ADVENTURE TOURS IN HUARAZ

Located 400 km north of Lima, Huaraz is accessible via a nicely paved highway and can be reached by bus in a 7 hour journey. Although the city itself is not a major attraction, it offers a great starting point from which to explore the spectacular mountain ranges of the Cordillera Blanca – home to Peru’s highest peak, Mt. Huascaran at 6,768 m/ 22,205 ft above sea level – and the more rugged and remote Cordillera Huayhash – setting of the epic mountaineering story “Touching the Void”.

Imposing pre-Inca sites, spectacular mountain ranges, lush inter-Andean valleys and fascinating history make Huaraz a choice destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers worldwide.

Altitude: 3,090 m. / 10.140 ft.
Best time to visit: April – November
Highlights:

  • Chavin and the Conchucos Valley
  • Trekking the Cordillera Blanca (Huascaran National Park)
  • Trekking the Cordillera Huayhuash
  • Huanucopampa ruins.

Santa Cruz, video of the most popular trek in Huaraz

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Best adventure trek tours in Huaraz

Lake 69, 2 days

This trek is a spectacular ascent to an intensely beautiful turquoise lake on the base of Chacraraju (6112 masl) and Pisco (5800 masl). During the trip, there will learn about Campo Santo, where Yungay was, a city that literally disappeared under an avalanche in 1970. Then we will pass the extraordinary Llanganuco Valley, surrounded by Huandoy, Huascaran, Chacraraju, Chopicalqui, Yanapaccha and Pisco Peaks. We can stop and appreciate the extraordinary glacier lakes at the base of the mighty Huascaran, the highest tropical mountain in the world! This route is excellent for beginners in trekking and acclimatization.

  • Difficulty: Easy Distance: 9 km.
  • Maximal elevation: 4767 (masl)
  • Maximal Temperature: 25°C
  • Minimal Temperature: -5°C
  • Departure time: 07:00
  • Duration: 3 – 6 hours
  • Arrival: 16:00 -19:00

Olleros-Chavin-with-Llamas

Olleros Chavin with Llamas

Olleros Chavin with Llamas, 3 days

This is a soft trek, recommended for acclimation, and it’s the best way to get to the Pre-Inca Temple of “Chavin de Huantar”, one of the oldest in Peru. During the trek, you will enjoy magnificent valleys, picturesque Andean villages and beautiful snowcapped mountains. For a truly authentic experience, you will be joined with llamas on the route.

  • Difficulty: Easy Distance: 30 km.
  • Maximum elevation: 4700 masl.
  • Maximum Temperature: 25°C (about 78F)
  • Minimal Temperature: -2°C (about 28F)
  • Departure time: 07:00
  • Duration: 5 – 6 hours per day
  • Arrival: 20:00 – 21:00

Santa Cruz, Vaqueria, 4 days

The White Range (Cordillera Blanca) is located in the Peruvian Andes, with its capital Huaraz in Callejon de Huaylas (Huaylas valley), northeast from Lima city and as its name says, it boasts beautiful white peaks, many of them more than 6000 masl, like the highest tropical mountain in the world: The Huascarán (6768 masl).

The White Range is the second highest mountain chain of the World, after the Himalayas, but the same in beauty, being one the best destinations in Peru. An unforgettable journey to one of the most beautiful valleys of the White Range

(Cordillera Blanca): Santa Cruz. During the trek there are views of spectacular Andean snow peaks such as Santa Cruz, Alpamayo, Taulliraju, Chacraraju, lagoons of intense turquoise like Jatuncocha (Big lagoon) and Ichicocha (Small Lagoon) and a quenoal forest, tree that grows only in the highlands.

  • Difficulty: Easy Distance: 63 Km.
  • Maximal elevation: 4750 masl
  • Maximal Temperature: 25°C
  • Minimal Temperature: -2°C
  • Departure time: 07:00
  • Duration: 5 – 7 hours per day
  • Arrival in Huaraz: 17:00 – 18:00

Huayhuash, 9 days

Huayhuash is located south of the White Range (Cordillera Blanca), between Huánuco, Ancash, and Lima provinces, and its great attraction are its huge and steep white peaks, its turquoise lagoons and green valleys, situated in a wilder nature with very few number of tourists coming. The trekking to Huayhuaysh Range is considered by international guides and travelers as the second in beauty of the world after the Anapurna Trek in Nepal. Besides, Huayhuash is a suitable place for Andean bird watching, curiously there is more concentration of birds in this area than in Cordillera Blanca. Almost in all Huayhuash lagoons it is possible the rainbow trout fishing.

The most known mountains are Yerupaja (6635 masl), the second highest of Peru, Jirishanca (6094 masl) and Siula Peak (6344 masl), scenery of the film and book “Touching the Void” of the English climber Joe Simpson, who lived one of his hardest experience in this mountain. Huayhuash’s main lagoons are Carhuacocha, Siula, Jurau, Sarapococha and the famous Jahuacocha, ideal place for Andean bird watching. This is the best option to visit the Huayhuash Range. The trail starts in Quartelwain and finishes in Llamac. Besides, it includes the visit to the most beautiful lakes of Huayhuaysh: Jahuacocha and Carhuacocha and the impressive 6000 peaks: Yerupaja and Jirishanca. It is possible to take a glance of Jurau Lake from San Antonio view point and also Diablo Mudo, Sacras and Rasac peaks.

  • Level: Difficult
  • Distance: 163 km. Maximal
  • elevation: 5000 masl
  • Maximal Temperature: 25°C
  • Minimal Temperature: -2°C
  • Departure time: 07:00
  • Duration: 4 – 7 hours per day
  • Arrival in Huaraz: 17:00 – 18:00

Alpamayo-Trek-in-Huaraz

Alpamayo Trek

Alpamayo, 10 days

The White Range (Cordillera Blanca) is located in the Peruvian Andes, with its capital Huaraz in Callejón de Huaylas (Huaylas valley), northeast from Lima city and as its name says, it boasts beautiful white peaks, many of them more than 6000 masl, like the highest tropical mountain in the world: The Huascarán (6768 masl). The White Range is the second highest mountain chain of the World, after the Himalayas, but the same in beauty, being one the best destinations in Peru. Fabulous circuit that starts in Cedros Valley and finishes in Santa Cruz Valley,where you can observe the famous face of Alpamayo Peak (4947 m.s.n.m) that won a prize for “The most beautiful mountain in the world”. It is a trail full of turquoise lagoons, mountains of more than 6000 masl, beautiful valleys and many high passes with magnificent views.

  • Level: Difficult
  • Distance: 170 – 180 km.
  • Maximal elevation: 4,860 masl
  • Maximal Temperature: 25°C
  • Minimal Temperature: -2°C
  • Departure time: 07:00
  • Duration: 5 – 7 hours per day
  • Arrival in Huaraz: 17:00 – 18:00