Climbing
Nevado Vallunaraju Climb
- Duration: 02 Days / 01 Nigth
- Altitud: 5,686 m / 18,655 ft
- Route: Climbing Nevado Vallunaraju
- Availability: All year
- Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
- People per Guide: 3
The Vallunaraju Climb (5,686 m) is one of the most popular and accessible mountaineering adventures in the Cordillera Blanca. Just a short drive from Huaraz, this beautiful snow-capped peak offers an excellent opportunity to experience real glacier climbing and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Andean giants, including Huascarán, Ranrapalca, and Ocshapalca.
This two-day expedition begins with a scenic drive to the Llaca Valley, followed by a hike to the base camp located at around 4,800 meters. The next morning, you’ll start your ascent before dawn, crossing snow and ice slopes with crampons and rope support under the guidance of professional mountain guides. After reaching the summit, you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable sunrise over the Andes.
Ideal for beginners and intermediate climbers, Vallunaraju is often chosen as a training or acclimatization climb for higher peaks in the range. It combines adventure, safety, and spectacular alpine scenery — all within a short distance from Huaraz.
TIPS:
- Participants must be well acclimatized and have some experience in hiking and mountaineering.
- The load is shared: everyone carries or porters their own personal equipment up to Morena Camp.
- The included cook–porter only supports with food and tents.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Huaraz – Hotel Pick-up
DEPARTURE: 7:30 a.m. from Huaraz – Llaca Valley (4,350 m) – Morena Camp (4,950 m)
We depart from Huaraz at 7:30 a.m., heading east toward the Llaca Valley, passing the entrance and control of Huascarán National Park. Along the way, we enjoy views of the mountains Ocshapalca and Ranrapalca.
After approximately 3 hours, we arrive at the base camp, from where we begin our ascent to Morena Camp, taking about 3 to 4 hours.
Upon arrival, we set up the campsite and organize the camping and mountaineering equipment, followed by a mountaineering practice including basic rappelling and knot techniques.
Dinner is served, followed by rest overnight at the camp.
DAY 2: Morena Camp (4,950 m) – Vallunaraju Summit (5,686 m) – Morena Camp – Huaraz
Breakfast: 1:00 a.m.
Departure: 1:30 a.m.
Glacier approach: 2:30 a.m.
Summit: Sunrise on the summit of Vallunaraju (5,686 m) at approximately 6:30 a.m.
Return to Morena Camp: 9:00 a.m.
Return to Huaraz: 3:00 p.m. – end of the expedition
After a light breakfast, we depart at 1:30 a.m., beginning the ascent through rocky terrain and moraines, reaching the glacier in about 1 hour. At this point, we put on crampons and rope up to continue the climb.
We proceed across the glacier, overcoming flat sections and small ice walls, until finally reaching our objective, the summit of Vallunaraju (5,686 m). After taking photos and videos, we descend back to Morena Camp.
At the camp, we enjoy a light soup, break down the tents, pack our equipment, and then return to the city of Huaraz, concluding the expedition at around 3:00 p.m.
Includes/Excludes
- Meals during the tour
- Private round-trip transportation
- Guide
- Cook–porter
- Individual or group camping equipment: personal tents, sleeping bag, insulated sleeping pad, gaiters, overboots
- Personal mountaineering equipment: helmet, harness, boots, crampons, ice axes, gloves, headlamp
- Mountaineering clothing: waterproof jacket, waterproof pants
- The tour does not include the entrance fee to Huascarán National Park
- Second-layer clothing or insulating layers
- Sunglasses
- Down jackets
What to bring (Personal equipment)
- Warm fleece jacket
- Waterproof or windproof jacket
- Insulated thermal pants
- Waterproof or quick-dry mountaineering pants
- Gloves (preferably waterproof)
- Warm hat with ear protection
- Buff or light neck gaiter
- Dark sunglasses with UV protection
- Trekking poles (recommended for the approach and descent)
