When you dream of sitting in your resort balcony and looking at large mountains topped by snow, South America has an enormous variety of substantial mountains that can set you up proper. We’ve coated loads of luxurious lodges that match the invoice in loads of nations and even did this round-up of the very best lodges for climbing on the continent. However have you ever ever puzzled how excessive is excessive within the Americas? We dug in to seek out out that are the ten highest mountains in South America and the place they’re positioned.
It seems that 100 peaks within the Andes exceed 19,000 ft and 6,000 meters, so it’s a decent race on the high. That is the best mountain vary outdoors of the well-known Himalayas. Protecting terrain far and broad, the mountains of South America that attain to the clouds reside all through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela. Listed here are the tallest mountains, however be aware that almost all of those should not close to any main cities. You’ll must get into the countryside to see most of them, even from a distance.
Mount Aconcagua, Argentina – 22,841 ft (6,961 meters)
Mount Aconcagua (pictured above) is often the primary one folks consider in the case of mountains in South America, on the highest level within the Andes Mountain vary. Standing at practically 23,000 ft and seven,000 meters, it’s the highest mountain within the Americas, and the tallest mountain outdoors of Asia altogether.
That is the one all of these folks on a quest to climb the world’s highest peaks come to scale. Or ones eager to climb the best summit on every continent. It’s within the Mendoza Province and the Principal Cordillera and has been mentioned to be “the best non-technical mountain on the planet,” with manageable terrain and routes. This doesn’t imply it’s simple or predictable although and there are many tales of mountaineers attempting to achieve the summit and having to show again due to life-threatening circumstances.
You don’t need to climb the mountain to get pleasure from this distinguished peak after all. There are many good viewpoints in Aconcagua Nationwide Park. Right here it’s simple to e book at good Mendoza wine lodge afterwards to have a good time.
Nevado Ojos del Salado, Argentina and Chile – 22,615 ft (6,893 meters)
The second-highest mountain in South America, Ojos del Salado, that means “Eyes of the Salty One,” is the best mountain in Chile, in addition to the best energetic volcano on the planet, nonetheless with minor exercise. Whereas many of the climb may be easy like Aconcagua, low temperatures and winds make the summit of the second tallest mountain tough, particularly when nearing the highest near 7,000 meters.
Its identify comes from its quite a few lakes and hosts the best crater lake on the planet at over 21,000 ft at its base. You need to actually need to come right here to see this one: it’s in a moderately remoted space midway between Santiago and San Pedro de Atacama, west of Argentina’s white wine city of Cafayate. You may generally see the height within the distance from the countryside there if you happen to’re on an journey tour of the Salta Province and it’s a transparent day.
Monte Pissis, Argentina – 22,287 ft (6,795 meters)
Named Pedro José Amadeo Pissis, the identify for the third highest mountain in South America is taken from the French geologist and former Chilean authorities member. Within the nineteenth century, Pissis had a job in establishing the cartography of Argentina. The mountain itself is on the dryer facet however has a notable glacier.
It’s also an energetic volcano and is much less explored than its neighbors regardless of its excessive altitude and peaks. That is one other robust one to achieve as there are few cities and even cities close by, so mountaineers must deliver provides fairly a distance to get began on a climb.
Nevado Huascarán, Peru – 22,205 ft (6,768 meters)
The very best mountain in Peru, Huascaran additionally takes the title for the best on the planet’s tropics right here within the Peruvian Andes. It’s also often called Mataraju, that means “twin snow peaks” from the Ancash Quechua, and the identify given by the native indigenous folks.
In 1970, an earthquake prompted the north facet of the mountain to break down and trigger the deadliest avalanche catastrophe in historical past, with round 30,000 casualties. Named after a Sixteenth-century Inca ruler and UNESCO-designated, its nationwide park is a World Heritage website.
A number of journey corporations provide organized treks on this space, with gorgeous views alongside the best way every day, and there are some primary however comfy locations to remain close by.
Cerro Bonete, Argentina – 22,175 ft (6,759 meters)
Regardless of being the fifth tallest mountain in South America, the width and circumference of Cerro Bonete Grande takes the cake, overlaying an enormous quantity of floor, and takes round two weeks to climb. There’s a refuge and a base camp alongside the best way, with tenting routes set in place. Total, nonetheless, it’s a troublesome, technical climb for extra superior people.
If you’re a climber that wishes to hit two mountains without delay although, this one is simply south of Monte Pissis talked about above. From the highest of both you would possibly be capable of see Ojos del Salado to the north if the clouds have cleared.
Nevado Tres Cruces, Argentina and Chile – 22,142 ft (6,749 meters)
By sergejf – Flickr: Ojos del Salado summit – surroundings, CC BY-SA 2.0
To the east of Ojos de Salado, the summits have numerous glaciers. To not point out, volcanic exercise dates again practically 2 million years (however with no eruptions in additional than 21,000 years). The mountain resides within the Atacama Area inside the Andes Mountains, and its identify means “three crosses,” referring to the 2 major summits, Tres Cruces Sur and Tres Cruces Centro, and the third smaller summit.
See our article on the very best scenic drives in Argentina for a route that passes by these peaks and among the others, on Ruta 40 that climbs all the best way to five,000 meters. When you’re not a climber, that is the very best place to get your views of among the highest mountains in South America.
Cerro Mercedario, Argentina – 22,047 ft (6,720 meters)
North of Aconcagua, Cerro Mercedario is the best level of the Cordillera de la Ramada mountain vary. It’s identified particularly for mountaineering, relationship again to 1934, with implications of attainable Inca summits all the best way within the 1400s. The north and south sides of the mountain had been ascended first by explorers solely 3 years aside, in 1968 and 1971.
Yerupaja, Peru – 21,709 ft (6,617 meters)
The second-highest mountain in Peru, Yerupaja is just not significantly climber-friendly. The primary ascent wasn’t till 1950. Earlier than that it was the best unclimbed summit outdoors of Asia, when it was climbed by an American pair. Nonetheless, the sharp peaks and rugged, rocky floor make it much less very best, particularly with the proximity of different notable summits on this listing. On the plus facet, the closest city is barely 4.5 hours of driving from Lima, so this one is no less than simpler to see from a lookout level than among the increased peaks in distant areas.
Incahuasi , Chile – 21,722 ft (6,621 meters)
Northeast of Ojos del Salado is the eighth-highest mountain in South America, forming a 30-mile volcanic path together with Cerro El Muerto, El Solo, and Nevado Tres Cruces. (Seeing a cluster sample right here?) The mountain has no glaciers however typically will get snow, and Inca constructions have been discovered documenting ascension all the best way again within the 1400s.
It’s identified for its numerous archeological websites and the summit’s Incan temple, the world’s second-highest ruins.
Tupungato, Argentina and Chile – 21,555 ft (6,570 meters)
Tupungato and Little Tupungato, or Tupungatitio are a lava dome and volcano duo on the border of Argentina and Chile. Tupungatitio is an energetic volcano nonetheless. The mountain is the location of a 6-person Star Mud airplane crash again in 1947. Airplane remnants had been discovered within the glaciers over 50 years later within the 12 months 2000.
The japanese and western summits are notable factors, and the identify is derived from a Quechua deity. From the wineries round Lujan de Cujo in Mendoza province, you possibly can typically see this peak within the distance over the grape vines. We propose a keep at Entre Cielos to take all of it in with a glass of wine in hand.
Nevado Sajama, Bolivia – 21,463 ft (6,542 meters)
The very best peak in Bolivia, Nevado Sajama is a part of the Cordillera Occidental. It hosts the Sajama Nationwide Park and its identify, referring to a cactus within the area, is from the indigenous Aymara language.
There’s a current fascinating twist to the climbing expeditions right here: there are some led by feminine Cholitos (the women with conventional garb and the fedora-style hats). You may learn or hear their story on this Duolingo podcast episode.
One final be aware: you’ll discover that not one of the highest mountains in South America are in Patagonia. Whereas that area will get many of the climbing vacationers that come to Argentina and Chile, these picturesque peaks aren’t truly that prime. That you must fear extra about altitude illness while you’re trekking in Peru, together with on the Inca Path and Saltankay Path, than in Patagonia.