What to do in huaraz

What Are the Best Things to Do in Huaraz City?

Huaraz itself is worth exploring before heading into the mountains. The city offers markets, museums, churches, restaurants, and everyday Andean life, making it an easy place to spend a quieter day between outdoor activities.

Start around the Plaza de Armas before walking to the Santuario del Señor de la Soledad, one of the city's best-known religious landmarks. Another worthwhile stop is the Archaeological Museum of Áncash, which traces the region's pre-Hispanic history through ceramics, textiles, stonework, metal objects, and other archaeological finds.

The city's markets offer a different look at local life. Stalls filled with fruit, vegetables, grains, cheeses, herbs, and other products from across Áncash make them particularly interesting for travelers curious about what people grow and eat in this part of the Andes.

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Where Can You Eat, Drink, and Shop in Huaraz?

Huaraz has developed a varied food and craft beer scene, with traditional Andean ingredients appearing alongside more contemporary restaurants and cafés. Exploring the city's markets and restaurants is an easy way to experience Áncash beyond its mountain landscapes.

Local dishes and ingredients are worth seeking out, while Huaraz's long association with mountaineering has also created an international influence in some of its restaurants and cafés.

Beer lovers can try locally brewed craft beer, including beers from Sierra Andina, a brewery that originated in Huaraz. The city is also a useful place to shop for handicrafts and outdoor equipment before heading into the Cordillera Blanca.

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What Are the Best Day Trips from Huaraz?

Some of the most interesting places to visit near Huaraz are found throughout the Callejón de Huaylas. Carhuaz, Yungay, and Caraz can all be incorporated into journeys north of the city, combining mountain scenery with local history and culture.

One particularly significant stop is Yungay. On May 31, 1970, a powerful earthquake triggered an avalanche from Huascarán that buried the old town. Today, the Campo Santo de Yungay preserves the site as a memorial to the thousands of people who lost their lives.

Closer to Huaraz, travelers can visit the archaeological complexes of Willkawain and Ichic Willkawain. Located just outside the city, the area contains funerary structures, underground tombs, and archaeological remains associated with the cultures that developed in Áncash before the Inca period.

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Is Laguna 69 Worth Visiting?

Yes. Laguna 69 is one of the best-known day hikes in the Cordillera Blanca, particularly for its intensely turquoise water and setting beneath some of the range's dramatic peaks.

The trail begins in the Llanganuco sector of [Huascarán National Park] and climbs through a high Andean valley toward the lake, with views of waterfalls, glacial landscapes, and surrounding mountains along the way. Laguna 69 sits beneath Chacraraju and close to Nevado Pisco, creating one of the most recognizable landscapes in the Cordillera Blanca.

It is important, however, to treat Laguna 69 as a proper high-elevation hike rather than a casual walk. Spending time acclimatizing in Huaraz before attempting it can make the experience considerably more comfortable.

What Can You See at Pastoruri Glacier?

Pastoruri offers one of the most accessible ways to observe a glacial environment in Huascarán National Park. Today, the experience is also closely connected to understanding how climate change is transforming the Cordillera Blanca.

The journey follows what is known as the Climate Change Route, where visitors can observe the retreat of the glacier and other changes to the surrounding landscape. The wider area is also home to high-Andean wetlands, geological formations, and Puya raimondii, an extraordinary native bromeliad known for producing one of the largest flowering structures in the plant world.

Rather than simply being a scenic stop, Pastoruri provides a very visible example of the environmental changes affecting Peru's tropical glaciers.

Where Are the Best Hot Springs Near Huaraz?

Monterrey and Chancos are two of the best-known hot spring options near Huaraz. Monterrey is the closer choice, while Chancos offers a more unusual experience with thermal pools, individual baths, and steam caves.

Monterrey is located just outside Huaraz, making it convenient for a short visit or a relaxing afternoon after several days of activity.

Chancos is farther north, near Marcará, approximately 29 km from Huaraz. Its naturally heated waters feed pools and private baths, while caves cut into the hillside are used as natural steam rooms. It can be a particularly welcome stop after spending several days exploring the mountains.

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What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Huaraz Besides Trekking?

Rock climbing and mountain biking are two good alternatives for travelers who want an active day without committing to a multi-day trek. Huaraz's location between the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra creates varied terrain for both.

Mountain biking offers another perspective on the Callejón de Huaylas, with routes passing through Andean countryside and providing wide views toward the snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Rock climbing is also available around Huaraz, with options suitable for different experience levels.

For travelers ready for a longer mountain journey, Huaraz is also the starting point for some of Peru's great trekking areas, including the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Huayhuash.

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When Is the Best Time to Visit Huaraz?

May to October is generally the best time to visit Huaraz for outdoor activities, as conditions in Huascarán National Park are typically drier and colder during these months. The rainy period generally extends from October into April.

The dry months are particularly popular for trekking, climbing, cycling, and visiting mountain lakes. Clearer skies can also mean colder nights, so warm layers remain essential even when daytime conditions are sunny.

Travel outside the main dry season is still possible, particularly for cultural activities and exploring Huaraz itself, but travelers should expect a greater chance of rain and changing mountain conditions.

What Should You Know About Huaraz's Altitude?

Huaraz sits at approximately 3,050 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level, so allowing time to acclimatize is important before heading higher into the mountains.

For the first day or two, consider exploring the city and choosing less demanding activities before attempting destinations such as Laguna 69 or Pastoruri. Hydration, adequate rest, and a gradual increase in elevation can all help with acclimatization.

This becomes even more important if Huaraz is the beginning of a longer itinerary through the Cordillera Blanca, Huayhuash, or sections of the Great Inca Trail, where travelers regularly reach significantly higher elevations.

How Do You Get to Huaraz from Lima?

Huaraz can be reached from Lima by road or by air. The overland journey covers roughly 400 km and typically takes around eight hours, while direct flights connect Lima with Anta Airport, located about 20 km from Huaraz.

Flying considerably reduces travel time, with direct services taking approximately one hour. From Anta, the final journey to Huaraz takes around 20–30 minutes by road.

Traveling overland takes longer but allows visitors to move from the Pacific coast into the Andes gradually. Whichever option you choose, it is worth keeping Huaraz's elevation in mind and leaving some time to acclimatize after arrival.

Where Should You Stay in Huaraz?

Staying in or close to central Huaraz is convenient for most travelers, particularly if you want easy access to restaurants, shops, the Plaza de Armas, and departures for day trips.

Accommodation ranges from simple guesthouses to comfortable hotels and mountain lodges in the surrounding countryside. Travelers planning several days of hiking may prefer a property with space to organize equipment and relax between excursions, while those primarily interested in the city will benefit from being within walking distance of its main attractions.

For longer stays, Huaraz also works well as a base: spend a day exploring the city, another visiting archaeological or cultural sites, and then head into the mountains when you are properly acclimatized.

How Many Days Should You Spend in Huaraz?

Allow at least three to four days if you want to combine Huaraz with one or two nearby attractions, but a week or more is worthwhile if the Cordillera Blanca is a major part of your Peru itinerary.

A shorter stay could include a day in Huaraz, a cultural excursion through the Callejón de Huaylas, and a visit to Pastoruri or another accessible mountain destination. With additional time, you can add Laguna 69, mountain biking, climbing, or a multi-day trek.

For hikers, Huaraz opens the door to much longer journeys through the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash. Explorandes also operates sections of the Great Inca Trail in Áncash, following part of the historic Qhapaq Ñan through a very different side of the Peruvian Andes.

Plan Your Huaraz Adventure

Huaraz is much more than a place to begin a trek. Ancient archaeological sites, glacial landscapes, local towns, hot springs, markets, and some of Peru's highest mountains make it a destination worth giving time to in its own right.

Whether you want to hike through the Cordillera Blanca, explore the history and landscapes of Áncash, or build Huaraz into a longer Peru itinerary, contact an Explorandes Travel Specialist to start planning your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Huaraz worth visiting?

Yes. Huaraz is one of Peru’s most versatile mountain destinations, combining world-class trekking, glacial lake day trips like Laguna 69, ancient Wari ruins, natural hot springs, and a thriving craft beer scene. It delivers an authentic Andean experience at a fraction of Cusco’s cost, with far fewer crowds.

How many days do you need in Huaraz?

Plan for a minimum of 3–5 days. Spend the first day or two acclimatizing and exploring the city, then add day trips to Laguna 69 or Pastoruri. Trekkers typically spend 7–14 days in the region. With 4–5 days, you can comfortably combine city highlights, one major day trip, and a visit to the hot springs.

Is Huaraz safe for tourists?

Huaraz is generally safe for international travelers. Street crime is low compared to Lima, and the city center is well-traveled by trekkers year-round. Standard precautions apply: use licensed taxis, avoid displaying valuables, and book excursions through established operators. The primary safety concern is altitude; acclimatization at 3,052 m is essential.

What is Huaraz famous for?

Huaraz is famous as Peru’s adventure capital and the gateway to the Cordillera Blanca, the world’s highest tropical mountain range. It is renowned for iconic trekking routes, including the Santa Cruz Trail and the Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit, high-altitude climbing, and the glacial lakes of Huascáran National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Do you need a guide for Laguna 69?

A guide is not officially required but is strongly recommended. A licensed local guide ensures safety at 4,604 meters, handles transport logistics, and provides ecological context for Huascáran National Park. Guided day trips typically include return transport from Huaraz, a bilingual guide, National Park entry, and lunch, usually $30–50 USD per person.

How much does it cost to travel in Huaraz?

Huaraz is one of Peru’s most affordable destinations. Budget travelers can manage $30–50 USD per day including accommodation, meals, and local transport. A guided Laguna 69 day trip costs $30–50 USD; Huascáran National Park entry is 30 soles (~$8 USD). Mid-range travelers using hotels and guided tours should budget $80–150 USD per day.