Cidade Turismo
Peru

Before you go

Your trip to Huaraz.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Huaraz – Áncash Capital

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani (ATA) Anta · 25 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. From Lima, the bus takes about 8 hours, with day and night departures; each company has its terminal in downtown Huaraz. At some times of year there are flights from Lima to Anta airport, about 25 km away; confirm in advance.

How many days

Four or five days. Use the first day for the town and the museum, taking it easy because of the altitude, and the following days for Churup or Llanganuco, Laguna 69, Pastoruri and Chavín de Huántar.

When to go

From May to September, in the dry season, the sky is usually clearer and the trails are in season. Nights are cold year-round. From December to March it usually rains in the afternoons and the mountains tend to be more cloud-covered.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The town is explored on foot, and day trips depart early in the morning with downtown agencies in vans. There are also minibuses to Monterrey, Caraz and Yungay. Driving on mountain roads requires experience and time.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Huaraz
  1. Morning
    Museo Arqueológico de Áncash

    Start gently with the Museo Arqueológico de Áncash on the Plaza de Armas, and its garden of stone sculptures.

  2. Afternoon
    Centro de Huaraz

    Stroll slowly through the centre and the market to help your body acclimatize to the altitude, with the Cordillera Blanca in the background.

  3. Late afternoon
    View of the mountains

    In the late afternoon, the light hits the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, seen from the high streets of the centre.

  4. Evening
    Dinner and agencies

    Have an early dinner and arrange with the agency the tours for the coming days, which usually depart at dawn.

3 days in Huaraz

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Arrival and museum

    Museo Arqueológico de Áncash and an easy walk around the centre.

  2. Afternoon
    Rest

    A quiet afternoon to acclimatize to the altitude.

  3. Late afternoon
    Plaza de Armas

    Late afternoon at the Plaza de Armas and combining the excursions.

  4. Evening
    Early dinner

    Short night: the tours leave early.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Lagunas de Llanganuco

    Departure by van along the Callejón de Huaylas to the Lagunas de Llanganuco, at the foot of Huascarán.

  2. Afternoon
    Llanganuco and Yungay

    Easy walk along the shore of Chinancocha and return through Yungay and Carhuaz.

  3. Late afternoon
    Return to Huaraz

    Arrival in Huaraz late in the afternoon.

  4. Evening
    Rest

    Dinner and rest for the next day's tour.

Day 3

  1. Morning
    Chavín de Huántar

    Early departure via the Cátac road and the Kahuish tunnel to Chavín de Huántar.

  2. Afternoon
    Temple and Museo Nacional Chavín

    Guided visit to the temple, the galleries and the Lanzón, and to the museum with the cabezas-clavas.

  3. Late afternoon
    Laguna de Querococha

    On the way back, stop at Laguna de Querococha on the climb up the cordillera.

  4. Evening
    Return to Huaraz

    Arrival in Huaraz at night.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Huaraz very cold?

Nights are cold year-round, near zero degrees at dawn in the dry season. By day, in sun, the temperature is mild. Bring layered clothing, a hat and gloves for high-altitude outings.

What to eat in Huaraz?

Andean cuisine: trout from the rivers and lakes, cuy, potatoes of many colors, corn and wheat soups, pachamanca (cooked underground with hot stones), and regional cheese.

Can you do the tours without a guide?

Llanganuco and Churup can be done independently, with local transport. Laguna 69 is now visited only with authorized agencies, and Pastoruri and Chavín are more practical with an agency. Check the rules for each place.

What currency is used in Peru?

The sol. Huaraz has ATMs and exchange offices in the center; bring cash for villages and park entrance fees.

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