Introduction
The Andes are the longest mountain range in the world, and they produce the highest peaks outside of Asia. Multiple summits exceed 6,000 meters along the spine of South America.
Most of the continent's tallest mountains are concentrated in Argentina and Chile, near the Atacama Desert where dry conditions preserve volcanic peaks.
1. Aconcagua
- Height: 6,961 m (22,838 ft)
- Location: Argentina
- Range: Principal Andes
Aconcagua is the highest mountain in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres. It is not a volcano but was formed by the subduction of the Nazca Plate.
The normal route requires no technical climbing, but altitude sickness is a serious danger. About 3,000 people attempt it annually with a 40% success rate.
2. Ojos del Salado
- Height: 6,893 m (22,615 ft)
- Location: Argentina/Chile border
- Notable: Highest volcano in the world
Ojos del Salado holds the record as the world's highest volcano. It sits in the Atacama Desert and has a small permanent crater lake near its summit, the highest lake in the world.
Despite its massive height, it has not erupted in recorded history, though fumaroles suggest it is still active.
3. Monte Pissis
- Height: 6,795 m (22,293 ft)
- Location: Argentina
- Type: Extinct volcano
Monte Pissis is the third highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. It is extremely remote and receives very few climbing attempts.
The mountain sits in the Puna de Atacama region, one of the driest and most desolate areas on Earth.
4. Huascaran
- Height: 6,768 m (22,205 ft)
- Location: Peru
- Range: Cordillera Blanca
Huascaran is the highest mountain in Peru and the tropics. A devastating avalanche from the mountain in 1970 killed approximately 20,000 people in the town of Yungay.
The Cordillera Blanca contains the highest concentration of tropical glaciers in the world.
5. Cerro Bonete
- Height: 6,759 m (22,175 ft)
- Location: Argentina
- Type: Extinct volcano
Cerro Bonete is one of the highest and most remote peaks in Argentina. Very few people have ever climbed it due to its extreme isolation.
The surrounding area receives less than 50mm of rainfall per year.
6. Nevado Tres Cruces
- Height: 6,748 m (22,139 ft)
- Location: Argentina/Chile border
- Type: Stratovolcano
Tres Cruces sits on the border between Argentina and Chile in the Atacama region. It has two main summits: Sur (south) and Central.
The area around the volcano contains some of the highest-altitude lakes in the world.
7. Llullaillaco
- Height: 6,739 m (22,110 ft)
- Location: Argentina/Chile border
- Notable: Highest archaeological site
Llullaillaco is famous for the discovery of three perfectly preserved Inca child mummies near its summit. These 500-year-old sacrificial offerings are among the best-preserved mummies ever found.
It is the world's highest historically active volcano, last erupting in 1877.
8. Nevado Ojos del Salado (South Summit)
- Height: 6,721 m (22,047 ft)
- Location: Chile
- Type: Volcanic
The south summit of Ojos del Salado is sometimes counted separately. A car has been driven to 6,688m on the mountain, setting the world record for highest altitude reached by a vehicle.
The extreme dryness of the Atacama region means these peaks receive almost no snow despite their incredible height.
9. Tipas
- Height: 6,658 m (21,844 ft)
- Location: Argentina
- Type: Stratovolcano
Tipas is one of the highest volcanoes in the world. It is extremely remote, located in the Puna de Atacama region of northwestern Argentina.
The peak sees very few visitors due to the difficulty of access.
10. Sajama
- Height: 6,542 m (21,463 ft)
- Location: Bolivia
- Notable: Highest peak in Bolivia
Sajama is the highest mountain in Bolivia and the centerpiece of Sajama National Park. The world's highest forest grows on its slopes, with quewiña trees reaching 5,200m.
The mountain is a dormant stratovolcano that last erupted in the Holocene.
Key Facts
- The Andes contain over 100 peaks above 6,000 meters.
- All of South America's highest peaks are in the Andes range, which stretches 7,000 km.
- The Atacama Desert region contains the highest concentration of ultra-high peaks outside the Himalayas.
- Many Andean peaks were climbed by Inca civilizations centuries before European mountaineers arrived.
- Aconcagua is the highest peak outside of Asia.
Fun Facts
- Inca mummies found on Llullaillaco at 6,739m are the highest archaeological discovery ever made.
- The world altitude record for a vehicle (6,688m) was set on Ojos del Salado in a modified Suzuki.
- Huascaran's 1970 avalanche traveled at 300 km/h and buried the town of Yungay in just 3 minutes.
- The quewiña forest on Sajama is the highest forest in the world, growing at 5,200m altitude.
Final Thoughts
The Andes are a mountain climber's paradise, offering dozens of peaks above 6,000 meters. From the non-technical Aconcagua to the archaeological wonder of Llullaillaco, these South American giants are among the most impressive mountains on Earth.
