CLIMBING · CORDILLERA BLANCA

QUITARAJU 6 DAYS

Duration 6 days / 5 nights

Season June - August

Difficulty PD+ / AD

ABOUT THE ASCENT

Nevado Quitaraju is one of the most frequented mountains after climbing Alpamayo: from the same high camp you can climb both mountains just by adding extra days. The normal route is on the north face or west ridge, currently the access route to climb this giant, which requires a lot of physical and technical experience. From the summit you can see a large part of the Cordillera Blanca.

Max altitude 6,040 m · Summit
Route North face / west ridge
Combinable With Alpamayo, same high camp
Guide Certified AGMP – IFMGA
Approach Santa Cruz valley
Camps Llamacoral, Base Camp and High Camp

Nevado Quitaraju 6040 Climb 6 Days 5 Nights

ITINERARY

Day 1

Huaraz (3,100 m) – Caraz (2,290 m) – Cashapampa (2,970 m) – Llamacoral (3,760 m)

Departure from Huaraz by private transport to the town of Caraz and then to the village of Cashapampa, where we will start the hike along a trail that will lead us to the Llamacoral camp (3,760 m), where we will spend the night.

Bus time: 3 hours.

Hiking time: approximately 4 – 5 hours.

Day 2

Llamacoral (3,760 m) – Base Camp (4,330 m)

Departure after breakfast; along the way we will visit the Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha lakes, and during the route you will be able to see the Taulliraju, Quitaraju, Artesonraju, Pucajircas and Alpamayo snow peaks.

Hiking time: approximately 5 hours.

Day 3

Base Camp (4,330 m) – High Camp (5,350 m)

Departure after breakfast uphill, crossing the moraine and then onto the glacier, where it will be necessary to use the climbing gear, and from there up to the high camp, where we will spend the night.

Ascent time: approximately 7 hours.

Day 4

High Camp (5,350 m) – Summit (6,040 m) – High Camp (5,350 m)

This day we leave early, around 1:00 am, already with the technical climbing gear to ascend to the summit. Then we will return by the same route to the high camp. If conditions allow, we can descend directly to the base camp.

Ascent and descent time: approximately 10 hours.

Day 5

High Camp (5,350 m) – Base Camp (4,330 m)

We will begin the descent by the same route to the moraine and then to the base camp, where we will spend the night.

Descent time: approximately 5 hours.

Day 6

Base Camp (4,330 m) – Llamacoral (3,760 m) – Cashapampa – Huaraz

After breakfast we will descend through the Arhuaycocha gorge and then walk the whole Santa Cruz valley to the village of Cashapampa. Transfer to Huaraz by private bus.

Hiking time: approximately 6 – 7 hours.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE

Certified guide (AGMP – IFMGA)
Private transportation
Information and recommendations before the expedition
Professional outdoor cook
Donkeys and muleteers
Meals during the expedition: breakfast, snacks, afternoon tea and/or coffee, and dinner
Camping tent
Kitchen tent
Dining tent, table, chair and toilet tent
All kitchen equipment: plates, cups and utensils
Sleeping mat
Collective gear: rope, snow stake, ice screw and cords
First aid kit
Permanent agency assistance during your expedition

NOT INCLUDED

International flights and applicable airport taxes
Accommodation and meals in Lima and Huaraz
Transfer Lima – Huaraz – Lima
Huascarán National Park entrance fee
Sleeping bag
Acclimatization days before the trek
Travel insurance for accidents and repatriation
Personal expenses
Personal trekking equipment
Tips

PERSONAL CLIMBING GEAR

60-liter backpack

Long hiking pants, warm (base layer) and rain pants (Gore-tex)

Warm jacket and rain jacket.

Change of clothes during the trek

Sun hat and warm hat

Sleeping bag (-10 °C)

Gloves for the cold

Trekking poles

Sunglasses with UV protection

A headlamp with spare batteries

Personal first aid kit

Water bottle

Note

The proposed itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions or force majeure that put the safety of our clients at risk.

Acclimatization

We recommend doing higher-altitude hikes around the city of Huaraz before any trek and/or ascent. It is one of the most important factors for us and also for you.

Hikes we recommend

Laguna Churup, Laguna 69, Laguna Parón, Laguna Willcacocha and Laguna Ahuac. We have daily departures, private and in groups.