Climbing in the Sacred Valley

Climbing, High Mountain Expedition

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Description

The Sacred Valley of the Inca has very convenient access to the Andes, including some of the highest peaks of the Urubamba range. There are many fun routes to peaks over 500m/16,500ft, making for a memorable day out for experienced climbers and beginners alike. My mission is to take you on an enjoyable climbing expedition, making sure you have a outstanding experience while prioritizing your safety.

Who Will You be Climbing With?

I’m Alfredo and have been a professional mountain guide for the last 20 years. I live in the Sacred Valley with my family: my wife, Lixayda, a very accomplished climber herself, and our son, Fabian, who’s just getting started! I had my first climbing experiences in these mountains, I have opened routes on all of them, and they are now my regular training ground. It will be my pleasure to share the beauty of the Sacred Valley with you, from above!

Huacratanca

For a technical ascent in the Andes, this iconic peak is a great option. From the top, we’ll enjoy incredible views of Veronica (the tallest peak of the Urubamba range) and Salkantay in the distance. The 60m / 200ft rock climb on the summit needle makes this climb an unforgettable mountaineering experience.

Elevation: 5050m / 16,568ft
Distance: 7km / 4.3 miles
Duration: 8 to 10 hours
Elevation gain: 690m / 2,270ft
Technical difficulty: AD (some technical difficulty). The most difficult section is at the summit. We will cross a short section of glacier before rock climbing the 60m / 200ft needle, graded IV (5.8) to V (5.9).
Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes each way from Urubamba to the trailhead at Tastayoc.

Pitusiray

A very prominent massif in of the range, you can’t miss Pitusiray as you travel through the valley. We will climb Tarucatanca, its highest peak. While its exposure makes for an intense experience, it’s mostly non-technical climbing. This ascent is a mixture of hiking and scrambling, although we may come across some patches of snow. This is a great climb to start the transition from hiking to mountaineering!

Elevation: 5,050m / 16,568ft

Distance: 7km / 4.3 miles

Duration: 8 to 10 hours

Elevation gain: 690m / 2,270ft

Technical difficulty: F/PD (easy to slightly difficult). The most challenging section is the final climb to the summit that involves scrambling and crossing moraine.

Travel time: 1 hour each way from Urubamba to the trailhead at Can Can Lake.

Pumahuanca

If you’re looking for a technical glacier, this is the best option here in the Urubamba range. The steep slopes make for a demanding ascent, that requires solid acclimatization (at least five nights at 2,900m or above), good physical condition, and glacier climbing skills. I highly recommend this climb for those hungry for a real Andean adventure!

Elevation: 5,370m / 17,721ft
Distance: 10km / 6.3 miles
Duration: 12 to 14 hours
Elevation gain: 1,370m / 4,500ft
Technical difficulty: AD (some technical difficulty). The approach to the glacier is steep, climbing through high altitude forest and up moraine. The most difficult section is reaching the summit from the ridge, which involves a snow/ice wall of 120m / 400ft at an angle of 45°-50°.
Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes each way from Yanahuara to the trailhead.

Huallata Ridge

This is one of most accessible mountain- eering experiences in the Urubamba range. The traverse of this rocky ridge takes you to Huallata summit, the start of the northwest ridge of Helamcoma.

Elevation: 4,880m / 16,000ft
Distance: 7km / 4.3 miles
Duration: 6 to 9 hours
Elevation gain: 880m / 2,800ft
Technical difficulty: F/PD (easy to slightly difficult). The last section to get to the summit is the most challenging part, being a 30m rock climb, graded IV (5.8).
Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes each way from Urubamba to the trailhead at Tastayoc.