Huaraz & Cordillera Blanca

South America's trekking paradise, home to Huascarán National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Laguna 69, the Santa Cruz Trek and the ruins of Chavín de Huántar.

Huaraz, capital of Peru's Áncash Region, sits at about 3,050 m in the Santa River valley (the Callejón de Huaylas). To the east rises the Cordillera Blanca with dozens of snowcapped peaks above 6,000 m; to the west is the snowless Cordillera Negra. Most of the Cordillera Blanca lies within Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains Peru's highest peak, Huascarán, and the world's largest concentration of tropical glaciers; it's known as the "Switzerland of South America" and is a mecca for trekking and mountaineering. Use Huaraz as your base: the northern day trip covers Carhuaz, Yungay and the Llanganuco Lakes, with Laguna 69 and Laguna Parón the most popular day hikes; the southern route goes to the Pastoruri Glacier and the Puya raimondii forest; the eastern route crosses the mountains to the World Heritage site of Chavín de Huántar; and the top multi-day trek is the Santa Cruz circuit. Agencies on Avenida Luzuriaga book all kinds of tours. The best season is the dry season (May–Sep), with clear skies; in the rainy season (Oct–Apr), afternoons often bring rain and snow. Altitude sickness is the biggest risk: on arrival, spend 2–3 days acclimatizing in town and on easier routes such as Laguna Churup and Laguna Wilcacocha before tackling routes above 4,500 m. Take an overnight bus from Lima (about 8 hours) or fly to Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport in Anta (about 25 km north of Huaraz). Plan on 5–7 days.

Top sights

Laguna 69 – A blue-green glacial lake at about 4,600 meters, facing the snowy walls and waterfalls of Chacraraju. South America’s most famous one-day h…
Huascarán National Park – A World Heritage national park protecting Peru’s highest peak, Huascarán (6,768 m), and the largest tropical glacier system in the world.
Lagunas Llanganuco – Two emerald lakes in the valley between Huascarán and Huandoy peaks, where you can ride small wooden boats. A must-stop on the northern one…
Chavín de Huántar – A religious center of the Chavín culture, active roughly 1200–500 BCE. A World Heritage Site where the statue Lanzón stands deep in an unde…
Santa Cruz Trek – The classic four-day hike of the Cordillera Blanca, crossing the 4,750-meter Punta Unión pass, with views of Alpamayo, often called the wor…
Laguna Parón – The largest glacial lake in the Cordillera Blanca, at 4,155 m above sea level, with the pyramid-shaped Artesonraju peak rising at its far e…
Pastoruri Glacier – A tropical glacier at about 5,000 meters that can be reached on foot, converted into a 'Climate Change Trail' to show the glacier's retreat…
Puya Raimondii Forest (Pachacoto) – A grove of Puya raimondii, the 'king of plants' of the Andean highlands, with flower spikes up to 10 meters tall. It is a must-stop on the…
Laguna Churup – A glacial lake at about 4,450 meters near Huaraz, the most popular acclimatization hike, with a final section that requires climbing with f…
Laguna Querococha – A high-altitude lake at about 3,980 meters, with mountain shapes behind it that resemble a map of Peru. It is a roadside viewpoint on the w…
Wilcahuaín Archaeological Site – A three-tiered stone temple from the Wari culture, 7 km north of Huaraz, with interior chambers you can enter. A relaxed half-day option fo…
Campo Santo de Yungay – A memorial site where a 1970 earthquake triggered an avalanche from Huascarán that buried the old town of Yungay. Today it is a quiet garde…
Plaza de Armas & Cathedral of Huaraz – The city center square of Huaraz, facing the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Around it, Lusurriaga Street is lined with travel agenci…
Archaeological Museum of Ancash – A regional museum with Recuay culture stone sculptures and artifacts from Chavín and Wari. Its outdoor stone sculpture garden is the highli…
Mirador de Rataquenua – A cross-topped viewpoint on the southeast hillside of Huaraz, overlooking the whole town and the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca acros…
Chancos Hot Springs – Natural hot springs and steam caves near Marcará, a good place to relax tired muscles after hiking. Often paired with northern day trips.
Monterrey Hot Springs – Iron-rich hot springs 7 km north of Huaraz. The brownish water is said to have healing properties, and a soak is the perfect way to unwind…
Carhuaz – A Andean town known for handmade ice cream and Sunday markets, a lunch stop on northern day trips, with snowy peaks right behind the square.
Laguna Wilcacocha – A small lake on the Cordillera Negra side, reachable on foot from Huaraz, with panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca. The easiest acclim…
Laguna 513 – A blue lake formed by a retreating glacier beneath Mount Vallunaraju, east of Carhuaz. A one-day hike with fewer crowds than Laguna 69 and…
Caraz – A warm 'sweet little town' at only 2,250 meters, famous for its desserts and serving as the base for Lake Parón and the Cañón del Pato.
Cañón del Pato – A deep, narrow canyon between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra, where a single-lane road passes through about 35 rock tunnels…

Where to eat

Café Andino – Traveler café opened in 1997 for trekkers, with a fireplace on the third floor. Coffee, wraps and vegetarian quinoa dis…
Trivio – All-day bar beside Parque del Periodista, serving Peruvian-Italian fusion. Alfredo pasta and Andean trout are the most…
Chilli Heaven – Small curry spot beside Parque Ginebra. Its Thai and Indian curries are generous, making it a popular dinner for hikers…
Mi Comedia Pizzeria – Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzeria often called Huaraz's best pizza. Its lasagna is also famous.
Don Cuy Country Restaurant – Country restaurant on the north-side highway serving traditional Ancash highland dishes such as fried guinea pig, pacha…

Itineraries

Huaraz Cordillera Blanca 7-Day Trekking Itinerary – Acclimatize gradually through high-altitude lakes all the way to Laguna 69, with a cultural visit to the Chavín de Huán…