Centro
Convenient, agencies, foodThe streets around the Plaza de Armas and Avenida Luzuriaga, with agencies and restaurants.
Town guide
Things to do in Huaraz
Peru's trekking capital, below the glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca: turquoise lakes like Laguna 69, the Santa Cruz trek and dozens of peaks over 6,000 metres within a day's reach.
38
Hostels in the city
9.1
Average, from 6,743 reviews
5+
Days to do it properly
The trekking capital of Peru
Huaraz sits at around 3,050 metres in the Callejón de Huaylas, a long valley between the snowy Cordillera Blanca and the bare Cordillera Negra. The town itself is busy and not pretty, as it was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1970, but the mountains around it are some of the most spectacular in the Americas. The Cordillera Blanca is the highest tropical mountain range in the world, and much of it is protected in Huascarán National Park.
People come to walk. Day hikes lead to glacial lakes of impossible colours, such as Laguna 69 and Laguna Churup, and multi-day treks such as Santa Cruz cross high passes past glaciers and peaks. Climbers come for summits, and there are hot springs, the ancient temple of Chavín de Huántar and Andean villages to visit on rest days.
Give Huaraz at least five days, starting with an easy acclimatisation hike before anything high. More if you want a multi-day trek. The best time is the dry season from May to September, when the skies are clear.
Where to base yourself
Stay in the centre, close to the agencies, restaurants and colectivos. The streets above the centre are quieter, with mountain views.
La Soledad and above
Quiet, mountain viewsResidential streets uphill from the centre, with hostels that look out at the peaks.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Huaraz
Start with an easy acclimatisation walk, such as Wilcacocha, a lake on the Cordillera Negra with views across to the snowy peaks. Then step up to Laguna Churup, a steep half-day climb to a lake at around 4,450 metres.
Laguna 69 is the classic day hike: a long climb from the Llanganuco valley to a turquoise lake below the Chacraraju glacier, at around 4,600 metres. Leave very early by tour or colectivo, and do it only once you have acclimatised. The Santa Cruz trek, usually four days, crosses the Punta Unión pass at around 4,750 metres, with some of the finest mountain scenery in South America; go with an agency or experienced and well equipped.
On rest days, visit Chavín de Huántar, a UNESCO-listed temple complex of underground galleries over 3,000 years old, around three hours away, or soak in the hot springs at Monterrey, just outside town. The Pastoruri glacier is an easy high-altitude visit, and a reminder of how fast the glaciers are retreating.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Some acclimatisation walks are free, including the hike to the Mirador de Rataquenua, a cross above town with views of the Cordillera Blanca. Go with others.
The central market is free to explore and good for fruit, cheese and cheap food. The Plaza de Armas is busy in the evenings.
Most hikes in Huascarán National Park need a park ticket, bought at the entrance.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Highland food is hearty: pachamanca, meat and potatoes cooked underground with hot stones, cuy, trout and caldo de cabeza, a lamb head soup that is better than it sounds. Picante de cuy is a local favourite.
The central market has cheap menús, and the town has plenty of cafés and pizza places catering to trekkers. Many agencies and hostels can prepare packed lunches for hikes.
Coca tea helps with the altitude.
Nightlife
Going out
Huaraz has a few bars and pubs aimed at trekkers and climbers, busiest after people come back from treks.
Nights are cold, and most people are up before dawn for hikes, so it is a quiet town.
Go easy on alcohol at altitude.
Getting around
Getting around
The centre is walkable, and taxis are cheap. Colectivos run up and down the valley to Caraz, Yungay and the trailheads, though tours with transport are easier for Laguna 69.
Buses from Lima take around eight hours, with comfortable overnight services. There is a small airport at Anta, around 30 minutes away, with limited flights from Lima.
Trailheads for the main hikes are one to three hours from town.
Costs
What Huaraz costs
Huaraz is cheap. Dorm beds start around €7, with well-rated hostels from €8 to €15. A menú costs a few euros.
Day tours with transport are good value, and the Huascarán National Park ticket is the main fee for hikes. Multi-day treks with an agency, including donkeys, a cook and gear, cost much more.
Carry cash in soles for park tickets, colectivos and the villages.
Safety
Safety and scams
Huaraz is generally safe. Take normal care in town, especially at night and around the bus stations.
Altitude is the main risk. Spend at least two days acclimatising before Laguna 69 or any trek. Headaches, nausea and breathlessness are common; if symptoms get worse, go down. Weather in the mountains changes fast, so carry warm, waterproof layers and sun protection.
Hike with others, tell someone your plans, and book treks and climbs only with licensed agencies and guides. Some viewpoints near town have had robberies, so go in groups. In an emergency, call 105 for police or 106 for an ambulance.
Worth leaving town for
Glacial lakes, high passes and an ancient temple.
Laguna 69
A turquoise lake below a glacier, at around 4,600 metres.
Chavín de Huántar
A UNESCO-listed temple with underground galleries.
Laguna Churup
A steep climb to a high lake.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Trekking season, Semana Santa and the Andean festivals.
May to September
Trekking season
Cordillera Blanca
The dry months, with the clearest skies.
March or April
Semana Santa
Huaraz
Processions and holiday crowds from Lima.
May
Señor de la Soledad
Huaraz
The town's patron festival, with processions and dances.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Huaraz, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
La Casa de Maruja BB
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Alpes Huaraz
Dorms from €6 a night
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Tony's House Hostel Huaraz
Dorms from €5 a night
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Makalu Lodge
Dorms from €5 a night
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Lhotse Hostel B&B
Dorms from €5 a night
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Aldos Guest House
Dorms from €5 a night
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Krusty Hostel
Dorms from €5 a night
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Kame House Backpacker
Dorms from €3 a night
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Mariandes Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
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Big Mountain Hostel
Dorms from €1 a night
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Vacahouse Huaraz B&B
Dorms from €5 a night
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Mirador Backpackers B&B
Dorms from €4 a night
See dates and book
When to go
May to September is the dry season, with clear skies and the best trekking. October to April is wet, with cloud and afternoon storms, and some treks are muddy or closed.
Jan
Wet
Feb
Wettest
Mar
Wet
Apr
Drying out
May
Dry season begins
Jun
Dry, clear
Jul
Peak trekking
Aug
Dry, busy
Sep
Dry
Oct
Rains begin
Nov
Wet
Dec
Wet
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs in Huaraz, rounded. It is much colder on the trails.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Huaraz prices.
Treat these as a guide. Multi-day treks and climbs cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Huaraz questions
The ones we get asked most.
How many days do you need in Huaraz?
At least five, with two for acclimatising. Add four or five for the Santa Cruz trek.
How hard is Laguna 69?
It is a long day with a steep climb to around 4,600 metres. It is fine for fit hikers who have acclimatised.
Do I need a guide for the Santa Cruz trek?
Not legally, but most people go with an agency. Go independently only if experienced and well equipped.
How do I get from Lima to Huaraz?
By bus, around eight hours. Overnight services are comfortable.
When is the best time to visit Huaraz?
May to September, the dry season.
How bad is the altitude in Huaraz?
The town is at around 3,050 metres, and hikes go much higher. Start with easy walks and go up gradually.
Is Huaraz safe?
Generally yes. Take care at night and hike viewpoints near town in groups.
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