Huaraz
Peru's mountain exploration base
Huaraz is Peru’s premier destination for trekking and mountain climbing in the Andes. The town itself isn’t the prettiest of places, but it has a friendly atmosphere and a real buzz during the high season, when mountaineers and trekkers of all abilities come to explore the Cordillera Blanca and Huascaran National Park, home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Peru. There’s the trek to Laguna 69, with its crystal-clear blue waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks. And the four- to five-day Santa Cruz trek, passing through landscapes that wouldn’t be out of place in a Lord of the Rings movie. Then, for true trekking enthusiasts, there’s the Huayhuash trek, a 10- to 14-day hike that takes you as high as 16,404 feet above sea level.
When you return exhilarated but exhausted from your outdoor adventures, you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants in Huaraz, where you can wind down before heading on – or setting off on yet another awe-inspiring trip into the mountains.
Hidden gems in Huaraz
Huaraz
Wilcacocha Lake day hike
Another stunning and easily accessible day hike, Wilcacocha Lake is located 30 minutes away from Huaraz in Cordillera Negra. Reaching 3,700 m, Wilcacocha lake is situated at lower altitude than the majority of other day hikes, making it ideal for acclimation. Taking about three hours round trip, the trail has a fairly mild incline and overlooks beautiful green hills and provides spectacular views of the cordillera Blanca in the distance. While a pleasant hike, don’t expect the laguna to be a crystalline turquoise like so many other alpine lakes in the Huascaran National Park. Wilcacocha Lake is much smaller and can be a bit muddy as it isn’t fed by a glacier. Although, it is still beautiful nonetheless. Need to know While guided tours are available in Huaraz, I recommend doing this trek independently. Taking public transport is relatively simple, much less expensive, and will allow you to avoid the crowds of going with a bus of 20 other trekkers. To go by public transport, take a combi from the north side of Antonio Raymondi road. The departure site is conveniently marked on google maps, as “Colectivo to Laguna Wilcacocha”. Note that there is no entrance fee.
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Huaraz
Qhapac Ñan trek
Not really a single trek, Qhapac Ñan ("Beautiful Road" in Quechua) is the name for the 25,000 mile road network that stitched the Inca Empire together from Colombia in the north to Chile in the south. Only recently discovered (by the tourism industry at least – locals have always known about it), pioneering travel companies are now developing sections of the Qhapac Ñan into commercial treks. This is a truly frontier travel experience, and one that can contribute directly to the preservation of a fascinating but criminally overlooked historical artefact. Most of the action is centred around the central region near Huaraz, but various routes stretch a long way both up and down the Andes.
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Huaraz
Try craft beer at Sierra Andina
Order a glass or two of beer at the Sierra Andina taproom. Sierra Andina was one of the first craft breweries in Peru, and was at the forefront of the country’s craft beer boom. Founded in Huaraz in 2011, it produces some of the best beers in the country, including the Shaman IPA and Huaracina Pale Ale. You can try all these and more at the brewery’s Trivio Resto-Bar, where thirsty trekkers kick back in the taproom.
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Huaraz
Stock up at Huaraz's Mercado Central
Shop for supplies at the Mercado Central, the main market in Huaraz. This traditional market is not only a great place to buy fruit and veg, but it also offers an insight into the local culture, with stall owners in traditional dress selling all kinds of local produce. Vegetarians beware: there’s a lot of meat on display, including freshly-skinned guinea pigs ready for the pot.
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Wilcacocha Lake day hike
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Qhapac Ñan trek
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Huaraz travel companies
