Cordillera Blanca Climbing Urus (5495 m) e Ishinca (5530 m)
4 or 5 Days – One Day ex Huaraz & return to Huaraz
Grade:
PD- / Moderate , Beginner Suitable
Urus Highest Point:
5495m / 18028ft
Ishinca Highest Point:
5530m / 18143ft
From our base in the beautiful Ishinca Valley we can climb two peaks which are both suitable for novice climbers.
Previous experience on snow and ice is not necessary, we will provide some basic instruction in the base camp and support during the climb, but you do need to be strong to undertake these climbs. There are sometimes some short sections of steep ice to negotiate which we will help you with.
Although we grade the climbs Moderate and as being suitable for beginner climbers, the high altitude does make both climbs physically demanding.
Note 1: Acclimatisation & Fitness
This is a VERY HARD trek and it is important that you are well acclimatised to the altitude before you depart from Huaraz to start the trek.
On the first day when you travel from Huaraz to Quartelhuain 4168m / 13675ft by road you have an altitude gain of 1100m / 3609ft in a single day and on the first day trekking you cross a pass of 4680m / 15354ft
We highly recommend three days (four nights) for acclimatisation in Huaraz, doing day hikes progressively gaining altitude to above 4000m to be well acclimatised for this trek.
If you start your trek from Quartelhuain at 4168m without sufficient acclimatisation, the risk of becoming unwell with altitude related problems during the first days of the trek is high
It is important to have good physical fitness and be able to hike up to 2 hours to the top of a high pass each day during the trek.
Trails on this trek are often steep – both ascending and descending and can be slippery & rocky in places. Trails are not formed paths and are not maintained, they are dirt trails also used by animals and are uneven underfoot.
The trail over Trapecio Pass is not a formed trail. Much of the way is route finding through tussock grasses and over moraine rock. You need to be comfortable with this type of hiking
You should NOT consider this 9 (or 8) day trek unless you have good physical fitness and are well acclimatised to the altitude.
Note 2
Walking times are average hiking times. The altitude affects people differently. Some people will be faster than the indicated times and others will be much slower.
Note 3
The Cordillera Huayhuash is becoming known to be one of the most beautiful high altitude treks in the world. Although you are trekking through a remote area, you can expect that there will also be several other groups and also independent hikers on the route
Note 4
The Huayhuash trek route is all on community owned farmland. There are small farm houses and some farm animals (cattle, sheep, horses and sometimes alpacas & llamas) all along the trekking route, included surprisingly at the top of the high passes
Note 5
All land along the Cordillera Huayhuash trekking routes is privately owned community farmland (not National Park or Government owned). The local Huayhuash communities allow trekking groups to pass through and camp on their private land and we ask that all hikers respect their goodwill in allowing us to hike in the beautiful Cordillera Huayhuash by leaving no rubbish, taking care of farm animals and respecting the local people that we will meet along the trek route and in campsites. Each community charges access and camping fees for each campsite (included in trek fee). As part of the camping fee they provide toilets in the campsites.
Itinerary
One Day ex Huaraz & return to Huaraz
Drive 1½ hours from Huaraz to the village of either Pashpa or Collon (3400m). We then walk up the valley Quebrada Ishinca on a gently rising path to our camp at the head of the valley. 4 to 5 hours
One Day ex Huaraz & return to Huaraz
Climb Urus East face. A steep climb directly up a ridge and across large moraine rocks until we reach the ice. Climb on snow and ice for one hour, then the last half hour to the summit is an easier rock climb although in some years there can be deep snow all the way to the summit. A steep descent back down to camp. 7 hours
One Day ex Huaraz & return to Huaraz
Climb Ishinca. A steady climb initially on a good path and then on loose rock and large moraine rock until we reach the ice. The climb is usually not very steep apart from the final 20 metres to the summit. In some years depending on the condition of the glacier there can be some short steep sections or hard ice, but we will help you with this. Return the same way to Base Camp. 9 to 12 hours depending on fitness.
One Day ex Huaraz & return to Huaraz
Walk down the Ishinca Valley to Pashpa and return to Huaraz.
You can choose to climb just one of the two peaks – then three days will be required
Hiking Hours & Kms Hiked
Hiking hours are estimated times including rest breaks and lunch stop. Times are for our average groups based on past experience. Some people may be much faster and others slower.
Kms hiked are estimated.
Trek Roads
Access roads to and from treks are generally dirt mountain roads (not paved) and in some places can be bumpy. Road travel times are slower than you may expect for the kms travelled.
Contact us for more information and prices.
If you know, tell us the approximate dates that you would like to be climbing and the number of people in your group, as well as if you prefer a private Climb or would be happy to join with other people.
Print Copy / PDF trek description & more photos
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