The snow-capped mountains were considered protectors during the Inca period, especially the highest ones, because they were thought to contain spirits. 

The highest snow-capped peaks in Peru and their importance

Here I will tell you about these snow-capped mountains and their history, which will make you see them in a totally different way:

1. Salkantay Snowy 

This apu is considered majestic and stately; it means “wild mountain” and has religious importance in the Andean worldview.

Three Inca trails of the Qhapaq an run through this snowy region: Choquequirao, Molletapa, and Choquechurco.

It is the twelfth highest snow-capped peak in Peru and the second highest in Cusco, standing 6,271 meters high and belonging to the Vilcabamba mountain range. 

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Historic context

In Inca times, tributes were offered to the snow-capped Salkantay for fruitful agricultural production as well; human sacrifices were practiced as offerings to avoid hail and crop disease, and it was believed that thawed water was sacred water.

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The Incas saw that the waters of the Urubamba River headed towards the jungle and disappeared in it, they believed that this water returned to the snowy peak through the Milky Way.

In 2013, two Americans and a Peruvian climbed the Salkantay peak for nine hours, making Luis Crispín as the first Peruvian to climb the top of Salkantay.

Currently, he is considered the protector of the towns of Limatambo, Molletapa, Machu Picchu, and Choquequirao; which belong to the Vilcabamba mountain range and make important payments to the land.

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Salkantay Tourist Route: Machu Picchu

This is the best tourist route to trek to Machu Picchu with an impressive landscape, and it is the second preferred route after the Inca Trail of 4 to 5 days. Different ecological floors are appreciated; among the flora and fauna, we find condors, hummingbirds, spectacled bears, and 300 types of orchids.

The best time to visit this snowy peak is from April to November, when the weather is around 16 degrees during the day and minus 10 degrees at night.

Currently, the snow has lost 66% of its coverage.

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Is it possible to do mountain biking near Salkantay?

do mountain biking while crossing the pass of the snowy Salkantay, which is at an altitude of 4,633 m. Then go down a short, fun, singletrack road to the town of Santa Teresa to enjoy a relaxing medicinal bath in Cocalmayo, and the next day, walk from the hydroelectric station to the town of Machu Picchu.

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The route to Salkantay and Machu Picchu is recommended to be done in 4 days, but if you just want to enjoy the Salkantay trail and end up in the Cocalmayo thermal baths, you can do it in one to two days.

How do I get to the Nevado de Salkantay?

It is best to book a tour through a travel agency; if you go alone, you should travel from Cusco to the province of Mollepata and preferably hire a tour guide or a muleteer to guide you to the snow.

2. Ausangate Snowy 

The Ausangate is known as “The Powerful” because it is the protector of Cusco and is revered by the high Andean communities because it is the highest peak in the region.

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It is located at a level of 6,384 m, and it is the fifth highest mountain in Peru that corresponds to the Vilcanota knot. The name “ausangate” comes from the Aymara, which means “parent who gathers.”

Currently, there are few expeditions; however, there are trekking circuits around the mountain that last from 1 to 7 hours.

The average climate is cold and dry, with temperatures reaching 15 degrees in the morning and minus 0 degrees at night.

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History

For the inhabitants, this snow is important within their Andean worldview; it is a sacred, protective place for the people, and it is surrounded by other deities such as Callangate, Sinakara, Qolquepunku, Qolqecruz, etc.

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According to Cieza de León, he honored the Apu with offerings and sacrifices. It is said that the souls of those sacrificed went to Lake Sibinacocha, which is mythologically known as the lake that gives rise to life.

According to the legend, Ausangate and the Salkantay were brothers. After a drought, they went to look for help and water; the Salkantay went north to the jungle, where he found forbidden love.

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The Ausangate went to the south of the highlands, finding a variety of Andean products and providing potatoes and corn.

Legend has it that the two brothers became mountains that protected Cusco.

The ascent to the summit is difficult due to its ice and rock walls; the first expedition was by Piero Ghiglione.

Cusco climbers managed to ascend to the top.

The snowy is a part of the Mr. de Qoyllority religious festival, which combines Andean and Christian beliefs. The Christ lies on the slopes of a rock called Apu Sinakara, and the festivity is based on a pilgrimage to the mountain.

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Is it possible to do mountain biking around Ausangate?

To surround the Ausangate snow-capped mountain by bicycle, there are many routes, depending on which tourist sites you want to visit. Here are some routes that you can choose:

• Ausangate bike route and the mountain of Seven Colors
• Ausangate bike route, Hayuni lines, and 7 Lagoons circuit
• Cycling through the Ausangate Pass

The aforementioned routes can be completed in 4, 3, 2, or even one day, depending on location. If you are a lover of snow-capped mountains and you like mountain biking, you can book a bike tour of Ausangate with a specialist agency that provides you with private mobility, bicycles, an adventure guide, etc.

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How do I get to the Ausangate snowy?

It is advisable to book a tour with a travel agency; if you go alone, you must go from Cusco to the province of Ocongate and then arrive at Tinki, where you can take taxis that should take you to “El Colegio Upis,” a Once you are there, you just have to ask the residents to tell you how to get there.

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3.  Veronica Snowy

Also called Huaynawillca or Wakaywill, which means “sacred crying,”  it is located at an altitude of 5,682 m and belongs to the Urubamba mountain range.

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The fauna that stands out in this snowy landscape are orchids, mosses, and different types of plants native to the place.

In 1956, 1974, and 2009, the most important climbs of this snow-capped mountain took place; in 2009, Jorge Sirvas and Alfredo Zúñiga made the first Peruvian ascent.

The best time to travel to this place is between June and September.

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The Legend of Apu Verónica and Salkantay

Legend has it that, after a great drought, the Ausangate and Salkantay brothers went out in search of food for their people.

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Salkantay left for the north and arrived in the jungle, the land of the anti-warriors. It was there that he fell in love with Princess Huaynawillca, but the people did not approve of this love affair, so the young people decided to escape to Cusco.

Unfortunately, the anti-people persecuted the young people and killed their own princess. Upon seeing this, Salkantay declared war on the antis until they were almost exterminated.

The gods turned Salkantay and Huaynawillca into mountains after witnessing so many deaths. Since then, Salkantay has taken care of Huaynawillca, who was later called Verónica. Both are important because they generate water and food for their populations.

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Veronica Sanctuary

a tourist sanctuary where one can meditate and purify oneself at the foot of snow-capped Verónica.

They preserve and spread ecotourism; in this ecological sanctuary, you learn to enjoy the landscape without negatively impacting the forest.

Is it possible to do mountain biking near the Verónica Snowy?

Of course, there are three bicycle routes near the snow that you can take:

Inka jungle bike route  

This route has 75 km along a paved track road to the Santa María jungle, starting from the Málaga pass, which is located at 4,317 m, and going down to 1,600 m. quite adventurous.

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Avalanche Inca Route

This route is a short singletrack path for experienced cyclists who like the adrenaline of lines with small ramps, stones, and advanced-level curves.

The distance of this route is 16 kilometers. We recommend taking this route with a cycling tour company.

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Inti Punku bike route

Considered the best enduro route, it crosses the Sun Gate, which has a spectacular view of the snow-capped Veronica.

This route has a distance of 25 km with a positive unevenness of more than 1,000 m. starting from the town of Socma and ending in the sacred valley of Ollantaytambo.

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How do I get to Verónica Snowy ?

It is advisable to take a tour with a tourism agency; if you go alone, you should go from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and then embark to the community of Piscacucho, from where the inhabitants will be able to guide you to the snow-capped mountain.

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4.  Callangate Snowy

Callangate, also known as Collpa Ananta, is located in the province of Quispicanchis. It belongs to the Vilcanota mountain range and has an elevation of 6,111 m.

The thawed water that comes down from this snow-capped mountain runs through and nourishes the Urubamba basin.

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History

It is believed that the name of the Callangate comes from the Aymara and means seed; also, in Inca mythology, it is called the younger brother of the Ausangate.

Callangate was first climbed in 1953 by a group of German climbers named Harner, Steinmetz, Marz and Wellenkamp.

Is it mountain biking to Callangate?

This snow is located next to the Ausangate snow, and you can enjoy the same mountain biking routes that we mentioned from the Ausangate snow.

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How do I get to Callangte snowy?

It is advisable to take a tourism agency; if you go alone, you should go from Cusco to the province of Ocongate.

5. Chicón Snowy 

This snow-capped mountain belongs to the Urubamba Mountain Range and is surrounded by the Tantanmarca and Sayhua hills. The climate varies between 8 and 23 degrees during the day and between 5 and 6 degrees at night.

Within its flora and fauna, we find eucalyptus trees, q’euñas, tarucas, weasels, foxes, cuculí and hummingbirds.

From Chinchero, there is an incredible view of the snow-capped Chicón, which is located at an altitude of 5,800 m.

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Historic context

According to oral histories, it is known as Mama Sabana or Sabana rit’i, where altars are built and payments are made to the land in the months of August and when Holy Week falls.

Sabana Rit’i is known as the “female snow-capped mountain” because when it rains, its waters are cloudy.

There was a glacial disaster in 1942, and they say there was a great alluvium.They also say that they saw a man with a red poncho who was adjudged to be the devil who caused the disaster, leaving a balance of 40 dead.

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Is it possible to do mountain biking near Chicon snowy?

The bicycle routes that can be done are in front of the snowy Chicón, in the Sacred Valley, here we mention these routes:

• Misminay-Pichingoto route by bike
• Maras and Moray routes by bike
• Salt route by bike
• Corn Route by Bike
• Laguna Huaypo Route by bike

The time of these routes is from 1.2 to 3 hours; some of them are advanced, intermediate, and basic level.

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How do I get to Nevado Chicón?

To get there, you must guide yourself to the district of Chinchero in Urubamba and go to the community of Chichubamba, then arrive at Yanacona, and finally at San Isidro Chicón.

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6. Humantay Snowy 

This snow-capped mountain belongs to the Vilcabamba mountain range, where there is a must-see tourist attraction, the Humantay Lagoon.

The snow is 120 kilometers from Cusco in the Anta province, near the town of Soraypampa.

On the slopes of the snow-capped mountains there are apachetas, which are piles of stones that are placed as route markers. They also ask the apacheta for good health, and it is a sign of respect.

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Humantay Lagoon

This lagoon is located in the province of Anta in the district of Mollepata and is located at the foot of the snow-capped mountain that bears the same name.

From Soraypampa to the Humantay Lagoon, you will travel approximately 3 kilometers.

Here you will find many apachetas, and you can leave a stone in an apacheta as a testimony of your arrival to this sacred place.

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Is it possible to do mountain biking near the Humantay Lagoon?

If visiting the Humantay Lagoon by bicycle is possible, here are two routes you can take:

Route: Humantay Lagoon; Salkantay; Machu Picchu

This is an advanced-level route for experienced cyclists that connects to the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu.

Route Laguna Humantay-Mollepata

This route is 40 kilometers long. intermediate level

Salkantay mountain biking to Machu Picchu

How do I get to the Humantay snowy?

It is advisable to take a tour with a tourism agency; if you go alone, you should go to Mollepata, and in its square, take a taxi that will take you to Soraypampa, and from there, walk approximately 3 to 4 hours until you reach the lagoon. Arriving here, you will find yourself at an altitude of 4,800 m.

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Some recommendations for visiting all the snow-capped mountains of Perú

• Use blocker.
• Bring trekking shoes, overalls, and warm clothes.
• Pills for sulfur
• It is recommended to hire a travel agency.
• Bring nuts, food, and water since you will not find any stores nearby.
• Rain poncho, November–April

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Cordilleras of the Andes of the Region of Cusco

It is a chain of mountains that crosses 7 countries in South America and is considered the longest mountain range in the world, In Peru, it belongs to the Sierra region. The three mountain ranges that represent 25% of Peru

1. Vilcanota Mountain Range

This mountain range is located about 85 kilometers from Cuzco and is made up of 21 communities with 8 private conservation areas. Its elevation ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 meters above sea level.

It extends from Nevado Jarupata to Nevado Miñasnioc.

It is the second mountain chain with the most snow cover, and its flora includes both Q’euas and native trees to the area.

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The main lagoons found in this mountain range are Amayuni, Armaccocha, Singrenacocha, Challpacocha and Sibinacocha, the largest in the mountain range.

The snow-capped mountains found in this mountain range are: Ausangate, Callangate, Colquecruz, Hatunhuma, Yayamari, Chumpe, Alcamarinayoc, Pachanta, Huilaje, and Yapu Punta.

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2. Vilcabamba Mountain Range

Within this mountain range are the towns of Mollepata, Machupicchu, Santa Teresa, Wayraqmachay, Collpapampa, Totora, and Yanama. Its inhabitants revere the Apus, or mountains, that are found in this mountain range for being important in supplying water, which is the vital liquid for the crops of the inhabitants.

Its flora is characterized by having cat’s claws and trees like mahogany and cedar.

In this mountain range are the following snow-capped mountains: Salkantay, Huayanay, Pumasillo, Lasunayoc, Sacsaráyoc, Panta, and Ampay.

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Urubamba mountain range

It is located on the right bank of the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

This mountain range extends through the provinces of La Convención, Urubamba, and Calca and is located about 30 km from Cusco. Its important flora and fauna are being protected by the inhabitants; here we will find the fire cap jumping bird and the famous huallata.

Its highest peak is the Sahuasiray, at 19,088 feet high.

In this mountain range are the following snow-capped peaks: Sunchubamba, Halancoma, Verónica, Sahuasiray, Chicón, Terijuay, and Pumahuanca.

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