Snowcapped and Most Popular Mountains of Cusco

In the Cusqueña culture and in Peru in general, the snow-capped peaks and mountains are part of reverences and offerings inherited from the time of our ancestors, the Incas, and over time it has been preserved until now. In this article we will see a list of the most important snow-capped mountains so that you have an incredible experience climbing, observing, and photographing these wonders of nature.

1.- The Snowy Ausangate

Ausangate is a natural attraction located in the Ocongate district in the Quispicanchi province of Cuzco. This snow-capped mountain is part of the Cordillera de Vilcanota, and according to ancient legends, it is the brother of the Salkantay. The Nevado Ausangate has an altitude of 6,384 m.a.s.l. For the nearby residents, it is considered the most representative mountain in the area. It is so big that it can be admired even from the city of Cusco, and it is considered the fifth highest mountain in Peru. This beautiful mountain of Cusco is impressive for its incredible natural structure. The area not only has beautiful lagoons with turquoise waters such as the Sibinacocha but also stone forests, glaciers, and plateaus, which make this a natural attraction a paradise on earth, especially for those interested in tourists.
How to get it? To get to this beautiful snow-capped mountain it is necessary to be acclimatized, you can take a bus from Cusco passing through urcos until you reach the town of Ocongate, the time to get to this place is 3 hours. From this point, you must take the service of a tour guide so that he can lead you around the snowy mountains. The excursion can have up to 5 days that will take you through different natural points. It is recommended to visit the snowy Ausangate from April to November.

2.- The Snowy Salkantay

The Nevado Salkantay is located in the district of Mollepata and is located at 6,200 meters above sea level, it is one of the 9 districts of the province of Anta, in the province of Cusco, 90 kilometers from the Imperial City. Mollepata not only has a brilliant agricultural production but also offers the visitor a variety of experiences, from the most intimate and quiet to the most intense and vivid. Although this area receives approximately 27,000 tourists each year, most of them only stay at the foot of the Salkantay mountain. Few lucky people will pass the highest point (Abra Salkantay) to be able to follow the path to Machu Picchu. The famous Salkantay has two peaks on the top of the mountain, located in the east and west of 6,200 m (20,341 ft) above sea level. The one on the west side used to be longer and more attractive because it is a bit higher and has glaciers.

3.- The Mountain of 7 Colors

The Vinicunca Mountain better known as the Mountain of 7 Colors is a spectacular rainbow mountain, its colorful appearance is almost unique in the world (this is due to the special chemical substance of the soil in the area). There are two ways to get to it on your own and by contracting the Agency service. The Camino a la Montaña de Colores offers a variety of ecological floors in the tranquility and natural energy, perfect for taking striking landscape photographs. The best season to visit is from April to November.

4.- Humantay Mountain

The Humantay mountain is also a very special place, its importance is due to the fact that it is part of the Salkantay mountain and also because it gives birth to the beautiful Humantay lagoon, which in its turquoise waters reflects the entire landscape that surrounds it. The Humantay Mountain is located at 4,200 meters above the level of 1 hour and 30 minutes of walking from the community of Soraypampa, in the district of Mollepata, province of Anta, department of Cusco.

5.- Machu Picchu Mountain

When visiting the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu you will be able to appreciate two mountains: The Huayna Picchu (located behind the archaeological site, common in the photos) and the Machu Picchu Mountain (opposite Huayna Picchu). Machu Picchu mountain is located at the top at 3000 meters above sea level.
Climbing this mountain requires a good physical condition due to the altitude when reaching the top of the mountain, however, as I have highlighted on other occasions, reaching the top is incredible and the view is spectacular: every time you move away from the citadel you will see them get smaller and of course the satisfaction of reaching the top.

6.- Huayna Picchu Mountain

Those who had the joy of visiting the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu will surely remember the Huayna Picchu mountain, this is the mountain that appears in the background accompanying the Inca citadel Machu Picchu, from the top of this mountain you can see the entire Inca citadel. To get to the top of Huayna Picchu you have to be in good physical condition because the path is narrow and steep. On the slopes of Huayna Picchu is the Temple of the Moon, which tells us that this mountain was important to the Incas. If you want to climb Huayna Picchu, I recommend that you book the entrance tickets many months in advance due to their high demand.