Huascaran National Park

Breathtaking. There is simply no other word for it. A paradise surrounded by towering glaciers that sweep across the mountain range and give rise to powerful rivers, home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, as well as 33 archaeological sites that invite visitors to connect with history while embracing nature.

Here lie lagoons of the purest turquoise imaginable. Here, one cannot help but think: paradise exists.

Huascaran, Sanctuary of the Cordillera Blanca

Huascaran National Park lies within the Cordillera Blanca, regarded as the world’s highest tropical mountain range. It is home to Mount Huascaran, which rises to 6,768 meters above sea level, where the landscape shifts dramatically between snowcapped peaks, ravines, and valleys.

Established on July 1, 1975, the park covers more than 340,000 hectares across several provinces in the Ancash region. Its vast expanse allows travelers to encounter dramatically different landscapes depending on where they enter the park.

Trekking in Huascaran National Park. / © PROMPERÚ

These mountains hold one of the region’s greatest reserves of ice and freshwater. With more than 700 glaciers, this territory contains the largest concentration of tropical glaciers in the world. Its 434 lakes feed streams and rivers that run alongside many parts of the trails, revealing why water is such a defining presence throughout the park’s landscapes.

Huascaran National Park has been recognized as a Biosphere Reserve since 1977 and a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site since 1985. UNESCO highlights its ravines, glacial lakes, and the diverse ecosystems that emerge at different altitudes. The organization also points to species such as the spectacled bear and the Andean condor, both part of the wildlife protected within this area.

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The best time to visit is between May and October, when the weather is dry and cool. Before your trip, be sure to check schedules and purchase your ticket online, as access to certain areas is only permitted through authorized tour operators.

Huascaran National Park, Huaraz, Peru