Santa Cruz Trek with Three Peaks in the Ishinca Valley — 12 Days
Duration
12 Days (plus a rest day in Huaraz)Best Season
May - Sept
An exciting high alpine combination for strong climbers: a short Quillqueyhuanca-to-Cojup trek over a 5100m pass for acclimatisation, followed by climbs of the beginner-suitable Ishinca (5530m) and the 6034m Tocllaraju — perhaps your first 6000m peak.
The trek stays away from the busier Santa Cruz trails and is excellent preparation for the climbs.
Duration
9 Days (plus a rest day in Huaraz)Grade
Hard — good fitness requiredHighest Point
6034mThe trek crosses the 5100m Chocu pass on steep, unformed trails — a physically demanding acclimatisation hike amid 6000m peaks. Ishinca is the warm-up; Tocllaraju is steeper and technical, with crevasses and an exposed bergschrund near the summit, and is not for beginners.
A hard programme. The trek crosses a high alpine pass with steep ascents and descents on unformed trails; Tocllaraju is physically demanding and technical and not suitable for beginners. We recommend climbing Ishinca first for extra acclimatisation.
You go high quickly, with a camp on the second night at 4850m, so two days of Huaraz day hikes beforehand are important. A rest day in Huaraz separates the trek and the climbs.
Donkeys carry equipment to Ishinca Base Camp, but you carry your own gear up to Tocllaraju Morena Camp.
The guide in charge of your climb is one of our local, experienced and professional UIAGM International Mountain Guides.
Review the route day by day: altitudes, distances and acclimatisation.
Distance
12 kmTime Window
3 hoursMax Altitude
4250mDelta Profile
A 1½ hour drive to Pitec, then an easy walk with light day packs up the Quebrada Quillqueyhuanca to camp at Olivos (4250m) below Andavite, with an optional afternoon hike into the Cayesh valley.
More routes in the same spirit — the same range or the same kind of trip. Tap any one for the full itinerary, or write to us and we will tailor your own.
Essential answers about this high-altitude route.
Contact our operations base in Huaraz: we sort out the prerequisites and secure your place on the expedition.