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Marco Antonio Lliuya Reyes

The Santa Cruz Trek is a very popular hiking option in the Cordillera Blanca. But today I'd like to propose you a bigger plan...

You will not only have the opportunity of walking along the Santa Cruz Trek. You will also live a unique mountaineering expedition up to the summits of 3 amazing peaks: the Urus (5495 m), the Ishinca (5550 m) and the Tocllaraju (6035 m). Therefore, the Santa Cruz Trek will help you acclimatize your body to the height and get ready for the climbing stage of this trip.

As you may know, the Ishinca and Urus peaks do not involve a technical knowledge. However, the Tocllaraju has some stretches of technical and steep climbing. That is why I always recommend to have some prior ice climbing experience. In addition, it is also important that you know how to use crampons and piolets and how to descend by abseiling.

The best season to come to the Cordillera Blanca and enjoy this amazing program is from May till September. I can lead a group of 6 guests during the trekking stage. Once we start the ascensions I will lead a group of no more than 3 participants. If you are a larger group, a mountain guide assistant will join us.

And if you want to climb these 3 peaks but you don't have so many days in the country, please check out <a href="http://www.explore-share.com/trip/urus-ishinca-and-tocllaraju-week/" target="_blank">my 7-day program</a>.

If you want to join me in this adventure contact me now and make your reservation. I will be happy to be your guide!

Santa Cruz Trek with 3 summits ascents in 12 days

Quique Apolinario Villafán

This trekking and mountaineering program in Huaraz, in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, proposes the combination of Santa Cruz trekking with the ascent of two mountains: Urus and Ishinca. But you can also choose to do just one of the two parts, either the trekking program or the ascents. Check both options and join me to the beautiful mountains of the Peruvian Andes!

The Santa Cruz trek is a beautiful 4 days hike to appreciate all the beauty of Cordillera Blanca. We’ll enjoy summits such as the Chopicalqui, the Quitaraju or the Huandoy and the trek ends in the lagoons of the Quebrada Llanganuco. The Huascaran towers above these high mountains with its 6778m. This majestic group of high mountain pastures, ravines, valleys, lakes, glaciers and crests of ice is the proof of the powerful geography of Peru. This trek which climbs progressively, is an ideal way of acclimatizing for the ascent of high altitude peaks.

For the ascent of Urus and Ishinca we’ll move to the valley of Ishinca, which offers different possibilities of ascents and treks. We reach the base camp from Pashpa at 3600m by a panoramic and progressive path. Each ascent can be done in a day, leaving from Ishinca refuge.

The Urus 5490m is a perfect mountain for acclimatization. The slopes on the glacier are easy to climb and lead to the summit. If you leave early in the morning the ascent can end with lunch at the base camp.

The Ishinca 5530m, is an excellent mountain to climb for those who don’t have much experience and also for those who want to be well acclimatized before starting more difficult ascents. On the way up there is an easy glacier with a steep part of 100m just before the summit. Impressive view of Ranrapalca and Huantsan.


Itinerary – Part 1 – Santa Cruz trek


Day 1: Marcara, bus to Cashapampa 2900m, trek to Llamaccorral 3760m

A short journey by bus to Cashapampa where the trek begins. We walk up through a arrow gorge to reach the Quebrada of Santa Cruz. At about 3800m the valley opens up progressively and the mountains become visible. The tents are pitched at Llamaccorral. Meals: B, L, D

Day 2: Llamaccorral 3760m – Base camp of Alpamayo 4300m – Taullipampa 4250m

The panorama becomes grandiose. After the Hatuncocha lagoon we leave the main path and climb up towards the Base camp of the Alpamayo by following the Quebrada Arhuaycocha. A magnificent view of the Quitaraju, the Alpamayo and the Pucajirca. Return to the main route, then to a wellindicated path on the edge of the mountain and reach the main valley. The tents are pitched at Taullipampa at the foot of the impressive granite rock face of Taulliraju. Superb view of the White Pyramid of Artesonraju. Meals: B, L, D

Day 3: Taullipampa 4250m – Punta Union Pass 4750m – Cachinapampa 3700m

Climb up to the Punta Union Pass opposite the granite rock face of Taullipampa. Downhill to the Quebrada Huaripampa passing near the Morococha Lagoon. We discover the impressive side of the Chacraraju 6112m, one of the mythical mountains of the Cordillera. The tents are pitched at Cachinapampa. Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: Cachinapampa 3700m – Vaqueria 3800m – Portachuelo 4767m – Huaraz

Easy descent towards the small villages of Huaripampa, then we go down the valley Demanda, passing by Vaqueria and then by a wood of quenoals we take our bus on the road from Yanama to Yungay. We arrive at the pass of Portachuelo 4767m. Very pleasant view of Yanapaccha 5400m and of Chopicalqui 6350m, Huascarán. Meals: B, L, D


Itinerary – Part 2 – Urus (5490m) and Ishinca (5530m) ascent


Day 1: Marcara 2750m – bus to Pashpa 3500m – Ishinca refuge 4350m

Transfer by bus to the village of Pashpa 3500m and the start of the trek by a path along the edge of the mountain from which you can see the Copa and the Huascaran in the north. The Quebrada Ishinca begins with a wood of Quenoals (a typical tree of the cordillera). It is deep and progressive and helps you to discover the superb treks around the Ishinca. We then cross a plain and reach the Ishinca refuge which is just below a mountainous cirque.

Day 2: Ascent Ishinca Refuge 4350m – the Ishinca summit 5530m
On leaving the refuge we cross the river and join the path which zigzags up to the plateau. The slope is more gentle up to the end of the lagoon Ishinca. We continue up the north glacier to a small pass with little crevices. About a hundred metres before the summit the slope is steep, at 45°. A pleasant view from the summit. Return via the south-west glacier near the Ranracalpa and descent to the refuge.

Day 3: Ascent of the Urus. Ishinca Refuge 4350m – Summit of the Urus 5490m

We approach the eastern slope of the Urus which starts in the middle of blocks of stone. The rural path continues in short zigzags until it reaches a headland of blocks of stone. The slope becomes more gentle and we climb the glacier on easy slopes. In the last metres before the summit there is very little snow.

Day 4: Ishinca Refuge 4350m – Pashpa 3500m – bus for Marcara – Huaraz.


Please contact me if you are interested in this beautiful program in Cordillera Blanca! Either if you want to do the full 8 days program, or just the Santa Cruz trek or the ascents to Urus and Ishinca. Tell me your plans so we can start organizing your trip!<h6 class="spots-header">Spots of interest</h6><h4 class="spot-header">Santa Cruz trek</h4>The Santa Cruz trek is a beautiful 4 days hike to appreciate all the beauty of Cordillera Blanca. Weâll enjoy summits such as the Chopicalqui, the Quitaraju or the Huandoy and the trek ends in the lagoons of the Quebrada Llanganuco.<h4 class="spot-header">Ishinca</h4>The Ishinca 5530m, is an excellent mountain to climb for those who donât have much experience and also for those who want to be well acclimatized before starting more difficult ascents.<h4 class="spot-header">Urus</h4>The Urus 5490m is a perfect mountain for acclimatization. The slopes on the glacier are easy to climb and lead to the summit.

Santa Cruz trek + Urus and Ishinca Climb

Juventino Martin Albino Caldua

A great combination of hiking and mountaineering in one of the best places of the Peruvian Andes. Join me in this 12-day hike in Quebrada Quilqueyhuanca with a summit attempt to Ishinca peak. 
The trekking in Quebrada Quilqueyhuanca I am proposing is a short hike among a valley far from the crowds. Moreover, this trek will be the best way to acclimatize our bodies before the big climb. It is also a nice opportunity to enjoy an activity with your family. The road does not present major difficulties.
When the trek progresses you will also find a 13-km-long gorge in the heart of Quilqueyhuanca Valley. It leads directly to a cirque of mountains over 6.000 meters high. The scenery at this point is really stunning. However, what make it most beautiful is the green grass dominated by cows, horses and donkeys.
Finally, you will also discover several archaeological remains. And it is worth mentioning the Quilqueyhuanca wildlife. During the trek you will admire from small birds to amazing foxes.
The second stage of this trip, after the acclimatization trek, consists in climbing the Ishinca Peak. With that goal in mind we will trek across the Ishinca Valley.
Ishinca is a perfect option for those climbers who want to summit a 6000-meter peak with a encouraging landscape around. And even if you don’t reach the top it is anyway an incredible climbing. On the way up you will have the best views of Ishinca, Urus, Tocllaraju, Ranrapalca, and the Palcarajus.
Please, find at the end of this description a detailed itinerary of this 12-day hike and climb in Peru. For any other doubt or question feel free to contact me.
As your guide, I'll put all my background and expertise to your service. Please, get in touch with me and book your place for this exciting adventure.

Quebrada Quilqueyhuanca Trek + Ishinca Climb

Martín Torres

<h5>The Cordillera Blanca is one of the most stunning mountain ranges on Earth! Join me on this adventure. And let me take you to the summit of Urus (5,420m) and Ishinca (5,530m) in this 6-day trip through the Cordillera Blanca.</h5>
This magnificent range is located in Peru, and it forms part of the Andes mountain range. It extends for over 200 kilometers to the northwest. It lies at the heart of the Ancash region, parallel to the Santa river, in the Santa Valley or Callejon de Huaylas. This area is mainly covered by the Huascaran National Park.

There are many things that make the Cordillera Blanca unique. One of them is that the Cordillera Blanca is the most extensive and longest  tropical ice-covered mountain range on Earth! Also, it has the largest concentration of snow and ice in Peru. Moreover it has a very impressive collection of over 722 individual glaciers. For those reasons, and more, the UNESCO provides special protection, naming it part of the Huascarán Biosphere Reserve, and a Natural World Heritage Site.

Over our 6-day adventure, we will unveil some of the most mesmerizing parts of the Cordillera Blanca. And we will ascend two of its most iconic peaks, Urus and Ishinca.

Also, we will visit many dazzling spots. For example, I will take you to the Llanganuco and Cochapampa Lagoons, where we’ll enjoy breathtaking sceneries of pristine water surrounded by majestic peaks. 

Moreover, we will discover many charming towns all throughout our journey. So we’ll get to learn about the local culture and the lifestyle of the people that inhabit this region.

So, if you want to join this adventure I will be waiting for your request. It will be my pleasure to guide you across this wonderful place in Peru.

I also guide other trips you may want to check out, like this <a href="https://www.explore-share.com/trip/ascent-san-francisco-volcano-catamarca/">Ascent to the San Francisco Volcano in Catamarca</a>.

Cordillera Blanca: Urus-Ishinca 6-day guided ascent

Compare and book the best certified guide for your Ishinca + Hiking trip with Explore-Share.com. 1500+ guides in 70 countries!

Hiking trips – Ishinca

Explore-share.com helps you book your next Hiking trip in Ishinca.

Compare and book a certified guide for your trip on Explore-Share.com: 1500+ guides, 70+ countries and more than 8000 different programs to choose from. Take a pick from our selection of Hiking trips in Ishinca. The mountains are calling!

Top Hiking Trips in Ishinca

Santa Cruz Trek with 3 summits ascents in 12 days

Santa Cruz trek + Urus and Ishinca Climb

Quebrada Quilqueyhuanca Trek + Ishinca Climb

Cordillera Blanca: Urus-Ishinca 6-day guided ascent

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