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How to get there
The journey to Huaraz is best taken by bus. There are several daily
connections from/to Lima (8 h), Chimbote (4 h) or Trujillo
(6 h).
Best time to travel
The sunny dry season from May to October is most suitable for a
visit. The rainy season from November until April will make outdoor
activities uncomfortable or even impossible. The average temperature
is 18° C and in the evenings it is very likely to cool down
rapidly to temperatures below zero.
Activities
Huaraz is starting point for unforgettable hiking and trekking tours
into the Cordillera Blanca. Furthermore you can also enjoy the magic
of the scenery by bike end even by river rafting.
Festivals
The Semana de Andinismo takes place in June and attracts many hikers
from different countries. Various competitions and exhibitions are
set up.
Every year starting 3 May the inhabitants of Huaraz praise their
patron Señor de la Soledad for one week. There are jubilant celbrations with fireworks,
music and dancing.
Accommodation
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Altitude: 3090 m
Inhabitants: 160,000
Capital of the province Ancash
City
map
After a devastating earthquake in 1970 the town of Huaraz had to
be rebuilt almost completely. Therefore Huaraz nowadays has a pretty
modern face. As it is surrounded by snowcovered summits Huaraz is
known as a perfect starting point for excursions to the Cordillera
Blanca. Huaraz is said to be a hiker's paradise in Peru.
The small city lies in the canyon Callejón de Huaylas, 400
km north of Lima. It is here that the river Santa devides the Andes
into two different ranges: the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera
Negra. Nearly the entire area of both mountain ranges are part of the National Park
Huascarán and therefore preserved. 663 glaciers, 269 crystal-clear
mountain lakes, 41 rivers and 26 summits that are over 6000 m high, form one
of the most beautiful landscapes on the continent. Rockclimbers,
hikers as well as trekkers from all over the world meet up here.
100 km South of Huaraz the Cordillera de Huayhuash is situated,
a further paradise for all friends of nature. Huaraz is the economic
centre of the region and the main city in the canyon of Callejón.
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Museo Regional de Ancash
The small museum on the market place holds an interesting collection
of stone sculptures of the Racuay culture as well as crockery and
textiles from pre-Inca times.
Viewpoint Rataquenua
Seven kilometres South East of the city lies the viewpoint Rataquenua
which allows you to view the whole city and the mountains that lie
beyond.
Willcawaín
A popular tour that enables you to adapt to the altitude, is the path to Willcawaín.
You have to walk for about two hours on a lightly ascending route out of Huaraz. The tour leads through a couple of Andine villages
until you finally reach the ruins: a three story temple with stony
ceilings. Opening
hours: daily between 8 am and 4 pm.
Monterrey
The spring of Monterrey is situated about 5 km out of Huaraz and
easily reached with a minibus or a taxi. The water contains a lot
of sulfate as well as iron and is therefore of brown color.
Opening hours: daily 7am to 6 pm.
Laguna Churup (altitude: 4600 m)
A beautiful but also exhausting daytrip leads from Huaraz to the
Laguna Churup. You can take a bus in the direction of Pitec and get off at the last stop before you reach the town. The way leads through two Andean
villages before reaching Pitec. From then on the way leads steep
beneath a canyon. The last part of the tour has to be covered by
climbing along a waterfall. It is advisable that you should not wait too long for your
return, as the last bus back to Huaraz leaves at 6 pm. The duration of the tour: 8 hours.
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