Huaraz

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Overview

Capital of the Ancash department, Huaraz is an important tourist destination. The town itself is not very special. Most of it was destroyed in the 1970 earthquake. But it is a prime destination for hikers and ideal for climbers. The setting at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca is great. It is located in a valley called the Callejon de Huaylas. This beautiful area is comparable to the Swiss Alps... Even if you are not into hiking & climbing yourself, you should at least go to the Mirador Rataquena where you get a great view of the mountains. It is a one hour walk form the town. But it is worthwhile to continue to Pukaventana, where the views over the valley are astonishing. From the town you can also make nice day trips to Willkawain where there is an archeological site and Monterrey which has thermal baths. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. July is a good time to visit the region; the temperature is perfect for walking and the sky is free from clouds / rain. It's also a good time as the July period has many of Peru's annual event celebration dates. The town puts on a tremendous night of entertainment each year for most of the days, featuring live music and more. Well worth a look if you...more

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History

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When to Go

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Transport

» Getting Around

» Getting There & Away

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General Health and Safety

Eating. Be careful as to what you eat as it is almost certain that you will get food poisoning and/or diarrhea at some point during your travels in Peru. Being pro-active can limit your exposure: Avoid drinking un-clean water Be picky about what food you eat and ensure that it has been cooked properly. What might appear to be well established restaurants can be just as bad as street traders when it comes to food hygiene. Sunscreen. Since Huaraz is physically and visually far from the Pacific Coast beaches, it may not occur to casual visitors to buy and use sunscreen. For those people who are planning on trekking into the mountains, or doing mountain climbing, sunscreen is a vital resource. The thin air and high altitudes increase the effects of UV penetration. Armed robberies of tourists are fairly common, even more so on Sundays. Loo paper. Since most restaurants and hotels in Peru do not supply loo paper, you would be well advised to buy and hold a steady supply of this vital resource.

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