You're driving through the jungle, rain is smearing your windshield, and the map says you're right on top of it. But you aren't. We've all been there in Forza Horizon 5. The Diamond’s Peak Photo Challenge 2 is one of those specific playlist objectives that sounds easy until you're actually trying to line up the shot while a stray Drivatar slams into your rear bumper. Honestly, it’s less about your driving skill and more about knowing exactly where the developers hid the invisible trigger for the "completion" notification.
Finding Diamond's Peak isn't just about the rewards, though the XP and those sweet Wheelspins are obviously the main draw. It’s about navigating the rugged terrain of the Mexican map in a way that feels intentional. If you're hunting for this specific challenge during the Series rotation, you need to be precise. One inch too far to the left and the game decides you're in a different sub-region entirely.
Where Exactly Is Diamond’s Peak?
Stop looking for a giant diamond. It’s a mountain. Specifically, it’s part of the Gran Caldera region, but it leans toward the lush, southeastern slopes where the altitude starts to drop into the jungle. If you open your world map, look toward the area near the Cascadas de Agua Azul.
Most players get tripped up because the "Diamond’s Peak" label on the map covers a wider area than the actual photo trigger requires. You want to be looking for a specific overlook. If you see the massive radio towers of the Horizon Apex Outpost in the distance, you’re getting warm. The actual peak involves some verticality. You can't just sit on the main road and hope for the best. You’ve got to get the tires dirty.
The Right Car for the Job
Usually, these challenges are gated behind a specific car type. For this iteration of the Diamond’s Peak Photo Challenge 2, the game typically asks for a Modern Rally or Sports Utility Hero vehicle. Check your current Festival Playlist menu before you fast travel. There is nothing more annoying than spending 5,000 credits to warp to the mountain only to realize you’re still sitting in a Lamborghini that can't climb a curb, let alone a muddy ridge.
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Pick something with high ground clearance. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is a personal favorite for this because it handles the transitions from asphalt to dirt without losing its mind. Or, if the challenge allows, grab the Ford Bronco. It’s basically built for the verticality of the Gran Caldera.
Lining Up the Shot
Once you’re in the zone, hit the D-pad up (or your mapped key) to enter Photo Mode. This is where people fail. The game doesn't just want a picture of your car; it wants the car and the landmark.
- Move the camera back. Use the zoom function rather than just physically moving the camera away.
- Ensure the "Diamond's Peak" landmark or the specific mountain vista is clearly visible in the background.
- If it’s raining or foggy, go into the Photo Mode settings (usually the 'Effects' menu) and crank up the brightness or change the time of day if the challenge doesn't specify a time.
- Check the "Challenge Checklist" in the top left of the screen. If you see a green checkmark next to the location but a red X next to the car, you're in the wrong vehicle.
Why This Challenge Matters for Your Progress
Forza Horizon 5 is a game of numbers. You need these points. The Diamond’s Peak Photo Challenge 2 usually grants 2 points toward your seasonal total. In the grand scheme, that might not seem like much compared to a 10-point Trial, but these are the "low hanging fruit" points that keep you from having to grind out the frustratingly difficult Seasonal Championships.
Also, let’s talk about the rewards. Usually, completing this specific photography task unlocks a legendary clothing item or a specific car horn. While nobody really needs a new pair of gold shoes for their avatar, the completionist streak in most Forza players makes it a mandatory stop. Plus, it’s a good excuse to see a part of the map you usually just fly past at 200 mph during a cross-country race.
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Common Bugs and How to Fix Them
Look, Forza is great, but it’s buggy. Sometimes you’re standing right in front of the mountain, in the right car, and the game just refuses to acknowledge you. If the Diamond’s Peak Photo Challenge 2 isn't triggering, try these quick fixes:
- The "Solo" Switch: If you’re in an online Horizon Life session, the servers might be lagging. Switch to "Horizon Solo" in the pause menu. This forces the game to check your location locally.
- The Restart: Completely close the game and relaunch it. Quick Resume on Xbox is notorious for breaking the "tracking" on seasonal challenges.
- Move 50 Feet: Sometimes the "hitbox" for the location is smaller than the map suggests. Drive a little further up the path toward the radio mast and try again.
The community on Reddit and the official Forza forums often points out that the "Diamond's Peak" trigger is actually slightly north of where the text appears on the map. If you're struggling, look for the dirt trail that winds up the eastern face of the mountain. That's usually the "sweet spot" for the camera.
Making the Most of the Gran Caldera
Since you're already up there for the challenge, don't just teleport away immediately. The descent from Diamond's Peak is one of the best drifting spots in the game. If you head west from the peak, you hit the long, winding paved roads of the volcano. It’s the perfect place to test a drift tune or just enjoy the sense of scale that Playground Games nailed with this map.
The lighting at Diamond's Peak during "Golden Hour" (late afternoon in-game) is spectacular. If you're into the photography aspect of the game beyond just the challenges, this is one of the top five spots for a high-contrast landscape shot. The way the light hits the valley below makes for some incredible "Discover" feed-worthy captures.
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Final Checklist for Completion
To wrap this up and get your rewards, ensure you've done the following. First, verify the vehicle class. Second, confirm you are in the "Gran Caldera" sub-region near the peak. Third, make sure the camera actually captures the horizon or the mountain peak itself, not just a close-up of your tire.
Once the notification pops up saying "Challenge Complete," you're good to go. You can instantly exit Photo Mode; you don't even need to save the photo to your gallery unless you actually like the shot.
Next Steps for Your Playlist:
- Check your Festival Playlist to see if you have enough points for the "Min, Meet Max" achievement, as these photo challenges are required for it.
- Head to the nearest PR Stunt. Usually, there's a Danger Sign or Speed Trap right near the mountain that uses the same car restrictions, allowing you to knock out two objectives in five minutes.
- If the challenge still won't trigger, verify that your game version is updated to the latest Series patch, as outdated clients often fail to track seasonal progress correctly.