Just a few hours from Lima, but a world away in landscape and altitude, lies Huaraz, the capital of Andean adventure in Peru. Surrounded by the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range on Earth, this town is the ideal starting point for trekking, climbing and views you won't easily forget.

Huascarán, the roof of Peru

The Cordillera Blanca is home to Huascarán, Peru's highest peak at 6,768 metres and part of a national park that has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1985. Its glaciers feed dozens of turquoise and emerald-coloured lakes, considered among the most beautiful landscapes in the entire Peruvian Andes.

The trek to Laguna 69

Among the most popular excursions is the day hike to Laguna 69, a glacial lake at almost 4,600 metres whose intense turquoise colour, framed by snow-capped peaks, has made it one of the most photographed spots in the region. The trek, doable in a single day from Huaraz, requires good physical preparation and proper acclimatisation due to the altitude reached.

For those with more time, the Cordillera Blanca also offers multi-day treks such as the Santa Cruz circuit, as well as technical climbing routes for mountaineers with the right experience.