Cordilleras Information
Huascarán National Park (HNP)
Huascarán National Park was established on July 1, 1975. It has been recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1985 and as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1977.
The Park lodges a unique wealth of flora and fauna, snow- covered peaks and exquisite sceneries. Several of the peaks and lakes of this mountain range are recognized worldwide for their splendor, transforming this region into an international attraction. Home to Huascarán, at 6768 m, the highest peak of Peru and the biggest mountain in the tropics, and the most recognized around the world 'Alpamayo'. At 5947 m. above sea level Alpamayo is the mountain featured in the Paramount Pictures label.
The entire area of the National Park Huascarán is 340,000 hectares of natural territory without external interferences. The principal goal of the park is to protect the flora and the wild fauna, the geologic formations, the archaeological remains and the splendour of the scenery of the Cordillera Blanca, promoting and encouraging the scientific investigation of the natural and cultural resources.
Callejón de Huaylas
Formed around the Santa River, this valley spans 180km from South to North between the Cordilleras Blanca and Negra. The distance from Santa River to Huascarán is only 14 Km.
We access the Callejón de Huaylas from South to North through Conococha lake 4020 m where we find the towns of: Recuay, Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz. Numerous towns nestled in the slopes of the Cordilleras Blanca and Negra create an enchanting rural scenery full of vegetation of varied tonalities, picturesque cottages, numerous lakes, flowers throughout, a dazzling blue sky and white snow-covered summits comparable only with the Alpine valleys of Switzerland.
Callejón de Huaylas is one of the principal tourist attractions of Peru since its beauty also provides the possibility of practising numerous adventure sports.
Cordillera Blanca
Named for its imposing and beautiful snow-capped mountains and glaciers that overcome 6000 m of altitude, it is considered to be the highest tropical mountain range in the world, with more than 100 peaks that overcome 5000 m.
Among its snow-capped mountains stands out Alpamayo at 5947 m. and Huascarán, the second highest peak in America at 6768 m. Among its gorges and slopes exist more than 200 lakes, including the exquisite Llanganuco lake just 25 km from Yungay, located exactly to the side of Huascarán mountain.
Cordillera Huayhuash
The spectacular Cordillera Huayhuash is located about 110 Km to the Southwest of Cordillera Blanca. It has an extension of 130 Km bordering the departments of Ancash, Huanuco and Lima. It´s highest point, Yerupajá 6634 m, is a place frequented by lovers of adventure activities such as mountaineering, fishing and trekking. This last one has become the activity most preferred by visitors to this mountain range, due to its incomparable sceneries formed by snow-covered peaks, multicolored lakes, crystalline streams, and diverse flora and fauna. The difficult footpaths and high passes that reach 5000 m. are softened by the imppresive beauty of the Cordillera Huayhuash.
The first ascension to one of its peaks was carried out on Siulá 6344 m by an Austrian expedition in 1936. Its highest peak, Yarupajá 6634 m, was climbed by a team from the University of Harvard in 1950. The first one of these two mountains has a surprising story written by Joe Simpson 'Touching the Void' that was later made into a film of the same name. This mountain range has six peaks that overcome 6000 m.- Yarupajá 6634 m, Siulá Grande 6344 m, Sarapo 6126 m, Rasac 6040 m, Hirishanca 6090 m, Yarupajá chico 6089 m. Among its other peaks are: Rondoy 5870 m, Toro 5965 m, and Carnicero 5960 m.
