Plizio Visual Lab
Yerupajá
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Mountain
Weather…
Water temperature…
Yerupajá is a titan of the Andes, the highest peak in the Cordillera Huayhuash and the second tallest mountain in Peru at 6,634 meters. Its name in Quechua means 'White Sunrise,' a fitting tribute to its massive, jagged ice walls that glow brilliantly in the morning light. Yerupajá is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks in the world to climb, earning it the nickname 'The Butcher.' Its extreme technical challenges, including vertical ice and unpredictable weather, mean that its summit is reached only by the most experienced mountaineers. The mountain dominates the Huayhuash range, a compact but incredibly dramatic cluster of peaks that offer some of the most spectacular trekking scenery on Earth. Yerupajá remains a powerful symbol of the untamed majesty of the high Andes.
- Location: Peru
- Top sights: Yerupajá Chico · Rasac · Yerupajá
- Nearby: Lima (48 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Aug–Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Rain mm | 34 | 39 | 37 | 19 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 44 |
📋 Practical info
Getting there
Reaching the basecamps is a major logistical undertaking, requiring a long overland drive from Lima or Huaraz to remote trailhead villages like Chiquián or Llamac, followed by multiple days of trekking.
Best season
The climbing and trekking season is strictly limited to the absolute driest months of June, July, and August, providing the most stable weather patterns needed to safely navigate the hazardous glaciers.
Terrain & paths
Trekking routes circle through rugged, isolated valleys featuring demanding high-altitude passes, while any attempt to climb the mountain itself involves near-vertical ice walls and extremely perilous corniced ridges.
What to bring
General trekkers need standard, robust expedition gear for freezing conditions, whereas technical climbers require highly advanced, professional-grade ice climbing equipment to tackle the incredibly steep technical faces.
Parking
Vehicles are generally left parked securely at guesthouses or designated transport hubs in the larger gateway towns like Huaraz or Chiquián, as the inner mountain trails are strictly accessible only by foot or pack animal.
Safety
This is an inherently dangerous environment suitable only for highly experienced mountaineers; the risks of massive avalanches, treacherous hidden crevasses, and lethal altitude sickness are constant, objective hazards.
Time needed
Completing a scenic trekking circuit around the base of the peak typically takes at least eight to twelve days, while planning a complex technical climbing expedition demands several weeks of commitment.
Geography
Facts
- The second-highest peak in Peru (6,634m) and the highest in the Amazon basin watershed.
- Known for its extreme climbing difficulty and its terrifying, vertical ice faces.
- The name comes from the Quechua 'yuraq' (white) and 'pajay' (to dawn).
- Its first successful ascent was in 1950 by Jim Maxwell and Dave Harrah.
- The mountain is the focal point of the world-famous Huayhuash Trek.
- Yerupajá Chico is its slightly smaller sister peak (6,121m) located nearby.
- The surrounding Cordillera Huayhuash was the setting for the famous survival story 'Touching the Void'.
- Essential for the water supply of the Marañón and Santa river systems.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Yerupajá (3)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Is the Yerupajá easily accessible?
No, it is located in the very remote Huayhuash mountain range.
What is the challenge with this peak?
It is considered one of the most difficult Andean peaks due to its dangerous ridge climbs.
Are there trekking alternatives?
The Huayhuash trekking circuit has spectacular views of the mountain without summiting.
Do you need a tent for this region?
Yes, camping is the only accommodation option on the trekking route.
What is the weather like at this altitude?
Very unpredictable, often well below freezing at night.
Yerupajá: where is it located?
Yerupajá is located in Peru.
Yerupajá: what is there to see?
Highlights include Yerupajá Chico, Rasac, Yerupajá.
Yerupajá: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Aug, Oct.
Yerupajá: why is it worth visiting?
Yerupajá is a titan of the Andes, the highest peak in the Cordillera Huayhuash and the second tallest mountain in Peru at 6,634 meters.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in South America
More places in Peru →
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
Chavín de Huántar
An archaeological site and important religious center of the pre-Hispanic Chavín culture in the Peruvian Andes.
Monastery of San Francisco
An impressive baroque church and monastery complex in Lima, particularly famous for its underground catacombs.
Huaca Pucllana
A massive adobe pyramid of the Lima culture, which today is a fascinating relic in the middle of the modern Miraflores district.
Larco Museum
A privately run museum of pre-Columbian art in Lima, housed in a beautiful 18th-century building.
Bridge of Sighs
A picturesque wooden bridge in the bohemian district of Barranco in Lima, which has inspired many artists, musicians, and lovers.
Pachacamac
A massive archaeological site on the coast south of Lima that was an important religious center long before the Incas.
More places
Cordillera Huayhuash
A spectacular, compact high mountain range cherished globally by trekkers and mountaineers for its steep rock faces.
Cave of the Owls
An impressive karst cave in Tingo María National Park, home to a large colony of oilbirds (guácharos).
Tingo María Banana Farms
Large tropical agricultural areas that benefit from the Amazonian climate to grow plantains and tropical fruits.
Siula Grande
Siula Grande in the Cordillera Huayhuash became world-famous through Joe Simpson's book and film 'Touching the Void'.
Antamina Mine
One of the largest copper and zinc mines in the world, located high in the Andes mountains.
Pastoruri Glacier
An easily accessible Andean glacier that is unfortunately shrinking rapidly due to climate change, but remains an important natural monum…
Cajamarquilla Zinc Refinery
One of the largest zinc refineries in the world, located near the capital city of Lima.
La Pampilla Refinery
The largest oil refinery in Peru, located in the coastal region of Callao.