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Without a doubt the best place for mountaineering in Peru is the spectacular Cordillera Blanca which is accessed from the town of Huaraz.

Adventure Activities in Peru

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Cordillera Blanca: The Cordillera Blanca is truly a climbers paradise. Many people come to Peru just to visit this region and can sometimes reach several summits over 6,000m in a two week stay. Climbing is best done during the dry season (June to September) with optimum conditions usually in July. Acclimatization is essential so allow between 4 days and 1 week before starting the ascent depending on the height and difficultly of the mountain. The peaks of Ishinca (5,534m) and Pisco (5,752m) are suitable for inexperienced climbers. Alpamayo (5,957m), generally regarded as Peru's most beautiful mountain, is suitable for intermediate climbers, while Huascaran (6,768m) can prove quite a challenge. Huaraz is the largest town in the area and the most popular place to use as a base for exploring the surrounding mountains.

Cordillera Blanca: Peaks which can easily be climbed by trekking
Peaks	Duration (Days)	Altitude	Months for Climbing
Hatun Montepuncu	4	5,415 mts	all year
Huarapasca	2	5,530 mts.	all year
Ishinka	3	5,534 mts.	all year
Maparaju	4	5,326 mts.	all year
Pastoruri	1	5,220 mts.	all year
Pisco	3	5,752 mts.	all year
Rima Rima	2	5,203 mts.	all year
Tuco	2	5,454 mts.	all year
Urus	3	5,420 mts.	all year
Vallunaraju	3	5,686 mts.	all year
Wamashraju	3	5,434 mts.	all year

Cordillera Blanca: Peaks which can be climbed with moderate difficulty
Peaks	Duration (Days)	Altitude	Months for Climbing
Aquilpo	4	5,050 mts.	May to Sept
Caullaraju	3	5,597 mts.	May to Sept
Copa	4	6,137 mts.	May to Sept
Champara	7	5,878 mts.	May to Sept
Chequiaraju	4	5,512 mts.	May to Sept
Hualcan	4	6,122 mts.	May to Sept
Paria	4	5,500 mts.	May to Sept
Raria	3	5,576 mts.	May to Sept
San Juan	4	5,884 mts.	May to Sept
Tocllraju	4	6,052 mts.	May to Sept
Urhuashraju	5	5,544 mts.	May to Sept
Yanapaccha	5	5,393 mts.	May to Sept

Cordillera Blanca: Peaks which can be climbed with a degree of difficulty
Peaks	Duration (Days)	Altitude	Months for Climbing
Alpamayo	8	5,957 mts.	June to Sept
Artesonraju	5	6,025 mts.	May to Sept
Caraz	6	6,020 mts.	May to Sept
Cayesh	8	5,424 mts.	June to Sept
Contrahierbas	6	6,050 mts.	June to Sept
Chacraraju	8	6,108 mts.	June to Sept
Chinchey	7	6,309 mts.	June to Sept
Chopicalqui	5	6,354 mts.	May to Sept
Huandoy Norte	6	6,393 mts.	June to Sept
Huascaran	6	6,768 mts.	May to Sept
Huastsan	6	6,395 mts.	June to Sept
Oxshapalca	6	5,881 mts.	June to Sept
Palcaraju	5	6,272 mts.	June to Sept
Piramide Garcilazo	6	5,865 mts.	May to Sept
Pucaranra	7	6,156 mts.	June to Sept
Pacahirca	7	6,088 mts.	June to Sept
Quitaraju	7	6,036 mts.	June to Sept
Rataquenua	5	5,338 mts.	June to Sept
Santa Cruz	8	6,241 mts.	June to Sept
Taulliraju	8	5,830 mts.	June to Sept
Ulta	7	5,782 mts.	May to Sept

Arequipa: When arriving in Arequipa you cannot help but be impressed by the beautiful conical snow-capped volcano which dominates the skyline. This volcano, known as El Misti, is 5,825m high and is suitable even for inexperienced climbers provided you are accompanied by a professional, experienced guide. The best months to make an assent are July to September, although it can be climbed year round. Provided that you are suitably acclimatized you can make the ascent and return to Arequipa in 2 days.
Another fairly easy mountain to climb which is close to Arequipa is Chachani (6,075m). If you are a fairly inexperienced climber but want to be able to say that you've reached a summit in excess of 6,000m then this is probably the best place in the world to start. There are many other spectacular peaks to climb particularly in the direction of the Colca Canyon. These include Hualca Hualca (6,025m) and Ampato (6,380m).

Peaks	Duration (Days)	Altitude	Months for Climbing
Arequipa: Principal Mountains
Coropuna	5	6,425	all year
Solimana	5	6,320	all year
Ampato	3	6,318	all year
Chachani	1 or 2	6,075	all year
Hualca-Hualca	3	6,025	all year
Misti (Volcano)	1 or 2	5,825	all year
Sabancaya (Volcano)	3	5,976	all year
Ubinas (Volcano)	1 or 2	5,672	all year
Pichu-Pichu	1 or 2	5,664	all year
Mismi	3 or 4	5,597	all year

Cusco: The Cordilleras Vilcabamba and Vilcanota provide some exciting climbing in the province of Cusco. However, most of the climbs are technically difficult and there are very few opportunities for inexperienced climbers. All serious expeditions should be planned well in advance with June to September being the best months to make an attempt on a summit. Mountain Climbing here will have to be arranged by Southern Horizons - note - very few tour operators have this available.

Peaks	Duration (Days)	Altitude	Months for Climbing
Cusco: Principal Snowcapped Peaks
Salkantay	10	6,271	June-Sept
Ausangate	10	6,385	June-Sept