Mount Copa (6,188 m)

Mount Copa (6,188 m) in 4 days: very difficult expedition recommended as a 4th summit for beginner mountaineers with sweeping Cordillera Blanca panoramas.

Intermediate · ProgressionDemand: Very high

Duration

4 days

Max altitude

6,188 m

Season

Jun-Sep

Duration

4 days

Max altitude

6,188 m

Season

Jun-Sep

From Huaraz

1.5 h

Mount Copa (6,188 m / 20,302 ft), one of the most colossal and extensive massifs in the Cordillera Blanca, towers over the Callejón de Huaylas between the Lejiacocha and Honda valleys. Rated as very difficult due to extreme altitude and vast glacial crevasse systems, it is celebrated as the ideal 4th summit for beginner mountaineers who have successfully graduated from peaks like Mateo, Ichic Ulta (or Vallunaraju), and Mount Pisco.

Starting from Huaraz, we travel through Marcará to the traditional village of Vicos to meet muleteers and pack animals, trekking through scenic Andean valleys to establish Base Camp beside turquoise Lake Lejiacocha (4,700 m). Next day, assisted by high-altitude porters, we climb the rocky moraine to establish High Camp (5,200 m) at the glacier's edge. Summit push starts at midnight: roping up through snow bridges, crevasse fields, and 45°-55° glacial slopes to celebrate the 6,188m summit at sunrise with vistas of Huascarán, Hualcán, Tocllaraju, and Ranrapalca.

Descent follows with guided rappels and glacier footwork back to High Camp for rest before heading down to Base Camp, returning to Huaraz on Day 4. Backed by certified UIAGM/AGMP high-mountain guides in a strict 1:2 safety ratio, 4-season camps, high-altitude porters, and full trail nutrition, Mount Copa is the ultimate crowning achievement before tackling Peru's highest giants.

Colossal 6,188 m peak recommended as a 4th summit for beginner climbers

Scenic Base Camp nestled beside turquoise Lake Lejiacocha (4,700 m)

4-day technical glacial ascent with high-altitude porters for Camp 1

Privileged 6,188 m summit vista facing Huascarán, Hualcán, Tocllaraju, and Ranrapalca

Itinerary

4 days · 23h hiking · 3 nights overnight at camp

Day 1

Huaraz - Marcará - Vicos (3,100 m) - Lake Lejiacocha / Base Camp (4,700 m)

Departure at 7:00 AM from Huaraz driving past Marcará to the traditional village of Vicos (3,100 m). Meet muleteers and pack animals. Begin a 5 to 6-hour trek up the Lejiacocha valley to establish Base Camp beside turquoise Lake Lejiacocha (4,700 m). Warm dinner and gear preparation.

3,052 → 4,700 m6 h hikingOvernight at camp

Day 2

Base Camp - Moraine - Copa Glacier High Camp (5,200 m)

Breakfast at camp. Assisted by high-altitude porters transporting tents and high-camp equipment, we hike 4 hours across mixed rock and moraine to reach the edge of Copa glacier. Setup High Camp (5,200 m), hydrate, and rest early for the summit push.

4,700 → 5,200 m4 h hikingOvernight at camp

Day 3

High Camp - Mount Copa Summit (6,188 m) - Lejiacocha Base Camp

Summit push at 1:00 AM. Roped up ascent navigating expansive glacier slopes, crevasse bridges, and 45°-55° pitches to stand upon Mount Copa summit (6,188 m) at dawn. 360° panoramas of Huascarán, Hualcán, and Tocllaraju. Technical descent to High Camp for rest before continuing down to Base Camp (4,700 m).

5,200 → 6,188 → 4,700 m9 h hikingOvernight at camp

Day 4 · Summit

Lejiacocha Base Camp - Vicos - Return to Huaraz

Hearty breakfast overlooking the lake. Camp packing onto pack animals and a 4-hour descent hike down the valley to Vicos, where private transport awaits to take us back to Huaraz by ~2:00 PM.

4,700 → 3,052 m4 h hikingReturn to Huaraz

Included

Private round-trip tourist transportation (Huaraz – Marcará – Vicos – Huaraz).

Bilingual Official Mountain Guide (UIAGM / AGMP) with strict 1:2 safety ratio.

Professional mountain cook and full camp meals (hearty breakfasts, trail lunches, afternoon teas, and hot dinners).

High-altitude porters to transport tents and rations to High Camp (5,200 m).

Muleteers and pack animals to transport tents, cookware, and duffel bags to Base Camp.

4-season expedition tents (2 people per tent), dining tent with tables and chairs, and kitchen tent.

Group technical gear: certified dynamic ropes, ice screws, and snow pickets.

High-altitude first aid kit, pulse oximeter, and medical oxygen tank.

4-season expedition tents for base camp and high camp.

Spacious dining tent with complete camp tableware.

Certified dynamic ropes, ice screws, and snow pickets managed by the guide.

Medical oxygen tank and pulse oximeter.

Not included

Huascarán National Park mountaineering permit (S/. 150 foreigners / S/. 75 Peruvians).

Personal technical climbing gear (rigid/double boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet; available for rent).

Personal porter for client's individual daypack to High Camp.

-15 °C rated sleeping bag and insulated sleeping pad (available for rent).

International mountain accident, search and rescue, and medical insurance.

Tips for the guide, cook, porters, and muleteers.

Rigid mountaineering boots (plastic or rigid leather compatible with crampons).

Classic alpine ice axe or technical climbing axe.

Climbing harness with personal tether and 2 locking carabiners.

Certified mountaineering helmet.

Insulated inflatable sleeping pad with high R-value (> 4.0).

50-60 L mountaineering pack for approach and duffel bag for pack animals.

4-layer clothing system: merino wool base, technical fleece, Gore-Tex shell, and thick down jacket.

Three pairs of gloves: thin thermal liners, waterproof mountain gloves, and heavy down mitts.

Extreme cold-weather sleeping bag (recommended comfort: -15 °C to -20 °C).

High-powered headlamp (min 300 lumens) with cold-resistant spare batteries.

1-liter stainless steel thermos for hot drinks and water bottle.

Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and high-protection lip balm.

Category 4 glacier glasses with side shields and blizzard goggles.

Calibrated semi-automatic or automatic crampons with anti-balling plates.

Recommendations

Acclimatize for 2 or 3 days in Huaraz (3,050 m) before tours that ascend above 4,500 m.
Get a good night's sleep before and eat light meals: easily digestible foods the day before and the day of the tour.
Altitude sickness medication: consult your doctor before your trip. Acetazolamide requires a prescription, should be started the day before, and is ineffective if you already have symptoms.
Travel with insurance that covers mountain activities and rescue.
Do not drink alcohol for the first 48 hours at altitude.
Drink water constantly, without forcing yourself: drinking too much does not prevent altitude sickness.
Inform your guide if you experience a severe headache, nausea, or dizziness. The rule is not to continue ascending if you have these symptoms.
Bring water (2 liters) and water purification tablets if you plan to drink from streams. There is livestock in the area, and these tablets are sold in pharmacies in Huaraz.
Bring energy snacks.
Bring sunscreen with SPF 50+, sunglasses with UV protection, and a hat: the radiation at high altitude is very strong.
Bring layers of clothing and waterproof gear, even during the dry season.
Bring a personal first-aid kit with your usual medications.
Bring your passport (there is a checkpoint at Huascarán National Park).