Peru Trekking & Climbing Combos Info

Why not combine a Cordillera Blanca or Cordillera Huayhuash trek with some climbing?
Start your adventure with a relaxing trek through varied & spectacular mountain scenery, and follow up with the challenge of climbing one or more Peruvian Andes peaks.

The trekking will provide good acclimatization and strength for the climbing adventure.

We offer a variety of trekking & climbing packages. Some peaks are suitable for first time climbers and others have technical climbing for more experienced mountaineers. There is something for everyone!

Below are just some of the trek & climb combo options. There are many other combinations that you can make – we will work with you to design a “Tailor Made” program to include any trek circuit or peaks that you would like to climb and to suit your level of experience.

Happy Group Celebrating on Tocllaraju Summit

Dates & Groups
We do not have fixed departure dates for our trekking & climbing trips, but instead organise them on demand to suit clients travel plans. If you would like to join up with other people to have some company and to share costs, we can advertise your trip dates on our Join A Group Page

Trekking
During treks we use donkeys to carry camping & cooking equipment, tents, food and your personal gear bag. You only carry a light day pack with camera, snacks, water bottle, warm jacket etc. Our guides and crew are very experienced and know how to manage trekking at altitude. We always walk slowly, take plenty of rest breaks and make sure that you have plenty of boiled water to drink.

Climbing
All our Peru climbing trips are lead guided by qualified and licensed UIAGM International mountain guides, supported by licensed assistant guides and experienced climbing porters. For most of the climbing trips donkeys carry luggage and equipment to base camps. You only have a light day pack. Where there are high camps on the mountain porters carry tents, climbing rope, equipment and food, but you need to carry your own sleeping bag, mattress, clothes and climbing gear. You can request to hire a private porter if you do not wish to carry your own equipment.

Safety
We operate our treks and climbs with a high staff to client ratio. Trek & climb groups are organised so that in the event of an accident, illness or tiredness there are always sufficient experienced & trained staff on the trek route or on the mountain climb to effect a rescue and / or evacuate clients safely back out to Huaraz

For Climbing:
5000m and non technical peaks – maximum 3 clients per guide
6000m and technical peaks – maximum 2 clients per guide
Technical climbs Artesonraju, Huascaran and Alpamayo – UIAGM guides only

Climbing Equipment
Our climbing guides provide group rope, snow stakes and ice screws. You need to provide your own personal climbing equipment. It is available for hire in Huaraz and we can help organise gear hire for you. We send you a complete gear list when you inquire about a trekking & climbing trip

See our Menu Trek Services and Booking pages for a full description of services that we offer and general trek & climb information

Glacier Conditions, Weather & Time to Go
The months when there is generally more settled weather are from May to September

The safer times to be climbing peaks depends on the altitude of the peak and the technical difficulty

5000m peaks and non-technical peaks can be climbed from May through to September. Low season climbing (October to April) is also possible, but summit success can be subject to good weather

6000m peaks and technical peaks generally are in better condition from around mid-June through to late August but some peaks are considered safe to attempt only in July & August

Global warming is causing weather conditions to be less predictable than in the past and in recent years there have been periods of bad weather and high winds during the so-called “dry” months of June, July & August. It cannot be guaranteed that there will be good climbing weather during the months of the recognised climbing season. High mountain weather is always volatile and you need to be prepared for sudden weather changes.

Glaciers in the Andes are retreating rapidly, with some glaciers that were climbed 30 years ago having now completely disappeared. This is causing conditions on the ice to change rapidly. This means that the routes used and the conditions on all the peaks are changing each year and even each month. The descriptions we have given are general only, and the routes used, conditions on the mountain or description of the routes may change considerably on the day you are climbing. Descriptions of routes in some guide books may also be out-dated.

Grading of Climbs
The grading of the climbs is an indication only of the level of difficulty.

Even climbs suitable for beginner climbers are graded medium to hard to reflect that the altitude makes climbing on any Cordillera Blanca peak physically demanding. Although many guidebooks describe some peaks as being “trekkers peaks” the approaches to all the mountains involve a steep & challenging hike up through moraine rock to reach the glacier and often there are short sections of steep climbing on ice even on the so-called “easier / beginner” peaks.

We do NOT consider that any climb in the Cordillera Blanca can be classified as a “trekking peak”. Altitude and terrain make all climbs physically demanding. A climb should only be considered if you are well acclimatised and generally already in good physical condition.

Grades are based on the French alpine grading system.

These are a general indication only of difficulty. Routes and conditions on all mountains are changing rapidly and level of difficulty may have changed at the time you are on any mountain.

PD (moderate) – Moderate snow climbs – a rope is necessary
AD (reasonably hard) – Routes with a fair amount of difficult climbing – snow & ice experience required
D (hard) – A reasonable amount of serious climbs of snow & ice with pitches up to severe standards
TD (very hard) – Very difficult, long serious climbs

Insurance
We recommend clients obtain mountaineering & travel insurance. The policy should cover activities of mountaineering and include medical, rescue from the mountains, evacuation and repatriation expenses, loss of personal items or money, costs associated with cancellation of flights or other disruption to travel.

Peru Police will NOT initiate any mountain rescue in the case of any serious incident (such as avalanche or crevasse fall) until they have received either payment by cash in advance or guarantee of payment to cover the costs of rescue. It is clients responsibility to carry insurance to cover the cost of rescue.

Cordillera Blanca & Huayhuash Trekking & Climbing Combo’s

The trek & climb combos noted below are just some of the many possible combinations and are completely flexible.

Contact us for suggestions, information or programs for treks & peaks not listed here.

Clic On the name of the trek & climb combo for information.

Peaks described as suitable for beginners are also rewarding climbing for experienced climbers

Peaks described as suitable for intermediate climbers can also be good options for strong novice climbers who have received some instruction & have good basic climbing techniques

Altitudes are quoted in metres – to convert to feet multiply by 3.28084

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosa from Switzerland trekked the Huayhuash then climbed Ishinca: “…..thanks to everyone at Peruvian Andes Adventures for all their help and support – in particular Anne for the detailed pre-trip information and for answering our many questions – Amy from the Huaraz office for always being there and never losing her smile. Jorge who prepared and presented 5 star meals in the wilderness. Hisao and Iber for leading us to the summit of Ishinca and Heimer for guiding us in the Huayhuash trek. We believe we couldn’t have made a better choice among all the trekking and mountaineering companies than Peruvian Andes. I was very lucky finding you on the internet”

Patrick from the USA did Huayhuash Full Circuit & Climb Diablo Mudo: “Great Trip! We loved the trek & enjoyed our first taste of climbing”

Reinhard from Austria trekked the Alpamayo Circuit & Climbed Pisco: “..A great trekking trip with the highlight “Pisco” . Will suggest/recommend the trip to my friends – thanks a lot!