The 21 Best Things to Do in Huaraz, Peru
by Rebecca Hollman
updated Dec 27, 2018
Huaraz, Peru
Huaraz is the capital city of the Ancash region in Peru. It is located in between the Cordillera Negra and Cordillera Blanca mountain ranges and sits at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level. The Cordillera Blanca range is the world’s second largest mountain range behind the Himalayas. Huaraz sits right at the edge of Huascaran National Park, which covers almost the entirety of the Cordillera Blanca. Huaraz is known as a trekkers paradise. It is easily the town with the most trekking options as it sits right next to some of Peru’s biggest peaks. It is also a mecca for mountain bikers and rock climbers because of the ample opportunities for all three of these activities. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best things to do in and around Huaraz below. However, there are many more hikes than I’ve listed below but most are only known by the locals or by local tour companies. A lot of the trails in Huaraz just follow animal paths and don’t have names or markers. I’ve compiled all of the most common hikes in Huaraz, as well as many not so common hikes that I learned about from the lovely people of the Lazy Dog Inn.
1. Bike The Cañón Del Pato Road
ABOUT: The Cordillera Blanca is a massive mountain range that covers a large stretch of area and is full of different valleys. In one of the more northern areas of the range lays the Cañón del Pato, or Duck Canyon. This region of the Anchash region is much more dry, lower, arid and hot than the snowy peaked areas of the southern Cordillera Blanca. In the 1920s, 35 tunnels were cut into the canyon walls to make passage down to the river below possible. The roads through the canyons are only one lane for both directions so cars have to pass through one at a time. The canyon walls are incredibly steep and the road is called one of the most dangerous worlds in the world. A lot of adrenaline junkies like biking along this road into the canyon through all 35 tunnels. Riding through the tunnels and stopping off to view the deep canyon below is a much more enjoyable way to experience this road than in a car.
Learn more about cycling this road here
GETTING THERE: It would probably be easiest to arrange a biking tour that would bring you from Huaraz to the start of the canyon. You could also rent bikes in Huaraz and hop on a colectivo to Caraz, about an hour and a half north from Huaraz. From there start your bike ride along the road from Caraz to Huallanca through the tunnels. You can either ride back uphill to Caraz or you can try to catch a ride back up.
2. Drive Through the Cañón del Pato Walls
ABOUT: The Cordillera Blanca is a massive mountain range that covers a large stretch of area and is full of different valleys. In one of the more northern areas of the range lays the Cañón del Pato, or Duck Canyon. This region of the Anchash region is much more dry, lower, arid and hot than the snowy peaked areas of the southern Cordillera Blanca. In the 1920s, 35 tunnels were cut into the canyon walls to make passage down to the river below possible. The roads through the canyons are only one lane for both directions so cars have to pass through one at a time. The canyon walls are incredibly steep and the road is called one of the most dangerous worlds in the world. A lot of adrenaline junkies like biking along this road into the canyon through all 35 tunnels. Another way to explore the Duck Canyon is to drive through the tunnels. If you are too afraid to try biking on this single land road through dark tunnels, then you could also drive through it. You could either rent a car and drive yourself (be careful as Peruvian drivers are crazy and don’t stop for anything) or you could go on an organized tour from Huaraz (but be careful as Peruvian drivers are crazy and don’t stop for anything).
3. Hike The Santa Cruz Trek
ABOUT: The Santa Cruz trek is one of the most iconic hikes in all of Peru. It is a 4 day trek through the Cordillera Blanca, passing by snow capped peaks and turquoise blue lakes. This area of Peru is much less crowded than the areas around Machu Picchu. This has been highly regarded as one of the best hikes in Peru, if not one of the best hikes in the world. Everyday is filled with stunning mountain views, with few other people around. It is also a great alternative to the longer multi day treks and is a good amount of time to spend in the mountains. You can either do the trek with a tour agency or by yourself. I personally always try to do everything without a tour, but it’s up to personal preference. A lot of the tour companies are hit or miss and I’ve heard horrible stories about dirty food/water, improper gear, etc. from tours. However, tours are usually cheaper (around $90) than having to arrange renting your own gear. If you came to Peru just for trekking and have all of your own gear already then going by yourself will definitely be the cheapest option. Otherwise with renting gear (including warm clothes), buying food and paying for colectivos is around $260 for 2 people. The trail is easy to follow and there are usually many people walking along the trail so you don’t need to worry about getting lost without a guide.
Learn more about hiking the Santa Cruz trek without a guide HERE or HERE
GETTING THERE: You can hike the trek in either direction. One way goes from Vaqueria to Cashapampa and the other is vice versa. It doesn’t really matter which way you hike it and is personal preference. Starting at Vaqueria makes the hike easier because you are going downhill most days but you are walking away from the mountains so your epic views will be behind you. Most people do this way because of the high altitude - walking uphill for four days at high altitude will kick anyone’s butt. To get to Vaqueria take a colectivo from Huaraz to Yungay for 5 soles and then from Yungay to Vaqueria for 20 soles. Most drivers will see your hiking bag and know where to drop you. The colectivos pick you up at the end of the trail in Cashapampa and head to Caraz for 10 soles. In Caraz, you’ll need to get on another colectivo heading to Huaraz for 5 soles.
4. Hike The Laguna Churup Trail
ABOUT: The trek to Laguna Churup is one of the more common day hikes in Huaraz. It is relatively easy to get to and the trail is only moderately difficult, with a rather steep section at the end close to the lake. It takes about 5-6 hours to do the hike from the trailhead and back. The trailhead starts in Pitec, which is about 40 minutes away from Huaraz. The trail ends at the lake - Laguna Churup - and has an elevation gain of roughly 500 meters. The final and most daunting section involves ascending a 9 meter rock wall using ropes bolted into the face of the rock.
GETTING THERE: It is easy to either get a taxi or a colectivo to Pitec, as Laguna Churup is a popular trailhead. From there it is roughly 3 hours up the trail, 2 hours back and then another ride back to Huaraz. Make sure to set an agreed upon pick up time with your colectivo driver while on the way to the trailhead in the morning. There are very few colectivos that run back to Huaraz so your best bet is to have your original driver come back and get you. The Quilcayhuanca Valley and Cojup Valley trails also start close to this trailhead and so you would take the same route via taxi or colectivo to reach those trailheads as well.
5. Hike The Laguna 69 Trail
ABOUT: The most popular hike in the area, Laguna 69 really deserves the popularity it receives. This stunning turquoise blue lake is worth all the effort. You can either reach this hike with a guided tour or solo. It is a bit complicated to get to via colectivo/taxi so a guided tour might actually be a smart idea unless you have your own rental car. This hike takes about 5-6 hours from the trailhead to complete. However, with travel time included your total time spent is more like 11-12 hours. The hike is not too difficult but can be hard for people because of the altitude. Even though this is considered an acclimatization trek, you still need to give yourself 1-2 days to acclimatize in Huaraz.
GETTING THERE: From Huaraz you will need to head to the town of Yungay. In Yungay you will branch off to the right heading up towards the Llanganuco Valley. From there continue on to the small town of Cebollapampa. This is technically where the trail head starts.
6. Hike The Cojup Valley Trail
ABOUT: There are infinite valleys in the Huaraz region, each with their own similar but distinct views. One such valley is the Cojup Valley. This trail takes 9-10 hours to walk round trip in total but is rated as gentle and is great for acclimitization. It has a gradual grade and can easily be shortened if you want to make the trail less long. It’s an out and back trail that is 34 km in total from the start of the trailhead with an elevation gain of 900 meters. It has a 10 sole entrance fee.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE LAZY DOG INN: The walk starts on the road above the Lazy Dog Inn at Km marker 12 on the road. Starting from the corner, at the Lazy Dog Inn sign, walk RIGHT on the road. The road is marked by kilometers. The Cojup trailhead is at Km 17. The road has switchbacks between Km 12.5 and Km 15. You can stay on the main road or take a short cut at around Km 12.5 at the cement Baden on the road. At the left ou will see rocky animal trails that cut across the valley, going up and crossing the road twice before reaching the top road at about Km 16.5.
The trailhead is the entrance to the Huascaran National Park, marked by a small hut and a closed gate with wooden signposts. Climb up over the posts and start on the trail. It is around 13 km to the lake (26 km return to the gate).
The trail has now been made into a dirt road to support the entry of materials to build a stronger dam on Laguna Palcacocha (which is at the end of the valley). You will see a large locked metal gate beside the local wooden one. In many ways this has the walk easier as it has leveled the rocky up and downhill steps. This road is not open to local traffic however there is work being done at the lake itself.
COMBINED COJUP AND QUILCAYHUANCA TRAIL (*OVERNIGHT*):
7. Hike The Cordillera Huayhash Circuit
ABOUT: This is the big kahuna of all the trails in Peru. This multi-day trek can take anywhere from 9-12 days depending on the route you take. It does a loop through Huascaran National Park, passing by most of the iconic peaks and through rugged nature. If you truly want to experience the beauty of the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, this is the trail for you. The trail is not for inexperienced hikers though, with weather regularly below freezing and the entire trail being above 14,000 feet. It is possible to do it without a guide with proper planning, however I recommend going with a guide as the trail is not always easily to follow.
Learn more about doing the Huayhuash Circuit without a guide here.
GETTING THERE: The trail starts out of the small town of Llamac and ends back in the same town after following an 81 mile loop. Tours will arrange all transportation.
8. Hike The Quilcayhuanca Valley Trail
ABOUT: There are infinite valleys in the Huaraz region, each with their own similar but distinct views. One such valley is the Quilcayhuanca Valley. This trail takes 11-12 hours to walk round trip in total and is rated moderate. It’s an out and back trail but is technically open ended on how long you want it to be. It connects all the way to the Cojup Valley trail, however this combination would make it a multi-day trek. If you want to keep it at a day hike, then go as far as you feel comfortable and come back the way you came in.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE LAZY DOG INN: After the signs at the Churup trailhead, continue on this road to the Quilcayhuanca trailhead. Pass through the closed animal gate and walk a few hundred meters on the trail until you see a small bridge on the right. You can take a short path to a large rocky outcrop, which has faded red petroglyph paintings or you can continue on the trail with the river on your right. Within 1.5-2 hours you will come to a sign that says “Tambo.” These small ruins of stone huts were rest stops in the Incan times when the valley was used to cross over from Conchucos Valley.
About 3 hours from the park entrance the valley splits to the right to the Cayesh Valley. The Cayesh Valley takes you to a small lake after about a 1 hour walk. If you continue straight into the Quilcayhuanca Valley you will come to the Tullpacocha Lake after about 1 hour. You can also continue further into Quilcayhuanca to the Cuchilla Lake. With camping equipment, you can exit the valley through the Chocho Pass (taking you to the Cojup Valley) or by crossing the Maparaju glacier (taking you to the Conchucos Valley). For the purpose of a day hike, it’s best to return by the trail that you came.
COMBINED COJUP AND QUILCAYHUANCA TRAIL (*OVERNIGHT*):
9. Visit The Llanganuco Lakes
ABOUT: The Llanganuco Lakes are technically made up of two different lagoons - Chinancocha and Orconcocha. These lakes are about 30 kilometers north of Huaraz, close to Yungay. There is an easy trail around the Orconcocha lagoon that takes about 1-2 hours and offers spectacular views of the surrounding scenery. You can also rent boats in the Chinancocha lagoon and take them out for a scenic boat ride in the bright blue waters. This is a popular tourist destination and can get crowded mid-day. This is more a scenic spot versus a place to hike and so don’t expect any real walking.
GETTING THERE: You will need to take a colectivo from Huaraz to Yungay, about 30 km north. In Yungay, you can get on another colectivo headed to the lakes (30 soles) or you can take a private taxi (100 to 120 soles round trip). There is a park entrance fee of 30 soles.
10. Hike Laguna Peron
ABOUT: Laguna Peron is the biggest lake in the Cordillera Blanca region, stretching over 4 kilometers in length. On the opposite side of the lake is the infamous peak of Artesonraju - the mountain that represents the logo for Paramount Pictures. This lake is never crowded and you can technically drive right up to the lakeshore if you have a hardy enough vehicle. Most taxis stop at the gate and you will have to hike your way in from there. The trail continues along the side of the lake to a mirador, looking out on the lake from above, and all the way to the base of Artesonraju. There is a refuge at the lake with a bathroom and a kitchen area for cooking. You can camp here for 10 soles per person or you can camp outside for free.
GETTING THERE: To get to Peron, you will never to leave from Caraz. Caraz is even farther north from Huaraz than Yungay but you can get an hour and a half colectivo ride from Huaraz to Caraz. From Caraz, you can take a colectivo to the town of Paron (3.50 soles). They will drop you off about 1 km south of the entrance point for the lake. This is where they will charge you a 5 sole entrance fee. The last colectivo leaves Paron for Caraz at 6 PM so either be back before then or bring appropriate gear to camp.
11. Rock Climb At The Sphinx / La Esfinge
ABOUT: At Laguna Paron is “the Sphinx” - a famous rock climbing wall. La Esfinge is a 2000 foot granite formation high on the northern side of the Paron Valley. This is by far the most popular rock climbing in the Cordillera Blanca. This most common route to take is the original route, climbed in 1955. However, now there are different routes to choose from - 22 in all ranging from 5.10dR to 5.13a, and multiple aid routes from 5.11a A2 to 5.10b A4.
Learn more about climbing the Sphinx here.
GETTING THERE: To get to Peron, you will never to leave from Caraz. Caraz is even farther north from Huaraz than Yungay but you can get an hour and a half colectivo ride from Huaraz to Caraz. From Caraz, you can take a colectivo to the town of Paron (3.50 soles). They will drop you off about 1 km south of the entrance point for the lake. This is where they will charge you a 5 sole entrance fee. The last colectivo leaves Paron for Caraz at 6 PM so either be back before then or bring appropriate gear to camp.
12. Visit The Chavín de Huantar Ruins
ABOUT: The famous architectural ruins of Chavín de Huantar are an interesting stop in the Ancash region. This unique culture hasd a powerful religion that had an influence over a great area of highland and coastal Peru. The temple at this site contains stone lined galleries where priests consulted their many gods. The Great Idol (also called Lanzón) performed sacrifices. The Lanzón Gallery, located at the very center, contained a sculpture of the Lanzón, which is assumed to be a supreme deity of Chavín de Huántar. The figure is anthropomorphic, with a feline head and human body. The site also contains a small museum where more information can be seen. The site is about 3 hours away from Huaraz in the Conchucos region. It would be wise to visit this site when you are also doing a trek in the region instead of driving the 3 hours from Huaraz just to visit the temple.
GETTING THERE: To get to the ruins you will need to head south from Huaraz to the town of Catac. From there the road branches off heading to the east where you will pass over the national park and the Cordillera Blanca until you reach the town also called Chavin de Huantar. The archaeological site is right in the center of this small town (as it has formed because of the ruins). A little bit farther up the road is the Chavin National Museum.
13. Hike to Pastoruri Glacier
ABOUT: The hike to Pastoruri Glacier is an easy and quick hike, and a good hike to get acclimatized to the high elevations. This glacier is a couple hours away from Huaraz by car, and you can watch the scenery change as you drive. As you leave the “Switzerland” feel of Huaraz behind, you will start to watch the hills become more rolling, the grass more orange and yellow, and the foliage change. The scenery on the road into Pastoruri Glacier is one of the most unique in all of Peru. The walk up to the glacier itself from the parking lot is a quick 40 minute ascent.
GETTING THERE: It’s quite a trek to get to Pastoruri Glacier, so if you don’t have a car the easiest way to get there is via a tour. Tours are about $20-30 USD. If you have a car in Huaraz, you can easily drive yourself to the trail entrance. It’s a long drive on a gravel road but the road is in decent condition. Make sure you don’t miss the turn off for the gravel road (marked by a billboard with dinosaurs on it on the right hand side of the highway) because there is a toll immediately after the turn off you don’t want to pay. Just a heads up that the last people allowed to enter the trail is at 3 PM, so don’t arrive later than that or they will turn you away.
14. Hike Laguna Llaca/Llaca Valley
ABOUT: There are infinite valleys in the Huaraz region, each with their own similar but distinct views. One such valley is the Llaca Valley. This trail takes 6-8 hours to walk round trip in total but is rated as moderate. The most elevation gain is at the beginning of the trail, from the Lazy Dog Inn to the national park entrance. It’s an out and back trail that is 20 km in total from the start of the trailhead with an elevation gain of 900 meters. It has a 10 sole entrance fee if there is anyone at the park entrance to take your money.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE LAZY DOG INN: The walk starts at the road above the Lazy Dog Inn. Cross over the road and take the rocky animal trail at the rock spray painted 12020 (meter markers). Follow the trail up on the crest of the ridge, steadily ascending towards the valley. After about 50 minutes, you will pass a National Park sign. The trail approaches the road but you don’t need to take the road here - stay on the trail. About an hour and 20 minutes in, the trail does connect with the road and you will have to go left on the road. Note where you came out as there are no trail mrers, only small piles of stones. You will soon reach a wooden gate with a park fee sign and small huts. There is a small steep trail near by a signpost with summit heights that you can take if you don’t mind a short steep climb (it cuts out switchbacks on the main road).
About 1 hour along the main road, there’s a cement bridge. It’s about one hour from the bridge to the lake. You can either follow the road to the Refugio or take the valley trail. Along the valley, keep the river on your right always. After 15 minutes, the valley narrows and the trail climbs up to the left passing two streams. Before the third stream (dry in dry season), go towards the left following a short uphill path that brings you to the main road. Go right on the road to the Refugio.
From the Refugio, the lake is 10 minutes on a marked trail going up towards the dam. Ocshapalca is the glacier on your left and Ranrapalca is on your right. You can reach the glacier at the far end of the lake on a trail along the left side of the lake. Returning to the Lazy Dog Inn, you can take the road or descend through the valley on the same trail down from the dam. Both will take you back to the cement bridge - the rest is the same way as in.
GLACIER EXTENSION TRAIL: You can reach the glacier at the far end of the lake on a trail along the left side of the lake. Adding this on will add an additional 2-3 hours onto your walk. It will bring you back to the edge of the lake where you will follow the same trail you did in. It is not advised to try to do both extensions in the same day, as it would be pushing the amount of daylight you have in the day. If you are adventurous and used to the altitude (and start very early in the morning) you might be able to do both extensions in one day.
VALLUNARAJU BASE CAMP EXTENSION TRAIL: An alternative extension trail is heading up to the Base Camp. From the Refugio, the trailhead is along the main road about 200m before the Refugio. Starting with a small concrete staircase, follow the trail markers up the steep incline for about 1.5 hours to the hut at Campo Morena at 4,590 meters. From Campo Morena, follow the trail markers across the sloping rock faces. The trail passes two glacier lakes on the right, descends into moraine and comes up again for a clear view of the Vallunaraju glacier. Follow the signpost marked “A Uquia” and the trail markers, which descend about halfway into the valley through a queñual forest. Where the trail emerges from the valley you reach a hut. Follow the trail down, passing through the border of the National Park to the road. At the road, go left and it’s about 45 minutes walking back to the Lazy Dog Inn at Km 12. This extension makes the trail a total of 10-11 hours walking and is considered difficult because of the 1300m elevation gain.
learn more about Laguna Llaca here
15. Hike The Shallap Valley Trail
ABOUT: There are infinite valleys in the Huaraz region, each with their own similar but distinct views. One such valley is the Shallap Valley. This trail takes 9-10 hours to walk round trip in total but is rated as moderate. It’s an out and back trail that is 19 km in total from the start of the trailhead with an elevation gain of 650 meters. It has a 10 sole entrance fee if there is anyone at the park entrance to take your money.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE LAZY DOG INN: After passing the signs for the Churup Valley trailhead on the left, the Shallap trailhead is off to the right, going downhill and crossing the Quilcayhuanca Bridge. Continue southwest passing by a scattered grouping of houses (the area is referred to as Cahuide) until you reach the opening of the narrow Quebrada, or valley. Go left to enter. Stay to the left side of the valley. After a few hours you will reach a park entrance sign and a rarely used building. Cross over the locked animal gate and soon you will see the San Juan Glacier in front with the lake at it’s base. Continue on the trail to the lake. Return by the trail you came.
16. Visit The Wilkawain Ruins
ABOUT: These Wari ruins are easily accessible from Huaraz and give a glimpse into the unique life of the indigenous cultures from this region. The Wari peoples are a pre-Incan civilization and this ruin site is still relatively intact. It has many stone buildings still standing and can be explored in an hour or so. The ruins are 7 kilometers from Huaraz, and can either be hiked to (4 hours each way) or you can take a taxi to the ruins if you don’t want to hike.
GETTING THERE: The ruins are 7 kilometers outside of Huaraz. Leaving Huaraz to the north on 3N (the main highway), you will turn right on Wilcahuain Road right before the Patci gas station. It will immediately turn sharply to the left, where you follow this winding road up until you reach the ruins on your left.
LAGUNA AGUAC EXTENSION: You can hike from the ruins to a lake called Laguna Aguac. This hike will add approximately 4 more hours each way. The path follows the Río Paría up until you reach Laguna Aguac. You can see the full trail map for the extension below.
17. Hike Laguna Wilcacocha
ABOUT: The trailhead for Laguna Wilcacocha is only 15 minutes outside of Huaraz. We had a car and so drove to the trailhead but you can easily take a colectivo from town for $1 USD. Just tell the driver you want to go to Laguna Wilcacocha and they will drop you off on a dirt road that has a big sign with trail info. Just follow this dirt road all the way up to the top, passing houses, farmers working the fields, and lots of animals. Eventually you will get to the top where you will see a small trail break off. Follow this for about 5 minutes and you will reach the lake where you can hang out and eat some snacks. A lot of Peruvians hang out up here and camp overnight here, especially on the weekends. After hanging out by the lake for ahwile. head back down the same way you came up. Just wave down a colectivo on the road and take it back to Huaraz. This is a perfect hike for your first day in Huaraz as it is in the Cordillera Negra, so is at lower elevations, and is very close and accessible from Huaraz.
GETTING THERE: Take the colectivo from Huaraz to Laguna Wilcacocha. Tell your driver that is where you are headed and they will drop you off at the trailhead - which is a small bridge. There is a mercado on the left and after you cross the bridge, a sign with a map and directions of the trail on the left. Follow this road all the way up to the top. Don’t be surprised if cars pass while you’re walking as this is a road for farmers who live up in this direction. There are two hikes in the area called Wilcacocha. One goes to Laguna Wilcacocha and the other goes to Lago Wilcacocha. Both are beautiful hikes and interchangeable in terms of distance and views from the top. The information in this article is only about Laguna Wilcacocha.
Learn more about Laguna Wilcacocha here
18. Visit The Guitarrero Cave
ABOUT: This cave, called the Cave of the Guitarist, is unique because it holds the remnants of the oldest human activity in the world. The bones found in the cave have been carbon dated back to 10,610 BCE. The people of Guitarrero Cave are possible ancestors of the Chavín culture - the culture that built the now ruins of Chavín de Huantar. Many artifacts were found in the cave including textiles, wood and leather tools, domesticated crops, and the first evidence of fiber work (baskets made by looping and knotting plant fibers). When the cave was discovered in the 1960s, the bones of mastodons and llamas were found among the remains. The site is currently abandoned and there is no infrastructure or tours to the cave. You can walk to the cave entrance from Shupluy, and also may enter a portion of the cave. Again, proceed with caution as there is no infrastructure around the cave.
GETTING THERE: The cave is located in the small town of Shupluy, which is 50 minutes drive from Huaraz. You can take a colectivo from Huaraz to Shupluy. From Shupluy, the cave is 3 kilometers out (or a 3 hour walk) from the town center.
19. Visit The Joncopampa Ruins
ABOUT: The Joncopampa (also called Honcopampa) ruins are another Wari ruin site located in the Ancash region. The ruins are comprised of three high enclosures with galleries inside. The ceilings are made of massive boulders and it’s amazing that this culture could build these formations with no modern machinery. The ruins are surrounded by a unique pampas landscape that is drastically different than the rest of the Ancash region.
GETTING THERE: You can either take a tour to Joncopampa ruins and also the Aquilpo waterfalls, or you can take a colectivo north from Huaraz to Pariahuanca. From there, you would likely have to take a taxi to Honcopampa.
AQUILPO WATERFALL AND LAKE EXTENSION:
It is possible to hike from the Joncopampa ruins to the Aquilpo (also called Akilpo) Waterfall or Lake. Upon entering the Akilpo stream, the path follows the course of the river, crossing it repeatedly with rudimentary bridges and surrounded by a beautiful forest of quenuales. There is the possibility of deviating to see the waterfall. The hike to the waterfall from the ruins is only roughly 30 minutes-1 hour. If you continue walking you will reach a pampa below the Akilpo lake, with beautiful views of the Tocllaraju and the Akilpo. The trail finishes at Laguna Akilpo. In total, from the ruins to the lake, it is 13 kilometers and is 5 hours up to the lake and 3 hours back. It is much shorter to just visit the waterfall.
20. Soak In The Monterrey or Chancos Hot Springs
ABOUT: The Monterrey springs are 6 km north of Huaraz and easy to get to. There is a hotel next to the springs and it has a variety of pools and tubs with natural spring water. There is also a large rock climbing wall behind the hotel. You can get there from Huaraz on a colectivo for 1 sole. The Chancos springs are a little bit farther out, 27 km north of Huaraz. These natural vapor caves are highly recommended.
MONTERREY SPRINGS:
CHANCOS SPRINGS:
21. Visit The Archaeological Museum of Anchash
ABOUT: This archaeological museum contains the largest collection of ancient stone sculptures in South America. The museum includes models of the Cuitarrero Cave where the oldest human evidence has been found, Cerro Sechín with its sculptural panels showing a bloody battle scene, and a replica of the great Castillo de Chavín. On the upper floor there are displays of pottery, textiles, metallurgy and other artifacts from the Wari, Chimu and Inca empires and also from smaller local cultures.
GETTING THERE: The museum is on the west side of the Plaza de Armas of Huaraz.