Expedition Yanapaccha & Chopicalqui - 11 days

Bus Option:
In the morning, according to your travel schedule, you will board the bus service Evolution Service / Cruz del sur company.
Departure location: Av. Javier Prado Este Nº 1109, Lima / Departure time: 9:30 AM.
The journey covers approximately 400 km and takes around 8 hours, with onboard service included. Travel along the scenic Pan-American Highway, heading north through the impressive Pacific coastal desert. The route continues into higher terrain, crossing the Cordillera Negra (Black Range) at Conococha Pass (4,020 m), then descending into the Callejon de Huaylas Valley toward Huaraz (3,050 m / 10,030 ft). After crossing the pass, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Cordillera Blanca, considered among the most impressive mountain landscapes in the world. Due to your arrival time, a trip briefing and packing information for the following days may be provided. Arrival Estimated at Huaraz: around 18:00 PM.

Flight Option:
Alternatively, you may take a flight from Lima to Huaraz. / Departure from International Airport, Jorge Chávez – Lima – Peru / Departure time: 7:20 AM / Flight duration: approximately 50 minutes. Upon arrival at Huaraz Airport, you will transfer by ground transportation for about 40 minutes to reach the town.

The remainder of the day is free, allowing time to rest and acclimatize to the altitude.

Our day hike begins with pick-up from your hotel in Huaraz in private transportation (around 8:00–8:30 a.m.). From there, we drive south of the city along a well-paved road for approximately 20 minutes to Santa Cruz Bridge. The trail to Laguna Wilcacocha starts at a small parking area near the bridge. After a short break, we prepare for the hike and begin our ascent. The first section of the trail is a gradual climb along a footpath. As we gain elevation, the views become increasingly impressive. Along the way, we pass through Santa Cruz village, enjoying the peaceful rural landscape.

Upon reaching the shallow lake at 3,600 meters, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the Cordillera Blanca, where numerous peaks rise dramatically side by side. Notable mountains visible from this vantage point include Huandoy, Huascarán, Copa, Vallunaraju, Ranrapalca, Churup, Huantsan, Shacsha, as well as the Yanamarey and Caullaraju group to the south. We’ll take time to find the perfect viewpoint to fully appreciate the sweeping scenery and capture memorable photos, followed by lunch with this spectacular backdrop. For the descent, we can either retrace our steps along the same trail or take an alternative route traversing toward Shansha village and finishing at Paria Bridge (this option is recommended only if your knees are in good condition). Whichever route you choose, our transportation will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz, arriving approximately between 13:30 and 14:00. Snack while walking.

This day begins with pickup from your hotel at 8:00 am, then we transfer on a private vehicle from Huaraz until reaches Pitec at 3,850m. From there start the trek to Churup Lake on a moderate grade path with some steep sections, on the way we perceive various waterfalls. The last forty minutes of the hike up to the lake is a real scramble on slab rock along a waterfall, the headwaters of which are sourced at Lake Churup. Upon reaching the top of the waterfall, we will behold dramatic Churup Lake at 4,450m, which lies just below the impressive mount Churup.

Lake Churup displays a striking azure hue, with orange mineral deposits shimmering near the shoreline. Its remarkably clear waters reveal the rocky lakebed several meters below the surface. We’ll find a comfortable spot along the rocky edge to sit, enjoy lunch, relax, and take in the breathtaking mountain scenery. While the lake is stunning under bright sunshine, it can be just as captivating—if not more so—under cloudy, drizzly skies. In those moments, the landscape takes on an evocative, almost haunting character that leaves a lasting impression.

The return journey follows the same trail back to Pitec, where transportation will be waiting to take us back to Huaraz, arriving approximately between 14:00 and 14:30. Snack while walking.

We will pick you up from your hotel with our private vehicle at around 7:30 a.m. and begin the drive through the fertile Callejón de Huaylas Valley. Along the way, we will stop in the town of Anta to enjoy spectacular views of the Andes, including the impressive western face of Huascarán (6,768 m / 22,205 ft), the highest mountain in Peru. Then we will continue driving north through the Callejón de Huaylas to the town of Yungay. From there, we head toward the mountains along a dirt road until reaching the entrance of the Llanganuco Valley, where we will stop to register and purchase entrance tickets for the national park. From this point, we drive deeper into the narrow Llanganuco Valley, surrounded by towering granite walls and beautiful quenual forests. This glacial valley is also home to abundant high-Andean vegetation, including ferns and bromeliads. Soon we arrive at the famous Lakes Chinancocha and Orconcocha (3,850 m), where the valley opens into a spectacular landscape with panoramic mountain views. We will stop there to take photographs and enjoy the scenery. Afterward, we continue driving to Cebollapampa, located at the end of the valley. From there the road climbs westward across a large moraine, winding through more than twenty switchbacks until reaching the highest point of the drive at approximately 4,600 m. From this point, we begin our hike to Moraine Camp. The trail crosses the moraine along a faint path occasionally marked by cairns. After rounding a ridge, Mount Yanapaccha comes into view in the distance. The trail then traverses a steep hillside before finally reaching the moraine campsite, where we will spend the night. Snack + lunch while walking.

Note: Please, understand for this day donkey support is not available. Therefore, each participant must carry their own personal equipment from Portachuelo to Moraine Camp. You will need to carry your daypack with your personal gear, including: climbing equipment, clothing, sleeping bag and sleeping pad (foam mattress or thermal mat), extra warm layers, waterproof jacket and pants, water bottle, camera, hiking poles, technical climbing gear should include: a pair of technical ice axes, harness, crampons, mountaineering boots, carabiners, ATC belay device, helmet, Prusik cords, and slings. Our porters will carry the group climbing equipment, including tents, food, cooking gear, and ropes, but each climber is responsible for carrying their own personal and technical equipment.

Summit Day: As usual on summit day, we will start very early. We will leave from Moraine Camp at around 2:30 a.m. and hike toward the glacier. Once we reach the glacier, we will put on our climbing equipment, including crampons, harnesses, and ropes. From there, we will begin climbing across a broad glacier, ascending several steep snow slopes and carefully navigating around crevasses until reaching the lower crevasse band just below the North Ridge. From this point, there are two possible routes to the summit.

Normal Route: This is the most commonly used route and is generally less demanding than the alternative. The route trends to the left side, where we climb two pitches of about 60 meters each on slopes of approximately 50°–60°. These pitches represent the crux of the climb and lead to the North Ridge. Once on the ridge, the climbing becomes easier as we follow it directly to the summit.

Optional Direct Route: This variation climbs directly up the West Face toward the summit. It involves at least three pitches of around 60 meters each, with slopes of 50°–60°. This route requires the use of ice screws for protection and two technical ice axes, making it more technical than the normal route.

Whatever route we take, we will eventually reach the summit, where we can enjoy one of the most magnificent panoramic views in the Cordillera Blanca. After celebrating the ascent and taking photographs, we will begin our descent along the North Ridge to the rappel point. After abseiling, we will continue descending along the same route back to Moraine Camp. Once at camp, we will pack our equipment and broke the tents before hiking down to Portachuelo, where the trail ends. From there, we will take our transportation to Curva de Chopicalqui at 4,200 m / 13,820 ft. After approximately 20 minutes of driving, we will arrive at this point, from where we will hike for about 30 minutes to reach the Chopicalqui Base Camp. Snack while climbing.

Rest day in the Chopicalqui Base Camp to recover energy after climbing Yanapaccha. Prepare for the next goal Chopicalqui. Snack = 0.

This day after our hearty breakfast at base camp we will move from base camp toward large terminal moraine camp, the first hour is climbing upon steep section then we walk upon a ridge with moderate & gently grade path, after that the path descends to cross the loose and rocky field. then the path upon much significant steep until moraine camp at 5000 meters (16,400 feet) which lies just below cliff the moraine camp offers incredible view to the north across Pisco and Huandoy peaks are spectacular, in special when is the sun setting on a clear afternoon. Snack + lunch while walking.

Note: Please, understand for this day donkey support is not available. Therefore, each participant must carry their own personal equipment from Base Camp to Moraine Camp. You will need to carry your daypack with your personal gear, including: climbing equipment, clothing, sleeping bag and sleeping pad (foam mattress or thermal mat), extra warm layers, waterproof jacket and pants, water bottle, camera, hiking poles, technical climbing gear should include: a pair of technical ice axes, harness, crampons, mountaineering boots, carabiners, ATC belay device, helmet, Prusik cords, and slings. Our porters will carry the group climbing equipment, including tents, food, cooking gear, and ropes, but each climber is responsible for carrying their own personal and technical equipment.

Today we will climb a loose, rocky section until reaching the edge of the glacier. Once there, we will put on our climbing equipment and rope up. From this point, we will continue ascending across a rolling glacier, carefully negotiating several crevasses and overcoming sections of snow and ice slopes of up to 45° until we reach High Camp. The afternoon will be free for rest, with time to enjoy the superb views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. Snack while climbing.

Summit Day: On summit day we will start very early, usually around 12:30 a.m., leaving from High Camp. The climb begins on the glacier, where we will carefully navigate several crevasses before gaining the Southwest Ridge. Once on the ridge, we will climb using running belays, or fixed belays when necessary, depending on conditions. The terrain varies in angle and difficulty until we reach a 60-meter pitch at approximately 55°, which normally requires the use of two technical ice axes. After overcoming this section, we will continue climbing several short slopes of 50°–60° until reaching the high glacial plateau at around 6,200 m. From there, the route follows the ridge toward the final obstacle, which is often the large bergschrund near the summit. Crossing this bergschrund can sometimes be challenging. Once it is passed, approximately 100 meters of snow slope remain to reach the summit. In good snow conditions, it may be possible to bypass the bergschrund with a 60-meter traverse, while in more difficult conditions more creative climbing techniques may be required. Reaching the summit rewards climbers with magnificent panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca.

After enjoying the summit, we will begin the descent along the same route, making several rappels where necessary, and returning to High Camp and then Moraine Camp. If time, weather, and energy allow, we may continue descending further to Base Camp. This will likely be the longest and most demanding day of the expedition, so climbers should be well prepared. Snack while climbing.

Descent Options:

• If we return from the summit early enough and climbers feel in good physical condition, we will descend all the way to Base Camp.
• If we return late or climbers feel very tired, we will stop and spend the night at Moraine Camp.

We descend from Base Camp along the Valley until reaching the car road (curva de chopi), where the trail ends. Our private transportation will be waiting for us there to take us Back to Huaraz for a nice shower in the hotel and some rest, then to enjoy a good dinner celebrating in the town after a successful climbing. Snack + lunch while walking.

Bus Option:
Morning Bus according to your travel schedule, boarding bus service (departure place, Jr.Teresa Gonzales de Faning 457-Centenario. / Departure Time around: 9:30 AM). The transfer takes 400 km, around 8 hours journey with board service, arrive to lima approx. 18:00 pm.

Flight Option:
If you take flight to travel Huaraz - Lima / this service takes around 50 minutes to arrive Lima. (Departure place is from Huaraz airport departure time: 7:20 AM). After arriving in the Lima airport, you move with a transportation for around 40 minutes to arrive the lima down town Miraflores or San Isidro, or you may wait at the international airport to connect your flight to your country.