Mountain Climbing in the Cordillera Blanca

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Climbing in the Cordillera Blanca

The Cordillera Blanca is truly a climbers paradise. Many people come to Peru just to visit this region and can sometimes reach several summits over 6,000m in a two week stay. Climbing is best done during the dry season (June to September) with optimum conditions usually in July. Acclimatization is essential so allow between 4 days and 1 week before starting the ascent depending on the height and difficultly of the mountain.

The peaks of Ishinca (5,534m) and Pisco (5,752m) are suitable for inexperienced climbers. Alpamayo (5,957m), generally regarded as Peru's most beautiful mountain, is suitable for intermediate climbers, while Huascaran (6,768m) can prove quite a challenge.

Huaraz is the largest town in the area and the most popular place to use as a base for exploring the surrounding mountains. There are many trekking and climbing companies in Huaraz that can help you plan your trip, provide suitably experienced guides and rent out equipment. However more serious expeditions should bring their own equipment. A great source of information can be found in the Casa de Guias (House of Guides) which is located in the Plaza Ginebra in Huaraz Tel (51 44) 72-1811. They keep a list of registered guides.

Cordillera Blanca: Peaks which can easily be climbed by trekking

Peaks	Duration (Days)	Altitude	Months for Climbing
Hatun Montepuncu	4	5,415 mts.	all year
Huarapasca	2	5,530 mts.	all year
Ishinka *	3	5,534 mts.	all year
Maparaju	4	5,326 mts.	all year
Pastoruri	1	5,220 mts.	all year
Pisco *	3-4	5,752 mts.	all year
Rima Rima	2	5,203 mts.	all year
Tuco	2	5,454 mts.	all year
Urus *	3	5,420 mts.	all year
Vallunaraju	3	5,686 mts.	all year
Wamashraju	3	5,434 mts.	all year

* Classic Peaks of the Cordillera Blanca

Cordillera Blanca: Peaks which can be climbed with moderate difficulty

Peaks	Duration (Days)	Altitude	Months for Climbing
Aquilpo	4	5,050 mts.	May to Sept
Caullaraju	3	5,597 mts.	May to Sept
Copa	4	6,137 mts.	May to Sept
Champara	7	5,878 mts.	May to Sept
Chequiaraju	4	5,512 mts.	May to Sept
Hualcan	4	6,122 mts.	May to Sept
Paria	4	5,500 mts.	May to Sept
Raria	3	5,576 mts.	May to Sept
San Juan	4	5,884 mts.	May to Sept
Tocllraju *	4-5	6,052 mts.	May to Sept
Urhuashraju	5	5,544 mts.	May to Sept
Yanapaccha	5	5,393 mts.	May to Sept

 * Classic Peaks of the Cordillera Blanca

Cordillera Blanca: Peaks which can be climbed with a degree of difficulty

Peaks	Duration (Days)	Altitude	Months for Climbing
Alpamayo *	6-8	5,957 mts.	June to Sept
Artesonraju *	4-5	6,025 mts.	May to Sept
Caraz	6	6,020 mts.	May to Sept
Cayesh	8	5,424 mts.	June to Sept
Contrahierbas	6	6,050 mts.	June to Sept
Chacraraju	8	6,108 mts.	June to Sept
Chinchey	7	6,309 mts.	June to Sept
Chopicalqui *	4-6	6,354 mts.	May to Sept
Huandoy Norte	6	6,393 mts.	June to Sept
Huascaran *	6-8	6,768 mts.	May to Sept
Huastsan	6	6,395 mts.	June to Sept
Oxshapalca	6	5,881 mts.	June to Sept
Palcaraju	5	6,272 mts.	June to Sept
Piramide  Garcilazo	6	5,865 mts.	May to Sept
Pucaranra	7	6,156 mts.	June to Sept
Pacahirca	7	6,088 mts.	June to Sept
Quitaraju	7	6,036 mts.	June to Sept
Ranrapalca	6	6,162 mts.	June to Sept
Rataquenua	5	5,338 mts.	June to Sept
Santa Cruz	8	6,241 mts.	June to Sept
Taulliraju	8	5,830 mts.	June to Sept
Ulta	7	5,782 mts.	May to Sept

* Classic Peaks of the Cordillera Blanca