Perú - QUILCAYHUANCA - CÓJUP

Altitude: 5.020 m.

Duration : 6 days.

Difficulty: Difficult

Season : May to September.

ITINERARY:

Day 1.- Country of origin to  Lima, stay at hotel.

Day 2.- Lima to Huaraz, the capital of Ancash department (3,090m) by bus (8 hours), crossing the pass of Conococha at 4,500 m. Transfer to hotel in Huaraz.

Day 3.- Huaraz - Pitec - Quebrada Quilcayhuanca - Quebrada Tullpacocha We leave Huaraz on transportation to the small village of Llupa (3650 m), from where we start the trek up to the village of Pitec (3850 m), for about 2 hours. After a small break, we continue with porters to the trail fork of the valleys Quilcayhuanca and Cayesh. We take the trail to Tullpacocha valley and walk to first camping site at 4250 m.

Day 4.- Tullpacocha - Paso Huapi (5020 m) - Cojup Valley.

On the second day we start on the trail that climbs to Cuchillacocha Lake (4625 m) situated at the base of Pucaranra (6156 m) and Chinchey (6222 m), and then continue climbing to Huapi Pass  (5020 m), about 5 hours. From this point, the highest of the circuit, we have a view of Nevados Huapi, Pucaranra, Tullparaju, Andavete, Cayesh, Maparaju, San Juan, Palcaraju, Ishinca and Ranrapalca. WE then descend to Cojup valley and camp at the bottom of this beautiful valley, with excellent sunset views.

Day 5.- Quebrada Cojup – Huaraz: On the last of the trek, we start the descent along Cojup valley, reaching a meadow where we have a view over the other valets. Then we reach small settlements and return to the starting point- the village of Llupa. From here, private transport will take us back to Huaraz.

Day 6.- Return to Lima and transfer to hotel.

EXPEDITION COSTS INCLUDE:

- 2 nights lodging in Lima (double bed, breakfast included)

- 2 nights lodging in Huaraz (double bed, breakfast included)

- 2 nights camping

- Bus transportation Lima - Huaraz and private local transportation Huaraz - pitec - Huaraz.

- Mountain guide, porters and cook.

- Donkeys to carry the common gear (tents, food and fuel) as well as personal gear (up to 20 kg per person)

- Kitchen gear and cooking facilities at base camp (including dining tent, chairs, cooking tent)

. Food for the whole duration of the climb (breakfast, lunch and dinner) is included.

- Camping gear: 4 season tent

- First aid kit

- Check-up for oxygen to assess acclimatization level of each client.

- Entry to National Park Huascaran.

Not included:

- Food costs outside the climb (Lima and Huaraz)

- Flight from country of origin to Lima

- Extra days of lodging due to delays of the trip

- Personal trekking and climbing gear (sleeping bag, sleeping mattress etc..)

- Personal expenses.

Recommended gear:
Lightweight walking shoes/sandals/socks/pants/short pants/T-shirts (long sleeve and short sleeve)/sunglasses/sunscreen/plastic bags/warm sleeping bag /light weight trekking boots/wool socks/light weight treeking pants/waterproof pants and jacket/fleece/Goretex/hat/mits or warm gloves/thermal liners/camera/bandana or hat against sun/headlamp with extra batteries.
Safety Individual gear:
Glacier glasses 100% UV with rigid case (2 pair recommended)/ goggles/ sunscreen with maximum protection/lipbalm/4 season sleeping bag/ sleeping pad or thermarest/hat/thermal underwear/fleece jacket/fleece pants/down jacket/Goretex jacket or similar material/2 pairs of gloves or mittens/ pair of thermal glove liners/2 pairs of thermal sock liners/plastic boots/gaiters.