Huaraz Overview

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 are in the region. A town of 100,000, it blends a mix of modern and native culture. The town has many markets and shops catering to tourist needs and local needs. The food markets are especially interesting and are a great starting point for getting supplies for expeditions. Be sure to shop about before purchasing/hiring (especially for mountaineering gear) as often a better price can be found elsewhere with a bit of bargaining. The town has many places offering cheap internet access; although a bit slow, the connection is usually reliable. The town has a big post office and a few banks. Huaraz also has a mix of old and new restaurants offering a variety of dishes. Cuy (guinea pig) is a national speciality; perhaps something to say one has tried but not something to make a diet off! The night life in the town is a lot better than that of Lima; there are a few night clubs and many bars open late. Clearly common sense would advise people not to travel alone at night, but one felt safe in the city where the locals were very willing to help out where possible. Like many places in Peru, it's not wise to take much money at with you in at anyone time if you can possibly avoid it.