Mount Mateo (5,150 m)

Your first glacier summit in a single day: climb Mount Mateo (5,150 m), ideal for beginners in mountaineering (max. 3 people per guide).

Intro · First 5,000 mDemand: High

Duration

1 day

Max altitude

5,150 m

Season

Apr-Dec

Duration

1 day

Max altitude

5,150 m

Hiking

From Huaraz

2.5 h

Season

Apr-Dec

Your story above 5,000 meters starts here...

Dreaming of standing atop a glaciated Andean summit without committing to a week-long expedition? Mount Mateo (5,150 m / 16,896 ft) is the premier introductory mountain for beginners in mountaineering and Andean climbing, allowing you to conquer your first 5,000-meter peak in a Full Day (minimum 2 climbers). Perched near Punta Olímpica, it delivers authentic high-altitude climbing in an accessible format.

Departing early from Huaraz, the journey takes you past the dramatic granite cliffs and turquoise lakes of Huascarán National Park. After a short moraine approach, you will gear up with crampons, harness, and ice axe to step onto gentle-to-moderate glacier slopes. Roped up with our official high-mountain guides at all times, you will experience the crisp thrill of alpine climbing as the morning sun illuminates the snowfields.

At the summit, celebrate with an unmatched 360-degree panorama directly facing Mount Huascarán (Peru's highest mountain), Chopicalqui, and Mount Ulta. Backed by top-tier certified technical gear and strict guide-to-client safety ratios, this climb turns your mountaineering dream into a safe and empowering reality.

Glaciated 5,150 m summit achievable in a Full Day

Ideal for beginners in mountaineering or Andean climbing (1st peak)

Official guides with a safe ratio (max. 3 people per guide)

Front-row 360° vistas of Huascarán, Chopicalqui, and Mount Ulta

Itinerary

1 day · 6h hiking · no overnight

Day 1

Huaraz - Punta Olímpica - Mount Mateo Summit (5,150 m) - Huaraz

Departure at 3:00 AM from Huaraz through the Ulta Valley to Punta Olímpica (4,735 m). 2-hour hike over rocky moraine to the edge of the glacier. Gear check and rope up with the guide to climb the glacier (40 minutes) to the summit of Mateo (5,150 m). Descent by the same route to the vehicle and return to Huaraz around 3:00 PM.

3,100 → 5,150 → 3,100 m6 h hikingReturn to Huaraz

Included

Private round-trip tourist transportation (Huaraz – Punta Olímpica – Huaraz).

Official tourism guide specialized in high mountain (safety ratio: max 2 to 3 climbers per guide).

Group technical gear: dynamic climbing ropes, ice screws, and safety slings.

Personal technical climbing gear (gloves, harness, helmet, crampons, ice axe and rigid mountaineering boots).

High-altitude first aid kit and medical oxygen tank.

Certified rigid mountaineering boots.

Crampons calibrated to the boots.

Classic mountaineering ice axe.

Climbing harness with locking carabiners.

Certified mountaineering helmet.

Safety climbing rope and guide crevasse rescue kit.

Not included

Huascarán National Park entrance ticket (S/. 30 foreigners / S/. 15 Peruvians per day).

Meals (breakfast and summit push box lunch).

Personal technical clothing (waterproof shell, thermal snow gloves, warm pants).

Mountain accident, medical, and rescue insurance.

Three-layer clothing system: thermal base layer, warm mid-layer (fleece / primaloft), and waterproof windproof shell (Gore-Tex or equivalent).

Down jacket or thick synthetic puff for the summit and rest stops.

Two pairs of gloves: one thin liner pair and one heavy waterproof snow glove pair.

Warm beanie / chullo and balaclava or neck buff for biting winds.

Category 4 mountaineering sunglasses (essential against glacier glare).

Summit daypack (25 to 35 L) to carry warm layers, water, and snacks.

Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and high-SPF lip balm.

Thermos with hot tea or insulated water bottle (at least 1.5 to 2 liters).

High-energy summit snacks: chocolate, nuts, energy bars, and sandwiches.

Headlamp with fresh batteries or fully charged (trailhead start is in total darkness).

Cash in soles for the Huascarán National Park entrance ticket.

Tips for the guide and driver.

Recommendations

Acclimatize for 2 or 3 days in Huaraz (3,050 m) before tours that ascend above 4,500 m.
Get a good night's sleep before and eat light meals: easily digestible foods the day before and the day of the tour.
Altitude sickness medication: consult your doctor before your trip. Acetazolamide requires a prescription, should be started the day before, and is ineffective if you already have symptoms.
Travel with insurance that covers mountain activities and rescue.
Do not drink alcohol for the first 48 hours at altitude.
Drink water constantly, without forcing yourself: drinking too much does not prevent altitude sickness.
Inform your guide if you experience a severe headache, nausea, or dizziness. The rule is not to continue ascending if you have these symptoms.
Bring water (2 liters) and water purification tablets if you plan to drink from streams. There is livestock in the area, and these tablets are sold in pharmacies in Huaraz.
Bring energy snacks.
Bring sunscreen with SPF 50+, sunglasses with UV protection, and a hat: the radiation at high altitude is very strong.
Bring layers of clothing and waterproof gear, even during the dry season.
Bring a personal first-aid kit with your usual medications.
Bring your passport (there is a checkpoint at Huascarán National Park).