Jirishanca

Height: 6,094 m
Country:
Peru flagPeru

Jirishanca, often called the “Matterhorn of the Andes,” is a 6,094-meter (19,993 feet) peak in Peru’s Cordillera Huayhuash. Known for its jagged, triangular shape and steep ice and rock faces, Jirishanca is among the most challenging and visually dramatic peaks in the Andes. This mountain draws experienced climbers who seek technical and demanding ascents, as the routes involve mixed climbing on ice, snow, and rock with frequent steep pitches.

The ascent typically begins from a base camp set in lush, alpine meadows, offering a stunning approach against the backdrop of turquoise lakes and rugged peaks. Climbers often follow routes that involve traversing exposed ridges, navigating crevassed glaciers, and contending with sections of vertical rock and ice. Weather conditions on Jirishanca can be unpredictable, with fast-changing mountain storms, adding an extra element of challenge and requiring careful planning and flexibility.

Reaching the summit offers a unique vantage point, with sweeping views of the surrounding Huayhuash range, including neighboring peaks such as Yerupajá and Siula Grande. Jirishanca is well-suited for climbers with substantial alpine experience who are ready for a technical, remote expedition. For those who seek both the aesthetic beauty and physical challenge of a true Andean icon, Jirishanca offers a memorable—and demanding—climbing experience.

Prepare for an adventure climbing Jirishanca. This overview provides essential details on routes, difficulty, costs, and the best times to go, helping you plan a successful expedition.

Difficulty

  • D: Hard (alpine grade 4)
  • TD: Very hard (alpine grade 5)

When to go

  • June to August

These are pictures taken while climbing Jirishanca. They're shown here to give you an idea of what the route is like. You're welcome to share your own pictures of mountaineering Jirishanca, to help the community of climbers. Picture here are either uploaded by members (there own, or creative commons pictures), or guides.

Guide links

These guides offer organised mountaineering expeditions for Jirishanca. From here you can check each guides profile, or browse directly to their website to see the trip. You can separately view the guides directory to browse all guides in one place.
Below is a curated list of independent mountain guides offering expeditions for Jirishanca. Each guide provides their own experience, allowing climbers to select the approach that best suits their style, budget, and experience level. You can explore each guide’s dedicated trip page to review what they offer, from logistics and support to pricing details, with no additional influence from us.
GuideInfoCost
Grupo Alpamayo Tours logoGrupo Alpamayo Toursview guides trip webpage from $10,000
View the summit location and surrounding terrain to get a sense of the mountain's environment. This map offers a valuable perspective on the peak's position within the region, aiding climbers in visualizing their route and nearby landmarks.
What you can see from the summit of Jirishanca. Click and pan around the map to explore, and zoom in/out to see the names of neighbouring mountains.

These climbs are similar in length, difficulty, and elevation. Offering a similar level of challenge as the Jirishanca climb.

climm Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
 TD
Peru
$750
 6,259 m