Huaraz .- Capital of the Ancash region, recognized as the “Natural Paradise of the World,” is a bustling city full of activity and commerce. It boasts a wide range of tourist services as the gateway to the Callejón de Huaylas and Huascarán National Park. It is the starting point for various expeditions to the Cordillera Blanca, Callejón de Huaylas, and Cordillera Huayhuash.
Where is Ancash?
Location: North of Lima
Capital: City of Huaraz
Distance: 400 km from Lima
Altitude: 3,091 meters above sea level
Population: 1,039,415 inhabitants
Climate: The city of Huaraz has a dry and temperate climate, with an average maximum temperature of 24°C (75°F) and a minimum of 7°C (44°F). The rainy season is from October to April.
How do I get to Ancash?
By Land: Lima-Pativilca-Huaraz 400 km (8 hours by bus on paved roads)
Trujillo-Chimbote-Casma-Huaraz 312 km (7 hours by bus)
By Air: Daily flights to Captain Arias Graziani Airport in Anta-Carhuaz (40 minutes)
What activities can be done?
Huascaran National Park
Created in 1975 to preserve the area’s rich flora and fauna, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve in 1985. Located in the Cordillera Blanca, the world’s highest tropical mountain range due to its proximity to the equator, the park stretches 158 km from south to north and 20 km wide, covering 340,000 hectares. It has 663 glaciers, 27 of which are above 6,000 meters above sea level and 200 above 5,000 meters. The estimated volume of these glaciers is 22,458 cubic kilometers. It also has 296 lakes with a surface area of 28.14 square kilometers and 435 million cubic meters of water, and three river basins: the Santa, Pativilca, and Marañón. It encompasses parts of the provinces of Recuay, Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungay, Huaylas, Bolognesi, Huari, Asunción, Piscobamba, and Pomabamba.
Cordillera Blanca. It is a mountain range located in Peru and part of the Andes Mountains, considered the “Peruvian capital of mountaineering.” It boasts some of the highest and most beautiful peaks in Peru, among its most famous summits being Huascarán (6,768 m), Chopicalqui (6,354 m), Huandoy (6,000 m), and Alpamayo (5,947 m). This constitutes the highest tropical mountain range in the world, stretching 180 km in length and featuring 663 glaciers, 269 emerald lakes, and 41 rivers, as well as 33 archaeological sites. The flora and fauna are impressive, including the Puya raimondii, ancient quenual forests, and cacti. It offers countless tourist circuits for trekking, ice and rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and more.
Callejón de Huaylas. Stretching 150 km, the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra are divided by the Santa River, which flows through the provinces of Recuay, Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungay, and Huaylas. This valley is dedicated to agriculture and livestock farming, with picturesque villages and friendly people.
The Cordillera Huayhuash, located 50 km south of the Cordillera Blanca, lies between the provinces of Ancash, Huánuco, and Lima. Known as the most magnificent of the Peruvian mountain ranges, it extends for 30 km. It boasts beautiful mountains and peaks, including Yerupaja (6,634 m), Jirishanca (6,094 m), Siula Grande (6,344 m), and Rasac (6,017 m), as well as stunning lagoons such as Carhuacocha, Jahuacocha, Mitucocha, and Huayhuash, among others. It boasts impressive trekking circuits, considered among the most spectacular on the planet.
The Chavín de Huantar Archaeological Complex, located in the town of the same name in the Conchucos Valley, was one of the main religious and cultural centers of the Western Hemisphere. Brilliant examples of its stone architecture include the Lanzón Gallery and its labyrinthine passageways, a mysterious network of narrow corridors, and a multitude of enigmatic carved stone figures, such as the “tenon heads” sculpted with fierce faces.
Where to Sleep?
There is accommodation for all budgets, from US$10 per person per night to US$20 to US$45 per couple per night in more central locations. Generally, all accommodations are located in the same town. These are indicative prices and are not valid for peak season.