Pisco and Alpamayo Ascent

  • Trip Code

    MKA-1096

  • No of days

    20

  • Challenge level

    Moderate

  • MEALS

    Included (B,L, D)

  • TRANSPORTATION

    Private Vehicle & Flight

  • ACCOMMODATION

    Hotel & Guest House

  • MAX ALTITUTE

    -

  • BEST SEASON

    May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

  • START POINT

    Kathmandu

  • END POINT

    Kathmandu

  • SUITABLE FOR

    10 to 79 years old

  • WALK PER DAY

    4 to 5 hours walk every day

  • GUIDING METHOD

    Live Guide/Instructor

Trip Overview

With at least 269 lakes, 663 glaciers, 41 rivers and 33 summits rising over 6000 m, the 180 kilometre-long Cordillera Blanca is arguably the world's most magnificent mountain range.

Alpamayo (Base Camp) Trek is our favourite hike here, a challenging high altitude tramp. Alpamayo — often listed as one of the world’s most beautiful peaks — is only one highlight of many.


Pisco and Alpamayo Ascent Itinerary

  • Day 1
    Lima
    Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to your hotel.
  • Day 2
    Lima – Huaraz (Breakfast)
    Transfer to the bus terminal for the 8 hour bus journey to Huaraz, set in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Transfer to your hotel.
  • Day 3
    Huaraz (Breakfast)
    Free day.
  • Day 4
    Pastoruri (Breakfast)
    After breakfast, private transport to Pastoruri Glacier. A day of ice climbing skills including crampon techniques and ice axe work. Overnight camp on Pastoruri mountain to facilitate acclimatsation.
  • Day 5
    Huaraz - Cebollapampa Campsite (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    Leaving Huaraz you will head north to the small town of Yungay at the foot of the Quebrada Llanganuco. Entering the Quebrada you will continue heading east into the mountains to the wide and pastoral valley between Huascarán on the south and Huandoy on the north. Camp near the trailhead at Cebollapampa. An easy day to achieve further acclimatisation.
  • Day 6
    Acclimatisation hike to Lagoon 69 (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    Hike today for about 6 hours, surrounded by the mountains of Chacraraju, Yanpaccha and Pisco. Return to Cebollapampa basecamp.
  • Day 7
    Cebollapampa campsite - Moraine Camp (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    After breakfast, a short trek to Pisco Base Camp at about 4400m. With good acclimatisation, you will pass the Pisco Base Camp and settle at the Moraine Camp at 4900m. Sleeping at the foot of Pisco's steep South Face in preparation for tomorrow's summit attempt.
  • Day 8
    Morain Camp - Summit - Basecamp - Cebollapampa campsite (Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
    Your summit climb of Pisco follows the occasionally narrow West Ridge. Snow and a little ice leads directly to the top. Pisco is well known for its incredible views, and with strategic view points there will be many opportunites for photographs. The close proximity of the neighbouring peaks of Huandoy and Chacraraju are astonishing. Return to Base Camp. From the Base Camp, continue the hike out to Cebollapampa campsite.
  • Day 9
    Cebollapampa campsite – Huaraz (Breakfast)
    After breakfast, return with private transport to Huaraz.
  • Day 10 - 11
    Huaraz (Breakfast)
    Days of rest and leisure in preparation for the Alpamayo summit attempt.
  • Day 12
    Llamacorral (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    After breakfast, drive to Cashapampa to start the trek up to Campo Llamacorral. This first day is a steady three hours of trekking
  • Day 13
    Basecamp (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    Again a fairly easy day as you trek to Alpamayo basecamp at 4300m.
  • Day 14
    Moraine Camp (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    Climb to the Moraine camp, which is mainly a steep terminal moraine with a few sections of easy rock.
  • Day 15
    Col (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    Climb to the Col camp at 5300m. (This section can sometimes be the most technical part of the entire climb). The high col is between Alpamayo and its sister peak, Quitaraju. The guides will fix ropes in advance of the group on one steep section. One fixed rope and two belayed sections are normal in order to reach the col.
  • Day 16
    Alpamayo Summit Ascent (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    Ascent to the summit of Alpamayo, lying at 5947m. The climb starts with a reasonably steep glacier to the bergschrund. There are several steep ice pitches, around 50°. The final couple of pitches increase to 70° resulting in grading of around Alpine AD/AD+ or Ice Grade 3. We allow 7 hours to reach the summit. Return to the Col Camp.
  • Day 17
    Reserve day (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    Day in reserve in case of bad weather
  • Day 18
    Basecamp (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    Return to the base camp.
  • Day 19
    Cashapampa – Huaraz (Breakfast and dinner)
    Return to Cashapampa and then Huaraz for a celebratory dinner.
  • Day 20
    Huaraz – Lima (Breakfast)
    After breakfast, transfer to the bus terminal form the bus trip back to Lima and transfer to the airport for your connecting flight home.

 info@makalu-adventure.com
 makaluadventures@gmail.com
 +977-9851037083

Why Choose Makalu Adventure

Makalu Adventure has been trading for over 25 years; is one of the leading trek and expedition agents in Nepal and is used as in-country agent by several international adventure companies. At the helm is Mohan Lamsal (MD) assisted by head trekking guide Tenging Sherpa and head climbing guide Sanu Sherpa. Teni started trekking as a porter aged 14 and has hiked every trail in Nepal, many times! Sanu Sherpa has the distinction of having climbed all 14, 8,000m peaks, twice! Mohan Lamsal is not only MD of Makalu Adventure, he is also the General Secretary of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. You are in safe hands with Makalau Adventure.

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