If you’re the adventurous traveler type, then Huaraz is surely on your Peru bucket list. This famous region is recognized as the best place to trek in South America due to its proximity to the Huascarán National Park and many other jaw-dropping attractions.
Huaraz also comprehends a great historical side since it is situated between many archaeological remains, where some of them are traced back to some of the most important pre-Inca civilizations of the central Andean region.
Likewise, the city also has its charms and if you’re planning a trip to this beautiful mountainous part of the country, then you definitely should take some time to explore it.
The city of Huaraz is located at 3,050 meters above sea level and it is the starting point to many adventures in the Cordillera Blanca. Therefore, we want you to know about the best things to do there so you can organize your trip according to your interests.
Here we have gathered some of the unmissable attractions near Huaraz, and to make it even more special, some not-so-touristy destinations that you should consider including in your trip itinerary.
1. Explore the Huaraz City Center
We believe that a travel experience should be complemented by having a more intimate approach to the cultural expression of the place we visit. Thereby, you’ll have a broader view to the modern and ancient customs of the region.
In case you didn’t know, Huaraz is a commercial center to the different communities that live in its surroundings. Locals from all over the region gather to sell their products and catch up with friends and family.
Unfortunately, most of the first structures of Huaraz were destroyed by an earthquake in 1970, and only some of them were rebuilt following the same standards. However, there’s just one part that remained intact, called Jose Olaya Street.
If you have some spare time in Huaraz city, then you should visit this popular street, where the cultural expression of the region overflows every inch of it. Here you’ll be able to find pretty good souvenirs while also getting immersed in the daily local lives.
The city center of Huaraz also holds other impressive attractions like the Soledad Temple, which has a shrine made entirely of mahogany wood and 24k gold leaf ornaments.
We encourage you to take some time to explore the city and to experience even more of its heritage. If you’d like to explore it like a local expert, here’s a guided tour to Huaraz city center that you can’t miss.
2. Discover the Chavín de Huantar Archeological Site
As we mentioned above, the Ancash region holds an impressive historical side that you may not know about. The Chavín de Huantar Archeological Site is one of the most important pre-Inca settlements of ancient Peru.
The famous structure was built by the Chavin culture, which developed between 1500 and 300 B.C. which according to many archeologists and historians, this ancient civilization could have been the mother to many Andean cultures including the Incas.
The pre-Columbian remains were built around 1500 B.C. and served as the administrative-ceremonial center of the Chavin people. The archeological complex is composed of several structures and covers an extension of 12,000 m2.
Although the site was partially damaged by floods and seismic activity, it has remained nearly intact. It was here that some of the most important archeological findings were discovered, such as the Lanzón Monolith, the Raimondi Stele and the Obelisco Tello.
If you love history as much as we do, then you should include this impressive attraction in your Huaraz travel itinerary. Luckily, we have a Chavin de Huantar Tour for you to check!
3. Trek all the way up to Lagoon 69
We are sure that most of you adventure seekers have heard of this outstanding lagoon. It is located at 4,604 meters above sea level within the Cordillera Blanca. Laguna 69 is characterized for its crystal-clear water and particular coloration, where the concentration of minerals in its water give it a vibrant turquoise tone.
The lagoon originated after years of thaw in a nearby glacier on top of the Chacraraju Mountain, one of the many tall peaks of the northern Andean mountain range, reaching up to 6,108 m.a.s.l.
The trail to this natural wonder will take you through the awe-inspiring landscapes of the region, crossing rivers and valleys from where you’ll feel the everlasting energy of the Andes.
It is worth mentioning that the way up to the lagoon may be quite challenging if you’re not properly acclimatized. However, most excursions will give you enough time to complete the trek calmly and slowly.
Since there’s so much to know and visit in Huaraz, we have included this attraction along with another magical natural wonder of the region. Check our Llanganuco Lake & Lagoon 69 Trek while you’re here.
4. Take the Climate Change Route to Nevado Pastoruri
Although while traveling we look to escape from our reality, there are certain factors that can’t be ignored. And if you’re into a more natural-focused experience, then you should know about how our world has been changing and reacting to global warming.
The Nevado Pastoruri is one of the most sought-after attractions due to its impressive scenery and because of how easily accessible it is. In spite of the fact that this natural wonder is located at 5,240 meters above sea level, you can get there by just taking a car ride and a short walk to its summit.
However as time passes by and climate change continues to drastically impact our planet, the Pastoruri snow-capped mountain has lost over 40% of ice in the past 60 years. On top of that, some specialists say that this natural wonder might lose its entire glacial surface in 10 years from now.
Therefore, if you’re looking to experience this and other snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca as beautiful as they are, now it’s the time.
The Climate Change Route looks to raise awareness of climate change and human impact on our planet. With this excursion, you’ll get to know more about this matter while also experiencing one of the most visually-striking landscapes of the Huascarán National Park.
5. Experience the surroundings of Laguna Wilcacocha
As you can tell, most of the attractions near Huaraz are located over 4,000 meters of elevation. And if you’re looking for an easy trek to get properly acclimatized and ready for bigger challenges, then the Wilcacocha Lagoon is the way to go.
Huaraz is surrounded by two mountain ranges, the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra. However, they are not easily spotted from this beautiful town.
The Laguna Wilcacocha offers an unparalleled view to both mountain ranges, an impressive scenery that can be perfectly spotted from this beautiful location. Besides, this beautiful water body is located at 3,745 meters above sea level and the trek only takes 2 hours.
We want you to travel in comfort, which is why we highly recommend taking some time in Huaraz before committing to any physically demanding activity.
Would you like to discover everything Huaraz has to offer? We got you covered! Check our Peru travel packages and start planning the trip of your life!
Our country has the most exciting adventures, and here in Viagens Machu Picchu, we want you to have all the options so you can make your way through Peru like a total expert!