking up on ridge with moderate & gently grade path, after that the path descent to cross loose and rocky side, then follow on much significant steep path until moraine camp at 5000 meters (16,400 feet) which is lies just below some cliff, we don’t have donkey support on this way, the moraine camp offer incredible view to the north site across to Pisco and Huandoy peaks are spectacular, in special when is sun setting on clear afternoon we don’t have donkey support on this way, so you need to carry your climbing personal gear: In your day pack you must carry necessary gears as: extra warm clothing, water proof jacket & pant , water bottle, camera, valuable and personal items such as sunscreen, lip balm, portable solar panel, sunglasses, your snack, personal first aid kit, hiking poles, sleeping bag, sleeping mats (foam) or your thermal rest, ice axe, harness, crampons, climbing boots, carabiners, belay device ATC, helmet & Prussic or slings . Overnight at moraine camp of chopicalqui. Meal: B / S / L / D

Day 3: Moraine Camp - High Camp (5300m)/17,384ft
We climb up on loose rocky section till reach margin of the glacier as soon as we reach it, we will dress up our climbing gears, after roping up, we will continue climbing up on rolling glacier negotiating several crevasses, overcoming some sections of ice & snow slopes with 45 degrees till reach the high camp I. in the afternoon extra time will be spend to rest in preparation for the summit. This day you need to carry your climbing personal gear as well: Overnight at high camp of chopicalqui. Meal: B / S / D

Day 4: Attempt Summit Chopicalqui (6354 M)/20,841ft - Moraine Camp/ Base Camp
Summit day: We as usually leave early from the high camp around 2:00 am, the climb is primarily up glacier, running crevasses and then finishing with a climb along the southwest ridge, on this ridge we may use running belays or maybe belay climbers as needed slopes vary in terms and steepness before the traverse to the right we need to climb up on a pitch of 60 meters with 55° degrees where is necessary climbing with two ice axes, overcoming it we need to traverse to the right on soft snow where is necessary put on several protections, then the route follow on the ridge until the final obstacle, which is an occasionally difficult giant bergschrund After that there is another 100 meters of ice slope until the summit, but in easy years it is possible to turn it with 60 meters snow on its right, in addition In more difficult conditions, more "creative" techniques could be necessary. The summit is often blocked by several large crevasses that can often be end-run at the far end, the finale steep 60 degrees snow & ice climb to the actual summit is along the broad ridge often deep snow. May be some crevasses that requires some two ice axes to surmount it, but is physically demanding, deep snow at sometimes technical challenges near the summits. The descent we will be retracing on the same route up with several rappels until high camp - moraine camp (but if we have enough time and energy, we can continue down until – base camp. In other hand our last camp will be at moraine camp. This will be the longest day of our expedition you will be ready for it.

• If we back early morning or late from the summit and client feel in good physical condition we descent to base camp.
• If we back too late and clients feel tired in that case we will try to back until moraine camp.

Overnight at moraine camp or base camp (depending weather condition - time & costumer shape). Meal: B / S / L / D

Day 5: Moraine Camp/ Base Camp – Chopicalqui Curve – Huaraz
We will continue with our descent from base camp or from moraine camp until reach chopicallqui curve, where our private transportation is waiting to bring Huaraz Finish Our Climb. Back to Huaraz for a nice shower in the hotel and some rest; enjoy a good dinner celebrating in y the town after climbing success. Overnight at hotel. Meal: B / S / L

please understand for climbing chopicalqui donkey & donkey driver support are not available, from base camp to high camp that mean you need to carry your personal climbing gear: In your day pack you must carry necessary gears as: extra warm clothing, water proof jacket & pant , water bottle, camera, valuable and personal items such as sunscreen, lip balm, portable solar panel, sunglasses, your snack, personal first aid kit, hiking poles, sleeping bag, sleeping mats (foam) or your thermal rest, ice axe, harness, crampons, climbing boots, carabiners, belay device ATC, helmet & Prussic or slings.

Note: the Porter service will be available from base camp to high camp: they will carry all group or collective climbing equipment as: sleeping tents, food supplies, full kitchen utensils, and protective hard ware as (rope, snow pickets, ice crow, stoves and all supplies necessary to make a safe and strong bid for the summit) they will carry all collective equipment + their personal equipment in their big backpacks, that is the reason you need to carry your personal climbing equipment

SUGGESTION: for climbing chopicalqui we consider collective or group porter support from base camp to moraine camp – to high camp to help with our collective climbing gear. If you want a personal porter to help you with your personal climbing gear is available just only upon request with extra expenses, because simple the personal porter is not considered in our climbing expedition rate.

Note: climbing chopicalqui is not advisable for beginners, because this lovely summit require plenty of technical mountaineering experience, with prior knowledge of roped up, travel on exposed places of steep slopes, crampon techniques, skills using a couple of technique ice axes; rappel techniques, belay and anchors on icefall, wide experience on glacier travel. It’s ideal summit for advanced level climbers, who are looking for having life time experience on mountain climbing.

Trip program Lima – Huaraz – mountains – Huaraz – Lima all included just available on request.

PRICES & DATES

Climbing expeditions Rates for private groups 2024

Choose and book your adventure travel style & let us take you on it for a responsible & sustainable tourism:

Season
mid of June
July
August
Mid of September

We organize this version of climbing expeditions of chopicalqui on private basis for groups of friends, families, adventure companies & tour leaders. With fully local guides assistance. Please feel completely free to get in touch with us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates to send you a quote, with no obligation.

Cost on base of:

• 1 participants USD $ 2,467 per each one
• 2 participants USD $ 1,505 per each one
• 3 participants USD $ 1,362 per each one
• 4 participants (+) USD $ 1,160 per each one

GUIDING RATIO ON MOUNTAINEERING

For technical level summits with AD - D difficult: 2 by 1, which mean maximum two clients for guide, for the technical nature of the route, because, climbing in large groups more than 2 will be joined by additional guides aspirant, as necessary. We consider that because the less ration a guide increases our security.

Note: If costumer want to have personalized guide, which mean one guide per each climber, instead of 2 by 1 to assure the summit success, the expedition rate is available just only upon request.

Note:

• Additional info or Full trip dossier information (PDF) available upon request & provided at the booking time.
• In the showed rate isn’t included the general Peruvian taxes (I.G.V)

Get Special discount for the groups more than 5 participants

Trip program Lima – Huaraz – mountains – Huaraz – Lima all included just available upon request.

We Are Ready To Make Your Dream a Reality

INCLUSIONS

What’s included in the cost

• Huaraz bus station (meeting service) and Transfer from bus station - ho(s) tel – bus station (arrival & departure day)
• Private transportation for begin & return of climb
• Certified & qualified mountain guide.
• Assistant guide (aspirant) with more than 2 clients
• Mountain cook
• Assistant cook for large groups
• Healthy & fresh meals per day (hearty breakfast, snack, lunch & hot dinner)
• Donkeys (mules) & Donkey driver (service) to load up our climbing equipment until base camp
• Porter support (load our group or collective climb equipment) B.C – high camp.
• Full First aid group kid
• Cook tent, Dinner tent, Toilet tent, table, chairs (available at base camp)
• Good quality Sleeping Tent (a tent for 3 persons by 2 people).
• Sleeping mats (foam) for every body
• Full Utensil kitchen by every body
• Group climbing gear or protective hard ware as (rope, snow pickets, ice screw, stoves and all supplies necessary to make a safe and strong bid for the summit)
• Full entrance fee ticket or climbing permits ($ 50) per each climber

What doesn’t included in the cost

• booking bus or flight ticket to transfer from (lima - Huaraz – lima)
• Booking Ho(s)tel for accommodation in Huaraz
• Acclimatization program before climbing Chopicalqui.
• Breakfast in the first day and dinner on the last day.
• Meal and beverages during the stay in Huaraz
• Extra food in our trip
• Personal climb equipment
• Additional tours.
• Travel insurance assistance
• Phone calls, access to internet cabins & others extra expenses
• Laundry service
• Personal first aid kid
• Personal toiletries
• Additional sleeping pad or thermal rest
• Tips for the staff
• Extra expenses no specified in this trip program

Extra
we can help you to rent extra equipment not included in the price

• Climbing boots = USD $
• Harness = USD $
• Crampon = USD $
• Helmet = USD $

SUGGESTION:

• For climbing Chopicalqui we consider collective or group porter support from base camp to moraine camp – high camp to help with our collective climbing gear. If you want a personal porter to help you with your personal climbing gear is available just only upon request with extra expenses, because simple the personal porter is not considered in our climbing expedition rate.

Extra service available upon request

• Booking hotel for accommodation in Huaraz
• Booking bus ticket to travel (lima - Huaraz – lima)
• Additional tours, hikes, climbing expeditions to higher summits.
• Personal porter

Trip program Lima – Huaraz – mountains – Huaraz – Lima all included just available on request.

WHY TRAVEL WITH US

Responsible travel
Responsible travel practice is elemental in our each trip program. When you book one of our adventure pursuits, we will ensure that you practice a responsible & sustainable tourism on wild & remote areas protecting: the fragile ecosystem, tradition of local communities, natural environments and wildlife.

As a responsible travel we try to produce the most minimum impact as possible to the environment on the path where we walk, because we know clearly about the global warning and climate change that is the main reason that we have a responsibility as visitors to minimize the impact with our presence.

Tourism is one of the most important industries in the planet. It option to employs people around worldwide, obviously the Benefits is much more for people who live in developing countries where the income we provide can mean the difference between economic survival and poverty

THE RESPONSIBLE WAY TO YOUR ADVENTURE MEAN:

PROTECTING & CONSERVING: natural mountain-scape, every natural resource, flora & fauna.

RESPECTING: local culture – traditions, religions and built heritage where you visit.

BENEFITTING: with your visit you will generate a job opportunities for local communities.

MINIMISING POLLUTION: taking-out our trash during the trek or climb expeditions all litter is remove to the city for it properly recycled. We use specified spots to put on our toilets tents at the camping areas to don’t pollute the water resource.

Please become part of this practicing a responsible & sustainable travel your challenge is important

Ultimate Value
When you book one of our tours, acclimatization hikes, multi-day treks, & climbing expeditions, you will receive currently information, quality services at the best prices with plenty of inclusions & exclusion cost. This trip offers exceptional value money, ensuring your holiday with affordable rate and guaranteeing with centrally good quality hotels, private transportations, official bilingual guides with international certification (UIMLA), (UIAGM) both organizations are internationally recognized, good varied and fresh food for adventure expeditions, all your national park entrance fees and permits included, no hidden cost, no surprises and no staff exploit.

Pricing
As a 100% local qualified guides & tour operators our trip prices are based directly on Peruvian economy rates our cost structure is built up cost on cost because we directly manage and run all of our trips, beside promoting the local employ, personal qualified people, providing a job opportunity with that improving their economy and their quality of life and even we encourage hardly the fair wage, because we work very transparent & the most honest possible

Custom Made Itineraries
You should absolutely feel free to build your own trip program according your preference & necessity just only let us know to help with our experience to make an itinerary day a day just for you, giving you complete freedom to choose what you want to see, where you want to go, when you want to do it, How you can enjoy it with better health. Adjust an existing itinerary & ensuring that you develop a responsible and sustainable tourism.

Small Group is good
We are focused organizing for small groups to provide topnotch service in: tours, hikes, multi-day treks & climbing expeditions to live a life time experience for adventure lovers, while your guide & support crew are attentive to ensuring your travels are supportive and full safety.

No Single Supplements
If you are joining in one of our adventure expeditions as a single person, we’ll match you with another traveler of the same gender and you won’t be charged anything extra for the vast majority of our trips. If you however want a guaranteed single occupancy or tent, we can also arrange that for at a small extra charge.

Exploring cordillera blanca
Indubitably cordillera Blanca provides some of the most astonishing landscape in the world, varied tours, acclimatization hikes, multi-day treks & climbing expeditions. This is Peru’s best-known mountain region, only 100km from the Pacific Ocean, we find within this 185 km long from south to north the greatest concentration of tropical zone glaciers on earth and it has 722 glaciers for survival 30 peaks of them are over the 6000m high, crowned by Peru’s highest peak Huascaran (6768m), and the most beautiful peak in the world "Mount Artezonraju" is lies hire as well.

Cordillera Blanca provides gorgeous views of sparkling glaciers, multicolored glacier lakes; turquoise and pristine lagoons & vertical granite rock walls rise thousands of meters into the sky, water falls, and cascades with incredible view, (a number of high passes), green lush valleys, magnificent vistas of summits over 6,000 m, cascading glaciers, wondrous alpine meadows, fragile ecosystems, going explore is really good chance to Enjoy the sptacles of the nature to Click stunning photos.

We Are Ready To Make Your Dream a Reality

WHAT TO BRING

What to bring for Climbing

CLOTHING

• Climbing Boots: need to be crampon-compatible. For summits up to about 6000 meters, a B3 boot is required, mostly for the additional warmth it provides. Well-insulated single leather or synthetic mountaineering boots, or lighter plastic boots, are appropriate.
• Hiking boots or hiking shoes: These are the boots you will wear to approach to base camp. For example a B0 is advisable.
• Gaiters: Bring a pair of regular knee high gaiters for bigger routes as 6000 meters mount.
• Socks: We recommend you bring 2 changes of socks for your hiking shoes and 2 changes for your climbing boots. Many people like to wear a thin liner sock. This can reduce abrasion and blisters
• Lightweight Synthetic gloves a pair of polar - tec
• Shell gloves a pair for colder conditions
• Sun hat: Or baseball cap with bandanna safety pinned to it to keep the sun off your face and neck
• Warm synthetic or wool hat or otherwise: synthetic is essential
• Balaclava or Neck gaiters: Wool or synthetic, mid-weight, the neck gaiter is more versatile, and can serve as the ear band.
• Bandanas or headscarf (optional)
• Light weight cotton or synthetic pants / trouser: for hiking in the mountains For hiking around camp Shorts are Ok
• A couple of fast drying base-layer tops (whatever material can be long sleeve is advisable)
• Wear light/medium - weight trousers that allow the free movement and will dry quickly
• Fleece jacket & pants or trouser (polar Tec):
• Climbing pants shell proof with zipper (gore – tex). it’s worth having some kind of light synthetic climbing pant with a hard finish. The slightly stretchy "Schoeller" type fabric is ideal. Patagonia, Mammut, Eider, Millet, Marmot
• Climbing jackets shell proof ( gore - tex)
• Dawn jackets is nice or a micro –down jacket are suitable for climbing high summits.
• Wind proof jacket (optional)


CLIMBING TOOLS

• Climbing helmet recommended for every climbing peaks for our safety.
• Harness Adjustable leg loops are recommended, big enough to fit over all your layers of clothing. Bring one with a belay loop
• Ice axe: for Artezonraju you must bring a couple of technical ice axe climbing tools
• Crampons antibottes: These are rubber or plastic plates that fit under you crampons to prevent balling up in soft snow. Alpine crampon
• Carabineers If you are taking a guide then 3 locking, 2 none locking should be plenty.
• Rappel & belay device ATC: such as the Black Diamond "ATC" or a Petzl "Verso" or "Reverso 3" are recommended.
• Glacier glasses 100% UV (Julbo Explorer or Nomad) spectrum 4 for alpinism
• Prussick or slings: it’s necessary for rappel
• Ascender/Tibloc. One right or one left (Black Diamond) or a Petzl
• Ice Screws (two) (Black Diamond) If you take a guide.


CAMPING EQUIPMENT

• Sleeping bag for high camps on climbs up to about 5200 meters, you'll want a bag rated to about -20°C or so for high camps over 6000 meters -25°C . For higher camps you'll want to go warmer yet.
• Foam sleeping pad or a therm- a – rest (prolite or Neo Air for a better night sleep), which is the best for more comfort at high camp
• 2 liters water bottle. (Nalgene) no camelback because it will freezing during climbing day.
• Water treatment (chlorine dioxide tablets)(micro pure) (optional)
• Headlamp or head torch with extra batteries (we recommended all use LED technology) Petzl's or black diamond.
• Good quality sun cream (Sunscreen) for using around the camp
• Lip balm
• I nsect repellent
• Pocket knife (optional)
• Pee Bottle (2) 1 Liter wide mouth bottles (Nalgene)(optional)
• Thermos (optional) 1 Liter capacity stainless steel vacuum bottle
• Trash bags (4) To line stuff sacks and one large to line pack


SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT

• Hiking steaks or trekking poles are useful a compact 3 section (leki or black diamond they are lither and durable)
• Duffel bag or ruck sack (around 70 liters) with padlock. These duffels will be tied onto the backs of burros on the way up to Base Camp, so make sure they’re tough.
• A 40 - 45 liters day packs to carry spare clothing, snack, camera and water to drink during the day walk or climbing day.


ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT

• MP3 players, paperbacks, journal, games or cards, tablets or electronic book
• Camera
• Mobile phones
• Solar charging panels


PERSONAL MEDICAL KID

• Should include: plasters, antiseptic, cream, sterile gauze and bandage, rehydration sachets, zinc oxide tape and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
  Bring paracetamol, and acetazolamide or Diamox for treating mild symptoms of (AMS).
  Have loperamide is a good idea in case you get the runs
• Antibiotic such as: ciprofloxacin or Bactrim for bacterial stomach bugs.
A small roll of adhesive tape, cough drops.

PERSONAL TOILETS

• Toilets such us: Toothbrush, small amount of toothpaste, dental floss, contact lens fluids, a small bar of soap, and small hand towel or wash clothes.
• On most expeditions in base camps we can supply you with a small bowl of warm washing water in the morning and afternoon.
• A small synthetic hand towel (wash clothes) is useful for taking a sponge bath, toilet paper.