Jolljepunco, Mountain summit in Vilcanota Range, Cusco Region, Peru
Jolljepunco rises to 5,522 meters in the Vilcanota Range and features glaciers with a lake situated south of its main peak. The mountain displays steep slopes, year-round snow cover, and alpine terrain shaped by glacial and weather processes.
The mountain received its first documented climbing expedition in January 1961, marking the start of mountaineering activities in this Andes section. Since then the peak has drawn progressively more technical climbers seeking high-altitude challenges.
The Quyllur Rit'i festival draws pilgrims to the mountain's base, where ukukus perform traditional ritual climbs to collect sacred ice for their communities.
Visitors need mountaineering equipment, altitude acclimatization, and local guidance to manage the technical ascent through variable weather conditions. Plan your visit during drier months when snow and ice conditions are most stable.
The name derives from Quechua words meaning silver and reservoir, while its glacial waters hold a local reputation for healing properties. Pilgrims and residents attribute spiritual significance to these waters tied to the mountain's sacred role in their traditions.
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