The North Coast and Northern Highlands
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The North Coast and Northern Highlands - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Laguna 69
Body Of Water/WaterfallRegularly featured on "most beautiful lakes in the world" lists and Instagram bucket lists, this small but stunning turquoise glacial lake near the city of Huaraz and within Parque Nacional Huascarán merits all the hype for its natural beauty and for the spectacular and scenic hike leading to the lake. Treat your visit to Laguna 69 like a high-altitude hike, not a photo op, and be prepared. The trek to Laguna 69 will take your breath away, figuratively and literally, as the lake sits 4,600 meters (15,092 feet) above sea level. Remind yourself that this altitude is just 2,000 feet below base camp at Mount Everest, and then train, pack, and plan time to acclimatize accordingly. It’s possible to get to Laguna 69 and do the hike solo, but it is cheaper (and safer) to take a tour. If you are an experienced high-altitude hiker, you can beat the crowds by staying at a campsite by Llanganuco lake near the hike's trailhead to start your morning hike as early as you wish.
Parque Nacional Huascarán, Huaraz, Ancash, PeruSight Details
Rate Includes: Park admission: S/10 day pass, S/65 multiday pass -
2. Jirón José Olaya
Historic District/SiteTo see Huaraz's colonial remnants, head to Jirón José Olaya, a pedestrian-only street that's one of the few places left untouched by the 1970 earthquake. The handsome white-and-green facades stand east of the town center, on the right-hand side of Raimondi and a block behind Confraternidad Inter Este.The best time to visit is on Sunday, when there's a weekly feria de comida típica, a regional street festival with local food and craft stalls.
Huaraz, Ancash, Peru -
3. Mercado Central
Market/BazaarFor a down-to-earth look at Andean culture, head to this market, where you'll see fruits and vegetables grown only in the highlands, as well as cuyes, chickens, ducks, and rabbits, all available for purchase alive or freshly slaughtered.
Entrance at Jr. de la Cruz Romero and Av. Cayetano Requena, Huaraz, Ancash, Peru -
4. Mirador de Rataquenua
ViewpointThe lookout point has an excellent view of Huaraz, the Río Santa, and the surrounding mountains. It's a 45-minute walk up, and the directions are complicated, so it's best to hire a guide or, better yet, take a taxi.
Av. Confraternidad Inter Sur and Av. Confraternidad Inter Este, Huaraz, Ancash, Peru -
5. Museo Arqueológico de Ancash
Museum/GalleryWhat draws visitors to this small museum is the park out back, which has a delightful assortment of pre-Hispanic statues from the Chavín and Recuay cultures. The musicians, warriors, and gods here will keep you company as you reflect on the mummies and ceramics you've examined in the museum's inner rooms. Upstairs, numerous skulls bear the scars (or rather holes) from trepanation, the removal of bone from the skull. There are also textiles, metalwork, and a room dedicated to ancient Andean beliefs about the afterlife.
Av. Luzuriaga 762, Huaraz, Ancash, Peru043-421–551Sight Details
Rate Includes: S/5, Closed Mon. -
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6. Pastouri Glacier
Nature SightA popular day-trip from Huaraz is a visit to the Pastoruri Glacier, where you can hike around the 8-square-km (3-square-mile) berg. The rapidly shrinking ice field, which could disappear within the next few years, has become a symbol of global climate change. On this trip you'll ascend to well above 4,000 meters (13,000 feet), so make sure you're used to the high altitude. Wear warm clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses, as the sun is intense. Drink lots of water to avoid altitude sickness. The easiest and safest way to get here is with a tour company from Huaraz. The tour costs about S/30 to S/40 and takes eight hours. You can also hire diminutive horses to take you up to the glacier from the parking lot for about S/15. It's not the most spectacular glacier in the world, but if you've never seen one up close, it's worth the trip. The glacier is 70 km (43 miles) south of Huaraz, off the main highway at the town of Recuay—a journey of about three hours.
Huaraz, Ancash, PeruSight Details
Rate Includes: S/5 -
7. Plaza de Armas
Plaza/SquareThis pretty square is the key spot for people-watching in Huaraz. The cathedral looks splendid when lit up at night, and tiendas artesenales (artisanal kiosks) border the central fountain.
Luzuriaga and José Sucre, Huaraz, Ancash, Peru -
8. Wilcahuaín
RuinsSome 8 km (5 miles) north of Huaraz, this small archaeological site contains a Wari temple, dating from AD 1100, that resembles the larger temple at Chavín de Huántar. Each story of the crumbling three-tiered temple has seven rooms. There's are also a small museum, basic bathroom facilities, and a limited restaurant. Trained and knowledgeable local students will be your guide for a small tip (suggested minimum: S/10).
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