The perfect city as a starting point to discover all the wonders offered by the Callejón de Huaylas. Below are the best tourist attractions in Huaraz that you should visit.
1. Laguna 69
The hike to Laguna 69 is an unforgettable experience where at every step, from start to finish, you are surrounded by breathtaking giant landscapes adorned with waterfalls, rivers, vegetation, and snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca in Peru. After 3 hours, your effort is rewarded with the brilliant turquoise color of Laguna 69, crowning a day of extraordinary natural beauty.
How to get to Laguna 69: Due to the complexity of the trails, the most recommended option is to book a tour to Laguna 69 from Huaraz. Being one of the most popular hikes in the area, the tour price is affordable for all budgets and includes round-trip transportation from the start of the trek to downtown Huaraz.
2. Campo Santo de Yungay
Yungay, which was once one of the most beautiful cities in Peru, was caught in one of the most devastating tragedies in history. In 1970, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake (Richter scale) not only destroyed everything around it, but also caused a massive debris flow that buried the city of Yungay, now known as Campo Santo de Yungay, and its more than 10,000 inhabitants. Today you can visit this place and learn more about its history, as well as observe some of the gigantic rocks left by the debris flow and other ruins of what Yungay once was.
How to get to Yungay: The easiest way is by taking a minibus from Huaraz to Yungay, the journey takes around one hour. There you can hire guides who will explain all the details and history of the city. At Nomades we offer a tour to Laguna Llanganuco that includes a stop at Campo Santo de Yungay accompanied by an expert guide.
3. Base of Nevado Pastoruri
The base of Nevado Pastoruri has one of the fastest retreating glaciers in Peru. It's common to hear guides comment on how not long ago the glacier was much larger. Beyond prompting reflection on climate change and how it affects glaciers, visiting the base of Nevado Pastoruri still offers incredible landscapes surrounded by imposing mountains and the gigantic chunks of ice resting in the glacier's lake.
How to get to the base of Nevado Pastoruri: Located 70 km south of Huaraz (2 hours 30 min by car), the visit to the glacier can be done with a travel agency, taxi, or private vehicle. At Nomades we offer a tour to the base of Nevado Pastoruri that includes round-trip transportation and also includes a stop at the Puma Pampa Carbonated Springs.
4. Laguna Churup
The lake with the easiest access from Huaraz, but no less impressive for that. Laguna Churup has shades ranging from deep blue to emerald, a spectrum of colors protected by the spectacular mountains surrounding it. It is located at over 4,000 meters above sea level and offers incredible views of the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca as well as the Cordillera Negra.
How to get to Laguna Churup: To reach Churup you must first travel from Huaraz to Pitec, which you can do by minibus or taxi. At Nomades we offer a tour to Laguna Churup that includes round-trip transportation accompanied by an expert guide.
5. Laguna Parón
The largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca. Laguna Parón offers unparalleled views of the different snow-capped peaks that surround it: Artesonraju, Pirámide, Huandoy Norte, Chacraraju, Paria, and Pisco. You can visit it by going to its viewpoint, or take a hike of approximately 3 to 4 hours along its shores while observing beautiful waterfalls and vegetation typical of the area.
How to get to Laguna Parón: From Huaraz you can take a minibus to Caraz, from there taxis will take you to the start of the route and can wait to bring you back to the city. At Nomades we offer a tour to Laguna Parón that includes round-trip transportation plus an expert guide.
6. Caraz
Another city within the Callejón de Huaylas that you can't miss. Caraz, "Sweetness," is obviously famous for the exquisite sweets it produces. A visit to the city will necessarily involve trying its delicious manjar blanco. You can find it in different flavors such as cherimoya, strawberry, lucuma, milk, among other varieties.
How to get to Caraz: There are minibus services that run along the Callejón de Huaylas, passing through Huaraz and arriving at Caraz.
7. Chavín de Huantar
Chavín de Huántar was an archaeological complex built by the Chavín culture more than 2,200 years ago. It is the most important site in the Áncash department, in central Peru. This great architectural work had two temples, some of which are still preserved, and in them you will find a mysterious network of labyrinths to get lost in and feel like a true explorer.
How to get to Chavín de Huantar: The archaeological site is 3 hours from the city of Huaraz and you can take a minibus to get there. We recommend visiting this place on our Chavín de Huantar tour, where we will also visit the spectacular Museo Nacional Chavín.
8. Laguna Llanganuco
One of the most famous tourist attractions in Huaraz is the beautiful Laguna Llanganuco. Its true name is Chinancocha (female lake in Quechua) and it is separated from another lake called Orconcocha (male lake in Quechua). This place offers one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Callejón de Huaylas, as you can see steep and gigantic rock formations that protect the turquoise colors of the lakes.
How to get to Laguna Llanganuco: Since it's one of the lagoons farthest from Huaraz, the best option is to book a tour. At Nomades we offer a Tour to Laguna Llanganuco that includes round-trip transportation plus a stop at the Campo Santo de Yungay.
Do you know other tourist spots in Huaraz that we should add to our list? Share your tips with our community of travelers!
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