Expedition Ishinca + Urus & Tocllaraju - 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 in our private vehicle around 7:30 a.m. Then we will drive through the fertile Callejón de Huaylas Valley for about 15 kilometers until reaching Puente Paltay. From there, we turn onto a dirt road that leads to the traditional trailhead villages of Collón or Pashpa, continuing until Cochapampa (3,600 m). From Cochapampa, we begin our hike up a pleasant valley toward Ishinca Base Camp. The trail passes through highland farmland with fantastic views of Mount Huascarán and Mount Vallunaraju before entering the beautiful Quebrada Ishinca. Along the Ishinca Valley, we walk through shady Queñual (Polylepis) forests. As we reach the wide grassy plateau, the valley opens up and reveals an impressive view of Mount Tocllaraju in the background. At Base Camp, the scenery is spectacular: a broad grassy valley spreads out below a massive terminal moraine, creating a dramatic alpine landscape. Snack + lunch while walking.

Summit Day: Our summit push begins early in the morning, departing from Base Camp around 1:00 a.m. under the stars. We follow a well-defined, moderate trail toward Laguna Ishinca at 4,950 meters before continuing along a steeper path to the glacier entrance at approximately 5,050 meters.

Upon reaching the glacier, we gear up with crampons, harnesses, and ropes before beginning the glacier ascent. The climb involves moderate snow slopes and careful navigation around several crevasses, offering an exciting introduction to high-altitude mountaineering.

Near the summit, we reach the final challenge: a short but steep snow wall of about 10 meters, which in some seasons can reach angles of 45° to 50°. After this final section, we arrive at the summit of Ishinca, where spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding peaks create a truly unforgettable experience.

For the descent, we typically retrace the same route back to Base Camp. Snack while climbing.

Summit Day: Our summit ascent begins early, around 2:00 a.m., departing in the dark to take advantage of the best snow and weather conditions. The route follows a steep ridge along the moraine crest, gradually climbing toward granite slabs located below the small glacier field on the southeast face at approximately 5,100 meters.

Once at the glacier, we put on our crampons and harnesses before continuing across moderately steep snow slopes toward the col (high pass) at around 5,300 meters. From this point onward, conditions can vary depending on the season. In some years, the final section involves enjoyable mixed climbing, with the last hundred meters requiring careful movement over both snow and rock. In drier conditions, the upper section may be entirely rocky, making crampons unnecessary. On a clear day, the summit rewards climbers with breathtaking panoramic views stretching across the surrounding peaks and valleys. After taking time to rest, capture photos, and enjoy the spectacular scenery, we descend via the same route back to Base Camp. Snack while climbing.

Rest Day at Base Camp – Skills Review & Preparation for Tocllaraju
This rest day at Base Camp is an important part of the itinerary, allowing time to recover energy and acclimatize properly before the next climbing objectives. It also provides an excellent opportunity to review and practice essential mountaineering techniques that will be useful for the ascent and descent of Tocllaraju. Depending on the group’s interests and conditions, the day may include practical training sessions focused on refreshing key climbing skills such as:

• Abseiling (rappelling)
• Belaying techniques
• Building snow or ice anchors
• Rope management and feeding rope to a climbing partner
• Glacier travel and basic safety procedures

These practice sessions help improve confidence, efficiency, and teamwork while preparing climbers for the more technical sections encountered on higher peaks. The remainder of the day can be spent resting, hydrating, and enjoying the impressive mountain surroundings of Base Camp. Snack While Practicing

This After enjoying a hearty breakfast at Base Camp, we begin our ascent toward Moraine Camp. During the first hour, we follow a gentle and moderately graded trail. After that, the route becomes much steeper as we continue climbing toward the camp. The trail ascends over loose and rocky terrain, requiring careful footing. After several hours of steady climbing, we finally reach Moraine Camp at approximately 5,000 meters, where we will rest and prepare for the summit attempt. Snack 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.

Summit day: as usual, we leave early from the moraine camp around 1:00 am, on the west slope glacier occasionally overcoming some steep sections, on hard ice at the beginning. Necessarily we climb upon the Canaleta just before arriving at the north ridge, as soon as we reach it, we will be on the shoulder, we will follow on it overcoming several steep slopes of 45°–55° & negotiating some crevasses until reaching the bergschrund, which is just below of splendid ice mushroom summit on the north ridge. After it, there are two pitches on good snow & ice. The first pitch is around 60 meters with 50°–60° degrees, the second one is steeper and more exposed, but much shorter than the first one, probably this last one is around 20 meters or maybe more. Generally, in both sections is necessary to use two technical ice axes, and ice screws to protect, and make a good anchor. Overcoming the ice mushroom we will be on the summit, once on the top, we will enjoy the overwhelming view around us. After spending a few minutes capturing photos or simply enjoying the view we will retrace on the same route abseiling on some sections where is necessary until moraine camp – base camp. Snack while climbing.

We descend from Base Camp along the Ishinca Valley until reaching Cochapampa / Collón, where the trail ends Our climb concludes here, Where the transport will be waiting for us to return to Huaraz. Once back in Huaraz, we can enjoy a nice shower at the hotel and some rest, followed by a good dinner in town to celebrate a successful climb. Snack while climbing.

Bus option:
Morning Bus according to your travel schedule, boarding bus service (departure place: Jr. Teresa Gonzales de Fanning 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.