Client to Guide Ratio:

5000m and non-technical peaks – maximum 3 clients per guide

6000m and technical peaks – maximum 2 clients per guide

Donkeys carry equipment to Base Camps on most of the mountains. Climbs are supported by porters who carry tents, equipment and food, but you need to carry your own personal gear.

Our climbing guides provide group rope, snow stakes and ice screws. You need to provide your own personal climbing equipment. It is available for hire in Huaraz and we can help organize gear hire for you. A gear list is provided in all our itineraries.

The months when there is generally more settled weather and snow conditions are safer for climbing are from May to September – depending on the peak. 5000m peaks and non-technical peaks can be climbed from May through to September. Low season climbing (October to April) is also possible, but summit success can be subject to good weather. 6000m peaks and technical peaks can be climbed from June through to early September, with some peaks being considered safe to climb only in July and August.

Global warming is causing weather conditions to be less predictable than in the past and in recent years there have been periods of bad weather and high winds during the so-called “dry” months of June, July and August. It cannot be guaranteed that there will be good climbing weather during the months of the recognized climbing season. High mountain weather is always volatile and you need to be prepared for sudden weather changes.

Glaciers in the Andes are retreating rapidly, with some glaciers that were climbed 30 years ago having now completely disappeared. This is causing conditions on the ice to change rapidly. This means that the routes used and the conditions on all the peaks are changing each year and even each month. The descriptions we have given are general only, and the routes used, conditions on the mountain or description of the routes may change considerably on the day you are climbing. Descriptions of routes in some guide books may also be out dated.

We recommend clients obtain mountaineering and travel insurance. The policy should cover activities of mountaineering and include medical, rescue from the mountains, evacuation and repatriation expenses, loss of personal items or money, costs associated with cancellation of flights or other disruption to travel. Peru Police will NOT initiate any mountain rescue in the case of any serious incident until they have received either payment by cash in advance or guarantee of payment to cover the costs of rescue. It is client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover the cost of rescue.

Altitudes are quoted in meters – to convert to feet multiply by 3.28084.