Cordillera Huayhuash Reserved Zone, Mountain reserve in Oyón Province, Peru.
Cordillera Huayhuash Reserved Zone is a mountain protected area in the Andes with high peaks and remote valleys. The terrain includes alpine lakes, steep ridges, and glaciers that shape the landscape across multiple elevation zones.
The reserve was officially established in 2002 to protect the mountains and the communities living within them. Its creation marked a shift toward balancing traditional land use with conservation efforts.
Local communities living around these mountains practice herding and maintain traditional ways that are woven into the landscape itself. You can encounter shepherds and their animals as you move through the valleys, making the reserve a living cultural space rather than an untouched wilderness.
The area is accessible for trekking, but the elevation and rough terrain require good physical fitness and proper gear. The driest months offer the best conditions for hiking and crossing high passes safely.
The area is home to diverse bird species that inhabit the elevation zones between high peaks and deep valleys. This avian diversity is particularly notable because some species occur only in such remote high mountain regions.
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