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Mountaineering in peru

Discover the best mountain climbing and mountaineering routes in peru.

Why climb in Peru

Peru is a premier destination for mountaineers aiming to tackle 6,000-meter peaks, offering a mix of technical challenges and breathtaking scenery. The Cordillera Blanca range, part of the Andes, is home to Huascarán, Peru's highest peak at 6,768 meters. This mountain is a magnet for serious climbers due to its formidable height and the technical skill required to reach its summit. Alpamayo, though slightly lower at 5,947 meters, is often cited as one of the most beautiful mountains in the world with its stunning ice flutes and challenging climbs. These peaks, along with others like Tocllaraju (6,032 meters) and Chopicalqui (6,354 meters), provide mountaineers with a diverse array of high-altitude climbing opportunities.

In addition to the Cordillera Blanca, the Cordillera Huayhuash offers another incredible playground for high-altitude climbers. The peaks in this region, such as Yerupajá (6,634 meters) and Siula Grande (6,344 meters), are renowned for their dramatic, rugged beauty and challenging ascents. The remoteness and fewer crowds compared to the Cordillera Blanca make Huayhuash a preferred choice for those seeking solitude and a more pristine climbing environment. The combination of awe-inspiring landscapes, technical routes, and rich cultural experiences make Peru a top destination for mountaineers aiming to conquer some of the world's highest and most beautiful peaks.

Aside from world class mountaineering, there are excellent treks and of course many famous historical heritage sites to explore - not to mention great food.

When to climb in Peru

The best time to go climbing in Peru is:

May to August

The best time to go mountaineering in Peru is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. This period offers the most stable weather conditions, with clear skies and minimal precipitation, making it ideal for high-altitude climbs. June to August is particularly favorable, as these months typically provide the best climbing conditions with lower risks of avalanches and rockfalls.

The wet season, from October to April, is generally not recommended for mountaineering due to heavy rainfall and unstable weather conditions. During this time, the mountains experience frequent storms, and the increased precipitation can lead to dangerous climbing conditions such as avalanches and landslides. However, early in the wet season (October and November) and late (April) can sometimes offer brief windows of good weather.

Where to climb in Peru

Mountain climbing expeditions in Peru - Guided Peaks

The Cordillera Blanca is the most famous mountaineering region in Peru, known for its high concentration of 6,000-meter peaks. Huascarán National Park, where these mountains are located, provides a well-developed infrastructure for climbers, including numerous base camps and established routes. This range boasts over 50 peaks above 5,000 meters, with several exceeding 6,000 meters, making it a haven for high-altitude climbing enthusiasts. The scenic beauty of the Cordillera Blanca, characterized by its glaciated peaks and deep valleys, combined with challenging routes, attracts climbers from around the globe. Base yourself out of the outdoor capital Huaraz.

The Cordillera Huayhuash, located to the south of the Cordillera Blanca, offers a more remote and less frequented climbing experience. This range is known for its dramatic peaks and pristine environment, providing a stark contrast to the more popular Cordillera Blanca. Yerupajá, the second highest peak in Peru, and Siula Grande, famous for the survival story "Touching the Void," are among the notable 6,000-meter summits in this region. The Cordillera Huayhuash trek is also considered one of the most beautiful and challenging in the world, offering a unique combination of high-altitude climbing and trekking through some of the most stunning landscapes in Peru.

Around Cusco you have a few other 6s, with Ausangate and Salcantay standing out.

Lastly, in the south, you have the town of Arequipa. It has Chachani on its doorstep, and several other comparable - easy - 6s within some hours. Around here the climbs are of no technical difficulty - but great first 6000 meter ascents or used for acclimitisation before going north to Huaraz.

Climbs in Peru

There are 24 Climbs in Peru. Get an idea of what separates them here:

Most popular

The classic climbs in Peru:

Alpamayo

AD - D

$1,750

5,947 m

Chopicalqui

$1,080

6,345 m

Chachani

$100

6,075 m

Huascaran Sur

PD - AD

$1,700

6,768 m

Huascaran Norte

PD - AD

$2,950

6,655 m

Lesser known

Escape the crowds and get of the beaten path in Peru with these climbs:

Chumpe

$1,340

6,106 m

Most difficult

If you want to challenge yourself, consider these climbs in Peru:

Jirishanca

D - TD

$10,000

6,094 m

Ranrapalca

$2,350

6,162 m

Santa Cruz

$750

6,259 m

Other climbs in Peru:

Artesonraju

AD - D

$1,750

6,025 m

Quitaraju

AD - D

$2,600

6,036 m

Tocllaraju

$1,500

6,034 m

Ampato

$438

6,288 m

Ausangate

$1,100

6,372 m

Salcantay

$1,050

6,271 m

Copa

PD - AD

$1,850

6,188 m

Coropuna

$1,000

6,425 m

Solimana

$3,000

6,093 m

Misti

$110

5,825 m

Yayamari

$2,500

6,049 m

Huandoy

$15,000

6,360 m

Pisco

$1,200

5,752 m

Vallunaraju

$2,600

5,686 m

Yanapaccha

$280

5,460 m

Climb difficulties in Peru

How many of each difficulty grade can you find a route for.

French Alpine	Difficulty description	Quantity
F	Easy. Suitable for beginners, minimal technical skills required.	5
PD	Not very difficult. Some technical skills required, with moderate exposure.	7
AD	Fairly difficult. Requires good technical skills and experience, with significant exposure.	11
D	Difficult. Requires advanced technical skills and experience, with high exposure.	6
TD	Very difficult. Requires very advanced technical skills, experience, and serious commitment.	2
ED	Extremely difficult. Requires exceptional technical skills, experience, and high commitment.	0

Pictures from climbing in Peru

These are pictures taken while climbing in Peru. They're shown here to give you an idea of what the route is like.

Guides with trips in Peru

Guide costs for climbing in Peru

There are 137 guided trips listed for Peru. Trips range from $69 to $15,000, and average $1,673 per expedition.

Explore our directory of 73 guides with trips in peru

Or check out all guides in the guide directory to browse all guides in one place.

Grupo Alpamayo Tours

Argentina

Peru

Ecuador

Chile

Bolivia

Mountaineering in peru

Why climb in Peru

When to climb in Peru

Where to climb in Peru

Climbs in Peru

Most popular

Lesser known

Most difficult

Other climbs in Peru:

Climb difficulties in Peru

Pictures from climbing in Peru

Guides with trips in Peru

Guide costs for climbing in Peru

Explore our directory of 73 guides with trips in peru

Grupo Alpamayo Tours

Single peak expeditions

Certificates

Peru Adventures Travel

Single peak expeditions

Peruvian Mountains Adventures & Expeditions

Single peak expeditions

Andean Raju Expeditions

Single peak expeditions

AB Expeditions

Single peak expeditions

Action Peru Treks

Single peak expeditions

Akilpo Adventure Specialists

Single peak expeditions

Alpenglow Expeditions

Single peak expeditions

Alpes Andes

Single peak expeditions

Andean Sunrise

Single peak expeditions

Andino Trek

Single peak expeditions

Attitude Montagne

Single peak expeditions

Bioandean Expeditions

Single peak expeditions

Cotopaxi Climbing

Single peak expeditions

Extreme Tour Pro

Single peak expeditions

First Light Guiding

Single peak expeditions

Free Tour Peru

Single peak expeditions

Incaventura

Single peak expeditions

Kuluar

Single peak expeditions

Machu Picchu Expeditions

Single peak expeditions

Made In Mountain

Single peak expeditions

Mountain Happiness

Single peak expeditions

Mountain Planet

Single peak expeditions

Peru Alpine Expedition

Single peak expeditions

Peru Discovery Tours

Single peak expeditions

Peru Mountains Climbing

Single peak expeditions

Peruvian Mountains

Single peak expeditions

Qorianka Travel & Experience

Single peak expeditions

Salkantay Expeditions

Single peak expeditions

Tinggly

Single peak expeditions

Tours Huaraz

Single peak expeditions

Trekking Cordillera Blanca by Peru Adventures

Single peak expeditions

Trexperience Peru