Expedition Santa Cruz Trek Climbing Pisco and Chopicalqui 12 Days

Expedition Santa Cruz Trek Climbing Pisco and Chopicalqui 12 Days

Chopicalqui is sometimes dubbed the easiest 6000 peak in the Cordillera Blanca, with good reason as its south-west ridge route is only rated around AD. This makes it very popular and it can be crowded at times. However, more than one party has been turned around by snow up to the chest on the last portions of the climb, and the route gets out of condition after each heavy snowfall.

 Due to its proximity to the two Huascaran peaks, Chopicalqui can seem less significant than actual height would warrant, especially when seen from Huaraz. It is sometimes called the Eastern Huascaran summit.

 The climb offers spectacular views of neighboring summits Huandoy, Chacraraju, Pisco and Huascaran, and most of the range is visible from the summit.

Day 1: Huaraz (3100m) – Cashapampa (2900m) – Llamacorral (3760m)

Day 2: Llamacorral – Taullipampa (4100m)

Day 3: Taullipampa – Punta Union pass (4750m) - Paria (3000m)

Day 4: Paria – Vaquería –  Potachuelo pass (4760m) – Cebollapampa (3900m)

Day 5: Cebollapampa – Pisco Base Camp (4300m)

Day 6: Pisco Base Camp – Moraine Camp (4800m)

Day 7: Moraine Camp – Pisco summit (5752m) – Pisco Base Camp

Day 8: Pisco Base Camp – Chopicalqui base camp

Day 9: Rest day (optional)

Day 10: Chopicalqui Base Camp  – moraine Camp (4800m)

Day 11: Moraine Camp – High Camp  (5300m)

Day 12: Chopicalqui summit (6354m) – Moraine Camp or Base Camp

Day 13: Return Huaraz.