Huascarán National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Huascarán) is a national park in the Cordillera Blanca, a range of the Andes, in the Ancash region of central Peru.

Protected status

In 1985 the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its protection was initially arranged by the Peruvian government in 1975 in order to safeguard flora and fauna, geological formations, archaeological remains (including relics of the Chavin culture), and the panoramic scenery of the Cordillera Blanca, and to encourage scientific research into the area's natural and cultural resources. Tourism is promoted in the area, making its protected status a source of wealth for its inhabitants and others.

Physical environment

Huascarán National Park is home to mountains ranging from 2000 to over 6000 m in height. Huascarán, the mountain from which the park takes its name, is the highest in Peru at 6768 m, and rises above nearby peaks such as Alpamayo and Pisco .

The park's 300,000 ha contain 663 glaciers, 296 lakes and 41 tributaries of three important rivers: the Santa, Pativilca and Marañón.

Climate

The climate of the park is characterised by two stages during the year. This depends on two major factors: the warm, humid winds from the Amazon Basin, which generate abundant rain between December and March; and a pronounced dry period between May and October, with sunny days that reach 25°C and nights of intense cold during which temperatures can drop below 0°C, and well below that at higher altitudes.

Flora and fauna

The park is home to considerable biodiversity, with over 779 species of high Andean plants and 112 species of birds having been identified, including the condor (Vultur gryphus), torrent duck (Merganetta armata), and Puna tinamou (Tinamotis pentlandii). Amongst mammals, more than ten species have been observed, several of them endangered, such as the pampas cat (Oncifelis colocolo), Andean cat (Oreailurus jacobita), spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), Peruvian huemul (Hippocamelus antisensis), and vicuña (Vicugna vicugna).

Activities

It is possible to walk among mountains of over 6000 m in height without being an experienced mountaineer, although there are peaks which attract the most dedicated climbers. As well as this, ecotourism, horse riding, skiing and guided archaeological excursions are all popular.