Peru Mountains: La Cordillera de los Andes is one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world and the most extensive then crosses the profile of several Latin America countries in its wake

Traveller Experience
8 min readApr 22, 2022

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Earth has beautiful landscapes, and when we think about how they were formed over the centuries with sudden and deadly movements of the crust and tectonic plates, they are even more beautiful.

Earth has beautiful landscapes, and when we think about how they were formed over the centuries with sudden and deadly movements of the crust and tectonic plates, they are even more beautiful.

La Cordillera de los Andes is one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world and the most extensive then crosses the profile of several South American countries in its wake. One of these countries is Peru and its own mountains with perpetual snow have become a tourist destination for the best mountaineers. Let’s get to know the snowy mountains of Peru.

Peru Mountains

The Andes delineate one side of Colombia, part of Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Argentina. The average height of its mountains is four thousand meters but Aconcagua, its highest peak on Argentine soil, reaches a height of 6960 meters so it follows it in the Himalayas.

We could say that the Andes are the roof of America and we wouldn’t be wrong. In addition, it also saves the volcanoes at the highest altitude on earth, traveling a total of 7240 kilometers. When it completes its long journey to the Pacific, it sinks both in the waters of the South Atlantic off Isla de los Estados and on the other side almost in the Caribbean.

The so-called snow-capped mountains of Peru lie in the central Andes

Geologists say this American mountain range was formed by moving the Nazca Plate under the South American Plate, toward the end of the Late Cretaceous or Upper Cretaceous, the last epoch of the Cretaceous period, which ended 66 million years ago. It was subduction movement, so the result is that there is volcanic activity along its length.

The so-called snow-capped mountains of Peru lie in the central Andes, a sector that includes the Andes of Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Peru. The Inca named Apus to the peaks with eternal snow and they became a mountaineering, trekking and adventure destination.

Huascaran

This massif with a snow cap is in the department of Ancash, central Peru. It is then very high is 6768 meters tall and has a total of three peaks with little difference in altitude between them. Covered with soil, vegetation and snow, the granite mass was formed just over five million years ago.

It’s the 5th highest mountain in America And since it’s all a matter of perspective, if the height were measured from the center of the earth, it would be the second highest mountain in the world, almost a mile taller than Mount Everest.

Huacaran

Two deep valleys separate it from the mountain range, gorges as they are called here. In the first creek is the Huascaran National Park, with its lagoons and such touristic landscapes. The second is less popular, but that’s not why it lacks beauty or records: it has the highest car tunnel in the world: 4732 meters.

While one of the peaks climbed to the top in 1908, and it was made by an American woman, Annie Peck, the other peaks would not receive the man’s visit until 1932. The Park is a World Heritage Site since 1985 as a Biosphere Reserve due to its lagoons and glaciers, which are almost thirty

Alpamayo

This is another mountain in the same Peruvian department of Ancash. Measures 5947 meters of altitude and it is a mace of ice and stone that, for many specialists, holds the title la Most Beautiful Mountain in the World.

Looks like a pyramid of great perfection and although it’s not the high seas it’s so beautiful that the detail is soon forgotten. The closest city to start the adventure of knowing this Peruvian mountain is 467 kilometers from Lima and Caraz.

Alpamayo mountain

Western man, we will never know if anyone went that far, did in the 1930s. century reached its climax. Today the standard route to the summit is the one opened forty years ago by a group of Italian climbers along the southeast face. Not easy and from what they say it looks like the Himalayas.

Salkantay Mountain

The Salkantay is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Vilcabamba region and the trekking over the Salkantay Pass leads through an imposing, glaciated mountain world up to 4,650 m and then through various vegetation zones, beautiful valleys and finally along the railway line with a view up to Machu Picchu.

Passing the majestic Salkantay peak (6,271 m) — one of the most important mountains in Inca mythology, the route leads through nine different biozones over the 4,600 m high Apacheta pass in seven days to finally reach Machu Picchu, the crown jewel of the Inca at the end of the journey Discover the Inca Empire for yourself. After the individual adventurous and eventful days along the trail, let yourself be pampered in the comfort lodges in the evening.

Salkantay Mountain

Make memories for a lifetime on this exciting, magical Peru tour and trekking tour that uniquely combines nature, culture and adventure without sacrificing comfort. Experience and discover the fascinating history of Peru with its unique archaeological treasures and the natural, pristine beauty of this country on the Salkantay Trek, an ancient Inca Trail, far off the usual tourist paths. The four Mountain Lodges of Peru are built according to the latest and environmentally conscious standards and have heating, double rooms with beds.

Ausangate Mountain

Ausangate mountain, located in the heart of the Vilcanota mountain range, is 6,398m above sea level. m. one of the highest mountains in Peru. It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful mountains in this stretch of the Andes. Among the numerous 6000m peaks in the Andes there are easy and difficult, rarely and frequently climbed. The Ausangate is one of the rarely visited mountains. In terms of difficulty, I would classify it in the “upper middle class”.

Ausangate mountain

During this trip we will not only be able to marvel at the highlights of Peru, Macchu Pichu, but also admire indescribable natural beauties on the trail of the “Gods of Ausangate” on our trekking tour.

Although it is about a 4-hour drive from Cusco, its snow-capped massif can be seen from some parts of the city. The Ausangate Trek offers a true wilderness experience and is the most challenging commercially offered in the Cusco region. It’s a great hike for nature lovers with lots of wildlife to admire. The scenery is overwhelming, white snow-capped peaks and bright blue and green lagoons are just a few of the scenic highlights. The trek also has a cultural component as you pass several remote Andean villages where the way of life is still very traditional.

If you are looking for solitude and don’t mind the lack of any infrastructure, you will find your paradise here in the Cordilliera Vilcanota. Most tourists are satisfied with looking at the six-thousanders from below. Aside from remote Yayamari, none offer easy access.

Snowy Huantsan

It is also one of the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. It has four peaks, the highest of which reaches 6369 meters high followed closely by the other three. The climbers encouraged by this snowy peak know that they have a very complicated task and that it requires a lot of technique, so much so that it was only in the 50’s that victory could be achieved.

Tourists come to this snowy peak in Peru from the town of Huaraz at the foot of the mountain. Many excursions are made in addition to mountaineering excursions. For example, you can do a full day mountain bike tour where you will get to know the Rajucolta Creek and its lagoon and an altitude of four thousand meters. If you want to enter the national park you have to pay.

The truth is that these are just some of the so-called snow-capped mountains of Peru. There are many more eternal snow mountains in Peru, although it is true that the most fantastic seems to be concentrated in Ancash’s department.

If you like mountain sports and need that vision of the world that can only be achieved from above, then Peru is waiting for you.

The Best Destinations in Peru for your holidays 2022 | Revuewww.getrevue.co
Weekly newsletter of Tierras Vivas Travel — Good news for travelers from all over the world. Peru is the third South American country to have recently received t

Best time of year to visit Machu Picchuwww.tierrasvivas.com
The best time of visit Machu Picchu is from May to August. It is tourism peak season; this season coincides with the dry season, but also with Europe and USA holidays.

Peru Treks: The best hikes to the mountains

Endless highlands, a colorful jungle and in between the fascinating memories of lost cultures — Peru is a country where there is something new to discover every day while hiking! The most beautiful and exciting are the exploration tours on foot, on one of the numerous hiking trails. Sometimes more and sometimes less developed for tourism, there is the right route for everyone — from beginners to experienced trekking adventurers. Eleven of these trails are particularly breathtaking and definitely belong on the to-do list on a hiking holiday in Peru. They all lead through impressive landscapes, past villages full of hospitable people and offer the ideal opportunity for multi-day trips with backpack and tent.

The Inca Trail tours usually start from Cusco or Sacred Valley and you can have the best experience during the trek to Machu Picchu. The most popular trail is the 4 day Inca Trail. This trail starts early in the morning from Cusco and transfers to km82. Hiking 4 days during the Inca path and visiting the Inca sites during the trek, observing the most beautiful landscapes and scenic trails, on day four, you will arrive at Machu Picchu and you can see the sunrise. Usually you will require booking 6 month in advance, there are only 500 spots available for Inca Trail permits, in case it’s sould out, you can choose the best alternative hike, such as Short Inca Trail, this trail is part of the inca trail and you can spend a night camping Machu Picchu town.

The others alternative are Salkantay Trek, Inca Jungle Trek, Lares Trek and Inca Quarry trail.

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