Mountain safety
The summit isn't the hard part. Getting back down safely is.
This page explains how we decide whether you go, with whom, with what gear, and at what time we turn back. Read it before booking, especially if this is your first summit.
Acclimatization
Recommended prior days in Huaraz (3,052 m) per routeTreks & Hikes
From shortest to longest duration| Route | Duration | Max. alt. | Days in Huaraz | Difficulty | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Churup | 1 day | 4,450 m | 1 day | BasicMedium | Requires 1 prior day in Huaraz doing a gentle warm-up outing such as Lake Wilcacocha (3,725 m), Lake Llanganuco, or Huaraz City Tour before ascending to 4,450 m. |
| Lake 69 | 1 day | 4,600 m | 1 day | No technical skillHigh | 1 day of prior acclimatization in Huaraz (such as Lake Wilcacocha, Lake Llanganuco, or Lake Parón) is recommended before tackling the climb to 4,600 m. |
| Santa Cruz Trek 4 Days | 4 days | 4,750 m | 2 days | No technical skillHigh | We recommend 2 prior days in Huaraz combining a gentle hike (Lake Wilcacocha or Lake Parón) and a route above 4,400 m (Lake Churup or Lake 69) before crossing Punta Unión (4,750 m). |
| Cedros Alpamayo Trek 7 Days | 7 days | 4,850 m | 3 days | No technical skillHigh | 3 days of prior acclimatization in Huaraz are essential (e.g. Lake Wilcacocha, Lake Churup, and Lake 69 or Lake 513), as day 1 gains over 1,150 vertical meters. |
| Huayhuash 10 Days | 10 days | 5,000 m | 3 days | No technical skillVery high | Requires 3 prior days in Huaraz with progressive high-altitude hikes (such as Lake Churup, Lake 69, Lake 513, or Paso del Zorro), as the circuit stays above 4,600 m from day 2 and reaches 5,020 m. |
| Cedros Alpamayo Circuit 12 Days | 12 days | 4,850 m | 3 days | No technical skillVery high | Requires 3 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz doing hikes above 4,400 m (such as Lake Churup, Lake 69, or Huascarán Base Camp) to prepare for the 8 high mountain passes. |
- 1Lake Churup
1 day · 4,450 m · Medium
Requires 1 prior day in Huaraz doing a gentle warm-up outing such as Lake Wilcacocha (3,725 m), Lake Llanganuco, or Huaraz City Tour before ascending to 4,450 m.
- 1Lake 69
1 day · 4,600 m · High
1 day of prior acclimatization in Huaraz (such as Lake Wilcacocha, Lake Llanganuco, or Lake Parón) is recommended before tackling the climb to 4,600 m.
- 2Santa Cruz Trek 4 Days
4 days · 4,750 m · High
We recommend 2 prior days in Huaraz combining a gentle hike (Lake Wilcacocha or Lake Parón) and a route above 4,400 m (Lake Churup or Lake 69) before crossing Punta Unión (4,750 m).
- 3Cedros Alpamayo Trek 7 Days
7 days · 4,850 m · High
3 days of prior acclimatization in Huaraz are essential (e.g. Lake Wilcacocha, Lake Churup, and Lake 69 or Lake 513), as day 1 gains over 1,150 vertical meters.
- 3Huayhuash 10 Days
10 days · 5,000 m · Very high
Requires 3 prior days in Huaraz with progressive high-altitude hikes (such as Lake Churup, Lake 69, Lake 513, or Paso del Zorro), as the circuit stays above 4,600 m from day 2 and reaches 5,020 m.
- 3Cedros Alpamayo Circuit 12 Days
12 days · 4,850 m · Very high
Requires 3 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz doing hikes above 4,400 m (such as Lake Churup, Lake 69, or Huascarán Base Camp) to prepare for the 8 high mountain passes.
Mountains & Summits
From highest to lowest difficulty| Route | Duration | Max. alt. | Days in Huaraz | Difficulty | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Huascarán (6,757 m) | 6 days | 6,757 m | 5 days | GlacierVery high | Very difficult level. Requires at least 5 prior acclimatization days, technical gear proficiency, and prior summits from our catalog such as Mount Pisco (5,752 m), Tocllaraju (6,034 m), or Copa (6,188 m). |
| Mount Chopicalqui (6,354 m) | 4 days | 6,354 m | 4 days | GlacierVery high | Very difficult level. Requires 4 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz, rope and crampon proficiency, and prior 5,000m+ summits such as Mount Vallunaraju, Ishinca, or Pisco. |
| Mount Copa (6,188 m) | 4 days | 6,188 m | 4 days | GlacierVery high | Very difficult level. Recommended as a 4th summit in alpine progression (after Mount Mateo, Ichic Ulta or Vallunaraju, and Mount Pisco). Requires 4 prior acclimatization days and high endurance. |
| Mount Tocllaraju (6,034 m) | 5 days | 6,034 m | 4 days | GlacierVery high | Very difficult level. Ideal as a first technical 6,000m peak after climbing Mount Ishinca (in the same valley) or Mount Pisco. Requires 4 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz and ice climbing fitness. |
| Mount Alpamayo (5,947 m) | 7 days | 5,947 m | 4 days | GlacierVery high | Very difficult technical level. Requires 4 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz, steep ice climbing experience (450 m wall), and prior summits such as Mount Pisco or Tocllaraju. |
| Mount Pisco (5,752 m) | 3 days | 5,752 m | 3 days | GlacierVery high | Very difficult level. Recommended as a 3rd summit after Mount Mateo and Ichic Ulta, Ishinca, or Vallunaraju. Requires 3 prior acclimatization days (e.g. Lake 69 or Paso del Zorro) for its long moraine. |
| Mount Vallunaraju (5,686 m) | 2 days | 5,686 m | 3 days | GlacierHigh | Difficult level. Recommended as a 2nd summit after Mount Mateo (5,150 m) and before Mount Pisco. Requires 3 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz with hikes like Lake Churup and Lake 69. |
| Mount Ishinca (5,530 m) | 3 days | 5,530 m | 2 days | GlacierHigh | Difficult level. Excellent 2nd introductory peak in a 3-day base camp format (after Mount Mateo or hikes like Lake 69). Requires 2 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz. |
| Mount Ichic Ulta (5,300 m) | 1 day | 5,300 m | 2 days | GlacierHigh | Difficult level. Recommended as a 2nd 1-day summit after Mount Mateo and before stepping up to Mount Pisco (3 days). Requires 2 prior acclimatization days (e.g. Lake Churup or Lake Hualcacocha). |
| Mount Mateo (5,150 m) | 1 day | 5,150 m | 2 days | GlacierHigh | Ideal as your first 5,000 m summit. 2 days of prior acclimatization in Huaraz are essential (e.g. Day 1: Lake Wilcacocha or Llanganuco; Day 2: Lake Churup, Lake Parón, Lake Rocotuyoc or Lake 69). |
- 5Mount Huascarán (6,757 m)
6 days · 6,757 m · Very high
Very difficult level. Requires at least 5 prior acclimatization days, technical gear proficiency, and prior summits from our catalog such as Mount Pisco (5,752 m), Tocllaraju (6,034 m), or Copa (6,188 m).
- 4Mount Chopicalqui (6,354 m)
4 days · 6,354 m · Very high
Very difficult level. Requires 4 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz, rope and crampon proficiency, and prior 5,000m+ summits such as Mount Vallunaraju, Ishinca, or Pisco.
- 4Mount Copa (6,188 m)
4 days · 6,188 m · Very high
Very difficult level. Recommended as a 4th summit in alpine progression (after Mount Mateo, Ichic Ulta or Vallunaraju, and Mount Pisco). Requires 4 prior acclimatization days and high endurance.
- 4Mount Tocllaraju (6,034 m)
5 days · 6,034 m · Very high
Very difficult level. Ideal as a first technical 6,000m peak after climbing Mount Ishinca (in the same valley) or Mount Pisco. Requires 4 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz and ice climbing fitness.
- 4Mount Alpamayo (5,947 m)
7 days · 5,947 m · Very high
Very difficult technical level. Requires 4 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz, steep ice climbing experience (450 m wall), and prior summits such as Mount Pisco or Tocllaraju.
- 3Mount Pisco (5,752 m)
3 days · 5,752 m · Very high
Very difficult level. Recommended as a 3rd summit after Mount Mateo and Ichic Ulta, Ishinca, or Vallunaraju. Requires 3 prior acclimatization days (e.g. Lake 69 or Paso del Zorro) for its long moraine.
- 3Mount Vallunaraju (5,686 m)
2 days · 5,686 m · High
Difficult level. Recommended as a 2nd summit after Mount Mateo (5,150 m) and before Mount Pisco. Requires 3 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz with hikes like Lake Churup and Lake 69.
- 2Mount Ishinca (5,530 m)
3 days · 5,530 m · High
Difficult level. Excellent 2nd introductory peak in a 3-day base camp format (after Mount Mateo or hikes like Lake 69). Requires 2 prior acclimatization days in Huaraz.
- 2Mount Ichic Ulta (5,300 m)
1 day · 5,300 m · High
Difficult level. Recommended as a 2nd 1-day summit after Mount Mateo and before stepping up to Mount Pisco (3 days). Requires 2 prior acclimatization days (e.g. Lake Churup or Lake Hualcacocha).
- 2Mount Mateo (5,150 m)
1 day · 5,150 m · High
Ideal as your first 5,000 m summit. 2 days of prior acclimatization in Huaraz are essential (e.g. Day 1: Lake Wilcacocha or Llanganuco; Day 2: Lake Churup, Lake Parón, Lake Rocotuyoc or Lake 69).
Key step after acclimatizing
Prior interview and approval with the guide before the summit climb
After completing your acclimatization hikes in Huaraz, you will have a prior interview with the guide to evaluate how your body responded to altitude and approve your summit push safely.
Gear
what the agency provides on glacier routes · UIAA category
Helmet
Certified for mountaineering. Fitted at the refuge.
Harness
With safety carabiners and rope for roped travel.
Crampons
12 points, compatible with rigid or semi-rigid boots.
Ice axe
Classic mountaineering axe. Its use is practiced before the glacier.
All gear is UIAA category and checked before every trip. Clothing, boots, gloves, headlamp and backpack are the participant's responsibility.
Protocols
three steps on every tripAcclimatization and prior approval
Before any glacier route, the participant must complete the altitude days listed in the table. After acclimatization, a prior interview and approval with the guide is conducted to clear you for the summit climb.
Planning with the guide
During the pre-departure interview, the guide explains the plan to the group: departure and summit times, route sections, stops, and the turnaround time. Everyone starts knowing the plan.
If someone feels unwell
The guide evaluates the symptoms to assess their severity and make the decision whether to continue the ascent or descend the mountain. Every trip carries a first-aid kit and pulse oximeter at all times.