A 16-day guided expedition that pairs the approachable ski slopes of Nevado Pisco with the technical, high-altitude ascent of Huascarán. This trip blends long glacier skis, roped alpine climbing and local mule-supported logistics—ideal for experienced ski-mountaineers aiming for Peru’s highest summit.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You wake before the town of Huaraz has fully lit—headlamps cut small cones of light as the bus threads the Callejón de Huaylas and the first jagged teeth of the Cordillera Blanca appear, white and uncompromising against an ink-blue sky.
Difficulty
expert
Duration
16 days
Fitness Level
Participants should be in excellent aerobic shape with experience carrying heavy packs at altitude and previous glacier/ice experience.
Wildlife
History
The Cordillera Blanca has long been traversed by Quechua communities and was mapped by early 20th-century alpinists; modern guiding in Huaraz grew around these routes.
Conservation
Huascarán National Park protects fragile glacial basins; stick to trails, minimize campfire use and carry out all waste to reduce impact.
Reserve your spot on the Extreme Ski and Climb Expedition at Nevado Pisco and Huascaran today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize deliberately
Follow scheduled rest days and the Churup Lake hike—rapid ascent increases risk of altitude sickness.
Ski tuning and skins
Bring well-maintained touring bindings and spare skins; cold, dry snow in the cordillera can be abrasive.
Technical practice before arrival
Arrive with recent experience in glacier travel, crevasse rescue and ice-tool use to maximize safety and summit chances.
Leave no trace
Use established camps and pack out waste; local water sources are fragile in high alpine basins.
Insulated Mountaineering Boots (B2/B3)
Stiff, insulated boots compatible with crampons are required for Huascarán’s technical icy sections.
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Crampons + Ice Axe
Designed for front-pointing on steep ice and self-arresting on mixed terrain.
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Ski Touring Setup (AT or tech bindings)
Ski-mountaineering skis, skins and touring bindings for long descents from Pisco and Huascarán.
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High-Altitude Layer System (down parka, shell)
Lightweight but warm insulation and a waterproof shell to manage extreme temperature swings.
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