Peru is an adventure land where you can find the highest mountains. One of the features that most defines the unique geography of this country is, without a doubt, the Andes Mountain Range that crosses a large part of its territory from north to south. It is an invaluable wealth that not only provides spectacular landscapes that serve as a tourist engine, but is also of vital importance for the development of the country.
Within the impressive mountain range we can find all kinds of mountains, snow-capped mountains and volcanoes that are increasingly visited by lovers of hiking, photography and adventure. And it is that you have to reach the summit of a Peruvian Andean peak to witness the most beautiful landscapes that the Peruvian geography offers; an experience that remains etched forever in the minds and hearts of those who dare to live it.
Next, we invite you to discover the highest mountains in Peru and climbing during your next trip to Peru!
The Huascaran (Ancash)
Located in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca, in the Huaraz region, it is the highest mountain in Peru and the fifth in South America. With a height of 6768 meters, it is one of the greatest adventure destinations in the central Andean mountain range of the country thanks to its innumerable amount of natural treasures.
Visiting Huascarán is a challenge for travelers. And it is that, if you want to fulfill the dream of reaching the top of this high mountain, you will not only have to physically prepare yourself and acclimatize to the height, but you will also have to be patient to wait for the ideal time to start the adventure. It is a journey of at least four days that, although it demands a significant physical and mental demand, the final reward is very gratifying.
On the other hand, if you plan a quieter visit without major setbacks, you can enjoy the benefits offered by the Huascarán National Park. A tour of this fascinating place includes visits to important archaeological remains, sightings of multiple species of flora and fauna -such as the Puya Raimondi- and impressive turquoise lagoons; always accompanied by the beautiful natural landscape of Huascarán.
The Yerupajá (Ancash)
With 6634 meters of altitude, it is the second highest mountain in Peru. It is located in the Cordillera de Huayhuash, in the central Andes, and its ascent is reserved only for professional climbers, which is why it is recognized as one of the most challenging adventure destinations in the world. This is because the route to the top involves several days of demanding hiking over all types of terrain and climates.
As a result of this difficulty, few successful expeditions have been carried out in this place. The first dates back to 1950 and was led by American mountaineers Jim Maxwell and Dave Harrah; objective that took them two years of preparation and study. The city of Huaraz, capital of the Ancash region, is the gateway to this challenging mountain, from where climbers head to the town of Chiquián as part of the route to Yerupajá.
The Coropuna (Arequipa)
As in the central Andean zone of Peru, in the southern regions it is also possible to find large peaks. One of them is the Coropuna volcano whose height rises to 6425 meters. It is located 150 km north of the city of Arequipa, in the Cordillera de Ampato, and its name in Quechua means “reflection on the plateau”. Currently, its summit is covered with snow and ice that descend on its slopes, which gives it a unique attraction to its magnificent view.
The first expedition to Coropuna was led by a team of explorers from Yale University, led by the American Hiram Bingham, who in 1911 found remains of garments belonging to the Inca culture, confirming that this place was frequently visited by the Incas. inhabitants who lived in the surroundings of the volcano at that time. If you want to visit it, some archaeological complexes and traces of Inca roads are still visible on the slopes of the mountain.
The Huandoy (Ancash)
Located in the Áncash region, like Huascarán and Yerupajá, this 6,395-meter-high snow-capped mountain is another tourist attraction in the Cordillera Blanca. As a result of the great proximity with the Huascarán, there is an ancient legend that tells that both mountains were actually a princess (Huandoy) and a young soldier (Huascarán), whose forbidden romance was punished by the God Inti -father of Huandoy- turning them into snow.
The mountain is made up of four summits that exceed 6 thousand meters in height and are oriented to each of the cardinal points. Unlike the previous ones, climbing Huandoy has different levels of difficulty, being suitable both for people who are just starting out in mountaineering and for professional climbers.