- Unpredictable weather conditions: Pizarro's expedition faced treacherous weather conditions, including rainstorms, extreme heat, and rough seas. These conditions posed significant challenges to their navigation, navigation, and survival.
- Disease and sickness:Disease was a constant threat to the conquistadors. Many of Pizarro's men fell sick due to unfamiliar tropical diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and dysentery. These diseases weakened their forces and hampered their progress.
- Hostile terrain: The South America terrain was challenging, with dense jungles, rugged mountains, and deep rivers. These conditions made traveling and transporting supplies difficult and slowed down their advance.
- Lack of support and supplies: Pizarro's expedition faced a severe shortage of supplies and reinforcements, due to the limited resources available to the Spanish crown at the time. They often found themselves with limited food rations and inadequate equipment.
- Native resistance and warfare: The Incas, and other indigenous groups, resisted the Spanish invasion fiercely. They employed guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and poison, inflicting heavy casualties on the conquistadors.
- Political instability and infighting: Pizarro's expedition was marked by internal conflicts and power struggles. Disputes between different factions and the lust for gold and power led to divisions among the conquistadors.
- Death and injury: Pizarro and his men faced numerous battles and clashes with the indigenous populations. Many conquistadors were killed or wounded in these confrontations, reducing their numbers and weakening their forces.
- Treachery and betrayal: Pizarro and his men often encountered treachery and betrayal from both indigenous allies and fellow conquistadors. These acts undermined their trust and unity, making them vulnerable to attacks.
- The difficult journey over the Andes: The expedition crossed the Andes mountains, a treacherous journey involving frigid temperatures, dangerous terrain, and altitude sickness.
Overcoming these hardships required determination, resilience, and tactical acumen on the part of Francisco Pizzaro and his conquistadors.