Ishinca, Urus & Tocllaraju

Duration

8D / 7N

Tour type

Mountaineering

Tour altitude

6034

Group size

2 to 10 people.

Description

The Tocllaraju expedition takes you to one of the biggest and most spectacular mountains in the Cordillera Blanca. The mountain stands an incredible 6,034m high. However, Tocllaraju is unique as it’s one of the few mountains in the world where you can reach heights of over 6,000m. All that is required is a good level of fitness and the mental resilience to climb mountains. If you are yet to experience high altitude climbing, the Tocllaraju expedition is for you! The trailhead is located in the small village of Pashpa. After a steady 5-6-hour hike, you will arrive at the base camp. This is located at the head of the beautiful Ischinca Valley. The first climb for the Tollaraju expedition is Urus Este. You will ascend the east ridge to its 5,495m summit. This is a tough, rocky uphill climb. However, it is a short climb and a great peak for acclimatization. Urus Este’s summit gives you spectacular views of Tocllaraju. The latter dominates the whole landscape. Although, there are many other beautiful snow-covered mountains scattered around the Cordillera Blanca. Following your climb of Urus, Ishinca (5,530m) is your next mountain. This is the perfect preparation for Tocllaraju. It is a longer climb and has a higher summit than Urus. You do not want to burn out! Therefore, a rest-day follows Urus and Ishinca. This is a welcome pause before ascending to Tocllaraju’s high camp. Rest days at the base camp are included in all our itineraries. They are crucial to successfully reaching the summit of Tocllaraju.  Base camps don’t get much better than Tocllarajus. The area has a beautiful creek, mountains in every direction, and one of the clearest starlit skies you’ll ever see. Every year we put together numerous set and customized expeditions to Tocllaraju.
Trip Information of Ishinca
Grade: PD
Length: 3 Days
Route: NE ridge (up) SE (down)
Best Season: May – September
Trip Information of urus
Grade: PD
Length: 3 Days
Route: SW FACE
Best Season: May – September
Trip Information of tocllaraju
Grade: AD
Length: 4 Days
Route:  W Ridge
Best Season: Mid May – September

Enquire Now!

Do you have questions about the tour? Contact us

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram

Tour Program

Itinerary

Day 07
HUARAZ 3100m/ COCHAPAMPA 4600m/ ISHINCA BASE CAMP 4350m
Today we leave the city of Huaraz toward the north and down to the Callejón de Huaylas (also known as the Santa Valley) to the village of Paltay. We continue on an unpaved route to Pashpa, on to the small Lake Cochapampa 3600m. Here is where our local team of mule drivers waits for us. It is a 90 minute trip from Huaraz to Paltay. We then have a tranquil climb through the Ishinca Valley to our camp, near Refugio Ishinca. 4-5 hours.
Day 02
BASE CAMP 4350/ URUS SUMMIT 5495 / BASE CAMP 4350
Ascents of the west face of Urus. A sloped route takes us to a ridge, crossing large rocks on the moraine until we reach the glacier. We climb over the snow and ice for an hour; then the last 50 minutes to the summit is easier over the moraine. A steep descent to camp. 7 hours.
Day 03
BASE CAMP 4350m/ ISHINCA SUMMIT 5530m/ BASE CAMP 4350m
A continuous climb on a good trail and then over the moraine to the glacier. The climb on the glacier is not steep, except for the last 50 meters to the summit. However, in some years, depending on the conditions at the glacier, there can be some steep sections or hard ice, Return via the same trail to Base Camp. 10-12 hours.
Day 04
DAY OFF
Today we have the entire day free. If participants have any questions about use of technical climbing equipment, today is a good day to practice. Overnight again in Base Camp.
Day 05
BASE CAMP 4350m / TOCLLARAJU MORAINE CAMP 5000m
About mid-day, after lunch, we begin the ascent via a steep moraine to the edge of the glacier. From this point we can see Tocllaraju (6,032 m), very near. We’ll set up our high camp on the moraine. Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Day 06
MORAINE CAMP 5000m / TOCLLARAJU SUMMIT 6034/ BASE CAMP 4350m
Summit Day! Summit day! After a very early breakfast, we proceed over the glacier to the northwest ridge of the peak. Because the glacier changes from year to year, the technical ice climbing is also different from year to year. We might find small walls of ice, up to 60 degree surfaces. The summit ridge is secured with fixed ropes. From the 6000+ meter peak, the view opens on the entire Cordillera Blanca. Descend to Base Camp. At noon we return to Moraine Camp and continue to Base Camp. Some 10-12 hours today.
Day 07
BASE CAMP 4350m / HUARAZ 3100m
After breakfast we leave at 8 am for an easy return walk to Pashpa. Today burros will be carrying our camping and personal equipment. We’ll return via a hillside covered with queñuales trees (Polylepis spp.), native to the high Andes. Here our private transport will be waiting.

Related tours. . .

I love teaching people about how to navigate themselves safely through the...
Two of the most iconic mountains in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru,...
Artesonraju. The North Ridge of the mountain has been made famous by...
Highlights of the Cordillera Blanca. The highest tropical mountain range in the...
×