CORDILLERA BLANCA, PERU
PERU Climbing SCHOOL
June & July
15- Days
Intermediate
From $6,850
Upcoming TripS
June 18- July 2, 2027
EXPLORE PERU
DISCOVER
| OVERVIEW |
Our Mountaineering School focuses on climbing two of the most classic peaks in the Cordillera Blanca: Yanapaccha (17,913’/5,460m) and Tocllaraju (19,797′/6,034 m). These mountains provide the perfect training ground to learn high-altitude skills, such as route assessment, roped glacier travel, crampon and ice axe use, and crevasse rescue. The primary goal of the Peru Climbing School is to use these two progressively more challenging peaks to equip climbers with the skills necessary to climb higher and more complex mountains with more self-autonomy.
Peru’s Cordillera Blanca is a captivating mountain range with an array of accessible five and six thousand meter peaks – there is no better place to learn the foundations of high altitude mountaineering!
| GALLERY |
| ITINERARY AND PREP |
DAY 1
Arrive in Lima in the afternoon. Clients are transported to their hotel for a good night's sleep, prior to departure to Huaraz.
DAY 2
Welcome to Huaraz! The South American climbing capital. After an 8-hour bus ride, we will arrive at the friendly Hotel Amaru where we will rest and regroup.
DAY 3
Organize and acclimate in town! This day is spent going over gear and logistics for our expeditions and making sure everyone is ready to spend the next several days in the Cordillera Blanca.
DAY 4
Today we take an acclimatization hike to Laguna Churup 14,700’ | 4800m and move the legs! This beautiful alpine lake trek helps prepare our bodies for the mountains and altitude. We also use this day for any last minute adjustments to gear before we head to our first mountain objective.
DAY 5
Time to head into the mountains. We drive from Huaraz into the incredible Llanganuco Valley. Once we establish basecamp, we will discuss and develop high-altitude mountaineering skills, including: hazard management, equipment use and care, climbing knots, route and weather assessment, and high altitude physiology.
DAY 6
Acclimatization hike to Laguna 69 (15,100’/ 4602m). A few hours spent at altitude and a few thousand feet of elevation gain do wonders for the acclimatization process. This may also be a rest day for those needing more time adjusting to altitude.
DAY 7
Today we will pick up Base Camp and hit the Yanapaccha trailhead, hiking to Moraine Camp (16,076’/ 4900m). Then, we’ll spend the afternoon learning basic glacier travel skills, including crampon and ice ax usage. This is also our first night spent at an on-trail camp.
DAY 8
Continued skills development on the glacier as we prepare for the next day’s objective: Yanapaccha. Today we will review the equipment and skills needed for moving over technical ground found on the mountain, including advanced crevasse rescue, self-arrest practice, glaciology, and basic avalanche awareness.
DAY 9
With an early morning start, we will go to the summit of Yanapaccha (17,913’/5460m). From the top, we’ll enjoy some awe-inspiring views of the incredible Cordillera Blanca.
DAY 10
Today we descend back to Huaraz to resupply food and gear, using the remainder of the day to rest and recover.
DAY 11
Travel from Huaraz to the Ishinca Valley and hike to Tocllaraju basecamp (14,107’/ 4,300m). After establishing basecamp, we will review gear and prep for our ascent.
DAY 12
Move from Tocllaraju Basecamp (14,107’/4,300m) to Moraine Camp (16,400’/5000m). Adding an extra camp on our ascent allows us to move methodically up the mountain and conserve our energy for summit day.
DAY 13
Summit day on Tocllaraju. This peak is more technically challenging than Yanapaccha, and will require application of all the skills learned thus far in order to reach the top. These summit views are earned in a landscape unlike anywhere else in the world. After the summit, the descent and overnight location will be determined according to mountain conditions, weather, and the guides' assessment.
DAY 14
On Day 14 we hike back down the the trailhead for van transport back to Huaraz and a celebration dinner complete with Pisco sours (the favorite local cocktail).
DAY 15
We depart for Lima and catch our flights (after 11pm) back home.
Technical Experience
Basic technical climbing skills such as tying in and belaying are recommended.
Fitness
Climbers must be in excellent physical shape to join this expedition. This is perhaps the most important aspect of high altitude climbing, and cannot be stressed enough. Regular, challenging exercise for many months in advance of departure is the only way to gain the necessary level of fitness that is needed on big peaks. We highly recommend a structured training regime with a gym or personal trainer to assist you in preparing for climbing at altitude.
Altitude
No prior experience at altitude is required.
ISHINCA VALLEY, PERU
TOCLLARAJU FUN AND GAMES
| WHATS INCLUDED |
- All lodging according to itinerary, including double occupancy lodging while in town and group lodging in mountain huts
- Breakfasts in town, all meals while on the mountain
- Group camping and climbing equipment
- Scheduled in-country transportation
- Airport transfers
- Certified guides
- International flights
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Additional nights in hotel outside of the itinerary
- In-town dinners
- Tips for guides or local staff
- Hospitalization or evacuation costs
- Single supplement charges
- Excess baggage charges
- Alcohol
- Other personal expenses
- The costs of delays or changes to itinerary that are beyond the control of Smile Mountain Guides or its agents are not included.
TOCLLARAJU VIEWS FROM CAMP
COWS GRAZING, PERU
| PRICING DETAILS |
CORDILLERA BLANCA, PERU
PERU Climbing SCHOOL
June & July
15- Days
Intermediate
$6,850 Per Guest
Double Suite
$8,850 Per Guest
Single Suite
Upcoming TripS
June 18- July 2, 2027
| QUESTIONS |
The Peru Climbing School.
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Smile focuses on small groups and ratios that meet the professional standards of mountain guiding. This expedition has a 3:1 ratio
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We require Rescue Insurance on all of our international expeditions. Rescue insurance will help cover costs in the event that you need to be rescued off the mountain (Ex: Helicopter/medical evacuation). Travel Insurance (which we strongly recommend) can cover issues that would cause you to cancel your trip in advance, like illness. We do recommend Global Rescue who does offer a Comprehensive Travel Protection option to your required Rescue (Evacuation) Insurance.
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Yes! The Climbing & Mountaineering School is an entry-level program designed to teach you all the skills you need to begin your mountain climbing career. While you do need excellent general fitness, no climbing experience is necessary.
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Yes, we provide the following gear at no charge for our climbing schools. Helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe, and carabiners/ cord. Please note- this equipment is available on a first come, first served basis, so please make your reservations early!
We do not provide mountaineering boots as they are too personal for fit, and should be well worn prior to the trip to prevent blisters and other common injuries from improper shoe fits.
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Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.
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In Peru, we establish a base camp up while in the mountains, giving us excellent access to the high peaks. We will also spend a night in a lodge between both of our peak attempts.
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Aside from the technical gear that we are often able to provide on Introductory Courses (harness, helmet, ice ax, crampons), we strongly recommend bringing everything on the Equipment List. These kits have been dialed and tested by our guides for over 20 years; while you may not end up using everything you bring, weather variability in the mountains demands that we’re ready to dress for any and all conditions! -
Please email
climb@smilemountainguides.com for more information.