16-day ski mountaineering expedition: Huaraz

Sixteen days to climb and ski the highest peaks in Peru

A 16-day ski mountaineering expedition in Huaraz, Peru, where you climb and ski Nevado Pisco (5,752m) and Mount Huascaran (6,768m) in the Cordillera Blanca. The itinerary includes acclimatization hikes, three nights in hotels in Lima and Huaraz, and the rest in mountain camps with a cook, porters and certified guides. You'll ski down from both summits after reaching the top.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Lima and hotel transfer

• Arrive at Lima Airport
• Transfer to hotel

Day 2: Travel from Lima to Huaraz

• Breakfast at hotel
• Bus from Lima to Huaraz
• Transfer to hotel in Huaraz

Day 3: Free day in Huaraz

• Explore Huaraz
• Optional short afternoon hike

Day 4: Acclimatization hike to Churup Lake

• Transfer to Pitec
• Hike to Churup Lake
• Return to Pitec and transfer to Huaraz

Day 5: Transfer to Pisco Base Camp

• Pickup from hotel
• Transfer through Callejon de Huaylas valley
• Hike to Pisco Base Camp

Day 6: Climb to Moraine Camp

• Breakfast at Base Camp
• Climb to Moraine Camp

Day 7: Summit Pisco and return to Base Camp

• Early morning climb to glacier
• Climb to Pisco summit
• Ski down to Moraine Camp
• Return to Base Camp

Day 8: Return to Huaraz

• Breakfast at Base Camp
• Transfer to Yuraccorral
• Drive to Huaraz via Llanganuco lakes
• Arrive at hotel in Huaraz

Day 9: Rest day in Huaraz

• Rest and prepare for Huascaran climb

Day 10: Travel to Huascaran Base Camp

• Drive from Huaraz to Musho
• Hike to Huascaran Base Camp

Day 11: Climb to High Camp

• Hike to Moraine Camp
• Continue to glacier
• Reach High Camp

Day 12: Climb to High Camp II

• Climb to La Garganta saddle
• Arrive at High Camp II

Day 13: Summit Huascaran and return

• Early breakfast
• Climb to Huascaran summit
• Enjoy summit views
• Ski down to High Camp

Day 14: Descend to Base Camp

• Breakfast at High Camp
• Descend to Moraine Camp
• Continue to Base Camp

Day 15: Return to Huaraz

• Breakfast at Base Camp
• Load equipment on donkeys
• Descend to Musho
• Transfer to Huaraz
• Celebrate with dinner

Day 16: Return to Lima

• Depart by bus to Lima
• Transfer to hotel or airport

The experience

Sixteen days means time to acclimatize properly before attempting Peru's highest peak. You start in Lima, take a bus to Huaraz (8–9 hours), then have a free day and an acclimatization hike to Churup Lake at 4,450m before heading into the mountains. This schedule is built around the physiology of high-altitude climbing: rushing the ascent is how climbers fail, and the expedition front-loads the days that let your body adjust.

Nevado Pisco comes first. After a transfer through the Llanganuco Valley and a 3-hour hike to base camp at 4,600m, you climb to the moraine camp, then summit at 5,752m in the early morning: about 4 hours on the glacier with crampons and rope. The route is straightforward and not technical, which is the point: Pisco teaches you the movement and the altitude before Huascaran. You ski back down to camp the same day, then return to Huaraz for a rest day.

Huascaran is the test. A 4–5 hour hike from Musho gets you to base camp at 4,300m, then two more days of climbing through rock and glacier to high camp at 5,850m. Summit day starts at 1:00am. The route includes sections of technical ice climbing up to 60 degrees and a broad saddle called La Garganta between the north and south peaks. You reach the top at 6,768m around 9:00am, ski down to high camp or moraine camp, then descend to base camp the next morning. A celebration dinner in Huaraz marks the end.

The expedition includes a cook and complete meals in the mountain camps, a dining tent and kitchen tent, two-person North Face tents, donkeys to carry gear, certified IVBV–UIAGM–IFMGA guides in English or Spanish, and all internal transfers. You need to bring your own climbing and ski equipment (boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat and Goretex jacket), and you must be in excellent physical condition.

What’s included

• Certified professional mountain guides (IVBV–UIAGM–IFMGA) in English or Spanish.
• all meals in mountain camps with a cook.
• two-person North Face tents, dining tent, kitchen tent and toilet tent.
• donkeys and porters to carry equipment.
• acclimatization day hike to Churup Lake.
• entrance fees to Huascaran National Park.
• three nights in 3-star hotels (two in Lima, the rest in Huaraz).
• public bus tickets (VIP class) from Lima to Huaraz and return.
• all internal transfers in Lima and Huaraz.
• first aid kit and satellite phone available on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Peru Expeditions Tours

Is this one for you?The 16-day schedule is what makes both summits reachable in one expedition: Pisco acclimatizes you for Huascaran, and the rest days let your body recover between climbs. If you're staying in Lima or arriving without a vehicle, the expedition handles all transport (bus from Lima, transfers in Huaraz, and the hike-in from Musho), so you only need to show up fit and ready to climb.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the fitness level required for this 16-day expedition?

The climb is physically demanding and requires a high level of endurance. Climbers must be in excellent physical condition. Huascaran involves technical ice climbing and sustained altitude work, so serious training beforehand is essential.

Do I need my own climbing and ski equipment, or is it provided?

You bring your own personal equipment: boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat and Goretex jacket. The expedition provides tents, dining and kitchen tents, and climbing gear like ropes and anchors.

How does the acclimatization work over the 16 days?

You have a free day in Huaraz after arrival, then an acclimatization hike to Churup Lake at 4,450m. Nevado Pisco at 5,752m serves as the second acclimatization step before the final push to Huascaran at 6,768m, spreading the altitude gain across the full expedition.

What are the two peaks you'll climb and ski?

Nevado Pisco stands at 5,752m and is a straightforward, non-technical climb that prepares you for the main objective. Mount Huascaran at 6,768m is Peru's highest peak and involves technical ice climbing. You ski down from both summits after reaching the top.

Are meals provided during the expedition, and who cooks them?

Complete meals are provided throughout the mountain camps. A cook travels with the expedition and prepares all food in the kitchen tent. Meals in Lima and Huaraz hotels are not included.

What is included in the camp setup at altitude?

Each climber gets a two-person North Face V25 tent, and the expedition provides a dining tent with table and chairs, a kitchen tent with utensils, and a toilet tent. Porters and donkeys carry all gear between camps.