Home / Huaraz Tours
Huaraz, the ultimate base camp for the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash mountain ranges in 2025, the world’s premiere destinations for climbing, mountain biking and astoundingly beautiful treks. Book a Huaraz tours today!
This provincial capital is a mountaineering Mecca, located beside the Cordillera Blanca, a majestic mountain range of serrated summits running along an ice-clad ridge, known as the Andean Alps.
The town offers a variety of charming restaurants and cafes, and the surrounding countryside offers dozens of trekking and biking routes through mountain wilderness, under looming glaciers and past translucent turquoise-blue lakes.
Huaraz is the gateway to the Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to Peru’s highest peak, Huascarán (22,205 feet / 6,768 meters). The park features a wealth of biodiversity. Explore archaeological sites such as the ancient temple of Chavín de Huántar, offering insight into early Andean civilizations. With well-established infrastructure for adventure sports, Huaraz provides easy access to trails like the Santa Cruz trek, one of the most spectacular multi-day hikes in the world.
To book your Huaraz tours now or consult with us, fill out the “Contact Us” form and a Fertur Peru Travel coordinator will contact you within one working day with detailed information about your fully customizable vacation.
Fertur Peru Travel’s pledge is to offer you top-quality, individualized attention that starts with the planning of your trip and continues through your journey to guarantee a great vacation.
Prices available upon request
Prices available upon request
Some 175 miles (285km) north of Lima is Huaraz, South America’s premier base for spectacular trekking, mountain biking, horse riding and ice climbing. The town offers dozens of excellent restaurants and hotel accommodations, and is only a few hours away from important archaeological sites, most notably Chavín de Huántar.
Running parallel east of town is the Cordillera Blanca, a dramatic mountain chain of snow-crested peaks and turquoise-colored lakes.
In an area covering 840,000 acres (340,000ha) hectares, more than 40 summits thrust above 19,000 feet (5,790m), including 19,511-foot (5,947m) Alpamayo and 22,132-foot (6,746m) Huascarán, the tallest peak in Peru and the tallest tropical mountain in the world. Most of the range lies within the Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and part of the World Heritage Trust.
Some 60 miles (100km) to the south are the peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash, dubbed the “Himalayas of America” for their massive ice-faces. These sheer glaciers rising from the emerald Puna provide the backdrop for one of Peru’s most gorgeous, and challenging, hiking circuits.
The Ancash Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of artifacts from various pre-Incan cultures, including Recuay, Chavín, Huaraz White on Red, Mochica, Wari, and Chimú. The museum’s collection of stone sculptures, ceramics, and textiles provides an in-depth look into the rich history and cultural evolution of the region.
Built after the devastating 1970 earthquake, the Sanctuary of the Lord of Solitude houses the statue of the Lord of Solitude, the patron saint of Huaraz. This statue, crafted in the 16th century, holds a significant place in the city’s religious and cultural landscape, attracting both locals and visitors seeking solace and inspiration.
Located just a short distance from Huaraz, the Wilcahuain archaeological site features a three-story building constructed in the Wari-Tiahuanaco style, dating back to the 10th century A.D. Made of stone and mud, with massive flagstones used for the roof, Wilcahuain offers a glimpse into the architectural ingenuity of ancient Andean civilizations.
Encompassing the Cordillera Blanca, Huascarán National Park covers an area of 340,000 hectares and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park is home to 296 lagoons, 663 glaciers, and some of the highest mountains in Peru, including Mount Huascarán, Mount Huandoy, and Mount Alpamayo. The park also protects rare Andean plant species and serves as a wildlife refuge for species like the Andean condor and vicuña.
At an altitude of 17,191 feet, Pastoruri Glacier is a highlight of the high mountain tourist circuits in the Huaylas Valley. Visitors can also enjoy sights like the Patococha Lagoon, puyas (Andean plants), rock paintings, and the reflective surface of Pumapashimi pond.
Located in a narrow valley between Mount Huandoy and Mount Huascarán, the Llanganuco Lagoon is renowned for its intense turquoise waters and the queñual tree forest that surrounds it. This glacier lagoon is a must-visit for its stunning natural beauty and serene environment. It is also the trailhead for the famous Llanganuco to Santa Cruz circuit, a trek that usually takes three to five days.
Situated at the southernmost edge of the Cordillera Blanca, along the border with the department of Huánuco, the Huayhuash Valley is known for its challenging trekking routes and breathtaking landscapes. Highlights include the Conococha Lagoon, the origin of the Santa River, and Mount Yerupajá, the second highest mountain in Peru. Treks in this area can range from 8 to 15 days, starting from the town of Chiquián.
Chavín de Huántar is a fortress temple built around 800 B.C. that offers a unique opportunity to tread through an extensive labyrinth of tunnels and culverts left by the Chavín culture, which spread its religion based on a feline deity throughout much of northern Peru. In 1985, UNESCO designated the ruin a World Heritage Trust site. The site is renowned for its temples, underground galleries, plazas, and stone buildings. The Lanzón (Spear), a 14.9-foot tall monolith depicting a fiery god, is a highlight of this complex.
Celebrated on July 25th, this festival honors the patron saint of the community of Aija. The entire town participates in the traditional rite of yucacanga (the giving of cassavas). This day also marks the founding anniversaries of Huaraz and Huaylas, with civic, cultural, and artistic activities.
Held on June 29th, this religious festival is highlighted by the danza de las pallas (the dance of the ladies), a traditional performance that attracts many visitors.
Taking place in June in the Huaylas Valley, this festival hosts international adventure sports tournaments, drawing athletes and spectators from around the world.
This religious festival, held on August 30th in the city of Yungay, celebrates the patron saint of Peru with various cultural and religious activities.
Huaraz is a city that blends historical significance, cultural richness, and natural beauty. From exploring its ancient archaeological sites and world-class museums to experiencing vibrant festivals and serene natural landscapes, visitors will find a wealth of experiences to enrich their journey. Join us in discovering the highlights and rich heritage of Huaraz, a destination that promises to captivate and inspire.
The Callejón de Huaylas valley, situated below the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, is filled with picturesque villages and towns north of Huaraz that are excellent
starting points for a variety of treks, mountain biking, and ice climbing. This valley is a true adventurer’s paradise, offering breathtaking scenery and diverse activities.
Carhuaz, located at 8,745 feet above sea level (2,650 meters), is the gateway to the beautiful Ulta Valley, leading into the Cordillera Blanca. Other popular treks from Carhuaz include routes to the hot springs four miles (7 kilometers) east, near the village of Hualcán. This charming town provides a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, with its scenic landscapes and soothing thermal waters.
Yungay, at 7,380 feet above sea level (2,237 meters), was rebuilt after a catastrophic earthquake on May 31, 1970, which unleashed a massive avalanche of ice and rock from Huascarán’s west wall, completely burying the town and killing most of its 20,000 inhabitants. A day walk brings you to Mirador de Atma, offering spectacular vistas of Huascarán and Huandoy peaks and the Santa Valley. From Yungay, visitors can reach Llanganuco Lake, one of the most popular destinations in the Cordillera Blanca.
Caraz, at 7,490 feet above sea level (2,270 meters), is one of the few towns in the area that was spared complete devastation from the 1970 earthquake and retains its original Spanish colonial layout and architecture. It offers an excellent base for treks to the north side of Alpamayo, often referred to as “the most beautiful mountain in the world.” Caraz’s preserved charm and strategic location make it an ideal spot for exploring the region’s natural wonders.
The Pastoruri Valley offers visitors a unique place to see lakes, glaciers, and the amazing Puya Raimondi plant, the world’s largest bromeliad, which can grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) over an incredible 100-year lifespan. This valley is a testament to the region’s ecological diversity and provides a fascinating glimpse into the unique flora and glacial landscapes of the Andes.
Chavín de Huántar is a fortress temple built around 800 B.C. that offers a unique opportunity to tread through an extensive labyrinth of tunnels and culverts left by the Chavín culture, which spread its religion based on a feline deity throughout much of northern Peru. In 1985, UNESCO designated the ruin a World Heritage Trust site. The site is renowned for its temples, underground galleries, plazas, and stone buildings. The Lanzón (Spear), a 14.9-foot tall monolith depicting a fiery god, is a highlight of this complex.
Contact telephone numbers
Offices
