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Ascent Nevado Yanapaccha season 2026
The Yanapaccha mountain rises within the majestic Cordillera Blanca, surrounded by towering summits that reach over five and six thousand meters. From its summit unfolds a breathtaking panoramic view, and after the renowned Pisco, perhaps “Yanapaccha” is the most impressive mountain in this region.
Its name comes from Quechua toponymy: yana means “black,” while paccha or paqcha translates as “waterfall” or “cascade,” evoking the strength and beauty of the Andean landscape.
The first recorded ascent took place on June 23, 1954, carried out by members of a North American expedition, marking a milestone in the history of mountaineering in the Peruvian Andes.
Located almost directly across from Mount Pisco, access to Yanapaccha begins at kilometer 42 of the road leading to the Portachuelo pass. From there, a narrow trail leads directly to the moraine zone, gateway to this emblematic mountain.
- Meet a day before departure in our office in Huaraz for briefing.
- Start: 8:00am in Huaraz.
- Finish: 18:00 aprox. in Huaraz.
- Best season: from May to September
DIFFICULTY
Moderate, some cracks to overcome before reaching the top
GUARANTEED SERVICE
We will fulfill everything we offered you, there is nothing hidden, no surprises.
DURATION
3 days 2 nights
Best season: May to September
BILINGUAL GUIDED
All guided tours in Spanish and English. Group departure or private.
Program details
Day 01: Huaraz – Llanganuco – Km42 – Yanapaccha morraine camp (4350 m).
Transport: 3 hours (Vehicle)
Hiking time:Approximately 2 to 3 hours
Our tour begins in the city of Huaraz.
We will pick you up from your hotel with private transportation. Then we head north through the Callejón de Huaylas until reaching Yungay. From this point, we turn east toward the Llanganuco Valley. Along the way, we will make short stops to register at the Huascarán National Park checkpoint, and later at the Chinancocha and Orconcocha lakes. Finally, the vehicle arrives at kilometer 42, the starting point of our hike to the Moraine Camp.
Our porters will be in charge of carrying the logistical camping equipment. The first 40 minutes of the hike cross a rocky plain surrounded by Andean vegetation, followed by a short ascent leading to the moraine zone. During the climb, we will enjoy impressive views of majestic mountains such as Chacraraju, the Huandoy peaks, and Huascarán. After approximately 2 hours of hiking, we will reach our campsite, where we will spend the night with views of Chacraraju, Huandoy, and Pisco.
Day 2: Moraine Camp – Yanapaccha Summit (5460 m) – Moraine Camp
Duration: Approximately 8–9 hours
At around 2:00 a.m. we begin our ascent toward the summit. After about 20 minutes we reach the edge of the glacier, where we gear up. Our guide will carefully check all essential equipment and rope the team together before continuing the climb.
The route involves crossing small crevasses, short sections of steep climbing (around 55°), and a 200-meter wall with slopes between 60° and 65°. After roughly 6 hours of effort, we reach the summit, rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view. From the top, the vast chain of the Cordillera Blanca unfolds before us, with iconic peaks such as Huandoy, Chacraraju, Huascarán South and North, Chopicalqui, Alpamayo, Hualcán, Pisco, Taulliraju, and many more.
After spending a reasonable amount of time at the summit—hydrating, resting, and capturing plenty of photographs—we begin our descent. Using rappels along the same route, we return to our camp, where a well-deserved meal and rest await us.
Day 3: Moraine Camp – KM 42 – Transfer to Huaraz
Duration: 2 hours (hike), 3.5 hours (vehicle)
After breakfast, we dismantle the camp and prepare for the return journey. Our porters will carry all the logistical equipment as we descend along the trail toward kilometer 42, at the Portachuelo viewpoint, where our private transport will be waiting. From there, we drive back to the city of Huaraz, marking the end of our adventure.
What’s included?
Services included:
- Private transportation from/to your hotel.
- Mountain Guide English and Spanish speaking (other languages on special request).
- Porter to carry the food and equipmet.
- Food during the tour (with vegetarian option).
- Cook.
- All camping, cooking equipment and sleeping mat.
- Collective climbing equipment (rope, ice ax, crampons, helmet, harness, carabiners).
- First aid kit.
Not included:
- All entrance tickets to the Huascaran National Park.
- Acclimatization activities, you can see our additional Full Days options o Trekking tours options
- Accident Travel and health insurance Meals, drinks in town. Travel baggage and trip cancellation insurance.
- Food and drinks not mentioned.
- Personal expenses and equipment (mountain pants, mountain jacket (goretex), mountain shoes, appropriate clothing, personal medications, sleeping bag, backpack, sunglasses, etc.), tips.
You have to bring:
🔸 Boots (mixed Goretex for ice and rock)
🔸 Sleeping bag (-10 to -5°C) if the tour is with camping.
🔸 Small backpack (30 to 40 liters)
🔸 Short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts (not cotton)
🔸 Polartec warm jacket
🔸 Waterproof or windbreaker jacket
🔸 Internal warmer wool or polartec pants
🔸 Waterproof pants (those that dry quickly)
🔸 Gloves (Good gloves preferably waterproof).
🔸 Light hat or buff (bandana)
🔸 Lip balm, sunscreen, dark sunglasses (with UV protection)
🔸 Headlamps with extra batteries.
🔸 Walking sticks (if you prefer).
🔸 Mixed boots for rock and ice (waterproof Goretex type).
How to book?
You confirm your reservation with the payment of 30% and the rest at the beginning of the tour.
Prices according to number of people Please contact us for more information.
GROUP DEPARTURE PRICE:
5 to 8 participants (Price per person) | From: USD 435 |
- If you book in advance we find the other participants for the date you choice. (Group Service considerate from 5 to 8 participants) We open a new group minimum base on 2.
PRIVATE SERVICE (Exclusive):
Price per person
| 01 person | USD 1190 |
| 02 people | USD 595 |
| 04 people | USD 535 |
| 06 people | USD 435 |
- If you want to take this PRIVATE SERVICE, you can book up to a week before the date (subject to availability).
- If you are a group of friends or family of 3 people or more, we recommend that you try to organize your experience in PRIVATE SERVICE, for a better experience.
What to know?
- To climb Nevado Pisco, we recommend being fully acclimatized, if you come from sea level at least acclimatize 3 or 4 days of aclimmatization. See all our tour options in Huaraz.
- Not suitable for people under 10 years old and over 55 years old.
- Not suitable for people who suffer from vertigo and heart disease.
- Steep path over rocks, with steep slopes until reaching the glacier.
- Frequent departures from April to October, dry season.
- Between the months of November to March it is a time of intense rains, therefore it is not recommended to climb due to the accumulation of snow, but it may be suitable only for determined, experienced and intrepid people.
Important recommendations:
- Enter the Huascarán National Park obtaining the mandatory authorization (entrance ticket).
Respect and follow the instructions of the park ranger and guides. - Do not be in danger, travel only on authorized trails.
- Do not collect wild plants or animals.
Stay overnight only in authorized shelters and campsites. - Avoid throwing any kind of garbage. Deposit them only in authorized places or take them outside the Huascarán National Park.
- Do not leave the limits of the marked trails, respect and do not damage the signs.
- Respect the customs of the local population, take photos when you receive their approval.
Do not enter domestic or exotic animals, it can harm the fauna of the Huascarán National Park. - Be well informed before traveling to the Huascaran National Park about what you can do and where you can go.
Let us take care of the organization and you just enjoy this experience.
Important for group departures!
- If you book in advance we find the other participants for the date you choice. (Group Service considerate from 5 to 9 participants) We open a new group minimum base on 2.
- For booking validation you should deposit a 50% of total price, and rest 50% you pay when you arrive to Peru or Huaraz.
- Dear visitors you should know that our company is available to provide wherever information regarding our trip, for detailed information you should request us and we will reply as soon as possible, because we have an expert guide available.
- Our rates can change according the book time or number of participants, please write us for more information.
Important additional information
Climbing useful information
To make ascents in the Cordillera Blanca it is important to keep in mind some information that will help us for a good experience
Altitude sickness? Travel tips
It is important to know what precautions to take before traveling to the Andes of Peru, also because of its geography, Soroche is a possibility.
Equipment for rent in Huaraz
We have a variety of equipment for rent, especially sleeping bags and hiking poles.
Private transportation in Huaraz
You can also hire only private transportation service without a guide, make a group and ask us for a quote, we have good prices.
