Melbourne Family in Desperate Search for Missing Hiker in Peru

A Melbourne family is holding its breath as it waits for news about their 30-year-old son, Jordan Yap, who has gone missing while on a solo hiking trip in a remote region of Peru.

Jordan Yap was last in contact with his family before embarking on a 10-day hike in the Huayhuash region, but failed to check into a hotel on September 23 and missed a scheduled flight from Lima to Cusco the following day.

Vinh Dao, Jordan's father, said his son was an experienced hiker, but the trip to Peru was one of his first solo trips. "Before the 10-day hike in the Huayhuash region, he sent the last message to us saying that he's going to be off grid for the next 10 days," Mr Dao said.

The family has been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which has provided consular assistance. However, they have not been able to liaise with local police in Peru.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing assistance to the family.

As they wait for a response from local authorities, the family has engaged a local private mountain rescue team to search for Jordan. Mr Dao said the company assembled a search team at about 3am Melbourne time. "They've completed the first day and they got some positive identification of Jordan on day two," he said. "So that was a while ago … there were people who came across Jordan on the second day and that was it."

The rescue team plans to expand its search area over the coming days, with the family now preparing to travel to Peru if necessary. "We're very anxious. We just can't imagine that he's there, lost somewhere," Mr Dao said.