Dec 25 2021
Alpamayo (Shuyturaju) It is thought that the name “Alpamayo” came from the Quechua words “allpa” and “mayu” which mean “earth” and “river,” respectively, translating to “Earth River.” But the mountain has also been called “Shuyturaju,” which translates to “Mountain with Snow,” where “shuytu” means “long” in the Ancash Quechua language and “rahu” means “snow” in …
Oct 28 2021
Chinchey (Rurichinchay) Chinchey is a pyramidal, prominent peak in the Cordillera Blanca range of Peru, though isolated and not climbed much. It also goes by the name of Rurichinchay, named after a nearby lake and river. Country: Peru Chinchey sits directly north of Tullparaju and southeast of Palcaraju, right in the middle of the districts …
Oct 27 2021
Chopicalqui (Chopicallqui) The word “Chopicalqui” is thought to come from the Huaylas Quechua words “Chawpi” (center) and “kallki” (ravine). Country: Peru Chopicalqui sits between the Huascarán and Contrahierbas mountains in the Yungay Province of Ancash, Peru. Mountain Range: Cordillera Blanca (White Range), Peruvian Andes Elevation: 20,846 feet / 6,354 meters First Ascent: August 3, 1932, …
Oct 26 2021
Huandoy (Tullparaju) The word “Huandoy” likely comes from the Quechua term “wantuy,” which means “to carry.” However the mountain is also referred to as “Tullparaju,” or “tullpa” and “rahu” which roughly translates to “cooking-fire” and “snow.” Country: Peru Huandoy sits in the Yungay Province of Ancash, Peru, in the Huascarán National Park. Mountain Range: Cordillera …
Oct 26 2021
Huantsán (Huantsan, Tunsho) Huantsán has four distinct peaks: Huantsán Norte (6,113 m), Huantsán (6,395 m), Huantsán Oeste (6,270 m), and Huantsán Sur (5,913 m). Country: Peru Huantsán sits on the boundary of Huaraz and Huari provinces, in Peru’s Ancash region. Mountain Range: Cordillera Blanca (White Range), Peruvian Andes Elevation: 20,896 feet / 6,369 meters First …
Oct 25 2021
Huascarán Huascarán was named for Huáscar, the Sapa Inca of a 16th-century Inca empire. The mountain has two distinct summits separated by a saddle called “Garganta.” One of the most famous hikes around the mountain includes views of the pristine Laguna 69 in Huascaran National Park. The park contains over four hundred lakes, but 69 …
Oct 06 2021
Machu Picchu (Machu Pikchu) “Few romances can ever surpass that of the granite citadel on top of the beetling precipices of Machu Picchu, the crown of Inca Land.” -Hiram Bingham In the Quechua language, the sacred site of Machu Picchu translates to “Old Peak,” where “machu” means old and “pikchu” means peak. Machu Picchu is …
Jul 21 2021
Vinicunca (Montaña de Siete Colores, Montaña de Colores, Rainbow Mountain) Vinicunca is a Peruvian wonder, standing as a rainbow of a mountain in the Ausangate mountain range in the Cusco region of the Andes. The word Vinicunca translates to “seven-colored mountain” in the local Peruvian language. Colored by the sediment and mineral deposits accumulated over …
Jan 16 2021
Nevado Ausangate | Nevado Auzangate | Ausangate | Auzangate Home of the Quyllur Rit’i Quechua “star snow” festival, Nevado Ausangate is beautiful, large, looming mountain in the Vilcanota range in Peru’s Andes. The mountain area is also an idyllic pastoral community of llama and alpaca herders. Similar to Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, which sits southwest …
Jan 15 2021
Huayna Picchu (Quechua: Wayna Pikchu) Known as a sacred mountain where historically the high priest and local virgins resided, Huayna Picchu is home to several sacred temples, including the Temple of the Moon and the Great Cavern. In Quechua, the name for the mountain, “Wayna Pikchu,” loosely translates to “young” (or “young man”) (wayna) and “pyramid” …
