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Dates | 1st to 16th August 2026 |
| Duration | 16 days | |
| Grade | About 2B/3B | |
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"Andes" Leadership Fee
(includes leaders expenses) £2795 |
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Exploratory mountaineering in southern Peru
PRICES & COSTS
All are per person.
"Andes" Leadership Fee (includes leaders expenses) -- £2795
Estimated Airfares from the UK -- £1000
Estimated Trek & Travel Costs in Peru -- £300
Estimated Accommodation & Meals -- £600
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST per person -- £4700
OPTIONAL EXTENSION - We can offer an optional 5-day extension to this trip. This will attempt Nevado Chachani, an easy 6075m peak near to Arequipa. For costs and details please enquire
What's included in the price you pay ANDES and what's not.
INTRODUCTION
Based out of the city of Cusco in southern Peru, this expedition will attempt new routes on some of the remotest peaks in this part of Peru. This includes a probable first ascent of a peak significantly over 5000m high. After an initial four nights at 3500m in Cusco to acclimatise we will travel to these mountains by private 4x4 transfer, very likely including a further overnight stop at 4200-4500m for further acclimatisation.
The peaks we plan to attempt are ones we have seen from close up during a previous expedition in southern Peru and are in the general area of Lake Titicaca. However due to the nature of this expedition we cannot disclose the exact names of any peaks and/or routes that we will attempt until we receive a booking form and deposit. On receipt of these we will issue a further information sheet giving details of the routes and the peaks we intend to climb. The routes we are looking to climb are expected to be relatively easy ascents. They will be mainly on snow and ice with perhaps small amounts of rock climbing, and around alpine PD/AD in difficulty.
A high standard of fitness is always required for ascents over 5000m, but we don't anticipate this trip being unduly arduous. While previous experience of winter or Alpine climbing would be useful it is not essential. However prospective clients must have at least some winter walking (with crampons) or glacier travel experience.
We have run similar first ascents trips in various parts of southern Peru in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2015 and more recently in 2022 and 2025. All of these provided interesting climbing at an easy standard and successfully completed either new routes or first peak ascents. Highlights of these trips included the first ascent of the south ridge of Alccachaya 5768m, and the first ascent of the east glacier on Chichicapac 5614m. Also the probable first ascents of Pumanota 5516m, and Pumanota Norte, 5474m. Further back in time we also climbed the south face of Palomani Grande 5723m, PD and the SE ridge of Ananea 5853m, PD, See our Firsts page for photos and more details.
Outline Itinerary |
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| Days 1-2 | Flight via Lima to Cusco. |
| Days 3-5 | Days in and around Cusco. Sightseeing. Hotel based. |
| Days 6-7 | Travel to the mountains, further acclimatisation. |
| Days 8-13 | First Ascents programme, camping |
| Days 14-16 | Travel back to Cusco and fly home. |
| Optional 5-day Extension | |
| Day 16 | Rest in Cusco |
| Days 17-19 | Ascent of Chachani, 6075m. |
| Days 20-21 | Flight home from Cusco. |
On the first ascent of Pumanota Norte, Andes expedition November 2025.
General Information about our holidays
Please read our warning on altitude before booking this expedition to high altitudes.
Who runs 'Andes' and where we are based
General information about equipment, accommodation, flights, meals etc.
CUSCO
The former capital of the Inca Empire, Cuzco is one of the world's most fascinating cities. Many ruins from the days before the Spanish conquest of Peru are still visible in the city and surrounding hills. There are countless examples of the Incas incredible skill as stone-masons. Huge granite blocks fit so well that a knife cannot be inserted between them. There are also some beautiful buildings in the city built by the early Spanish colonists, including the Cathedral and buildings around the main square.
Because the city lies at an altitude of 3500m we'll spend the first four nights and three days in and around Cuzco, getting used to this altitude. This will give you time to explore many of the ruins including the magnificent toothed fortress of Sacsayhuaman which sits on a hillside above the city. Tours to Machu Picchu are also possible (see below). Sightseeing excursions taken during this time are all optional. Your leader will help organise these (if necessary) but the cost is not included.
The classic view of Machu Picchu from near the gate of the sun, Intipuncu
MACHU PICCHU
Machu Picchu (pictured above) was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham early last century when he was looking for a fabled 'lost' Inca city in the deep valleys around Cusco. This is the most famous ruined city in South America and not without reason. The setting is superb and the ruins themselves are extensive with many houses, temples and fortifications. The exact reason the Incas built Machu Picchu is not known (because they left no written records) but it was clearly a site of ceremonial importance. While it is not included in the standard program, it will be possible to do a day trip to the ruins from Cusco. Another option would be to fly out to Cusco a few days earlier to allow more time for a relaxed visit to these world famous ruins. Please note that any tourist excursion to Machu Picchu should be booked at least several months in advance.
THE PEAKS
For obvious reasons we can't give too many details away about the peaks we intend to climb until we receive your booking form and deposit for this expedition. They are located in the area between Cusco and Lake Titicaca in southern Peru and are relatively near to a remote road, so we'll use a 4x4 to approach to within a half days walk of our base camps. The peaks are moderately glaciated but with few large crevasses. All the main peaks we intend to try are just a bit over 5000m high.
The valleys where we will camp have been glaciated in the past and many small and scenic lochs remain behind. Most of the foothills and valleys are still used as pastures by the Quechua speaking Indians and we are sure to see llamas and alpacas grazing. We are also likely to see some interesting wildlife, mammals such as the vicuña and many species of birds such as condors, andean geese and hummingbirds.
INFORMATION SHEET
We will supply a further information sheet with many more details about the peaks we plan to attempt ONLY to customers who have paid a non-refundable deposit. Please phone the office if you'd like to discuss in more detail the nature of the peaks we plan to climb, or the trip in general, before booking.
We can offer an optional 5-day extension to this trip to climb Nevado Chachani, a 6075m high peak near Arequipa. Chachani is basically a long days walk from a high vehicle base camp at 5000m. The ascent is largely on scree and rock but with an ice-axe and crampons normally necessary higher up. Before heading to this peak you would have a rest day in (or near) Cusco. With this extension the expedition becomes 21 days long, finishing (back in the UK/Europe) on 21st August. Please enquire about costs if you are interested in this option.
On the summit of Nevado Chachani, ANDES "First Ascents in Peru" expeditin 2015. This 6075m high peak features on our optional extension for 2026.
CLIMATE
This time of year is the middle of the dry season in the Peruvian Andes and there are long periods of stable weather with fewer and less severe storms than the Alps have in a normal summer. There are sometimes high winds at altitude and light snow flurries. Temperatures at altitude are extremely cold, going down to -10ºC during the 12 hours of darkness each night, so bring a warm sleeping bag and a good book! During the day in the strong sunshine it can often feel pleasantly warm.
FITNESS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Ascents to over 5000m require considerable fitness. Good hillwalking/mountaineering fitness and stamina is important, but for high altitude expeditions clients also need good cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) fitness. This can only be maintained by a program of intensive exercise such as sprinting, squash, circuit training or sprint cycling. This should be done in small doses (e.g. an hour every other day) over a period of at least three months prior to your expedition. Without this training you are unlikely to get to the summit. There will likely be one or two days on the itinerary when we will need to do a few hours carry to a high camp, or descent to the 4x4 with backpacks. A amall amount of training for backpacking would therefore be very useful. Cold nights, early starts and dehydrated food are a few of the other experiences which will have to be enjoyed.
For the ascents we have planned on this expedition previous experience of using crampons and an ice-axe for winter walking and/or glacier travel is essential. However you do not need to have climbing experience. It is difficult to predict the exact difficulty of the difficulties we'll encounter due to the nature of the trip, but we're expecting to climb routes at no more than Alpine PD or AD.
Climbing at 5400m on an Andes "First Ascents in Peru" expedition to the Cordillera Huanzo, June 2015.
INSURANCE, HEALTH & SECURITY
All clients must be insured for medical costs and repatriation in an emergency. We recommend having insurance for baggage, personal liability and cancellation as well. Vaccinations for tetanus, typhoid, polio and hepatitis are needed. Your doctor may also recommend rabies, cholera and diphtheria injections. Malaria and yellow fever precautions are not necessary as we won't be visiting mosquito infested areas. Peru suffers from a reputation for theft, although we have never seen any incidents. It is important to stay alert when in busy public areas and to guard your belongings carefully at all times. Muggings and other violent crime are very rare. We will issue further advice to all clients before departure.
ORGANISATION & LEADERSHIP
Our expeditions are designed to be small and flexible. The expedition will be co-ordinated, organised and lead by us, but we will consult and involve you when planning the details of the expedition. Please note however that the leaders decision is final where the safety of the group or any member is in jeopardy; for example where retreat or diversion is necessary due to illness or bad weather. The maximum size of the expedition will be four customers plus leader.
High altitude camping at 5000m in southern Peru, April 2025 ANDES ski expedition.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN OUR PRICE AND WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Our price is for leadership/guiding and mountain services only. It INCLUDES the leaders fee (wages) and all their expenses, such as flights, travel, hotels, meals, permits. It also INCLUDES his or her share of communal expenses, which may be such things as 4x4 rentals, diesel and fuel, mule and porter costs, shared hotel rooms.
Our price also INCLUDES all mountain services such as provision of tents, stoves and all other communal camping equipment, all mountain food including all camp food and lunches on day trips. It also INCLUDES any communal mountaineering equipment that may be necessary, such as ropes, karabiners, etc., and on most expeditions emergency use of satellite link.
Our price does NOT INCLUDE - your flights, your insurance, your hotel/hostel accommodation, your meals taken at cafes and restaurants, your share of communal travel costs (e.g. 4x4 rental, mule costs), your personal climbing and camping equipment (i.e. used by you alone, such as sleeping bag, mattress, crampons, harness, helmet), permits or peak fees payable by yourself.
SAFETY AND RISK
This is an adventure holiday and all
clients will be exposed to hazards not found in
everyday life by taking part in this itinerary. While we take all
reasonable precautions to reduce risk it is neither possible nor desirable
to completely eliminate these hazards. It is important that you understand
the hazards you may be exposed to before
signing our booking form. We have identified the following areas as the
principal additional risks of this itinerary. (Some of
these could potentially result in serious injury or death). This is
not a fully inclusive list - a more detailed risk assessment of this itinerary
is available on our
Risk Assessments page, or phone/e-mail us
and ask some questions!
Crime : Peru has a higher crime rate than
Europe. As a wealthy tourist you may attract attention.
Driving, hotels and general safety : In
Peru driving, health, fire safety standards and general safety standards are not
as high as in Europe.
Remoteness : You will be more than a day away from
professional medical help for much of the time.
There is no chance of a helicopter rescue.
Minor slips and falls : due to steep,
uneven and unstable ground.
Weather : These mountains are only very
occasionally affected by bad weather.
Mountain Hazards : In certain places you may be
subjected to a risk of rockfall. There will be some glacier travel invovlved,
with the usual hazards (e.g. crevasse fall). There may also be some short
sections of technical climbing on some of the ascents, and
therefore the usual hazards associated with climbing and abseiling.
Altitude : At high altitudes there is an
increased risk of medical problems, most obviously altitude illness.
