Cordillera Blanca trek in Peru

An awe-inspiring guided circuit of the world’s highest tropical mountain range in Peru. Starting and finishing in Huaraz, this Cordillera Blanca trek takes you through a lush landscape of glacial valleys and lakes circled by towering Andes peaks, camping in stunning locations along the trail.

The Cordillera Blanca or ‘White Range’ in Peru is the world’s highest tropical mountain range and includes thirty-three peaks over 5,500m high. The highest peak in Peru, Huascarán, is found here as well as Peru’s first National Park and Biosphere reserve. Glaciers have carved immense canyons that widen at places to reveal beautiful turquoise mountain lakes. Lush valleys fed by snow-melt streams feed small-holding farmland in wider valleys with their meadows and cultivated fields.

Your five-day, four-night guided Cordillera Blanca trek will take in the natural and cultural interests of the area. Pack animals will take the burden of most of your kit as you pass through traditional farming villages along trails winding through scenic gullies flanked by the Andes’ hugest peaks. You will come to picture-perfect lakes nestled at the bottom of great glacial valleys fed by cascading rivers and explore the fields and alpine meadows of the local Quechua people and their ancient irrigation systems.

You will camp out under the stars along the trail and learn more about the culture of the area from your local bilingual guide while staff will prepare you meals included in the tour’s price.

This itinerary takes in some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the world and will offer anyone who enjoys the outdoors one of the world’s best hiking experience. The daily distances are conservative and do not demand a superior level of fitness and you will have plenty of time to adjust to the altitude that remains pretty constant throughout without any dramatic taxing ascents. A guide fully trained in First Aid will be at hand at all times for any health problems.

On top of the fantastic landscape and wildlife you will have a chance to explore the culture and communities of the native Quechua people and sample the culture of the region. The hike is suited to small groups and couples with an average fitness with some experience of hiking and camping.