Discover the Heart of the Andes: Alpenglow Expeditions’ Peru Climbing School

In the heart of the Andes lies a haven for climbers, a place where the rugged beauty of the mountains meets the warmth of a welcoming culture, making it the perfect place for our Peru Climbing School. The Cordillera Blanca has long attracted climbers of all skill levels from around the world, including Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Espinosa, a seasoned climber and guide at Alpenglow Expeditions.

Nacho describes Peru as his second home, a place where he honed his skills and found his passion for climbing. “In my opinion,” he says, “Peru is the best part of the Andes. It is a place that touches my heart because it is the range that taught me how to be a climber, and how to be a guide.”

The Peru Climbing School is Alpenglow’s most immersive introductory expedition—anyone can join us to climb Yanapaccha (17,913’/5,460m) and Pisco (18,871’/5,752m). We chose the Cordillera Blanca because its allure lies in its diversity, from gentle slopes offering stunning vistas to challenging, unforgiving climbs that test the limits of even the most seasoned adventurers. The experience is not just about the climbs themselves but the opportunity to immerse oneself in the landscape. The expedition entails base camping and climbing to on-mountain high camps, so that students can quickly get the hang of the ins and outs of life on expedition. Some days will be spent learning skills on the lower slopes of the same mountains we’ll eventually climb, including route assessment, roped glacier travel, crevasse rescue, crampon and ice ax skills, and an understanding of high altitude physiology.

Alpenglow’s Peru Climbing School embodies this spirit of inclusivity and adventure. With expert guides like Espinosa leading the way, participants have the opportunity to not only summit some of the most iconic peaks in the Andes, but also to learn from the best in the business.

In the end, it’s not just about reaching the summit but about the journey itself. And in Peru, that journey is filled with breathtaking beauty, unparalleled challenges, and the warmth of a culture that welcomes climbers with open arms. As Espinosa aptly puts it, Peru is not just a destination; it’s an experience that will stay with you long after you’ve left its peaks behind.