Arrival at Jorge Chávez Airport and transfer to the bus station for Huaraz.
Overnight journey on a comfortable bus to Huaraz.
Night on the bus: 9 hours

Morning arrival in Huaraz and transfer by our team to the hotel in Carhuaz. Check-in and breakfast.
Free day to rest or explore at your leisure.

Overnight at hotel with breakfast included
Meals not included.

We set off on mountain bikes toward the Cordillera Negra, located to the west of the Cordillera Blanca. This range is made up of slightly lower peaks and, due to its lower elevation and reduced precipitation, is not snow-covered—hence its name. It offers a perfect balcony view of the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca and the Santa River.

Along the way, we ride through fertile farmland and cultivated fields shaped by the region’s unique microclimate. At the end of the route, we visit the Guitarrero Cave, an archaeological site that holds evidence of some of the first horticulturists, dating back 8,500 to 11,000 years.

Difficulty: EASY / MODERATE

Overnight at hotel with breakfast included
Lunch included – Dinner on your own

Transfer to Shonquil Pampa. From this highland meadow, we are greeted with panoramic views of a majestic group of mountains, including the snow-capped Chopicalqui (6,350 m), Huascarán North and South (6,768 m), the Hualcán massif (6,121 m), and Copa (6,180 m).

We begin our ascent through the Hualcán Valley, passing scattered quenual (Polylepis) forests. A final uphill stretch leads us to the first lagoon, Cocchca, and continuing upward, we reach Lake 513—named after its designation in the national lagoon inventory.

We return by the same trail to the vehicle and descend back to the valley.

Elevation gain/loss: +800 m / -800 m approx.
Approx. 10 km – 6 hours

Overnight at hotel with breakfast included
Lunch included – Dinner on your own

We depart early in the morning in a private vehicle heading toward Carhuaz, then ascend through the village of Shilla. Continuing by road, we reach the community of Huaypán at 3,500 meters, known for its potato and wheat terraces. After passing through a eucalyptus forest, we begin our hike to the Huascarán Refuge.

The trail steadily climbs along the mountainside, offering sweeping views of the valley below, with the Cordillera Negra standing prominently across the way. Along the ascent, we can spot the cities of Huaraz, Mancos, and Yungay in the distance. After reaching a rocky ridge, the Huascarán Refuge is just about one hour further on foot.

Hiking time: 5 hours / Elevation gain: +1,200 m

Overnight at the refuge. All meals included.

After witnessing a breathtaking sunset and sunrise from the highest refuge in Peru, we begin our early morning descent with caution, following the standard expedition route. Navigating down through rocky terrain, we reach the base camp. In some sections, we encounter frozen water streams where the use of a safety rope is required.

From base camp, we take a new trail that crosses the path of the devastating 1970 avalanche, which buried the old city of Yungay under 50 million cubic meters of ice, rock, and debris. As we descend further, we enter a warmer microclimate that requires us to navigate through dense forested areas.

After overcoming this rugged terrain, we approach the Huascarán National Park checkpoint. From there, a private vehicle transfers us to Yuraccorral Camp (3,870 m).

Optional: Those who prefer may continue on foot through the valley all the way to Yuraccorral.

Hiking time: 7 hours / Elevation gain: +590 m / Descent: -1,420 m

Overnight in tents. All meals included.

Note: Ask our EXPE PERU team about the North Face Route of Huascarán variant.

From Yuraccorral, we begin by retracing our steps to the Monument to the Fallen Climbers. Our trail then continues across a field of rockslides. The path becomes steep as we climb through grassy slopes and quenual (Polylepis) trees.

Our landmark is the impressive southern face of Huandoy, whose vertical wall exceeds 90 degrees—famously climbed only after nine attempts, with French alpinist René Desmaison being the first to succeed.

As we gain altitude, we’re rewarded with increasingly dramatic views of the north face of Huascarán, a towering 2,000-meter wall—known as the stage of Renato Casarotto’s legendary 18-day solo ascent.

Eventually, we reach the highest point of the moraine at 4,800 meters, from where we traverse eastward. After crossing a rocky ridge, we catch sight of Refugio Perú at 4,680 meters.

Hiking time: 7 hours / Elevation gain: +930 m / Descent: -120 m

Overnight at Refugio Perú. All meals included.

After a well-deserved rest at the refuge and a hearty breakfast, we leave Refugio Perú heading toward the southern moraine of Nevado Pisco, passing by a newly forming glacial lake. A series of zigzags takes us to a first pass at 4,800 meters.

There is an optional extension to reach a rocky ridge at 5,000 meters, from where we can admire the full grandeur of Chacraraju (6,108 m) and its breathtaking 1,200-meter west face.

We then descend to the iconic Laguna 69, famous for its vibrant turquoise waters and spectacular glacial backdrop. After enjoying this popular destination, we leave the classic route behind and follow a lesser-known trail toward Broggi, a historic and remote camp.

Hiking time: approx. 6 hours / Elevation gain: +400 m / Descent: -800 m

Overnight in tents at Broggi Camp. All meals included.

Day 9: Broggi Camp (4,500 m) – Chacraraju Pass (4,950 m) – Huaripampa Lodge (3,700 m)

We begin the day with a challenging ascent to Chacraraju Pass at 4,950 meters, one of the most spectacular points of the trek. The trail climbs through glacial terrain and rocky slopes, offering majestic views of Chacraraju, Artesonraju, and other iconic peaks of the Cordillera Blanca.

From the pass, we begin a long and scenic descent into the lush Huaripampa Valley, transitioning from the high alpine to greener, warmer zones. Along the way, we pass waterfalls, Andean flora, and traditional highland pastures.

We continue down to reach Huaripampa Lodge (3,700 m), a comfortable and well-deserved resting place after a demanding day.

Hiking time: approx. 7–8 hours / Elevation gain: +450 m / Descent: -1,250 m

Overnight at Huaripampa Lodge. All meals included.

We begin the day with our first meaningful contact with the local communities, walking through cultivated fields of potatoes, tarwi, and quinoa. In the village of Huaripampa, children often greet trekkers, as this is part of the popular Santa Cruz – Vaquería trekking route.

From Colcabamba (3,400 m), we gradually ascend by road until reaching Chalhua (3,500 m). A new glacier appears before us—Contrahierbas (6,000 m)—rising on the eastern slopes of the range.

We pass near Yanama, a picturesque Andean village on the eastern side of the Cordillera Blanca. From Yanama (3,400 m), we enjoy stunning views of snowy peaks such as Chacraraju, Pirámide, Chopicalqui, Paria, and Taulliraju.

We continue our ascent to the Contrahierbas Refuge. After settling in, we visit the nearby archaeological site of Quisuar, located at 4,100 meters.

Hiking and transfer time: approx. 6 hours / Elevation gain: +700 m / Descent: -200 m

Overnight at Contrahierbas Refuge. All meals included.

From Contrahierbas Refuge, we follow a restored ancient trail, descending gently toward a water channel that leads us along the slopes of the Ichic Ulta Valley. We then reconnect with the main path and continue through a beautiful quenual forest (Polylepis), a typical high-altitude tree of the Cordillera Blanca.

Along the way, we are treated to impressive views of the Contrahierbas Glacier, with continuous serac collapses feeding the waters of Lake Ichic Ulta below.

Around midday, we reach the Mirador (4,550 m)—a spectacular viewpoint directly facing the towering glacier of Contrahierbas.

Hiking time: approx. 5 hours / Elevation gain: +400 m / Descent: -300 m
Overnight in tents. All meals included.

We gradually ascend to the Yanayacu Pass (4,860 m), which offers commanding views of the eastern faces of Chopicalqui and Huascarán—a truly spectacular sight in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca.

From the pass, we begin a long descent through the Ulta Valley, surrounded by towering peaks and glacial landscapes. As we descend, we transition back to the Pacific slope of the Andes.

Our final camp is set at 3,800 meters, in a peaceful and scenic area at the base of the valley.

Hiking time: approx. 5 hours / Elevation gain: +400 m / Descent: -300 m
Overnight in tents at Ulta Camp. All meals included.

Today we tackle the highest pass of the entire alpine trek: Chequiaraju Pass at 5,080 meters.

From the Ulta Pampa, we begin ascending a well-marked trail toward Huallcacocha Lake (4,300 m), passing through another beautiful quenual (Polylepis) forest. We continue along the southern ridge of the lake, gradually leaving the vegetation behind as we follow a faint trail beneath the eastern ridge of Chequiaraju.

The final stretch involves a steep climb over granite rock sections, leading us to the Chequiaraju Pass (5,080 m). At the top, we are rewarded with breathtaking views:

• The north face of Hualcán (6,120 m)

• The stunning Auquiscocha Lakes

• The southern face of Huascarán and nearby Chopicalqui

• But most impressive of all, the jagged Nevado Ulta (5,800 m), considered one of the most rugged peaks in the Cordillera Blanca.

We briefly cross a small glacier section before setting up camp on the Chequiaraju moraine (4,900 m)—a truly wild and high-altitude setting.

Hiking time: approx. 7 hours / Elevation gain: +1,180 m / Descent: -50 m
Overnight in tents at moraine camp. All meals included.

We begin the final and most technical stage of the trek with an early alpine start. From the moraine camp at 4,900 m, we ascend steep glacial terrain toward the Chequiaraju Summit (5,260 m). The climb may involve snowfields, crevasses, and rocky sections, requiring the use of crampons, ice axe, and rope, depending on the conditions.

At the summit, we are rewarded with a 360° panorama of the Cordillera Blanca, including close views of Hualcán, Chopicalqui, Ulta, and Huascarán—a spectacular finale to the expedition.

We then descend carefully to the beautiful Auquiscocha Lake (4,310 m), framed by steep granite walls and hanging glaciers.

From the lake, we begin our return to civilization, descending to the road where our private transport awaits to take us back through Carhuaz and finally to Huaraz.

Hiking and climbing time: approx. 8–9 hours / Elevation gain: +360 m / Descent: -950 m
Overnight at hotel in Huaraz. Breakfast and lunch included – Dinner on your own.