Climbing Nevado Chopicalqui

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Chopicalqui (6,355m/20,849ft) is the 3rd peak of the Huascarán snow-capped massif, located in the Cordillera Blanca, between the two peaks of Huascarán and Contrahierbas, in the province of Yungay, western Peru. It is the 5th highest mountain in the region and the 4th in the Cordillera Blanca.

Day 01: Huaraz – Llanganuco – Chopicalqui Base Camp (4,200m/13,776ft)

After breakfast in the hotel, you will board our private bus, and drive along the Callejon de Huaylas, north of Huaraz, for about 2 hours. Upon arrival, we will register at the National Parks Control office. We will then pursue our journey, passing through the Llanganuco valley. We will stop for lunch at the lakes Chinancocha and Orconcocha. In the early afternoon, we will arrive at the Chopicalqui curve, and start hiking, up to the Ancush Valley, between Huascaran and Chopicalqui. We will arrive to Base Camp around 2pm. Overnight camping at 4200m.

Day 02: Base Camp – Moraine Camp (4,700m/15,416ft)

After breakfast, we will hike up for about 4 hours. Along the way we will enjoy breathtaking views of (among others) the peaks of Pisco, Huandoys and Chacraraju. We will stop for lunch, and arrive to Moraine Camp in the afternoon. We will check our climbing gear for the next day, and have a nice dinner. Overnight camping at 4700m.

Day 03: Moraine Camp – Camp 1 of Chopicalqui (5,500m/18,040ft)

After breakfast, we will hike up for about 40 minutes over the rocky paths to get to the glacier of Chopicalqui. We will then put our climbing gear to start climbing for about 3 hours up to Camp 1. There we will enjoy splendid views of peaks like Chacraraju, Huandoys, etc. Overnight at 5500m.

Day 04: Camp 1 – Climb up Chopicalqui 6386m – Moraine Camp (4,700m/15,416ft)

Today we will have have an early breakfast and leave at 3am. We will climb for 4 to 5 hours to get to the summit (6386m), where we will enjoy breathtaking views. We will then come back to Camp 1, where the cook will be waiting for us with hot drinks. We will then continue our way down to Moraine Camp for about 2 hours, arriving around 4pm. Overnight camping at 4700m.

Day 05: Moraine Camp – Base Camp – Huaraz

After breakfast, we will walk back about 1h30 to Base Camp, then head to the highway called 'Curve de Chopicalqui', where our transfer will be waiting for us. Going to Yungay will take 2 hours, along this travel we will pass the Llanganuco lakes again, pass the Huascaran National Park Control, drive along the Callejon de Huaylas to Huaraz. Estimated arrival time at your hotel: about 5pm.