Some info...
This Alpamayo climb and cultural trip is suitable for all mountain lovers who like to hike and trek extensively and on remote routes. Through the first part of the trip around Cusco and in the Valle Sagrado you are well acclimatized for the Andean highlands around Huaraz. Therefore we will travel with the Alpamayo climb immediately to Machu Picchu and then only to Huaraz. Relaxation and cultural highlights are not neglected either, be it strolling in Cusco or nightlife in Lima. We sleep in the cities in selected premium hotels and at the Alpamayo climb authentically in spacious tents. Extend the trip with a summit tour of Toccllaraju or Ishinca, or add three days for a visit to the Amazon basin.
The Cordillera Blanca in Peru is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in South America. The region is popular with many mountaineers from all over the world, because after all, here are very perfect glacier peaks that rise into a blue sky. One that is considered "the most beautiful" is certainly the Alpamayo. Crystal clear lagoons reflect these mountain peaks in the water and over steep passes we follow at the Alpamayo climb the ancient paths of the Incas to ever more beautiful vistas. The almost subtropical vegetation and the abundance of cereals and vegetables on the sunny slopes, form an exciting contrast to the snow-capped mountain peaks and wild glaciers high above. The city of Huaraz is the economic center of the area, also the beginning and conclusion of this lonely Alpamayo climb. A visit to Cusco with the Valle Sagrado and the famous Inca fortress Machu Picchu must not be missed on this trip to the Andes highlands. If you have ambitions for a 6000 meter peak, you will climb the Alpamayo climb with the private guide and Hermann Berie on the shapely Tocllaraju (6034 m). At the end of the trip you will enjoy the urban life and fine fish dishes in Lima and if you like, surf on the waves of the Pacific Ocean.
BERIE Plus points
- Management and leadership: Mountain guide Hermann Berie
- With friendly mountain guides from Huaraz
- we have the best contacts in the area
- excellent acclimatization
- Cusco, Machu Picchu and Valle Sagrado
- lonely trekking tour with tents
- very good hotels
- fine, local food, cool bars in the cities
- optional: the steep glacier mountain Tocallaraju (6034 m)
- or: the glaciated Ishinca (5530 m)
The facts
05 SEPT - 25 SEPT 2021 (21 days)
Tread Safe Alpine hiker; Condition for several hours of hikes at high altitude, 9 nights in a tent
For Tocllaraju: Experience in handling crampons and ice axe (recommended for preparatory tour)
21 Travel days Machu Picchu and Alpamayo
optional:
additional 4 days for Nevado Toccllaraju (6032 m) challenging
additional 3 days for Nevado Ishinca (5530 m) single
additional 2 days for Nevodo Vallunaraju (5686 m) single
Price / person: CHF 5'790.- / EUR 5'320.- from 6 persons on
Services and additional costs for Tocllaraju, Ishinca or Valunaraju
We work with one UIAGM mountain guide and two mountain participants.
Ratio mountain guide / participant is only 1 : 2! A group leads Hermann
All services as for trekking incl. carriers/carriers (see above)
Price / person: CHF 1'500.- / EUR 1'330.
This trip is personally guided by Hermann Berie from 6 participants! Implementation guaranteed from 2 participants with Peruvian UIAGM Guides.
- Organization of the entire trip (culture, trekking and mountaineering)
- selected hotels in Premium Standard
- Tour guide and guided tour through Hermann Berie
- Additional experienced, English speaking trekkinginguides from Peru
- Cultural program with guide in Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Valle Sagrado
- Final dinner in Lima in a good fish restaurant
- All entrance fees
- All transfers in Peru
- 2 domestic flights (Economy)
- Flight and security fees (approx. 190 CHF)
- National Park Permit for Huascaran National Park (Entrance fee)
- Full board during the cultural trip
- Full board during the trek
- Drinks during the trek
- 2 x overnight stays in a double room with breakfast / dinner in a good hotel in Lima**** district Miraflores
- 2 x overnight stays in a double room with breakfast / dinner in Premium Hotel in Cuzco****
- 1 x overnight stay in double room with breakfast / dinner in Premium Hotel in Urubamba Valley****
- 3 x overnight stays in a double room with breakfast / dinner in a premium hotel in Huaraz***.
- Transport of luggage by donkeys with donkey drivers during trekking
- Organized tent and camp construction by the team
- Own cook and kitchen team during trekking
- Additional riding horse for emergencies ("Emergency Horse")
- 9 x accommodation in good 2-person tents during the trek
- Kitchen tent with cutlery and plates
- Group tent for dinner
- Camping tables and chairs
- toilet tent
- hot wash water in the evening
- Emergency pharmacy, pulse oximeter, satellite telephone
- PACHAMANCA: typical farewell dinner from the earth oven
Exclusive:
International flights to/from Lima
Bar, drinks in the hotels
Tips for local guides/carriers
01. day: flight from Zurich or Frankfurt to Peru, Lima
Arrival in Lima in the late evening and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay in a good hotel in the district of Miraflores.
Day 02: Flight to Cusco 3400 m
In the morning we fly to Cusco, the old Inca capital. Pick up from the airport and drive to the hotel where you can relax. Since the most beautiful city in Peru is located at an altitude of 3430 meters, you should take it easy today to acclimatize sufficiently. A second breakfast is not to be missed. In the afternoon you will make a half-day visit to the most important sights of Cusco and visit the extensive fortress Saqsaywamán, which is located above the city and offers a magnificent view over the former capital of the Inca Empire. Also interesting is the natural sanctuary of Q'enko, situated on rugged cliffs, where the altars and sacrificial channels of ancient ritual ceremonies are still preserved today. Right next to the old Fort Pukapukara lies the water sanctuary Tambomachay. At this mystical place, let yourself be captivated by the magic of the former Inca Empire and listen to the sounds of the water that rises from an old Inca water pipe and gushes over terraced walls. In the evening we let ourselves drift and enjoy the atmosphere on the Plaza del Arma. Fine dinner at the Plaza del Arma. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 03: Cusco, Trip to Valle Sagrado
Visit the city of Chincheros "City of Rainbows" where colonial buildings rise on the mighty remains of the ancient Inca fortress. The potato has always been cultivated here and preserved by the sun. We look over the shoulders of the Inca women in amazement as they weave and dye their old patterns. Also worth seeing is the Inca complex Moray, a series of concentric, agricultural terraces which served the Inca as an agricultural test ground. Visit of the extensive ruins of Pisac 3000 m and the salt terraces of Maras after lunch. The Inca fortress Ollantaytambo is your last destination today, the steep terraces of this temple castle are enthroned on a mighty mountain spur. Afterwards drive to your hotel in the Urubamba valley. Not only the archaeologically interesting sites, but also the picturesque countryside characterize the impressions of this day. Overnight stay / dinner at the hotel.
Day 04: Aguas Calientes
After a walk in the morning and a short ride to Ollantaytambo railway station, the train departs within two hours for Aguas Calientes 2,080 m, which is 12 km away as a night's accommodation before a visit to Macchu Picchu. Here the valley is subtropical and the city and its surroundings bubble full of life and make you want to discover. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 05: Machu Picchu
Visit of Machu Picchu. A magical place! In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo and continue by private bus to Cusco. Overnight stay in a hotel. Dinner again in good hotel at the Plaza del Arma.
06. day: flight to Lima - drive to Huaraz (3050 m)
Drive to Huaraz. Impressions between Pacific and Andes. In 8 hours you will climb 4100 metres up to the Conococha Pass and reach the Rio Santo valley with the dazzling white mountains of the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash in the late afternoon. Arrival in Huaraz in the early evening. Overnight stay/dinner in the hotel. Through the nights in Cusco and in the Cordillera Vilcabamba you are already well acclimatized and will sleep well at this altitude (3050 m).
Day 07: Huaraz acclimatization
Marvel at the mountains and acclimatize in the Cordillera Blanca. Drive from Huaraz to Puenta Santa Cruz. Easy hike to Lake Willcacocha with view of the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca (3850 m). Return to Huaraz. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 08: Huishcash
With a private bus it goes partly over adventurous roads into the sleepy mountain village Hualcayan 3000 m. Here the road ends, at the village square one has a very beautiful view of fertile terraces and steep mountains. We meet our crew, load the donkeys and climb leisurely in the afternoon sun to the campground of Huishcash (4320 m). First tent night at the Million Stars Hotel. A dream when you can marvel at the Milky Way without any disturbing light.
Day 09: Osoruri Pass - Passo Vientunan - Ruina Pampas
Passing Lake Cullicocha 4700 m before the mighty Santa Cruz (6259 m) we reach the Osoruri Pass (4850 m) and climb up to Passo Vientunan (4770 m). After these two exhausting pass crossings we need a long rest. At the end it is steep down into the valley to Ruina Pampas (4180 m). The tents are always ready when you arrive. Overnight stay in a tent.
Day 10: Vientuna Pass – Jancarurish (4250 m)
Today we walk comfortably through the Quebrada Alpamayo to Jancarurish 4250 m, near the lagoon of the same name. We are at the new camp in a few hours and enjoy a relaxed afternoon. Before sunset, a short, steep hike up to Laguna Jancarurish lures you from where you have the best view of the perfect white pyramid of Alpamayo (5947 m). Now you understand why many call this mountain one of the most beautiful peaks. Overnight stay in a tent.
Day 11: Cara Cara Pass – Huillcapampa (4000 m)
Ascent to Cara Cara Pass (4830 m) and through Mayobamba Valley to Mesapata Pass (4460 m). From here you can see the north side of the Alpamayo. Descent through the Tayapampa Valley to the camp at Huillcapampa. Overnight stay in a tent.
Day 12: Yanacon Pass - Jancapampa
Through the Yanta Quenua Valley we cross the Yanacon Pass 4610 m. Descent through the Laurel Valley to Sactaycocka Lake (4056 m) and on to the camp at Jancapampa 3500 m. Many families live here and the women sell us cold drinks. The settlement is dominated by the majestic massif of the Pucajirca with its three peaks. Dinner and overnight stay in a tent.
Day 13: Huecroncocha (4000 m)
We leave the village Pishgopampa behind us and climb up to the Tupa Tupa Pass (4360 m). When visibility is good, you can see yourself in a mountain gap in the west very close to Taulliraju. Descent through the Tuctubamba Valley and overnight stay at Huecrococha Lake. In the evening a campfire crackles at the Laguna. Overnight stay in a tent.
Day 14: Alto Pucaraju Pass (4650 m) – Tuctubamba
In the morning we ascend again steeply 700 hm at a leisurely pace. On the Paso Alto de Pucaraju the Taulliraju with its hanging glaciers towers before us. After the steep west descent from the pass, we return up to Laguna Morococha. A perfect campsite with small lakes and a fantastic view of the Pucajirca. The lagoons are heated by the sun and invite to a refreshing bath in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay in a tent.
Day 15: Taullipampa - Base Camp Alpamayo
Passing many small lagoons we reach the last pass, the Punta Unión (4750 m) and further down to Taullipampa (4250 m). In front of us lies the long and wide Santa Cruz valley. Overnight stay in a tent. Passing pastel blue lupine bushes we ascend for this night to the base camp of Alpamayo. We leave Artensonraju (6025 m), the famous Paramount Picture Mountain, to the left. We head directly towards Alpamayo and if we are lucky, we can see the mountaineers on the mountain. Beautifully situated in an ancient forest, it is again a unique place to spend the night and sit around the campfire for a long time. A wonderful lagoon lies just above the camp. Night in the tent.
Day 16: Llamacorral- Cashapampa
Passing the beautiful Jatuncocha and Ichiccocha lakes we hike to the camp Llamacorral (3750 m). An endless alluvial plain and subtropical vegetation surrounds us here again. The last 1000 hm are a descent to the village Cashapampa (2980 m) where we will camp a garden. Dinner and cold drinks at the end of the trek. Night in the tent.
Day 17: Cashapampa - Huaraz
Sleep in, breakfast and return by private bus to Huaraz for hot shower and hotel. For dinner we are in town and toast the trip with a Pisco Sour and in a fine restaurant. Overnight stay in a hotel in Huaraz.
Day 18: Huaraz - Lima
Take the bus to Lima to the hotel in the Miraflores district with its numerous restaurants and bars. Fine dinner in a very good fish restaurant. Extension mountain or Amazon: all "mountaineers" start today for the 6000/5000 m into the base camp.
19th Lima - Sea and Old Town
Miraflores is the most beautiful part of Lima and it is a short walk from the hotel to the Pacific beach. Breakfast, beach walk, jogging or who wants to surf? In the afternoon you stroll in the center of the city about the Plaza del Arma. Dinner in Miraflores, enjoy freshly caught fish and the nightlife of Lima. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 20: Breakfast and return flight during the day. Transport to the airport.
Day 21: Arrival in Zurich or your destination airport. Journey home.
Travel component 6000s
Day 18: Tocllaraju or Ishinca
Summit tour Tocllaraju 6034 m
By car we go to Pashpa, where the muleteers are waiting for us. The way through the Ishinca Valley to the high camp 4350 m takes about 5 - 6 hours. Our base camp is located at the end of the valley, on a huge green plain and offers the perfect view of the Toccllaraju. Night in the tent.
Day 19: Ascent high camp
In the afternoon we ascend to the high camp at Toccllaraju (5300 m). Night in the tent.
Day 20: Summit ascent:
At midnight we leave the camp. The glacier has wide crevasses and every year the ideal ascent route changes due to the rapidly changing ice conditions. All the more stimulating is the following ridge ascent with its gigantic views. The crowning glory is a short (approx. 50-60 m) steep ice passage of about 55 degrees. At the top we literally have the whole Cordillera Blanca at our feet. If the ascent is not possible due to the conditions, we can switch to the destinations Urus (5495 m) or Ishinca (5530 m). Descent to high camp or base camp. Night in the tent.
Day 21: Descent and Huaraz
Descent to Pashpa, where we are already expected. Drive to Huaraz. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 22: Lima
Take the bus to Lima. Fine dinner in a good fish restaurant and overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 23: Miraflores is the most beautiful part of Lima and it is a short walk from the hotel to the Pacific beach. Breakfast, beach walk, jogging or who wants to surf? In the afternoon you stroll in the center of the city about the Plaza del Arma. Dinner in Miraflores, enjoy freshly caught fish and the nightlife of Lima. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 24: Breakfast and return flight during the day. Transport to the airport
Day 25: Arrival in Zurich or your destination airport. journey home
The Alpamayo climb: are they up to the challenges?
The Alpamayo climb is a very pleasant and at the same time demanding Tour. The reason for this are the conditions, the altitude and nine nights in the tent. The tour is demanding even for experienced climbers. Don't worry, on the Alpamayo climb we always pay attention to our participants and know the individual requirements. In general you need a high level of fitness for the Alpamayo climb and you should be familiar with the technique and the equipment. The distances are from a time point of view 4 and 8 hours. On the summit days we calculate between 6 and 8 hours for the ascent. Some ice and firn flanks show a slope of 40°. A safe use of crampons and ice axe is necessary on the Alpamayo climb to pass the conditions. We try on the Alpamayo climb a consistent and routine speed to find. We offer tours for beginners. However, we will be guided by the experience of advanced expedition members. In general we expect team spirit, high mental strength as well as Helpfulness. You are welcome to send us your tour record of the last years. Alternatively, contact us with your experience. We will assess your condition and can tell you if you are suitable for the Alpamayo climb. Have fun!
