A Complete Guide to the Best Things to Do in Huaraz, Peru

This is your complete guide to the best things to do in Huaraz, the hiking capital of Peru. Many visitors from all over the world arrive in the city to go hiking, climbing, mountain biking or just to visit the mountains and glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range within Huascaran National Park.

This guide details all the best things to do around Huaraz including day trips, multi-day treks and climbs. It also answers common questions such as how to get to Huaraz, when is the best time to visit, where to stay in the city and how to deal with altitude.

If you’d like to see our adventures, then check out our dedicated Huaraz video on our YouTube Channel. For more Peru videos check out our Peru Playlist.

About Huaraz, Peru

Located about 420 km north of Lima, Huaraz is the capital of the Ancash Region. The city sits around 3,050 m (10,013 ft) above sea level in the middle of the Callejon de Huaylas valley.

The valley stretches for about 150km and it divides two mountain ranges, the Cordillera Blanca (‘White Mountains’) to the east, and the Cordillera Negra (‘Black Mountains’) to the west.

The Cordillera Blanca has several peaks over 6,000 m (19,690 ft) high and over 700 glaciers. It is also home to Peru’s highest peak called Huascaran Sur (6,768 m / 22,205 ft). The Cordillera Blanca is actually the world’s highest tropical mountain range which means that Huascaran Sur is the world’s highest tropical mountain.

The mountain range sits almost entirely within the Huascaran National Park which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

Since Huaraz is one of the biggest towns in the Peruvian Andes, it’s no wonder that it’s become a popular tourist destination over the years. Today, Huaraz is considered the gateway to the Huascaran National Park and often referred to as the ‘hiking capital of Peru’ due to the great variety of outdoor activities the area offers its visitors.

Best Things to Do in Huaraz, Peru

1. Go On a Day Hike from Huaraz

Laguna 69

The main reason many visitors even put Huaraz onto their Peru itinerary is to visit Laguna 69. Over the years it’s definitely become one of the top attractions in Huaraz.

Laguna 69 sits at about 4,600 m (15,091 ft) above sea level. It is one of the hundreds of lakes that make up part of the Huascaran National Park.

Unfortunately, Laguna 69’s popularity often makes people overlook the fact that this hike isn’t an easy stroll in the Andes. Whilst it might not be as physically challenging as other hikes in Peru, such as the Salkantay Trek or Ausangate Trek, it also won’t be as easy as some of the other day trips from Huaraz we’ve listed below. It’s a serious hike and it’s important to arrive prepared.

Laguna 69 Hike General Information:

• Distance: 14 km roundtrip.
• Altitude: Trailhead is 3,800 m (12,467 ft) / Maximum altitude is 4,600 m (15,091 ft).
• Elevation Gain: about 800 m (2,625 ft).
• Entry Fee: S/. 30 ($8.5 USD), which is the cost of a day pass to Huascaran National Park.
• Tour or Independent Visit?: We recommend booking a tour. Tours costs around S/.60 ($17 USD) per person.

Laguna Paron

Another popular day-trip from Huaraz is Laguna Paron. The lake sits about 4,200 m (13,780 ft) above sea level. It is the largest laguna in the Cordillera Blanca and is surrounded by several snow-capped mountain peaks such as the 5,885 m (19,308 ft) tall Pirámide. The lake formed as a natural moraine reservoir and thanks to the high concentrations of dissolved lime it has a beautiful turquoise colour.

There are actually two main tour options for visiting Laguna Paron:

• 5AM start that includes a few hours of hiking either to Huandoy Viewpoint or to Artesonraju Mountain.
• 8AM start that includes a short hike to the Laguna Paron viewpoint. This is the most popular tour.

Laguna Paron Hike General Information:

• Distance: 30-40 mins walk to Laguna Paron Viewpoint. 5 km long loop to Huandoy Viewpoint. 11.5 km long hike to Artesoncocha Viewpoint.
• Altitude: 4,200 m (13,780 ft) at Laguna Paron Viewpoint. 4,560 m (14,960 ft) at Huandoy viewpoint. 4,350 m (14,270 ft) at Artesoncocha Viewpoint.
• Elevation Gain: 100 m to Laguna Paron viewpoint. About 300 m to Huandoy Viewpoint and only about 150 m to Artesoncocha Viewpoint.
• Entry Fee: S/. 5 ($1.50 USD) per person.
• Tour or Independent Visit?: We recommend booking a tour. Tours costs around S/.60 ($17 USD) per person for the later starting tour.

Laguna Churup

Another fantastic day trip from Huaraz is to Laguna Churup.

The lake sits at 4,450 m (14,600 ft) in front of the impressive Nevado Churup which has a height of 5,495 m (18,028 ft). There’s a viewpoint (mirador) you can climb up to at 4,500 m (14,750 ft).

If you want, you can even hike further up to a smaller lake called Laguna Churupita (4,584 m / 15,000 ft).

The Laguna Churup hike starts in the small town of Pitec (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). Due to its close proximity to Huaraz, you can get to the lake by colectivos. Transport Turistico Andes Peru run a colectivo service from 7AM. There are also hourly colectivos from Pitec back to Huaraz.

Laguna Churup Hike General Information:

• Distance: 7 km roundtrip.
• Altitude: Maximum altitude is 4,450 m (14,600 ft) at the lake, 4,500 meters (14,750 ft) at the viewpoint and 4,584 m (15,000 ft) at Laguna Churupita.
• Elevation Gain: about 660 m (2,165 ft).
• Entry Fee: S/. 30 ($8.5 USD) which is the cost of a day pass to Huascaran National Park.
• Tour or Independent Visit?: We recommend visiting on your own, using colectivos to get to the trailhead.

Pastoruri Glacier

A visit to Pastoruri Glacier is another great thing to do in Huaraz.

The glacier sits in the southern part of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range at over 5,250 m (17,200 feet). It is a cirque glacier, which means that it has formed in a bowl-shaped or amphitheater-like depression in the side of the mountain. The glacier is one of only a few remaining in the tropical areas of South America.

Unfortunately it is retreating quickly and has lost around one-third of its size in the past 30 years. This is because the glacier is no longer building up ice during the winter, so it’s constantly losing its volume.

Due to the high altitude, we recommend going on this day trip after you’ve completed a few acclimatisation hikes in Huaraz.

Pastoruri Glacier Hike General Information:

• Distance: 3.5 km roundtrip.
• Altitude: Trailhead is 4,800 m (15,750 ft) / Maximum altitude is 5,050 m (16,570 ft).
• Elevation Gain: about 200 m (650 ft).
• Entry Fee: S/. 30 ($8.5 USD) which is the cost of a day pass to Huascaran National Park.
• Tour or Independent Visit?: We recommend booking a tour. Tours costs around S/.60 ($17 USD) per person.

Laguna Wilcacocha

Laguna Wilcacocha is located just outside of Huaraz in the Cordillera Negra, a mountain range that faces the jaw-dropping Cordillera Blanca. It is a small lake located at 3,725 m (12,220 ft) above sea level.

The walk up to it is considered an easy acclimatisation hike for those wishing to complete more challenging trails within the Cordillera Blanca range.

Whilst Laguna Wilcacocha isn’t the most beautiful lake around Huaraz, the views you get of the Cordillera Blanca are jaw-dropping and a hundred percent worth hiking up for.

Laguna Wilcacocha Hike General Information:

• Distance: 7 km roundtrip.
• Altitude: Trailhead is 3,150 m (10,335 ft)  / Maximum altitude is 3,725 m (12,220 ft) at the Laguna Wilcacocha viewpoint.
• Elevation Gain: about 575 m (1,886 ft).
• Entry Fee: Free.
• Tour or Independent Visit?: We recommend visiting on your own using colectivos.

Laguna Rajucolta

Located at the base of Huantsan Mountain near Macashca is Laguna Rajucolta.

Huantsan mountain has four peaks, one of which reaches 6,369 m (20,896 ft) making it the thrid highest peak in the national park. The picturesque Laguna Rajucolta sits at 4,271 m (14,012 ft) above sea level right in front of it.

The trail to the lake is relatively flat with very minimal elevation gain. Therefore, it is considered a great acclimatisation hike.

Laguna Rajucolta Hike General Information:

• Distance: 14.5 km roundtrip.
• Altitude: Maximum altitude is 4,271 m (14,012 ft).
• Elevation Gain: about 400 m (1,313 ft).
• Entry Fee: S/. 30 ($8.5 USD) which is the cost of a day pass to Huascaran National Park.
• Tour or Independent Visit?: We recommend booking a tour. Tours costs a minimum of S/.60 ($17 USD) per person or more depending on the size of the group.

2. Go On a Multi-Day Trek in the Huascaran National Park

Huaraz isn’t just for day-hikers. After all, it’s called the hiking capital of Peru for a reason. Many visitors only stay in Huaraz for a short time to go on one or more of the above day trips and hikes before attempting one of the following long distance treks.

There are a few popular ones you can consider signing up for during your stay. Obviously these will require you to spend more time in the Huaraz region, and they are definitely more costly than the day-trips.

Santa Cruz Trek

One of the most popular multi-day treks in Huaraz is the Santa Cruz Trek. It’s named after the 6,259 m (20,535 ft) tall Santa Cruz mountain.

During the 4-day long trek, you’ll be winding your way through the scenic valleys of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range. You’ll spend the days walking past turquoise and deep blue coloured lakes with snow-capped mountains standing tall all around them. Then you’ll spend each night under the star-lit sky before returning to Huaraz.

The great thing about this trek is that you can do it independently. Though we only recommend this if you’ve trekked on your own before and have all the necessary camping gear. Otherwise, we suggest booking this trek with an experienced guide.

There are plenty of trekking companies to pick from in Huaraz, but you can always have a look online too.

Santa Cruz Trek General Information:

• Distance: 50 km / 31 mi
• Length: 4 days / 3 nights
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
• Altitude: Average of 4,000 m (13,123 ft) with maximum altitude of 4,750m (15,584 ft) at the Punta Union Pass.
• Elevation Gain and Loss:  +1,150 m (3,773 ft) /-1,850 m (6,069 ft)
• Entry Fee: S/. 60 ($17 USD) which is the cost of a short multi-day pass to Huascaran National Park.
• Tour or Independent Visit?: You can do it independently if you have experience and your own gear. Otherwise, we recommend booking a tour. Tours cost around $300-350 USD per person.

Huayhuash Trek

Although considered one of the top hiking circuits in the world, the Huayhuash Trek is one that not many people know about.

This particular trek takes you through the Cordillera Huayhuash mountain range, from which the circuit gets its name. This is where Yerupajá, the second highest mountain in the tropics at 6,617 m (21,709 ft) high, is located.

It’s definitely not a trek for the faint hearted since it takes 12 days to complete the classic route. Nowadays you can book a shorter version of the trek too but it’s still going to be a challenging route. You’ll be crossing passes between 4,600 m (15,092 ft) and 5,000 m (16,404 ft) regularly.

Since it’s a much longer trek, the cost will be much higher too. We noticed that some companies, such as Akilpo, offer a discount depending on the size of the group.

Huayhuash Trek General Information:

• Distance: 120 km / 75 mi
• Length: The classic trek is 12 days / 11 nights or a shorter trek can be between 7-10 days.
• Level of Difficulty: Hard, challenging trek.
• Altitude: Maximum altitude is 5,565 m (18,257 ft).
• Elevation Gain: about 800 m (2,625 ft).
• Entry Fee: You’ll have to pay around S/.220 (S/. 15-20 per night) in trekking permits to various communities.
• Guided or Independent Trek?: We recommend joining a guided trek.

3. Climb One of the Peaks in the Cordillera Blanca

The list of outdoor activities in Huaraz is pretty much endless. If you’re an experienced hiker or mountaineer, then you can sign up for one of the many climbs in Huaraz too. There are some really cool peaks you can summit, so make sure to have a good look around.

During our research we even found companies that offer some mountaineering courses. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to sign up for one, but we would love to in the future.

Below are some popular mountains you can summit in Huaraz:

• Mateo (5,150 m / 16,896 ft) – 1-day climb;
• Vallunaraju (5,686 m / 18,655 ft) – 2-day climb;
• Yanapaccha (5,460 m / 17,913 ft) – 2-day climb;
• Pisco (5,752 m / 18,871 ft) – 3-day climb.

There are many longer expeditions you can join to summit other peaks too. Make sure to do some research and go with a reputable company.

How to Get to Huaraz

The best way to reach Huraz is by public bus.

Bus companies such as Cruz del Sur or Civa provide services between Lima and Huaraz. The tickets cost anywhere between $ 20-35 USD depending on the time and bus company you pick.

Note. It takes at least 8 hours (but normally around 9 to 10 hours) to reach Huaraz from Lima. Therefore, we recommend picking an overnight bus. You can buy your ticket online or at the bus station. Note that your bus might leave from different terminals depending on the bus company.

How to Get Around Huaraz

Tours

Tours are probably the most affordable and convenient way to get around the Huascaran National Park. Normally, day-tours in Huaraz operate more as a transport service. You’ll get a guide allocated to the group for the day, but he/she won’t really be hiking with the group. Instead, you’ll be given a time that you should get back to the bus or minivan by and left to your own devices.

We noticed that the guides on day-tours mainly spoke Spanish, with minimal English. So, it’s always good to learn a few words, especially regarding the time. Even if you don’t, there will be someone who will be able to translate the important parts for you.

The cost of tours can vary slightly depending on who you book with. We normally paid around S/.60 ($17 USD) per person for day trips. These included destinations such as Laguna 69, Laguna Paron, and Pastoruri Glacier.

During our time in Huaraz we noticed that it didn’t really matter which tour company we booked our day-trip with. Most companies actually work together and fit people who’ve booked through different companies into as few a vans as possible to make it more cost efficient.

Multi-day treks and climbs can cost a bit more. For example, the 4-day/3-night Santa Cruz Trek can cost anywhere between $300-$350 USD. The 11 day long Huayhuash Classic Trek can cost over $800 USD per person.

The multi-day hikes are more similar to the ones in Cusco, such as the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek, where you have a guide who hikes with the group.

You can have a look what tours are available online, but we recommend having a look around in Huaraz too.

Colcetivos and Taxis

Another way to get around Huaraz is by colectivos or private taxis.

Most of the hikes and treks we listed above can also be completed independently. You’ll just need a bit of Spanish knowledge and a thirst for adventure. If you’re going on a multi-day trek, having your own camping gear is important too.

Colectivos are generally much cheaper than tours or taxis. You can normally get to certain trailheads quite easily with them. However, we noticed that the return journey to Huaraz always seemed to be the more complicated one. You’ll be pretty remote out at the trailheads and these colectivos won’t always come regularly (if at all).

Hiring a private taxi might be a good option if you want to skip tours. However, bear in mind that they can be quite costly, unless you share the price with a few others. Again, you would probably need to hire a driver for the whole day because you won’t be able to flag one down in the middle of nowhere.

Huascaran National Park Entry Fees

Since many popular places lie within the Huascaran National Park, you’ll have to purchase a national park pass upon entering. There are a few different options, depending on how many places you wish to visit whilst in the city.

• 1 day pass: S/. 30.00 ($8.50USD)
• 2 to 3 day pass: S/. 60.00 ($17 USD)
• 4 to 30 day pass: S/. 150.00 ($40 USD)

If you’re staying in Huaraz a bit longer and are planning to do multiple day trips, then we recommend buying the shorter multiday pass. If you’re doing any of the multi-day treks then we suggest buying the one that can last up to a month.

It’s worth thinking about how many attractions you want to visit within the park, so you can purchase the most suitable version of the pass.

You can buy your pass on your first day trip and just bring it along with you when you’re on a different tour.

Note. Laguna Paron isn’t included in the national park pass, which means you’ll have to pay a S/. 5 entry fee even if you already have a multi-day pass.

Best Time to Visit Huaraz

You can technically visit Huaraz all year round. However, there are better and worse times of the year if you want to complete some popular hikes.

The wet season is normally between December and March/April. Whilst visiting during these months doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be hiking in the pouring rain, the chances are much higher. Some hikes can become a bit more dangerous due to the bad weather conditions and are more likely to get cancelled. Even if they do go ahead, you really want to enjoy the jaw dropping scenery and not be wishing the hike was over because you’re soaking wet and feeling miserable.

The dry season is from about April to November. This time frame definitely gives you a high chance of some sunny and enjoyable hikes. If you come just before the dry season, around April, then you’ll probably have pleasant and rain free day-trips. It’s also less busy with tourists, so a good time to come to avoid the crowds. When we visited in early May we normally had nice, sunny mornings most days with the clouds gathering for the usual afternoon shower and thunderstorm around 3-4pm.

June to September are the most popular tourist months, so be prepared for a lot more people to be on certain hiking trails with you.

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness in Huaraz

Huaraz sits around 3,050 m (10,013 ft) above sea level which means that you can get altitude sickness if you arrive to the city from sea level.

It is important to know that anyone can develop altitude sickness and its symptoms can be more or less severe depending on the person. Symptoms of altitude sickness include dehydration, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, heavy breathing, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

If you haven’t visited other high altitude places in Peru, such as Cusco, before arriving to Huaraz, we recommend taking it easy on your first day and not booking any high altitude hikes like Laguna 69 straight away.

Starting with an easier day trip, such as Laguna Wilcacocha (3,725 m / 12,221 ft) or Laguna Paron (4,155 m / 13,631 ft), is probably much better since these trails aren’t as long or physically demanding. This way you can acclimatise properly and avoid altitude sickness.

It’s also good to avoid drinking too much alcohol before your day trips and not eating too many heavy foods either. Staying hydrated during the hikes is very important to avoid dehydration and headaches. You can drink Coca tea like the locals do at high altitudes in Peru. In addition, you can also buy some altitude sickness tablets before you hike anywhere in Peru.

Of course, if you’ve done some high altitude hikes in Peru already, such as the Salkantay Trek, the Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain or if you went on a 2 or 3-day Colca Canyon Trek, then you’ll most likely be fine going on hikes like Laguna 69 right away.

Do you Need Special Travel Insurance to Visit Huaraz

We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have travel insurance before any trip you make abroad. Now, most travel insurance won’t automatically include cover for all the activities you’re planning on doing during your travels.

For example, if you’re visiting Peru, and planning on hiking in high altitudes, then you should have cover for high altitude trekking in your insurance policy. Make sure to shop around to find the most suitable one. You just never know what could happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Where to Stay in Huaraz

If you’re only in Huaraz for a short amount of time, then we recommend staying in the vicinity of the city centre. That way, you can easily find tour operators close by. Plus, being in the centre means being close to restaurants, markets and even the bus terminal.

There are plenty of hostels or hotels you can pick from depending on your budget and needs.

If you’re staying in Huaraz for longer you can find some nice apartments a little outside of the centre.

How Long Do You Need to Stay in Huaraz

The answer to this question is a bit tricky. First of all, it depends on how you arrived to the city. If you come on an overnight bus, then you’ll arrive early to mid morning. If you’ve not acclimatised yet, then we recommend not doing much on your first day.

Then it depends on whether you want to sign up for any of the multi-day treks or not. The Santa Cruz Trek is 4 days long, so just to complete that you’ll need to plan at least 5 days in Huaraz, leaving on the 6th.

If you only want to go on a few day-trips, then depending on how many you want to do we recommend adding an extra day for acclimatisation and of course leaving either the day after your last trip or with an overnight bus on the same day.

Now if you’re tight on time, then you can make your stay slightly shorter by completing the Laguna Wilcacocha hike on your first day, since it’s a good acclimatisation hike that you can do without a tour. Generally speaking, most day tours should get you back to Huaraz between 6-7PM, so you could leave on an overnight bus to your next destination straight after.

It’s up to you at the end of the day, but we don’t recommend coming all the way to Huaraz just to do one day trip like Laguna 69. It’s a long way and involves two overnight bus journeys, so bear that in mind when planning your Peru itinerary.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Huaraz in Peru

Although the weather stopped us from going on a few more adventures in Huaraz, we absolutely loved our time in this area. Visiting a place that’s surrounded by mountain peaks way over 5,000 m was a dream for us. We can totally appreciate why people refer to Huaraz as Peru’s hiking capital.

We didn’t think that our time in the Sacred Valley and seeing Machu Picchu could be topped by anything, but Huaraz definitely surprised us. Whilst the city can be pretty touristy, it didn’t feel anywhere near as commercialised as Cusco, which we really loved.

Huaraz and the Huascaran National Park are definitely places we would return to in the future to complete some of the multi-day treks and climbs.

Have you ever been to Huaraz in Peru? If so, which activities did you do whilst there and what was your favourite one? If not, would you add Huaraz to your Peru itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.