One of the joys of travel is that just when you think you’ve seen the most stunning place on earth, you find heaven in some other country. Huaraz is the sort of place to engender that feeling, and should be a stop on any Peru tour.
Sitting at a lofty 10,000 feet and surrounded by mountains, Huaraz is one of the most beautiful spots in the Peruvian Andes. Located an 8-hour drive from Lima, it’s an excellent place to enjoy hikes and excursions of all kinds, from 1-day affairs to week-long treks through wild country.
If you’re heading to Peru and want to enjoy the majesty of its mountains, then check out our list of the 10 best things to do in Huaraz. Just make sure you get acclimated to the altitude before you start exploring!
1. Marvel at Señor de la Soledad
This gorgeous church was reconstructed after a devastating earthquake in the region in 1970, and does a fine job of living up to its former glory. Full of gorgeous motifs on the inside, and with gorgeous pastel colours on its facade, it’s both beautiful to look at and a wonderful space to spend a quiet moment in.
2. Learn about local culture at Museo Arqueológico Augusto Soriano
This isn’t the biggest museum in the world, but it provides a fascinating look into the history of the Huaraz region, especially with regards to its architectural treasures. You can probably see everything there is within an hour or two, but there’s also a delightful garden you can spend time in (with its own artefacts). Exhibits and descriptions are in Spanish only, so brush up on your verb conjugations!
3. People watch at Plaza de Armas
Like most Peruvian towns, the centre of activity in Huaraz is the main plaza. Although it’s not quite as bustling as Cusco or some other, larger cities, Plaza de Armas is a wonderful place to relax over a drink or snack, while admiring the people of the town and the magical mountain backdrop that defines Huaraz. A great spot to unwind after a day of hiking, and one of the best things to do in Huaraz if you’re keen to relax.
4. Support locals at Artisan Alley
Just off the main square is Huaraz’s artisan market, where you can support local businesses by purchasing handmade goods like jackets, ponchos, or bags made from alpaca wool. These don’t just have to be souvenirs: there’s a reason the locals wear this kind of clothing when they trek through the mountains, and it’s because it works in the environment. Spend some time talking to the salespeople if you can, and you might even learn something about the local history and culture.
5. Enjoy the view from Pukaventana’s viewer
Hiking in the Peruvian Andes doesn’t have to mean carrying your accommodation with you. This short walk is around a 4-5 hour round-trip from the town, and is perfect for amblers of all fitness levels. As it’s at 3,450m above sea level, even if you are experienced you should give yourself a day or two to acclimatise to the altitude, but once you’re ready, it’s the perfect way to ease into exploring the mountains – and it delivers a great view too. Definitely one of the best things to do in Huaraz.
6. Discover Wilcahuain Temple
If you like mixing hiking with history, then this is the attraction for you. Wilcahuain Temple is a relatively straightforward trek from Huaraz and is around 8km from the city. At the end of it, you’re rewarded with an incredible pre-Inca ruin, with much fewer tourists than similar archaeological sites. Just ensure you bring your water as it can get hot on the trail!
7. Enjoy the majestic lakes
The Huaraz region is known for its vivid cerulean lakes and lagoons, like Lagoon Llanganuco and Laguna Parón. Some of these stunning sites are within hiking distance of Huaraz, whereas others will require excursions of multiple day hikes to reach, but each are truly astounding to look at, especially as many are surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Image source:Urip Dunker / unsplash
8. Summit Nevado Mateo
If you’re serious about mountains, then summiting Nevado Mateo is one of the best things you can do in Huaraz. You will need an official guide to reach the top as it’s 5,150m above sea level, and the trek can be very dangerous in the wrong conditions. With that said, getting to the peak is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, and will leave memories that last a lifetime.
9. See Pastoururi Glacier
You don’t have to push yourself physically to enjoy the natural beauty around Huaraz. Pastoururi Glacier is a breathtaking natural feature which is easy to visit from the centre of the town, as buses leave regularly. The drive is followed by a short, relatively easy 30-minute hike, and then you will usually have a couple of hours to explore the area. Remember to bring your sunglasses, as the glare from the snow can be quite intense.
10. Conquer the Cordillera Huayhuash circuit
Widely considered to be one of the most challenging yet beautiful hikes in the entire Andes range, the Cordillera Huayhuash circuit takes anywhere from 8-12 days, and crosses passes that go up to 5,000m above sea level. There are countless highlights on this trip and the views are just as breathtaking as the altitude. There’s a reason famous mountaineer Joe Simpson’s most famous book, Touching the Void, takes part in this range. One of the best hikes not just in Peru, but in the world.
If you’re not quite ready for that but still want to give yourself a challenge, the Santa Cruz trek through the Cordillera Blanca range is a little bit more easy to complete. With that said, it still has many challenges, and is best done with a tour, unless you’re experienced at hiking in this part of the world.
Captivated by this slice of South America? Then join Contiki’s Lima to Huaraz tour to make your travel dream a reality!
