Mount Vallunaraju (5,686 m)

Climb Mount Vallunaraju (5,686 m) in 2 days: a challenging summit recommended as a 2nd mountain for beginners after Mount Mateo.

Intro · First 5,000 mDemand: High

Duration

2 days

Max altitude

5,686 m

Season

Apr-Dec

Duration

2 days

Max altitude

5,686 m

Season

Apr-Dec

From Huaraz

1.5 h

At 5,000 meters you don't reach the summit. You reach yourself.

Ready to take your mountaineering ambitions to the next level on an authentic 5,700-meter Andean peak? Mount Vallunaraju (5,686 m / 18,655 ft), with its iconic twin-horned summit clearly visible from downtown Huaraz, is celebrated as the premier 2-day alpine climb recommended as a second mountain for beginners after climbing Mount Mateo.

Starting in the dramatic Llaca Valley, we hike through granite moraines to establish our high camp at nearly 5,000 meters. Under a canopy of stars on summit morning, we rope up with crampons and ice axes to navigate rolling glacier ramps, bypass azure crevasses, and conquer the thrilling summit ridge. Watching the dawn paint Mount Huascarán, Tocllaraju, and Ranrapalca in fiery alpine gold is an experience you will never forget.

Ideal both for climbers acclimatizing before 6,000-meter challenges and for enthusiasts who want to live their first serious two-day technical ascent. With official tour guides specialized in high mountains, UAGMP-certified mountain guides, quality camping equipment and the best certified technical gear, we guarantee a safe, challenging and unforgettable summit experience.

Glaciated 5,686 m summit achievable in just 2 days

Spectacular summit ridge with moderate 40° to 45° snow slopes

High moraine camp (4,950 m) overlooking the stunning Llaca Valley

Recommended as a 2nd peak for beginners after Mount Mateo

Itinerary

2 days · 12h hiking · 1 night overnight at camp

Day 1

Huaraz - Llaca Valley - High / Moraine Camp (4,950 m)

Departure at 8:00 AM from Huaraz by transport to the Llaca Valley (4,350 m). 4-hour hike up a steep rocky moraine to set up high camp (4,950 m) at the edge of the glacier. Hot dinner and early rest.

3,052 → 4,950 m4 h hikingOvernight at camp

Day 2 · Summit

High Camp - Vallunaraju Summit (5,686 m) - Llaca Valley - Huaraz

Start hiking at 2:00 AM, 30 minutes on the rocky trail before roping up on the glacier. Steady climb up snow ramps and over the thrilling final ridge to the summit (5,686 m) around 6:00 AM. 360° views of the range. Descent to camp to pick up gear and continue down to Llaca to return to Huaraz around 1:00 PM.

4,950 → 5,686 → 3,052 m8 h hikingReturn to Huaraz

Included

Private round-trip tourist transportation (Huaraz – Llaca Valley – Huaraz).

Official tour guide specialized in high mountains (safety ratio: maximum 3 clients per guide).

Mountain cook and full meals at high camp (lunch, warm dinner, and summit breakfast).

Porter to carry tents, cookware, and food to High Camp.

4-season mountain tents and group camping equipment.

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

High-altitude first aid kit and emergency oxygen tank.

Personal technical climbing gear: snow boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, headlamp and gloves.

Sleeping bag rated to -15 °C and insulated sleeping pads.

Camping gear: 4-season high-mountain tents (2 people per tent), sleeping pads and sleeping bags.

High-mountain stoves, fuel and full camp management.

Safety gear: safety ropes, ice screws and the guide's snow pickets.

Climbing gear: rigid boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, gloves and headlamp.

Medical oxygen tank and pulse oximeter.

Not included

Huascarán National Park entrance ticket (S/. 60 foreigners / S/. 30 Peruvians for 2-3 days).

Personal porter for client's personal backpack/gear.

Mountain rescue, accident, and medical insurance.

Tips for the guide, cook, and porter.

Clothing such as down jackets, windbreakers, technical pants, sunglasses, and leg warmers.

50-60 L mountaineering backpack to carry gear to high camp.

Three-layer clothing: thermal base, fleece/primaloft mid-layer, and waterproof shell (Gore-Tex).

Heavy down jacket for camp nights and summit push.

Warm beanie / chullo and balaclava for windy ridge conditions.

Glacier glasses with category 4 UV protection and side shields.

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

1-liter insulated thermos for hot tea and water bottle.

One pair of each: thin fleece liner gloves and warm waterproof mountain gloves.

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).