Pisco and Chopicalqui

Overview

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Two beautiful summits in Peru's Cordillera Blanca

Introduction

The Peruvian Andes are considered by many to be the most beautiful and impressive mountains in the world, with Chopicalqui being one of the most popular 6,000m summits. It is quickly accessible from Huaraz, meaning with careful acclimatisation it is possible within a relatively short trip. This expedition will acclimatise on nearby Nevado Pisco (5,752m), prior to attempting Chopicalqui. Pisco is an attractive snow peak in its own right, with interesting climbing and excellent views.

Chopicalqui's south west ridge is climbed on snow, with some significant crevasses and short ice cliffs to overcome. The team will use two camps, the highest being on a col at 5,350m. There is an option of extending your time in Peru by a week and climbing Alpamayo.

Join us on Pisco and Chopicalqui

• 'With flights' prices are with KLM. Less expensive fares are available - please contact us for a quote.

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Experience Required

To join the expedition and have a good chance of success, you must have:

• Climbed Scottish Grade III climbs or European WI3.
• Climbed Alpine AD or equivalent, along with experience of scrambling on exposed rocky terrain.
• A high level of fitness, having prepared for the expedition with regular mountain walking throughout the months preceding the trip, including Grade I scrambles.
• Experience of climbing above 5,000m is preferable, but not necessarily a requirement for those with a solid background in the European Alps on routes of AD.

As porters carry the tents and food, there is no heavy load carrying on the expedition, but team members need to carry only their personal equipment. You can therefore expect your pack to weigh 12 to 14 Kg.
Our Winter Mountaineering course in Scotland and our Alpine Courses provide good skills preparation for this expedition.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Sun 13 Jul – Fri 1 Aug 2025	UK	Lima	Trip Guaranteed Book now »
	£5,995	£4,395
Sun 12 Jul – Fri 31 Jul 2026	UK	Lima	Available Book now »
2 places left with £200 early booking offer	£5,995 £5,795	£4,395 £4,195

Our Trip Guarantee

This expedition is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
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Group size: 4 – 10 people.

Single room supplement: £250

For comparison, this expedition starts from £231 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Peru on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless land only.)
• UK Air Passenger Duty (excluded if joining land-only and you make your own international flight arrangements).
• 2 group road transfers between Airport and hotel, connecting with flights (excluded if joining land-only).
• 2 nights' hotel accommodation in Lima, on a bed and breakfast basis.
• 4 nights' hotel accommodation in Huaraz, on a bed and breakfast basis.
• 12 nights' accommodation in tents on a full-board basis.
• All road transport by private vehicles as described in the itinerary.
• All porterage costs to base camps.
• All costs for leaders, guides and local helpers.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Extraneous hotel bills (e.g. bar and laundry).
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Lima and Huaraz.
• Additional hotel nights in Huaraz if the programme is changed.
• Optional sightseeing trips.
• Tips.

Tailor-made option

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your mountaineering experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Fly to Lima (1,548m) Overnight hotel.
Day 2:	Drive to Huaraz (3,050m) It is an 8-hour drive from sea level desert to Huaraz at over 3,000m. Huaraz is a bustling town with an economy largely based on agriculture and mountaineering. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Rest day in Huaraz Having come from sea level to 3,050m, it is important to have a rest day today. Overnight hotel.
Day 4:	Walk from Huaraz to Laguna Chirup (4,400m) Today's walk takes you high to a beautiful lake and includes 6 hours walking for the round. Overnight in Huaraz.
Day 5:	Drive to the Llanaganuco Valley, trek to Cebolla Pampa (3,900m)
Day 6:	Acclimatisation walk to Lake 69, return to Cebolla Pampa (3,900m) It's a 5-hour return trip to walk to Lake 69, at an altitude of 4,600m. Return to Cebolla Pampa camp.
Day 7:	Trek to Pisco Base Camp (4,650m)
Day 8:	Acclimatise and review rope skills at Pisco Base Camp (4,650m)
Day 9:	Climb to Moraine Camp (4,850m)
Day 10:	Summit day, Pisco Oeste (5,752m) Superb views from the summit of Chopicalqui and Huascaran.
Day 11:	Return to Cebolla Pampa (3,900m)
Day 12:	Trek to Chopicalqui Moraine Camp (4,900m)
Day 13:	Rest day in Moraine Camp (4,900m)
Day 14:	Move to High Camp (5,350m)
Day 15:	Summit day, Chopicalqui (6,345m) From high camp you will follow snow slopes up onto the initially, broad and undulating south west ridge. The first crux of the route is often a steep, 70° snow slope approximately 100m from the summit. Depending on the snow conditions, overcoming this can be extremely hard work. As you get closer to the summit the ridge becomes narrower. The final section just below the summit typically has a large ice wall, which can be as steep as 85°. The views of the summit of Huascaran and the surrounding peaks of the Cordillera Blanca will be cherished for a long time! The descent involves downclimbing and some short abseils, to return to Moraine camp.
Day 16:	Spare day
Day 17:	Descend to base camp and return to Huaraz
Day 18:	Huaraz to Lima by road
Day 19:	Depart Lima Those joining on a 'Land Only' basis should book their return flight for today.
Day 20:	Arrive London

PLEASE NOTE: Please note that this itinerary is a guideline only. Although every effort will be made to adhere to it, unforeseen circumstances may force changes to be made at the last moment. Please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.

Optional Alpamayo

Day 18 Drive to Cashampampa, trek to Llamacorral (3,760m)

Day 19 Trek to Alpamayo base camp (4,330m)

Day 20 Climb to Moraine camp (4,900m)

Day 21 Climb to Col camp (5,350m)

Day 22 Alpamayo summit day (5,947m)

Day 23 Descend to base camp

Day 24 Return trek and drive to Huaraz

Day 25 Huaraz to Lima by road

Day 26 Depart Lima

Day 27 Arrive home

Price £1995 per person

Photos & Videos

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Reports & Reviews

First Expedition: July 2016
Total: 5 trips

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “I had a fantastic time climbing a high and technically challenging mountain in this beautiful part of the world. PH.” Pisco and Chopicalqui, July '16

Leader Reports

• Pisco and Chopicalqui, July '16
  “Chop£Chop£Chopi£how do you say it again? We were two hours into our flight from Amsterdam to Lima and the air hostess and I were discussing our jobs. £And you get paid for taking these people on...”
  report added 18/Aug/16