We know that destinations like Cusco are the most visited, but among the countless options, we are talking here mainly about Huaraz, a region that is more than 3,000 meters above sea level, counting a city full of charm and with adventures in its surroundings. No way to miss all of this on the next trip to Peru.
Amidst the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra, this destination impresses all its visitors, as well as requires a lot of preparation and a great adventurous spirit. But it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or already have experience in high elevations, Huaraz also has attractions for those who need to go slower.
For you to understand better, we know that there are numerous trails in Peru, but this region is known as the Trekking Capital of Peru and, no wonder, it brings together several natural attractions that are true works of art.
It is possible to know each one of them, but it is necessary to have a lot of determination to reach the main objective, since some trails have a high level of difficulty, in addition to being at many meters altitude.
But it’s all worth it, as we are talking about several turquoise lagoons, which complement the whole scenario, which is full of snowy peaks, mountain ranges, beautiful valleys, archaeological sites, and much more.
There are too many things to do in Huaraz and this destination can become the highlight of your trip, we are here to encourage you to visit the region and see with your own eyes some of the most beautiful places in Peru. Keep reading and find out even more.
What to know about Huaraz?
Stay in Huaraz and you will have countless adventures amidst the snowy mountains that are part of the White and Black ranges, but the trip through this destination can guarantee contact with other aspects that can be very interesting for those who want to get closer to more of Peruvian culture.
In addition, it is important to consider some tours that help with the adaptation process when arriving in the city, since, as you already know, it is located at a high altitude, which can cause some feelings of discomfort due to altitude sickness.
We want your trip to be amazing from start to finish, so here we list some highlights and other tips on what to do in Huaraz so you can get to know and make the most of your trip through the Peruvian highlands!
History of cultura Chavín
The Chavín culture is considered by many historians and archaeologists as the mother of the Andean cultures, this was because this person had many cultural and religious influences on other civilizations that succeeded them, including the Inca civilization, for example.
Its development took place between 1500 and 300 BC. and is one of the oldest civilizations in all of Peru, second only to Caral, the oldest city in the Americas. There are still many gaps to be filled in about the history and who the Chavín culture was, however, visiting the Chavín de Huantar Archaeological Site is a great option to understand more about this civilization.
This site is composed of two main temples, having functioned as the administrative and religious center of this people, these structures are called the Old Temple, which resembles a labyrinth formed by pyramids and was the place that guarded the Monolith of Lanzón, and the Temple Novo, which is the largest pyramid in the archaeological complex and where the Raimondi Star was displayed.
These constructions harbor a strong characteristic of their main form of expression, which was the art in sculptures that represented their gods and rituals, which formed “Cabezas Clavas” that adorned their walls. In addition to taking the tour of Chavín de Huantar, to get even closer to this and other civilizations that inhabited the Ancash region, we recommend a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Ancash.
Ancash gastronomy
Among so many adventures on a trip, we know that eating well is a necessity, but in Peru, the cuisine is part of a great experience, full of new, exotic flavors and dishes that reflect the culture and history of these people.
We know that the main Peruvian gastronomic center is located in the city of Lima, however, the Ancash region also has a deep-rooted gastronomic expression and unmissable restaurants to visit!
It is very interesting to note that, although you can find dishes that are more traditional and typical of Peruvian cuisine, such as cuy (guinea pig) with ají (Peruvian pepper), or casmeño duck ceviche and other options full of vegetables and other Peruvian delicacies, in Huaraz numerous restaurants have a gastronomic expression of different influences.
In the city, you can try foods that have Peruvian characteristics, as well as Italian, Indian, and Mexican, among others. It is also worth visiting the smaller and cozy places that serve coffees throughout the city, and that match the cold local climate.
Callejón de Huaylas
And since the highlight of the trips to Huaraz is the attractions in the midst of nature, we will start our presentation with the natural wonders of the valley named Callejón de Huaylas, a charming place both for its nature and for the cultural fragments that it shelters in each one of the provinces that form part of this region.
Callejón de Huaylas is located in the Ancash region and, more specifically, it is between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra, which guarantees some beautiful scenarios in the surroundings, as you can imagine. In addition, the valley is surrounded by the Santa River, which gives the place another name, Vale de Santa
In its entirety, the Callejón de Huaylas covers 5,000 square kilometers and some provinces are part of the valley, each of which also offers unique experiences of Peru’s culture and history.
Regarding this, in Recuay, for example, it is possible to discover hot springs or the species of giant bromeliad that only occur in this region, the Puya Raimondi; in Carhuaz, you can visit an agricultural and tourist center that is integrated into the natural landscapes; but it is the province of Yungay that provides an encounter with history and with the famous Mount Huascarán, the highest in the region.
These are just some examples of what can be found on Callejón de Huaylas, which is suitable for adventure sports. But since we are talking about adventures, how about we go to the place that concentrates on the main attractions of Huaraz?
Highlights of Huascarán National Park
The famous Huascaran National Park, is home to the most famous attractions and is sought after by travelers who come from Lima to Huaraz not only looking for great challenges but wanting to know some of the most beautiful landscapes in Peru, in this region that is also known as Peruvian Switzerland.
This park is considered a nature’s heritage of Humanity, recognition given by UNESCO, representing its importance in terms of the environment for the whole world.
Along these conservation units are mountains and snowy peaks that are among the highest in the world, among them is Mount Huascarán, mentioned earlier, which is more than 6,000 meters above sea level.
In its routes it is possible to make trails from moderate to challenging levels, like the Santa Cruz trek, everything will depend on the type of experience you are looking for and your physical and mental preparation for each one of them.
But the great spectacle guarded by the Huascaran National Park, without a doubt, is the beautiful lagoons with crystal clear turquoise waters, formed by the melting of the surrounding glaciers. Here we are going to present some of those.
Lago Llanganuco
This attraction is an impressive body of water that, in a way, is considered a “twin”. What happens is that the melting of glaciers in the region formed these two lakes that are located a few meters apart. In fact, “Llanganuco” is the name of the valley where these lakes are located, however, each one of them has a different name and characteristics.
The first lagoon is called Chinancocha and is considered a female body of water, located at the foot of Mount Huascarán, at an elevation of 3,850 meters and about 28 meters deep.
The second lagoon is more difficult to access due to the high altitude, it is considered a male lagoon, called Orconcocha, with smaller dimensions and only 7 meters deep. Certainly, the visit to this wonder of nature is worth it.
Laguna Parón
If you want to go not only on an incredible trail through the snowy landscapes of Huaraz, then visiting Laguna Parón is the right option among the many tours you can do in the region.
Laguna Parón is 3 hours from the city center of Huaraz and, to go up to the main attraction, it is necessary to take part of the trail by car and only 45 minutes of the stretch on foot which, despite taking a short time, is not as easy as it seems, this lagoon is 4,200 meters above sea level.
In the lagoon you can take boat or kayak trips, you can explore the snowy mountains of the surroundings and, if you are prepared for the cold and with the necessary equipment, you can even have the unique experience of camping there.
And, to close with a flourish, Laguna Parón is not as touristy compared to other attractions in the Cordillera Blanca region, so you can believe that you will have opportunities to make wonderful records of this remarkable experience!
Laguna 69
Without a doubt, this is the most sought-after attraction in the Huaraz region and one of the most beautiful lagoons with turquoise water that you will be able to appreciate. All the scenery that we find here is capable of awakening a great feeling of enchantment in all adventurers who are willing to live the challenge of getting there.
The lagoon is at an altitude of 4,600 meters above sea level, being extremely important to prepare your physical and mental state for this adventure, the route is about 6 kilometers and takes between 3 and 4 hours to reach the final point of the route.
Upon arriving at Laguna 69 you can enjoy and explore the entire region and surroundings of the lagoon, you can have a picnic if you wish or simply relax your mind in the beautiful scenery surrounded by snowy mountains.
Nevado Pastoruri
Pastoruri glacier is one of the most beautiful and accessible attractions within the Huascaran National Park, as this snow-filled peak has an easy trail, but it is intensified by the altitude at which it is located since its top reaches 5,240 meters above sea level.
This wonder of nature is considered, within the Andean culture, a spiritual protector of the people who live in small villages along the mountain range. Called Apus, this giant is both admired and feared by people who believe in his power.
However, in spite of being an incredible place, it is necessary to hurry to get to know it as it is today, as climate change, which has been pushed by human actions, has caused the rapid thawing of the ice sheets that cover this mountain. . For this reason, the attraction also hosts an awareness tour about the importance of taking care of our planet, with the Climate Change Route.
Huaraz has a lot to offer to all its visitors, and if you are passionate about adventure, you are certainly in the right place! But much more than that, there is much to discover and explore in the Ancash region for those who also like and want to know more about Peruvian history.
If you dream of taking a different and multi-day trip through Peru, contact Viagens Machu Picchu. Here we plan your travel guide according to your interests and it is an extreme joy to see our passengers fulfilling themselves and getting to know the lands of Peru to the fullest.
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