An Australian man who disappeared while trekking alone in Peru’s Andes has been found dead, his family and friends have confirmed, weeks after he was last heard from.

Jordan Yap, 30, was preparing for a 120km hike through the remote Huayhuash mountain range when he last contacted friends and relatives on 14 September.

The trek, in the Peruvian Andes about 400km northeast of Lima, was expected to take 10 days.

His disappearance prompted a search involving local rescue teams, police, and people who helped circulate appeals for information.

In a social media statement posted on Saturday, his friends and family announced his death, writing: “With a heavy heart, we are sorry to tell you Jordan has been found, and he did not survive”.

“Please remember Jordan as the vibrant man he was, and for the immense joy he brought to so many people’s lives.”

“We want to thank everyone who has helped; friends and family, the contributors, the search teams, the police, the many groups we engaged with who gave their time and effort, everyone who helped to share on social media. We are appreciative of all of you.

“Rest in peace Jordan – from your friends and family.”

Yap, who was from Melbourne, was last seen near the start of the Cordillera Huayhuash circuit, a demanding high-altitude route through a remote section of the Andes.

His father, Vinh Dao, previously told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Yap was an experienced trekker but his trip to Peru was his first solo one.

Concern mounted when he did not return as expected, failed to check back into the Krusty hostel in Huaraz, and missed a flight booked from Lima to Cusco.

He had also lost a satellite beacon he had been carrying in the days before setting out, adding to concerns about his safety in an area where the terrain and altitude can make trekking particularly challenging.

“Time is of the essence because ultimately, as much as we were saying he’s been missing since the 23rd, he’s had no contact with anyone since the 14th,” Yap’s longtime friend, Kevin Nguyen had earlier said.

“It’s a very popular trek, where you might have 200 to 300 hikers and guides per week during the busy season, so it’s very uncharacteristic no one’s seen him since day one or day two,” he told the Australian Associated Press.

Australia’s department of foreign affairs and trade confirmed it was assisting the family of an Australian who had died in Peru.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” a spokesperson said.

Earlier, Yap’s family had raised $90,500 from an online appeal to cover the cost of the private search operation. “If any funds end up not being used for this purpose, they will be returned,” they said.